Re: Tom Johnstone : Tue Mar 30, 2021 11:07 am  

Willzay wrote:

I’m more concerned about our halfback options then our options for the wings.

Williams and Lomax for me, with Gale in reserve.
And if Trueman continues the season like he's started it...

Re: Tom Johnstone : Tue Mar 30, 2021 11:19 am  

If Wane were to pick his starting wingers for an upcoming match he would be insane not to pick Makinson and Johnstone. With maybe Ash Handley if fit in reserve.

Re: Tom Johnstone : Tue Mar 30, 2021 12:41 pm  

nottinghamtiger wrote:

Williams and Lomax for me, with Gale in reserve.
And if Trueman continues the season like he's started it...

Lomax looks great at Saints but, has he ever looked good enough for England ?
Unfortunately, he will be feeding off scraps at international level and for me, isn't the right choice for England.

I'd be delighted to be wrong though

Re: Tom Johnstone : Tue Mar 30, 2021 12:41 pm  

nottinghamtiger wrote:

That's your interpretation. Eden is the only player who actually scores more than a try a game - and he's therefore far better than the others listed.
Both players have something you can't coach: acceleration, pace and a natural instinct of where to be (unfortunately, in Eden's case that doesn't apply to defence).
Part of me would like to see Johnstone at a top team like Cas where he has even more opportunities, but part of me wants him to stay at Wakefield where he has such loyal supporters.
Would I pick him for England in the World Cup? Yes, if he plays better than the other options we have. Makinson is a shoe-in for the right-wing spot, but that other side is very much open for any player who puts together a strong season.

Re: Tom Johnstone : Tue Mar 30, 2021 12:44 pm  

nottinghamtiger wrote:

That's your interpretation. Eden is the only player who actually scores more than a try a game - and he's therefore far better than the others listed.
Both players have something you can't coach: acceleration, pace and a natural instinct of where to be (unfortunately, in Eden's case that doesn't apply to defence).
Part of me would like to see Johnstone at a top team like Cas where he has even more opportunities, but part of me wants him to stay at Wakefield where he has such loyal supporters.
Would I pick him for England in the World Cup? Yes, if he plays better than the other options we have. Makinson is a shoe-in for the right-wing spot, but that other side is very much open for any player who puts together a strong season.

No, that's the interpretation anyone being serious would follow.

Eden is good, Johnstone has start quality, that's where it ends. Eden is not an international, Johnstone almost certainly is.

Re: Tom Johnstone : Tue Mar 30, 2021 12:51 pm  

wrencat1873 wrote:

Lomax looks great at Saints but, has he ever looked good enough for England ?
Unfortunately, he will be feeding off scraps at international level and for me, isn't the right choice for England.

I'd be delighted to be wrong though

He's got much more experience playing at half-back now than he had previously. All his previous games (bar one) for England have been at full-back too.
I think he's a better player than he was the last time he played for England back in 2018. He'll have been playing regularly at half-back for Saints for three more seasons when the WC starts.

My biggest worry is Hodgson; looks great for Canberra, but has never been anything other than poor for England.

[Bullseye]

Re: Tom Johnstone : Tue Mar 30, 2021 1:00 pm  

Makinson and Johnstone are the best two wingers at the moment. Think Hall, Handley and McGillvary are ok backup. Eden is too prone to brain farts under pressure IMO.

Re: Tom Johnstone : Tue Mar 30, 2021 1:19 pm  

nottinghamtiger wrote:

Injured at the moment. He was getting picked at the back end of 2020 and playing very well. As you say, though, Powell doesn't seem to like his 'unpredictability' at times!
He's due to stand trial later in the year.

when he was at kr and hudds I like his style of play and I personally would of had him in my team, cas has certainly got the best from him

Re: Tom Johnstone : Tue Mar 30, 2021 1:31 pm  

snowie wrote:

when he was at kr and hudds I like his style of play and I personally would of had him in my team, cas has certainly got the best from him

He's a fantastic winger, but a dreadful full-back. As soon as he has to think or make a decision, he's prone to ballsing up in quite a big way.
When he needs to do something instinctive or just run as fast as he can, he's great. As soon as he thinks about doing something other than running or putting the ball over the try-line, he's in trouble.

Re: Tom Johnstone : Tue Mar 30, 2021 1:34 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

Makinson and Johnstone are the best two wingers at the moment. Think Hall, Handley and McGillvary are ok backup. Eden is too prone to brain farts under pressure IMO.

To be fair, it doesn't even need to be under pressure.