Re: Dobson : Wed Jun 17, 2015 4:02 pm  

SaleSlim wrote:

BF - I know he needs a game prior to the Catalans game but the Wigan one is gonna be physical and surely it's better for him to be "eased" back in for the U19's rather than a full blooded first tea game at Wigan where his chances of getting injured again are greater? I'm not a massive fan of throwing players straight back into the first team after a lengthy absence and we've seen the likes of Sa'u and J Griffin blowing out their backsides after 15 minutes recently in the same situation.

If he does start then then you have to have Theo on the bench as interchange and leave either Hood or Tomkins out.

You can't play 'open age' players in the U19's anymore can you?

Re: Dobson : Wed Jun 17, 2015 4:03 pm  

I think the Cats game will be as physical. So we've no choice in avoiding that threat.

Re: Dobson : Wed Jun 17, 2015 4:14 pm  

Erm... because he covers 6,7 & 9 and deserves his place in the 17?! I like Hood and Tomkins is solid enough but with all due respect Theo has done more than enough this season to not be shunted out as soon as Dobson comes back from a lengthy injury stint. I know Theo has some shortcomings but he's single-handedly had to carry the team round the park for the past 2 months and he's made a decent fist of it too.

I'll admit I like Theo and I'll be gutted if he goes but he's never given less than 100% in a Salford shirt and his performances warrant him staying in the 17 in some form. If you're telling me BOTH Tomkins and Hood deserve a place in front of him on merit then I would suggest you either don't go to games or you're a little bitter about Theo putting in a transfer request!

It's got nothing to do with reputations or names... it's purely down to performances.

Re: Dobson : Wed Jun 17, 2015 4:27 pm  

Ave It! wrote:

You can't play 'open age' players in the U19's anymore can you?

Well if that's the case than fair enough but just goes to show what a mockery the RFL have made of having no reserve grade rugby. The jump from U19's to First Team is massive and I don't see why having a limited number of spots available for injured first teamers on the comeback trail can't be brought in. Similar to the likes of Robbo and Whiteside (Wendyballers for the uneducated) playing a couple of A team games back in the 80's early 90's before this academy stuff started off. IMO I'd be learning far more as an 18 year old playing alongside a couple of seasoned pro's than other "kids". Just my opinion of course but feel free to put me in my place!

HR - Yes I know the Catalans game will be physical... it's just that Dobson will have a further 80 minutes under his belt to prepare himself for that. Given his recent injury record I'd rather Dobson was eased back in rather than thrown straight back in at the deep end.

Re: Dobson : Wed Jun 17, 2015 4:34 pm  

Lol bitter about him putting in transfer request, seriously?

You say he's single handedly carried the team around the park, their is a reason we haven't looked like an putting an attack together with Fages at the helm. Decent fist you can call it that but we was dire for them 2 months. Our interchange hooker has been our most attacking player. Before Hood, I'd agreed to bring Theo on after 25 minutes but it's clear Hood is better as an interchange hooker than Fages. So that means does he start? For me no, Logan has a better defence and is more solid, his passing distribution is also better.

I know it's harsh but that's the realities of professional sport. We need Dobson got his organisational skills and more important his kicking game, we can't drop Rangi as he is a mecurial player that can produce something out of nothing, which Theo also has yet to do. I honestly feel his best attributes our being a support player and offering a quick scoot from dummy half when coming on as interchange hooker. That means replacing Hood, which isn't going to happen anytime soon.

I think he'll be a middle of road player, I don't beleive the hype that Salford fans see. If he was at Wigan, Saints or Leeds, he'd be turning out at championship clubs like Hunslet, Workington.

Could go on but i'll leave it for now and eat my words after MOM performance at the DW.

Re: Dobson : Wed Jun 17, 2015 4:48 pm  

[quote="builditandtheycome"]Lol bitter about him putting in transfer request, seriously?

I think he'll be a middle of road player, I don't beleive the hype that Salford fans see. If he was at Wigan, Saints or Leeds, he'd be turning out at championship clubs like Hunslet, Workington. quote]

You made some valid, well constructed points and then this brain fart came out! I don't claim he's the next Andrew Johns but labelling him Championship standard? Wow!

Oh and yes, we played with one "half" for 7 or 8 games so I'd argue he did have to carry us around the field with next to no support. Even Rangi or Dobson would struggle to do that without a HB partner. Just my opinion of course.....

Re: Dobson : Wed Jun 17, 2015 5:01 pm  

So if he was at those above clubs I mention whose place would he be getting in front of? Without shaddow he's be on dual reg.

I know it's nice when one of our youngesters come through and we all see the game differently. In my opinion he will be average player, won't play in the halves, will get converted into hooker of the Rob Burrow mould. What makes me more convinced is that if we end up getting the lad from Leigh in 2017, his main aspect of his game is support play and taking the line on. TF and RB at 6 & 7, the thought of it sends shivers down my spine, suppose supporters have been engrained into watching poor players and Salford teams for year and we accept average. Again, only my opinion.

Re: Dobson : Wed Jun 17, 2015 6:39 pm  

SaleSlim wrote:

Oh and yes, we played with one "half" for 7 or 8 games so I'd argue he did have to carry us around the field with next to no support. Even Rangi or Dobson would struggle to do that without a HB partner. Just my opinion of course.....

And mine too...
He's been targetted by the opposition with no partner to provide decoys and we've still been unlucky to lose in a few of those games.
The things Theo lacks at the moment is a good kicking game and experience. I personally think he'll become a top player for years to come, hopefully in a Salford shirt.

Re: Dobson : Thu Jun 18, 2015 9:02 am  

Dobson over Theo all day, but I would rather have Theo in at hooker than Tomkins.

Re: Dobson : Thu Jun 18, 2015 12:55 pm  

I note Theo didn't play against Wigan at home our best performance of the season when Chase, Dobson, Lee and Hood were all playing.