Re: widdop : Sat Oct 23, 2010 10:00 am  

he hasn't, about 5 games in his entire career. Your right we do have problems!

Re: widdop : Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:11 pm  

He played well, he made a couple of mistakes but you have to expect that from such a young player. He threatened the defence and returned the ball well.

Given the alternatives he is the best option.

You have to remember that the aim is to have a team ready for the world cup in 2013. Players like Wellens and Briscoe will be too old then and are not good enough now. Given the other options Widdop was a good pick and had a promising game given his age and experience.

Re: widdop : Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:16 pm  

saint billy wrote:

Westwood wasn't our best player, James Graham was, although he had a decent game.

Tomkins
Goulding
Atkins
Shenton
Goulding
Brown
Robinson
Graham
Roby
Fielden
Westwood
Ellis
O'Loughlin

Burgess
Crabtree
Griffin
Harrison.

Thats what i'd go for. A massive bench, with Burgess and Harrison able to cover anywhere in the pack except hooker, with Crabtree and Griffin rotating at prop. Also, if injuries occur to the backs, then the likes of Ellis or O'Loughlin can slot in if needs be. Joel Tomkins was rubbish when he come on, IMO, and doesn't deserve to be picked on the bench.

I agree Goulding was good but can he really play 2 positions at the same time?

Re: widdop : Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:19 pm  

JB Down Under wrote:

he hasn't, about 5 games in his entire career. Your right we do have problems!

Kris Inu had played 1 game of first grade when he made his debut IIRC.

Anyway FWIW I think Widdop looked totally out of his depth today. Im sure had we had a fully fit squad though the combonation would have been 1.Tomkins, 6. McGuire, 7.Eastmond anyway and Widdop wouldnt have had a look in.

Re: widdop : Sat Oct 23, 2010 3:10 pm  

and what has Inu done since?

I hear what your saying about 2013 but surely have him in the squad to get experience, play Briscoe who is safe at the back if offers little going forward and let the kid at least get some 1st grade experience before throwing him to the Lions (or in this case kiwis).

Re: widdop : Sat Oct 23, 2010 3:15 pm  

I don't know what a lot of you were expecting, but England have clearly upgraded in the fullback position in 2010.

Re: widdop : Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:58 pm  

CGD wrote:

I don't know what a lot of you were expecting, but England have clearly upgraded in the fullback position in 2010.

Correct they have, in terms of missed tackles and errors he's upgraded these stats tenfold. Just a shame he's upgraded them the wrong way

Re: widdop : Sat Oct 23, 2010 5:25 pm  

I think the real problem England face is that their best halves - Tomkins and Eastmond - play at their best at FB and Centre. If you had your first choice squad available I would think that Tompkins would replace Widdop, but who would be in the halves? If you go with your best halfback pairing, then you have to go with Widdop.
As a neutral I don't think Widdop was any worse than any of the other players you had in the squad, sure he needs to make a 10% improvement if you want to win an international, but then again so does the rest of your squad.
(But that's not that bad, all the French players need to improve by 50% to be competitive)

Re: widdop : Sat Oct 23, 2010 5:45 pm  

JB Down Under wrote:

he's a reserve grader ffs, what's he doing in an England shirt?

Because an awful lot of our squad would be reserve graders over there.

Re: widdop : Sat Oct 23, 2010 6:01 pm  

JB Down Under wrote:

and what has Inu done since?

I hear what your saying about 2013 but surely have him in the squad to get experience, play Briscoe who is safe at the back if offers little going forward and let the kid at least get some 1st grade experience before throwing him to the Lions (or in this case kiwis).

He offers nothing going forward, we're looking to win games not to lose by the lowest amount. Briscoe is an average SL full back, he's no where near international standard.. and I really like the guy.