: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:23 pm  

Sorry again
I have to disagree.
Jock can do everything you say.
Durbin should be on from the start at scrum half working with Ridyard. Two young lads with fresh ideas instead of some of the hospital balls Watson dishes out consistently !!!!!!!!!!!!

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:25 pm  

I actually thought that Jock coming back on for Durbin might have been a tactical switch as we appeared to be taking things up the middle a whole lot more late on, and that isn't much of a surprise as 'Haven ripped us to bits out wide at times.

Thought our line was pretty sluggish, both in attack and defence, while we're really lacking a strike player in the centres at the moment.

Must admit, I take back my recent criticism of Hobson as he was awesome today, made some great yards ball-in-hand and worked hard in defence. Granted, he missed a couple of tackles, but you're always likely to miss a couple when you're involved in so many, while he did well to keep calm in the face of some obvious provocation from the 'Haven forwards.

Defence is a 7/10 for today; very solid down the middle but a little weak out wide.

Attack is a 4/10, poor handling, few breaks and a lack of cutting edge at half-back.

Definitely room for improvement, but it's a sign of a decent side with bags of character when we're getting wins like that. Thought we'd won the Challenge Cup when Jock scored near the end, love it.

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:28 pm  

raf rapper wrote:

Sorry again
I have to disagree.
Jock can do everything you say.
Durbin should be on from the start at scrum half working with Ridyard. Two young lads with fresh ideas instead of some of the hospital balls Watson dishes out consistently !!!!!!!!!!!!

Does he have a kicking game?

Watson's been there, done that and worn the t-shirt. I agree at times he throws silly passes and is unbelievably slow but he punches above his weight in defence and provides lots of experience.

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:32 pm  

The Leyther wrote:

Jock is always very, very solid and provides a cool head when it's needed. Durbin will be very effective over the course of the season by coming off the bench but we need Jock on to set a platform and be solid defence which was needed towards the back end of today's game.

Sorry dissagree. Durbin should start with Jock coming off the bench. Its pointless having a defence like today and nothing in attack. We need to get the other team worried and our pack moving round the field then bring on Jock. Durbin is wasted sat on the bench. If our sliding defence was a little bit better he could do most of the game. Watto plays better with Jamie too. We were on their line today and wasted an easy chance because there must have been nearly 40 yards between Jock, Ridyard and Watto.

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:32 pm  

I too thought we played poorly today, but won - possibly undeservedly? The defence was suspect, and our 'attack' was mainly one-man. I also couldn't believe it when Durbin came off - as he had started to give us momentum. However, it looks like he may have been injured. When you consider how many players were missing, then maybe we did do well to win:-

Mort
Alstead
Jamie Smith
Rudd
Morrison
Armitstead
Marsh
Aaron Smith

Most of those would be 'first choice', in anyone's team, wouldn't they?

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:35 pm  

Alan wrote:

I too thought we played poorly today, but won - possibly undeservedly? The defence was suspect, and our 'attack' was mainly one-man. I also couldn't believe it when Durbin came off - as he had started to give us momentum. However, it looks like he may have been injured. When you consider how many players were missing, then maybe we did do well to win:-

Mort
Alstead
Jamie Smith
Rudd
Morrison
Armitstead
Marsh
Aaron Smith

Most of those would be 'first choice', in anyone's team, wouldn't they?

Just said earlier Alan that Jamie Durbin has an injured hand and was only meant to do 10 mins. He told me that leaving the field.

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:36 pm  

TV BOY wrote:

Sorry dissagree. Durbin should start with Jock coming off the bench. Its pointless having a defence like today and nothing in attack. We need to get the other team worried and our pack moving round the field then bring on Jock. Durbin is wasted sat on the bench. If our sliding defence was a little bit better he could do most of the game. Watto plays better with Jamie too. We were on their line today and wasted an easy chance because there must have been nearly 40 yards between Jock, Ridyard and Watto.

The reason Durbin is so effective is because the defence has been tired causing the gaps to open in the defence. Jock has shown over previous seasons that he can set a platform for us to work off and that is what we need in the opening 10/15 minutes.

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:40 pm  

TV BOY wrote:

Just said earlier Alan that Jamie Durbin has an injured hand and was only meant to do 10 mins. He told me that leaving the field.

I know - that's why I said it looked as though he had an injury.

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:45 pm  

Sorry again
But the last two seasons can't be quoted as an example of anyone playing well.
I agree Jock is a useful asset and utilised correctly could prove to be invaluable.
However I for one and many others around me today are excited by what Durbin brings onto the field and the way he organises those around him. He single handedly in 3 games has made me more passionate about watching the team than anyone in the last 3 seasons.
Saying that I do also appreciate the work and ability of Higson, Ridyard, Donlan and the other young Leigh lads who have pride in wearing the shirt.
Also thought Haggerty had a great game today. In fact on reflection I really enjoyed the whole experience today and hope this is a sign of good times ahead !!!!!!
Just not sure about Watson and will always be a critic of him unless he starts standing out I'm afraid !!!!!!

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:46 pm  

The Leyther wrote:

The reason Durbin is so effective is because the defence has been tired causing the gaps to open in the defence. Jock has shown over previous seasons that he can set a platform for us to work off and that is what we need in the opening 10/15 minutes.

Pray tell me where it was today then. Sorry you get a defence both physically and mentally tired by putting them on the back foot and getting them jumpy. Any coach or player will tell you its more difficult defending all the time. Durbin plays the ball faster. Thinks faster. Puts the ball round the field better. Not saying Jock is no good. Infact he had a good game today. In my opinion Jamie Durbin is better at it and it shows.