Re: The Centre Spot : Fri Feb 14, 2020 11:42 am  

This debate depends a bit on how good we think Ashton is.
He very nearly scorched through for a brilliant try v StHelens ... when he broke through the defence & in the end passed off the floor. If he had have beaten the last man (as he nearly did) we would not be having this debate. I rate Ratchford at FB highly but Ashton could be better as he is quicker. A back line including Ashton (FB), Ratchford (Centre), Widdop & Austin could be our best.
When Ratchford last played at centre I thought he was excellent and I thought it was his best position.

Re: The Centre Spot : Fri Feb 14, 2020 11:55 am  

The Price interview in the Guardian does strongly suggest someone 'missing out' so that points towards Ashton making way.

The argument about not playing Ratchford at centre is all about him be wasted there. I think that he may well be the best centre that we have at the club.

Re: The Centre Spot : Fri Feb 14, 2020 12:04 pm  

St Helens Wolf wrote:

The Price interview in the Guardian does strongly suggest someone 'missing out' so that points towards Ashton making way.

The argument about not playing Ratchford at centre is all about him be wasted there. I think that he may well be the best centre that we have at the club.

Not Gelling then?

[Winslade's Offload]

Re: The Centre Spot : Fri Feb 14, 2020 12:04 pm  

Smiffy27 wrote:

So from your last comment ... basically you are saying that you would leave out Ashton? Is that what you mean?

Yes ( I think. My brain hurts atm). On a heavy pitch Ashton's pace will be of less value and I would try to avoid playing both Brand and Ashton anyway. The team would look a bit more stable with Ratchford at FB and Currie covering when Widdop left the field. So we would have just the one inexperienced player; Brand at centre, plus only Currie playing in a less than familiar position.

As you say, you could play Ratchford at centre, Ashton at FB and Widdop/Currie at HB. I suppose one of the deciding factors will be whether the coaches think Brand is 'ready' a well.

Not an easy pick this week !

Re: The Centre Spot : Fri Feb 14, 2020 12:43 pm  

rubber duckie wrote:

Not Gelling then?

I thought that Gelling did ok in the first two games, I also thought that King was doing well - but I would still rate Ratchford as the better centre, certainly if he played there week in week out.

Re: The Centre Spot : Fri Feb 14, 2020 12:46 pm  

Haven't we bought a hot prospect centre from Widnes? Throw him in and let him get experience. I wanted Ratch at centre a few years back, we got that wish and just didn't see him in the game?

Re: The Centre Spot : Fri Feb 14, 2020 1:05 pm  

Brand Centre, Widdop on the bench. Less changes - get the game won first then experiment.

Re: The Centre Spot : Fri Feb 14, 2020 1:11 pm  

Wires71 wrote:

Brand Centre, Widdop on the bench. Less changes - get the game won first then experiment.

Agree. Brand is a centre and Widdop will provide great cover from the bench. No brainer for me really. Why move anyone else around?

Re: The Centre Spot : Fri Feb 14, 2020 1:13 pm  

It's a really good problem to have.

Nobody deserves to be dropped after the Saints performance
Marquee signing now available and needs to play but possibly not ready for a full game in heavy conditions

Even with Gelling missing and a possible direct replacement available in the shape of Brand it's a tough call. It maybe easier next week vs Toronto as we could let some of ours play for them

Re: The Centre Spot : Fri Feb 14, 2020 2:28 pm  

Keenan Brand to Centre, Ashton in place of Charnley. Widdop in the halves and Ratchford to Fullback. Genuinely don't think Charnley is as good as everybody bangs on about. This week from us we all banged on about his try and no mention for linehams try. Charnley took a pass with nobody in front of him and loads of space, just ran 10 yards and dropped over the tey line. Lineham took a pass under pressure, got tripped and fought his way over the line, yet everybody got hard over Charnleys try. He's slightly over hyped and i think Lineham is a better winger and Ashton will bring a better attacking threat.