Re: Castleford (a) : Sat Mar 04, 2023 10:52 am
jonh wrote:
What pleased me is that 4 players who are roundly criticised by a section of fans had very good games.
I find it interesting when players like Singleton, Isa, Powell and King (the pre season scapegoats) all have good games that the praise is generally very low key.
It worries me a little that we are so reliant on Isa but at the moment he cannot not be in the starting 13.
I still hope in the background we are making moves to bring in another secondrow mid season as I think it may be a push for him to maintain his current level of performance for a full season, but if this is to be his last season with us he has started it off fantastically well.
I find it interesting when players like Singleton, Isa, Powell and King (the pre season scapegoats) all have good games that the praise is generally very low key.
It worries me a little that we are so reliant on Isa but at the moment he cannot not be in the starting 13.
I still hope in the background we are making moves to bring in another secondrow mid season as I think it may be a push for him to maintain his current level of performance for a full season, but if this is to be his last season with us he has started it off fantastically well.
Ahhhh the old scapegoat tag.
Always makes me laugh that some fans can't take criticism of players. I mean the majority of the faults are pretty plain to see, but somehow they aren't to be spoken of.
King had a good game last night. Never in doubt that he'll take the ball up well. He does have question makes over his defence though - you can deny it as much as you like, but it's true.
I've been a big fan of Powell's for a long time. I like the guy and can see why the club like him too. That however doesn't mean there aren't deficiencies in his game. Having a hooker who can do what Powell does + is more mobile will benefit the team.
Singleton is like Powell, but with just more holes in his game. You can talk all day about how our props play, but they have to make some kind of yardage. The have to, it's non-negotiable if we're going to win the GF. Cooper does with Singo does, but better and makes 80+ more yards a game. You can't tell me that isn't better for the team.
Calling out the above, especially when they are all off contract isn't scapegoating. It's talking about ways we can improve the side, by swapping out off contract guys for new blood. That's sport, that's how the great teams become great.
Anyway back to the match - I thought Ellis was very good last night. I saw someone post in the week about playing him at 13 and that could be a great option. Or at least spelling him, with Smithies to 2nd row. He seems fit enough to do bigger minutes and was really quick up in defence (like Knowles does at Saints). His post contact meters were really strong too.