Wildcat-Rich wrote:
I dont think he is better than Blaymire as Matty was very good defensively where as Mathers isnt, however he does offer more than Matty did in attack which wasnt hard in the last few years but i personally dont want Mathers as i dont rate him at all and would prefer either a proper winger to challenge Morton and Fox for the wing position as i think Cockayne will be challenging for the full back slot or a proper Centre to challenge Mellars and Collis as if 1 of those or both get injured we look very light there.
Agreed, no way is he better than Blaymire. They are different players and it depends on what the Coach wants.
Mathers is a far better attacking player but can be woeful in defence or under the high ball at times. Blaymire was more reliable but not spectacular.
The biggest difference is in brain power. Blaymire never gets credit for this but he rarely lost meters - he went down in the tackle once safely away from his try line. Mathers attempts to break every tackle no matter how impossible that is and often ends up in touch or behind his own try line - this puts a massive and unwanted strain on your defence. That's OK if you are Saints, it could be nightmare for us.
I'd have Blaymire any day but that doesn't mean Mathers couldn't do a job - it's whether we could take the rough with the smooth.
