: Wed Sep 09, 2009 12:20 pm  

Extreme Dave,

What you mean like Scott Gibbs, Scott Quinnell, Jonathan Davies, Alan Bateman, Kevin Ellis, John Devereaux, Dai Watkins?

Dunno how the ENGLISH UTL converts do, but WELSH UTL players don't seem to struggle and certainly don't cower.

: Wed Sep 09, 2009 1:09 pm  

Grendel wrote:

Extreme Dave,

What you mean like Scott Gibbs, Scott Quinnell, Jonathan Davies, Alan Bateman, Kevin Ellis, John Devereaux, Dai Watkins?

Dunno how the ENGLISH UTL converts do, but WELSH UTL players don't seem to struggle and certainly don't cower.

In the past, there was an understanding that the player's first season wasn't going to be a good one and they would be judged on their second and subsequent seasons.

I don't think this kind of attitude exists any more in modern sport, certainly English league to union converts were expected to be up to international rugby with a few club games under their belt.

I think expectations of Henson's performances, particular in his first season, would be unrealistically high and he would get torn apart by the media (as well as league fans) for failing to live up to them.

: Wed Sep 09, 2009 1:38 pm  

Hedgehog King wrote:

In the past, there was an understanding that the player's first season wasn't going to be a good one and they would be judged on their second and subsequent seasons.

I don't think this kind of attitude exists any more in modern sport, certainly English league to union converts were expected to be up to international rugby with a few club games under their belt.

I think expectations of Henson's performances, particular in his first season, would be unrealistically high and he would get torn apart by the media (as well as league fans) for failing to live up to them.

Henson's been a divisive character his whole career though, the criticism wouldn't bother him. Even when he was being lauded in Wales the outside world was criticising him. It speaks volumes that he's never played in a losing Wales team in the Six Nations.

Personally, I think he's one of the best Union players around on his day, and a fit Gavin Henson would have the potential to be one of the best in Super League.

: Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:26 pm  

ajhcrusader wrote:

Personally, I think he's one of the best Union players around on his day, and a fit Gavin Henson would have the potential to be one of the best in Super League.

Not disagreeing.............but what position do you think he would fill and why?

: Wed Sep 09, 2009 2:37 pm  

gutterfax wrote:

Not disagreeing.............but what position do you think he would fill and why?

Quite a few positions I think he could play.

He could easily slot in at Stand Off, he's a great footballer, naturally a #10 in Union, and probably better defensively than most stand offs in rugby league.

He could just as easily play at Centre too, his angles of running are superb, his pace and footwork are underrated, and again he is brilliant defensively.

Loose forward might be worth a shot too, but I think Centre or Stand Off would be his best bet.

Also, his kicking game is superb, he would increase our 40-20 count considerably without a doubt, and his goal kicking is brilliant too.

The more I think about it, the more I want to happen. I hear more rumours about it every week, and I was told last week that this period of 'indefinite, unpaid leave' he's on is in fact garden leave, and that something will be announced in the coming week. In fairness, it wasn't the most reliable of sources, but it is feasible.

: Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:23 pm  

ajhcrusader wrote:

Quite a few positions I think he could play.

He could easily slot in at Stand Off, he's a great footballer, naturally a #10 in Union, and probably better defensively than most stand offs in rugby league.

He could just as easily play at Centre too, his angles of running are superb, his pace and footwork are underrated, and again he is brilliant defensively.

Loose forward might be worth a shot too, but I think Centre or Stand Off would be his best bet.

Also, his kicking game is superb, he would increase our 40-20 count considerably without a doubt, and his goal kicking is brilliant too.

The more I think about it, the more I want to happen. I hear more rumours about it every week, and I was told last week that this period of 'indefinite, unpaid leave' he's on is in fact garden leave, and that something will be announced in the coming week. In fairness, it wasn't the most reliable of sources, but it is feasible.

i think people look at henson and assume he is a primma donna but ive been watching him for a while and he is a tough defender, very underestimated. i reckon he would love the extra tackling in league

: Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:36 am  

He looks like one of those players who never reach their full potential. He's a good player, but he appears to have problems from outside the game, and reminds me of a Danny Wilson, who has a famous footballer son. Never knew when he would play, and yet he could be devastating when he did.

: Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:41 am  

Let's just see if he signs in the first place and then let's see how good he is at league after a few seasons.

Either way, we all agree from a publisity point of view he's pure gold for the Celtic.

: Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:18 pm  

HA! Yeah, if Henson signs for us, the Welsh and British national press will go itno meltdown and if we weren't being slagged off enough anyway, we'd be slagged to within an inch of our lives.

: Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:23 pm  

Grendel wrote:

HA! Yeah, if Henson signs for us, the Welsh and British national press will go itno meltdown and if we weren't being slagged off enough anyway, we'd be slagged to within an inch of our lives.

How do you slag someone to within an inch of their lives pray tell
Is this some form of S&M exclusive to you cottage burners?