Re: Is that it ?? : Wed Oct 24, 2012 10:30 am  

You don't play for Leeds, Wigan, Warrington and Gold Coast Titans if you're a poor player!

Re: Is that it ?? : Wed Oct 24, 2012 10:43 am  

TRB wrote:

He is if he has the ball in his hands. He missed a few bombs and bombed a few opportunities to kill the ball at times, and I can't agree on the defence - he is quite horrid on his last man defence at times - but I'll take him as a package - warts an' all because his contribution in the positive column is far greater than the negatives!

I agree, you have to hope that being settled and with maturity he makes less and less of those. Mathers will never be top class he simply makes too many basic errors for that, but he offers us something and plenty of it - he's a bit like Cockayne, not a great player but drives the team with his obvious enthusiasm and willingness to have a go - Wakefield need as many of those as we can get.

Frankly if he'd stop letting the ball bounce horror style I'd give him a 3 year deal, but I don't reckon he can. It's a price we have to pay. The tackling can be a bit limp at times but oddly this doesn't bother be as much as it's a part of the game practice can't always sort out - unlike catching.

Re: Is that it ?? : Wed Oct 24, 2012 10:50 am  

bren2k wrote:

That'll be Stevo's uncatchable 'spiral bomb' - even the great Stomkins can't catch 'em!

In my view Mathers is in a much better league of ball catchers than Tomkins.

Tomkins' skill is all in his attack, not his catching or defence.

Re: Is that it ?? : Wed Oct 24, 2012 10:56 am  

vastman wrote:

Frankly if he'd stop letting the ball bounce horror style I'd give him a 3 year deal

Is it just me or does letting the ball bounce appear to have become accepted practice in SL? In recent seasons, it seems to me that the majority of kicks are allowed to bounce, rather than the other way round.

I agree with you though - it's a horrible, heart in the mouth moment when the ball takes an unexpected bounce and squirts towards the sideline or an on-rushing defender; it usually results in a repeat set, a soft try or your own player throwing his body on the ball and getting smashed to bits.

Re: Is that it ?? : Wed Oct 24, 2012 10:58 am  

wildshot wrote:

In my view Mathers is in a much better league of ball catchers than Tomkins.

Tomkins' skill is all in his attack, not his catching or defence.

I'll give it you for loyalty, however never in this world is that the case. Tomkins isn't even a F/B by trade but he looks super confident under the bomb compared to 10 year veteran Mathers. Yep he misses a few but that is because he actually goes for them all.

I'm happy enough with Mathers but let's be a little bit realistic here. For me the best F/B in SL is still Wellens, yep he lacks pace as does Mathers but apart from that he's text book.

Re: Is that it ?? : Wed Oct 24, 2012 11:06 am  

bren2k wrote:

Is it just me or does letting the ball bounce appear to have become accepted practice in SL? In recent seasons, it seems to me that the majority of kicks are allowed to bounce, rather than the other way round.

I agree with you though - it's a horrible, heart in the mouth moment when the ball takes an unexpected bounce and squirts towards the sideline or an on-rushing defender; it usually results in a repeat set, a soft try or your own player throwing his body on the ball and getting smashed to bits.

Possibly, not many obviously good F/Bs at the moment, can't believe it's coached. If you knock on so long as you kill the ball the worst is a scrum, let a ball bounce and it's a 50/50 that the opposition will get the ball and almost certainly score. However Mathers more than most let's it bounce or leaves it to the winger (without his prior knowledge) when it is clearly his ball to claim and that part of his game he can and should sort. The rest is just the rest as is the case with most players.

[PopTart]

Re: Is that it ?? : Wed Oct 24, 2012 11:12 am  

Just looked up the stats to be all smart and prove the knockers wrong but his tackle to missed tackle stats are aweful.
I am switching sides.

I still like him over all but he ecratinly needs to improve that part of his game.
Unfortunately Sykes is just as bad.

Re: Is that it ?? : Wed Oct 24, 2012 9:07 pm  

glad this saga is over and mathers as signed, yes he did have some faults but what is the off season for? to improve his game and his weaknesses! he's played for some quality teams with great leadership, he as far more strengths than weaknesses! get off his back a little.

Re: Is that it ?? : Sat Nov 03, 2012 6:17 pm  

Is that it for player signings? Or do you think we are due one of two more surprise signings maybe Bobby Goulding Junior and another prop?

Re: Is that it ?? : Sat Nov 03, 2012 7:23 pm  

asmadasa wrote:

Is that it for player signings? Or do you think we are due one of two more surprise signings maybe Bobby Goulding Junior and another prop?

thought it might have been fergie. they have been talking to him i hear. not wanted at hudds along with a bandy legged centre who is busting to get back to wakey?