English Fringe Players. : Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:12 pm  

The game is all about opinions, is there any players out there this season who you think warrants an England call up. We're so used to having certain players Eg... Kalum Watkins and Zak Hardaker guaranteed a Gig due to their reputations outweighing their form or performances, don't get me wrong I rate these Two players very high, but feel their performances this season so far doesn't warrant them or guarantee them a starting spot. There must be fringe players out there worthy of challenging for a spot.? In all positions.

Re: English Fringe Players. : Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:43 pm  

One to five is open to fringe players more than most positions, you would assume. But then, that has been the case for decades. Tom Johnstone could get a gig if he continues to impress.

Re: English Fringe Players. : Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:57 pm  

Lovesauce wrote:

One to five is open to fringe players more than most positions, you would assume. But then, that has been the case for decades. Tom Johnstone could get a gig if he continues to impress.

Well said on both fronts. I've always rated Jamie Shaul and Danny Houghton at Hull FC, however, their downfall is the plethora of competition in their particular positions.

Re: English Fringe Players. : Fri Apr 29, 2016 3:58 pm  

jamie shaul and matty russell should be considered before hardaker, but no doubt once tomkins plays his first game he will be untouchable in the england squad

form counts eh?

Re: English Fringe Players. : Fri Apr 29, 2016 4:12 pm  

number 6 wrote:

jamie shaul and matty russell should be considered before hardaker, but no doubt once tomkins plays his first game he will be untouchable in the england squad

form counts eh?

This is what I am hoping Bennett will diffuse, picking in-form players has hardly been the flavour of the past.

Re: English Fringe Players. : Fri Apr 29, 2016 4:14 pm  

number 6 wrote:

jamie shaul and matty russell should be considered before hardaker, but no doubt once tomkins plays his first game he will be untouchable in the england squad

form counts eh?

I'm not sure Mr Bennett will see it that way. I have nothing against any player based on his club. All I wish for is that a player is picked in an intelligent manner.

Re: English Fringe Players. : Fri Apr 29, 2016 4:14 pm  

FLAT STANLEY wrote:

[/u]
This is what I am hoping Bennett will diffuse, picking in-form players has hardly been the flavour of the past.

id like to think so too, but somehow i doubt it will

Re: English Fringe Players. : Fri Apr 29, 2016 4:23 pm  

Form needs to last longer than a couple of months. Shaul and Russell have been far inferior to Hardaker and Tomkins for 3 or 4 years, thats not over-written in 3 months.

The fact is, yes we should have players ready to take Hardaker/Tomkins spot if they are injured or lose form. We should have someone ready to take Watkins spot if he never gets going this season. The problem is that Shaul and Russell arent very good and we have a huge dearth in quality centres throughout this country. Replacing an international quality player who is out of form, with a player who isnt international quality isnt going to get results. What we need are more international players

That means fullbacks who are more than just fast, centres who arent repurposed second rowers, halves who are more than small guys who can't tackle and hookers who arent failed halves. Those are development issues, not selection issues.

Re: English Fringe Players. : Fri Apr 29, 2016 4:28 pm  

SmokeyTA wrote:

Form needs to last longer than a couple of months. Shaul and Russell have been far inferior to Hardaker and Tomkins for 3 or 4 years, thats not over-written in 3 months.

The fact is, yes we should have players ready to take Hardaker/Tomkins spot if they are injured or lose form. We should have someone ready to take Watkins spot if he never gets going this season. The problem is that Shaul and Russell arent very good and we have a huge dearth in quality centres throughout this country. Replacing an international quality player who is out of form, with a player who isnt international quality isnt going to get results. What we need are more international players

That means fullbacks who are more than just fast, centres who arent repurposed second rowers, halves who are more than small guys who can't tackle and hookers who arent failed halves. Those are development issues, not selection issues.

what a stupid comment! not suprised though seeing who posted it!

you really are a t!t sometimes!

Re: English Fringe Players. : Fri Apr 29, 2016 4:33 pm  

number 6 wrote:

what a stupid comment! not suprised though seeing who posted it!

you really are a t!t sometimes!

Shaul and Russell arent very good, they would get eaten up by lower NRL sides, never mind Aus and NZ.