Re: Hampshire : Wed Jun 05, 2019 10:39 pm  

PopTart wrote:

Because he is way more to this club than just a good player but actually you didn't just say he wasn't world class, you listed a bunch of players who you think were better in his generation and then listed a bunch of players in Super League that you think are better, some of which were just a joke comparison.

What I listed were a number of players who were “AS GOOD or better”

Joke comparison, In your opinion of course and now who’s being disrespectful?

Being a much loved ex player doesn’t make you World Class either.

Re: Hampshire : Wed Jun 05, 2019 10:45 pm  

Shifty Cat wrote:

:? Why is someone part of a 'rose tinted brigade' if they happen to hold a different opinion about a Trinity player? can't they just have exactly what it is - a different opinion.

Of course they can but it seems I’m not!

So having not agreed with the pack I’m now accused of not getting my facts straight and being disrespectful!

So it’s very much me who’s opinion is not allowed to be voiced

Re: Hampshire : Wed Jun 05, 2019 11:02 pm  

The Avenger wrote:

Of course they can but it seems I’m not!

So having not agreed with the pack I’m now accused of not getting my facts straight and being disrespectful!

So it’s very much me who’s opinion is not allowed to be voiced

I've got no dog in the fight here, although I've seen a few matches etc Toppo was way before my time, but what's the point in pigeonholing other posters right off the bat as being rose tinted. Imo it's usually done to make your opinion somehow look more subjective and theirs not, meaning your right and their wrong.

Also who's stopping you from voicing your opinion Avenger, I can't see anyone and you seem to be doing a good job of voicing it. Seems to me a good old difference of opinions.

[PopTart]

Re: Hampshire : Thu Jun 06, 2019 5:42 am  

If I get chance today I'll split out the Toppo discussion as it's a divergence from Hampshire which is the point of the thread. I'm as guilty of not more so than anyone.

Re: Hampshire : Thu Jun 06, 2019 7:04 am  

Had Toppo played for Leeds, who I understand tried to sign him, he would have had a bucketful of caps.
Another factor is that, in that era there was a glut of 'World class' 'good' - call 'em what you will, Stand Off halves.
All I can say is that it was an absolute pleasure to see the career's of Harold Poynton and David Topliss both of whom would have walked into an SL team today, such was their quality.

Back to the thread,I'll be disappointed if Hampshire doesn't re-sign but not gutted.

Re: Hampshire : Thu Jun 06, 2019 8:03 am  

the Half backs from the past we’re allowed to play what they see the half backs now are told how to play. They stay one side of the field it’s get to that blade of grass to get to that blade of grass all the flair is taken out of them and they are basically robots. Can you imagine Edwards schofield Hanley woods topliss Holmes being told to stay on one side of field and don’t move. If you’ve got talented ball players who can make things happen then put the damn thing in their hands as much as possible. Simple game made hard

Re: Hampshire : Thu Jun 06, 2019 9:17 am  

MOPSEY LIVES ON wrote:

the Half backs from the past we’re allowed to play what they see the half backs now are told how to play. They stay one side of the field it’s get to that blade of grass to get to that blade of grass all the flair is taken out of them and they are basically robots. Can you imagine Edwards schofield Hanley woods topliss Holmes being told to stay on one side of field and don’t move. If you’ve got talented ball players who can make things happen then put the damn thing in their hands as much as possible. Simple game made hard

I have some sympathy with this view - but a return to that style of play would be an absolute disaster against a modern, well drilled defence; the only way it would work is if every SL team agreed to revert to old school RL on the same day. Imagine putting the ball in the hands of a HB every play and letting them do what they wanted - more often than not, they'd get absolutely starched by a gang of mobile forwards, and the play would break down - as would the unfortunate HB.

There's plenty to love about how the game used to be played - but it just isn't like that any more; it's now a scientifically researched 'percentage' endeavour, where flair and individual brilliance can actually be detrimental to the overall team performance - despite being sometimes situationally successful and very exciting to watch.

Re: Hampshire : Thu Jun 06, 2019 10:43 am  

MOPSEY LIVES ON wrote:

the Half backs from the past we’re allowed to play what they see the half backs now are told how to play. They stay one side of the field it’s get to that blade of grass to get to that blade of grass all the flair is taken out of them and they are basically robots. Can you imagine Edwards schofield Hanley woods topliss Holmes being told to stay on one side of field and don’t move. If you’ve got talented ball players who can make things happen then put the damn thing in their hands as much as possible. Simple game made hard

Agreed, the mentality came from Australia originally and we have without imagination stuck to it ever since, which is ironic because the Aussies ditched it years ago.

What it requires is for the coaching staff to drop down a peg and trust the players they have. Its just my opinion but the coaching/tactics side of the game has become to great in recent years and has nullified the skill of the sport to an extent.

A lot of our issues come from P&R imo, most clubs start the season cautiously and remain so until the horrors of relegation are behind them by which point its generally to late. The Aussies have no such issues and it shows.

Its a whole wider issue I know and I certainly don't have the answers but it continually weakens our sport imo.

Re: Hampshire : Thu Jun 06, 2019 11:39 am  

Trinity1315 wrote:

Had Toppo played for Leeds, who I understand tried to sign him, he would have had a bucketful of caps.
Another factor is that, in that era there was a glut of 'World class' 'good' - call 'em what you will, Stand Off halves.
All I can say is that it was an absolute pleasure to see the career's of Harold Poynton and David Topliss both of whom would have walked into an SL team today, such was their quality.

Back to the thread,I'll be disappointed if Hampshire doesn't re-sign but not gutted.

Leeds did try to sign him but didn't want him to play in Australia in the off season. Toppo chose Australia.

Re: Hampshire : Thu Jun 06, 2019 3:10 pm  

Fishermanscap wrote:

Agreed, the mentality came from Australia originally and we have without imagination stuck to it ever since, which is ironic because the Aussies ditched it years ago.

What it requires is for the coaching staff to drop down a peg and trust the players they have. Its just my opinion but the coaching/tactics side of the game has become to great in recent years and has nullified the skill of the sport to an extent.

A lot of our issues come from P&R imo, most clubs start the season cautiously and remain so until the horrors of relegation are behind them by which point its generally to late. The Aussies have no such issues and it shows.

Its a whole wider issue I know and I certainly don't have the answers but it continually weakens our sport imo.

not just us but in the Widnes game we never changed the style of play even when it should of just been 5 drives and play for position with our bigger pack we’ve done same at London twice when our pack is much bigger, it’s as though players are scared to try anything. It’s not just us it’s nearly every team and it’s making the game robotic. Most centres can’t pass to their winger as they are built up rigid back rowers it’s all play to middle then play one side behind the back. The games simple and drop offs and run arounds and driving the ball in hard and creating space works.