I think he's on about defensive reads more than missed tackles. Same as what Sheens said about Ellis when he went over to Aus this year and that got the same reaction off our fans as you just came out with. Remember, stats donts tell you non atempts.

Oh don't I know it





As it happens, one of the women who stands directly behind us, and is someone we know, was on fine form last night, along with 2 contriubtors to this message board who stand a bit further back.

Just been on stats site - interesting your comment on Kirke's missed tackles
Kirke played 11 missed 13
Ablett played 13 missed 31
Ali played 11 missed 16
Bailey played 9 missed 12
JJB played 13 missed 27
Peacock played 13 missed 18
Burgess played 12 missed 25

But I don't think Roby reads the game badly either to be honest? You don't often see players split through gaps either side of him. I could understand someone saying it about Keiron this year whos defence has tailed off somewhat but I'd be surprised for anyone to doubt Robys defence whether it be his actual tackling or positioning.

My understanding is that Saints have offered a player who will be 33 this season (same as Senior) a 1 year contract (same as Senior) Long has suggested he wants two years. Saints have given him permission to talk to other clubs. Not quite getting rid hestill has the option of a 1 yr deal.

I'm not sure what DISA is seeing here either. Roby is excellent in attack and defence, and has an under rated passing game (because it's over shadowed by his running) with great vision.

It's busy in the middle. There's time and space....or more of it anyway....on the edges than there is in the middle. Mcguire is more suited to playing in space, where he can use his pace to get on the outside of a spread defence or agility to cut back against and over-pursuing defender.

I'd say the biggest thing last night about maguire and sinfield was the momentum and space created for them by the pack being dominant and the quick ptb's for buderus/diskin!!
It's no coincidence that our halve's have looked flat or desperate in game's where the pack have struggled to maintain momentum at our pace.
I agree with HH that mcguire and marshall are very similar in style but i still wouldn't ditch any of the 3 playmakers.

Which is the point I was making - he's much more effective in that Pryce role of working off a pivot at first receiver than at first man dictating the play.

I wouldn't know old bean, I'm not a SL coach I don't profess to be. It seems to me you fancy being one? I just see things as they are imo of course.

I have to say I agree here. It is an underestimated facet of Roby's game, as people will tend to focus on his running from dummy half, but his defence around the ruck has often impressed me as well, and wherever he defends in the line he certainly isn't a weak link, either in positioning or tackling.

We'll see just how good Roby is when Cunningham retires....

I think we'll discover he's bloody good.

I agree tbf although will spend all his career at 9?
I could see him moving to 13 eventually.

There seems to be a consensus of opinion that Roby isn't best suited as starting hooker due to his ability to tire out defences when he is introduced around the 20-25 minute mark. Although it's obviously true that he does his best work around this time I don't personally agree that he can't step up and be promoted to the starting spot at the start of next season. In saying that, Scott Moore has been excellent from what i have seen at Hudds this season and I expect us to retain his services with him and Roby battling it out for the starting spot.

Although Roby has started at 13 on a few occasions, I'm not convinced he is suited to such a ball playing role. His assets lie in being involved in the ruck with good marker defence and quick hands to get the first reciever going, along with his running from dummy half.

Did Tony Smith have any problem starting with Roby (when available) at the World Cup last season?

This got a bit of discussion ahead of the World Cup last year. In my view, it isn't that I don't believe Roby can be a starting hooker, he's certainly plenty good enough, it's more that I think he can have a greater impact on the game coming off the bench. That will be for the Saints coaching staff to work out when Cunningham quits. They can use him as starting #9 where he will be better than 95% of the hookers he comes up against, but it might not be the way to get his absolute best out of him.

Why has a thread about Leeds performance last night descended into a discussion about a player from our major rivals?

Now that McGuire has lost a little pace, he does not have the ability to go round the men stood wide as often as he used to. His footwork in the middle makes himvery threatening to the heavy footed people in the midfield, and it is because of this he was able to create space for people further wide last night.

If you notice when Long goes to the line, before going behind to Pryce on a 2nd man play, he usually puts Pryce on the outside of the defence, in alot of space. This is because he has the ability to hold the men in the middle, be it with good footwork, or by utilising the dummy runner. Last night McGuire showed similar traits IMO, and looks very promising in that position.

Two words: Thread Drift.

I know but it's annoying when it gets in the way of a relatively interesting discussion/thread.
Still its only my usual grump mode.

Apologies, I just took exception to DISA's usual drivel.

As you were.

Out of interest why do you think Saints are not giving Long a 2 year deal?

I think it's obvious that his best years are behind him now and with the potential Eastmond has shown at scrum half it's looking like the right decision. The big worry of course is Eastmond's tendency to get injured, added to the fact that he hasn't done a full season (or anything like) as the no.1 scrum half at a big club. It's going to be a big step for him but Long won't be around forever and I would rather us promote from within.

Why or Why didn't we offer Brad Godden a 2 year deal??

Oh sorry, thread drift.

Yep, that's sounds pretty much bang on what I thought.

I like the look of Eastmond, looks a bit of a rough diamond at the moment, but looks to have real potential.