: Fri May 29, 2009 8:08 am  

Morty is a fullback end of and needs to learn his trade. He will be the long term full back at the club. The question needs to be asked can we afford for him to learn his trade in the first team at the expense of results? Maybe we should consider sending him out on loan to an NL2 club or other NL1 club.

: Fri May 29, 2009 8:12 am  

Got to agree i'm afraid! Mort is making to many mistakes! if we were scoring plenty of points then maybe the odd mistake wouldn't be such a disaster but we are struggling to score so it is really costing us!!

He'll be a good un for the future but let him learn from Donlan, maybe rotate them for spells in a game!

: Fri May 29, 2009 10:06 am  

Donlan at full back for sure, mort is not as good its as simple as that, the coach does not even have a hard descision

: Fri May 29, 2009 10:41 am  

Leyther_Matt wrote:

Donlan will continue to play for us for two years tops; Mort could stay with Leigh for the next 10 years, so give him the experience needed to become a top class full back and he'll manage it. Certainly doesn't do a young lad any good to be shifted about all over the place (I too love the Tim Henman style fist pumping and badge kissing btw).

Agree with Matt.

Morty isn't the finished article yet but to make him the player he can be we need to persevere in the position we want him to develop in - dropping him or shunting him all over the park in favour of a relatively poorly performing SL has-been isn't a good youth policy in my book, and I thought that was what this season was supposed to be about.

He's also shown pride in the shirt and plenty of passion, so to favour somebody who may have gone further in the game at other clubs but is only here because it's convenient would be another poor signal to send to the younger players.

: Fri May 29, 2009 10:54 am  

Leyther_Matt wrote:

Donlan will continue to play for us for two years tops; Mort could stay with Leigh for the next 10 years, so give him the experience needed to become a top class full back and he'll manage it. Certainly doesn't do a young lad any good to be shifted about all over the place (I too love the Tim Henman style fist pumping and badge kissing btw).

Totally agree about Mort i've said this before that Mort will be with us [HOPEFULLY] long after Donlan has gone so leave him at FB to gain the experience its better for the team in the long run, it did'nt stop me screaming at the tv though when he let them score but this will happen more if they take him from FB hence keep him there.

: Fri May 29, 2009 11:52 am  

thank god some people know the score. We look CLUELESS in attack cause watson is having to do everything donlan doesnt look intressted at 6 and doesnt get involved no were near wnough feel sorry for Watson

: Fri May 29, 2009 1:32 pm  

Donlan really has to be fullback. Tackling wins games and, a good tackling fullback 'will' win you games. I remember a Challenge Cup tie at Salford and John Woods, kept breaching the Salford defence only to be stopped by the Salford fullback time and time again. It won Salford the game!
Anyone see that game? I think David Stephenson made some last ditchers also! The last time he made any tackles, I THINK!!

: Fri May 29, 2009 1:45 pm  

kirkhall wrote:

Donlan really has to be fullback. Tackling wins games and, a good tackling fullback 'will' win you games. I remember a Challenge Cup tie at Salford and John Woods, kept breaching the Salford defence only to be stopped by the Salford fullback time and time again. It won Salford the game!
Anyone see that game? I think David Stephenson made some last ditchers also! The last time he made any tackles, I THINK!!

The thing is if Donlan goes FB and Mort slots in "elsewhere" then time comes that Donlan leaves us what do we do go out and buy another FB or put Mort at FB again where he wont be any better than he is now imho i think its best to keep him at FB now where he can only get better and for me he 's had more good days than bad in that position.

: Fri May 29, 2009 1:56 pm  

As i have said previously on here we cant keep saying we are building for the the future have been watching leigh for 35 years and we are always buliding for the future!!!!! We spent a lot of money on Donlan he is a full back the best in the league bar none so......YOU PLAY HIM THERE!!!!!!! end of !!! its all about winning we are in the results business and as someone else has put on here you cant learn last line defence when you cant rely on whats in front of you and at the moment we cant so donlan it is am afraid.. Again i will say i love mort passion thro` and thro` but its not going to do him any favours coming under the pressure he does each week..

: Fri May 29, 2009 3:42 pm  

Whilst we are talking Donlan and fullbacks, I remember seeing Donlan,Steve, at Widnes running through the Widnes defence before attempting to round the Widnes rookie fullback. Donlan was hot favourite to round him and score when, Rookie not only catches him but makes an outstanding tackle! Rookies name, JOE LYDON, 18 !