Re: 21 man squad to face York Friday : Fri Apr 09, 2021 1:21 pm  

nathan_rugby wrote:

I wouldn't say it wrecked his career.

He was never going to make it as a super league fullback.

From memory he got picked up into the academy very late and barely made an impact there.

Everyone was really excited about him after his debut, that's why he ended up playing in that semi rather than Richards shifting to FB. That doesn't happen if you don't perform well in the academy. Then he goes into that Leeds play off and drops one crucial ball. No one from the club calls him in the off season or anything like that, then he's put straight out on loan and gets one more game for us (out of position) in the next two seasons before leaving for the Championship.

Like you say, he might never have made it anyway, but we screwed up his development IMO. We should have given him more opportunities during the season (as I'm suggesting we do here with Halsall, Smith and Kilner) if it was foreseeable that injuries could force him into the first team. Then we would have a better idea whether he was ready or not, and he would be better equipped to face a top team in a big game. Regardless, it's one player to illustrate the overall premise that players either get their early experience in the easy games when you rest people (like I'm suggesting here) or they get it in the hard games when injuries force your hand. I know which approach I prefer, we will not play against a worse team than York all year.

Re: 21 man squad to face York Friday : Fri Apr 09, 2021 1:34 pm  

Smith/Hastings in the halves so Powell and Leuluai can share the the 9 duties, 40 mins each should be plenty this week for those two.

Re: 21 man squad to face York Friday : Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:18 pm  

Farrell and Leuluai out (rested...? surely not)

Re: 21 man squad to face York Friday : Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:32 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

It’s no gimme that’s for sure. I just think trying to drag performances out of the collective of props we have would be wise. We need more from Bullock for one but there’s more in all of them but if the 5 being selected at the minute just think they’re safe, you’re asking them to become complacent. I think Bullock and Singleton have started the season looking a bit like they think they’ve cracked it and whilst I’m not convinced Clark or Clubb can break in to the first choice team, I think the timing is pretty good to try and set them that challenge. I think a move like that guards against complacency rather than risk adding to it.

If they are both selected I hope that you are right and I’m way off beam.
I’ve just got a strong feeling that tonight is going to be really tough and when the going gets tough it’s when Clark and Clubb disappear.

I’ve been wrong many times before and my selections at Aintree so far have also been pretty dire so hopefully I’m wrong again and we get through the game irrespective who is selected

Re: 21 man squad to face York Friday : Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:34 pm  

I think they probably have been rested but it’s a risk. That centre/wing pairing of Halsall/Hanley looks a concern. Maybe they’ll move Bibby in and out both of them on the wings.

Looking at the York side, they’re shy of a number of ex superleague players though and have a few youngsters in, so there’s no excuses.

Re: 21 man squad to face York Friday : Fri Apr 09, 2021 5:35 pm  

Itchy Arsenal wrote:

If they are both selected I hope that you are right and I’m way off beam.
I’ve just got a strong feeling that tonight is going to be really tough and when the going gets tough it’s when Clark and Clubb disappear.

I’ve been wrong many times before and my selections at Aintree so far have also been pretty dire so hopefully I’m wrong again and we get through the game irrespective who is selected

Clubb in but not Clark.

No props rested with three on the bench and Partington at loose forward.

Re: 21 man squad to face York Friday : Fri Apr 09, 2021 6:16 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Clubb in but not Clark.

No props rested with three on the bench and Partington at loose forward.

Clubb is due to give the club a half decent performance but if couldn’t give one for a GF I doubt if will tonight.

No Farrell and Halsall at centre is a surprise

As you say on another post York also shy of a few first teamers so no excuses but I still hope we get off to a good start for a change.

Re: 21 man squad to face York Friday : Fri Apr 09, 2021 6:39 pm  

Here's the stream for whoever needs it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp1Tx0tInPE

Here's the stream for whoever needs it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp1Tx0tInPE

Re: 21 man squad to face York Friday : Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:01 pm  

Lucky not to concede a penalty from the reaction to that knock on decision then.

Re: 21 man squad to face York Friday : Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:20 pm  

What is it with us and these sloppy slow 1st half's