It’s tough to give a honest opinion on him without it feeling like you’re getting on his back for the sake of it but he struggled IMO. His performance compared to that of Marshall was chalk and cheese. One looked desperate to be involved, to look for work and was popping up all over the place and the other just seemed to go through the pre season motions. There’s going to be a huge job on to claim a wing spot when Manfredi is back fully fit and Burgess will need to show more than yesterday to have a sniff of keeping his spot. I really hope he does come good because his talent is unquestionable.
It’s tough to give a honest opinion on him without it feeling like you’re getting on his back for the sake of it but he struggled IMO. His performance compared to that of Marshall was chalk and cheese. One looked desperate to be involved, to look for work and was popping up all over the place and the other just seemed to go through the pre season motions. There’s going to be a huge job on to claim a wing spot when Manfredi is back fully fit and Burgess will need to show more than yesterday to have a sniff of keeping his spot. I really hope he does come good because his talent is unquestionable.
It really does seem a case of application with him, doesn't it? As you say, his ability is unquestionable but when you compare the effort put in by him and Marshall it really is chalk and cheese. I truly hope he realises it and doesn't let his career drift. That would be a sad waste of talent.
I do feel I fall into that category of being on his back much of the time but it’s hard isn’t it, when you’ve got other wingers like Marshall (and Davies in the past) giving the impression they ‘want’ to be involved.
Perception can be a big thing and Budgie just leaves so many of us frustrated considering his ability, perceived effort & application, all too often.
He didn't have the greatest of games, however I will cut him some slack with it being the first game of the season (but at the same time Marshall came out firing as usual).
Was at fault for the final Leeds try on the stroke of the full time hooter by fumbling a kick to the corner, if I remember correctly he fumbled one in the first half too?
There's much improvement required from him. Let's hope Manfredi stays injury free and in form, to keep Burgess on his toes to perform.
I do feel I fall into that category of being on his back much of the time but it’s hard isn’t it, when you’ve got other wingers like Marshall (and Davies in the past) giving the impression they ‘want’ to be involved.
Perception can be a big thing and Budgie just leaves so many of us frustrated considering his ability, perceived effort & application, all too often.
I think he is being judged on perception at times and I’m included in that. Stats may tell otherwise but he doesn’t look overly hungry for work compared to Marshall, Manfredi and before them Davies and if that’s the case you need to be a massive threat when it comes to broken field and finishing chances. He used to be just that and hopefully he can be again. It all feels a bit Jamie Ainscough watching him at times.
Newman dropped the ball with the line open early doors and Hurrell should have gone himself rather pass to Handley who was tackled into touch. Leeds fans are not discussing that.
As was rightly pointed out in commentary when I watched the game back on Wigan TV, Leeds did mostly kick towards Marshall, in fact, they threw quite a lot at him, which partially accounts for him seeing more of the ball than Burgess, but he is always up for a carry out of defence, and often beats the first defender, several times the next one or two as well. We are just not seeing that level of display from Burgess.