Our Starting Halfbacks : Tue May 02, 2017 4:31 pm  

I feel the need to start this new thread to discuss the general consensus feeling regarding our current halfback pairing.

I also feel the need to champion Jordan Abdull in particular, who despite getting more stick on here after last Sunday, has in my opinion more than exceeded expectations this season. Jordan has confidence and skill in abundance. He just needs to vary his kicking game more, switch play better and be less selfish near the line and pass more. Small gains that will come with more experience but definitely worth his place in our team.

I am less sure about Jamie Ellis. On his day, he can show flashes of brilliance, but he is more inconsistent and less confident than Abdull. He has put in 2 consecutive league performance shockers interspersed with a good performance against Leigh in the CC.

I don't think pairing Dockar-Clay with Abdull is the answer. I think we need another half back for the 8's. Jordan Lilley would be my preference on loan until the end of the season, before Leeds wake up and realise that he should be starting in the halves instead of Moon.

Re: Our Starting Halfbacks : Tue May 02, 2017 5:45 pm  

That's a decent call. Said all along we are lacking some speed and tricks from our halves. Based on what I have seen Lilley would offer this, but still think we missed an opportunity with Dane Chisholm.
Maybe Ellis will come good, but so far don't think he offers that x factor which we will need against Super League clubs who will no doubt strengthen.
Abdull has done ok, Ellis less so but offers good goal kicking.
Its a big ask, but one tricky irritating half back and two big nasty forwards, then we have a real chance.
Here's hoping.

[Mild Rover]

Re: Our Starting Halfbacks : Tue May 02, 2017 8:00 pm  

I was lukewarm at best about Abdull preseason, but he's won me over so far this season.

Ellis I was much happier to sign, and we have won every game he's played. As the senior half, I'd hold him to a slightly higher standard than Abdull, so he's more of a B- on the report card.

ZDC offers another interesting option, and I can't see us signing another pivot after him tbh.

Re: Our Starting Halfbacks : Tue May 02, 2017 9:39 pm  

Abdull and Ellis will up their game in the mid 8s or any time we play SL teams. If Hudds end up in the mid 8s then thats a tough call to play Ellis. I wouldn't want either back in SL though, and probably won't be available anyway.

May is a massive month in terms of recruitment. We need to get them signed up by the end of May so we can get any new players integrated before the mid 8s. May marks the mid season when the club stated they would make further signings.

Another HB is vital to partner the inexperienced ZDC. We also need a couple of big forwards. One immediate term option to 'punish' Ellis and Abdull for below par performances would be to have Blair and ZDC in the halves but that puts even more pressure on getting more forwards.

FWIW For SL we need a minimum of 1 HB, 3 forwards and possibly another winger.

Re: Our Starting Halfbacks : Tue May 02, 2017 9:39 pm  

Mild Rover wrote:

I was lukewarm at best about Abdull preseason, but he's won me over so far this season.

Ellis I was much happier to sign, and we have won every game he's played. As the senior half, I'd hold him to a slightly higher standard than Abdull, so he's more of a B- on the report card.

ZDC offers another interesting option, and I can't see us signing another pivot after him tbh.

We've won every game Greenwoods played and he's been poor

Re: Our Starting Halfbacks : Tue May 02, 2017 10:13 pm  

Abdul has done fine. He was our best player against Leigh. Don't mind him taking the line on as he is very difficult to stop. I'd be happy to keep him.
Ellis. His shocking dereliction of duty I thought was down to a loss of confidence. Then he turned up at Leigh and played well. He has been shockingly lazy in some games recently. He can play a bit but he isn't consistent or motivated enough to be a long term option.

Re: Our Starting Halfbacks : Wed May 03, 2017 6:00 am  

Ellis is an interesting conundrum, everywhere he's played, he's fallen out of favour. Be it Hull, Cas or Huddersfield.
He starts of looking like a player, then drifts out of sorts.
Is he lazy ? maybe,
Is he easily out thought by his opposite number ? usually
is he just not a super league halfback ? quite possibly
At Leigh he looked ok, his kicking was good and he tackled well, then you get games like Sunday, against Fev and Sheffield and he was crud.
The good news is come October if hasn't pulled his socks up then its back to Huddersfield and not our problem, maybe Sheens needs to keep reminding him of this.
On a different note, know May is here, and players can be approached for next season, have we seen anyone in the championship we should be talking to ?
My choice would be Adam Tangata from Halifax.

[Mild Rover]

Re: Our Starting Halfbacks : Wed May 03, 2017 7:12 am  

fun time frankie wrote:

We've won every game Greenwoods played and he's been poor

Yeah, and him staying with us felt like a real coup not so long ago!

Hopefully he can play himself back in to some form - he could be the barnstorming backrower that we need.

[Mild Rover]

Re: Our Starting Halfbacks : Wed May 03, 2017 7:23 am  

BiltonRobin wrote:

On a different note, know May is here, and players can be approached for next season, have we seen anyone in the championship we should be talking to ?
My choice would be Adam Tangata from Halifax.

The difficulty we have is that we don't know which division we're recruiting for. Obviously we hope SL and that means we shouldn't be filling the squad with Championship level players. Especially using too many non-fed spots on props again. On the other hand, SL standard players will be reluctant to commit to us.

Whatever happens, it'll be quite a task in the autumn.

Re: Our Starting Halfbacks : Wed May 03, 2017 8:07 am  

Mild Rover wrote:

The difficulty we have is that we don't know which division we're recruiting for. Obviously we hope SL and that means we shouldn't be filling the squad with Championship level players. Especially using too many non-fed spots on props again. On the other hand, SL standard players will be reluctant to commit to us.

Whatever happens, it'll be quite a task in the autumn.

Most S.L teams will have started talking with agents with regard to next season. Not knowing our future means any quality will be tempted else where (unless we offer silly money)
If we can sign, or offer a contract to the cream of the championship on the pretext of been in super league next season now, would be a more realistic proposition, rather than wait till the winter and pick over what's left.
First season back will be a really challenge if we are to continue team building for the future and not just aim at survival.