BJB should stay on the wing in my opinion. We would be better off with a creative full back than a support full back. Hardaker would be the one i would to full back from the current crop but it depends on who's available and who is coming through the ranks

In regards to a Full Back signing.

Do you think Richie Mathers would regain the Form of 2004/5/6 if we were to Re-sign him?

No. Past it.

Next question....?

Please don't ask questions of Lee Smith. Gotcha doesn't like it.

But he can predict how players would play even when they don't.

Fruit-loop or genius you decide......

If you're identifying areas of need, then full back is IMO nowhere near the top of the list.

I'm not sure where this sudden down on BJB comes from. Prior to the high ball he dropped moments after getting a smack on the head in the GF (that lead to the Shenton try) I can't recall too many people questioning his credentials as Webb's heir apparent.

Hardaker looked more dangerous at Featherstone playing full back than he did on the wing for them IMO. He's very dangerous in open field, with deceptive pace and strength making him a real threat on kick returns.

I see the potential for him to be a good fullback, where his ability to beat the first man would be a real asset. I remember thinking the same about a young Lee Smith

BJB has the ball playing, passing skills that we like at fullback, so I'd expect him to be moved there eventually. Even if that means Smith, or someone else, on the wing.

I'm not convinced that he does certainly not to the extent that Webb / Mathers did

The worse move Mathers made was sign for the Gold Coach Titans. He was an Awesome Fullback until he left Leeds.

I'd have a 2004/5/6 Mathers back at Fullback in a Heartbeat.

Mathers at Leeds was enthusiastic and a good cheerleader but rarely if ever awesome. A perfectly adequate full-back for most of his time at Headingley and had he not left he may well have kept hold of the position for years to come although Smith was also coming through the ranks and looking promising as Mathers departed for the Gold Coast.

I would stick with BJB at fullback next year but you say you'd make a signing. Both GH and Brian McD said a signing would have to add quality to the squad. Who would you sign, Mini from the Roosters and who else is available?

I would have the 04/5 Mathers but not the 06 version. By 06 he had become lazy in his positioning. Often not keeping up with play resulting in him running across field and giving away penalties for high tackles. Compare with Connoley who kept up with the game constantly move back and forth across the pitch and if breaks were made was nearly always lined up to take the tackle.

Leave Mathers well in the past!!!

I think BJB will be a great Full Back when given the chance. Webb has shown a lot of frailty and I have been a big critic of his for the last season, but last weekend reminded me of how much influence a good full back has on the organisation of a side in defence and attack. By no means is that a slight at Smith, more a comment on the effectiveness of Webb in that area.

Webb this year for me looks alot better to me than he has in a while, defence and attitude have always been a bit of a issue but he looks dangerous in attack and is returning the kick alot more enthusiastically.

Smith may have been rusty last week from injury, but that doesn't excuse the poor attitude, walking back to collect a ball, walking the ball back. I have always been a big fan of smith but he was dire last week.
As batley said I might be tempted to put the same line up out and say go prove yourself. That said if Webb is back he has to replace smith

I'd agree on Webb this year, he does look a good influence on those around him and is making better decisions, but he doesn't seem to want to make a one up tackle ever.

He has always been pretty hopeless in that respect.

I'd be tempted to have webb in the halves if Burrow is out. Whilst SMiths performance would be enough justification for him being dropped, we all know he's a confidence player, and he may benefit from a run in the team.

Regards Webb, I'd just like him to make a tackle as opposed to backing off 'letting his players get back'. It could be an idea sticking him in the halves depending on injuries, but I would like to see Ward get a start.
As for Smith, I'm just not sure he will ever become the player we all hoped he would regardless of confidence. Perhaps a chance ot redeem himself could be good, but then again it could be our undoing!

At fullback its not as simple as just making the tackle. 1 on 1 with so much space it is quite easy to beat a man. Its sometimes better to back peddle a bit, make the attacker make the decision, which allows your defence time to get back, and can force him to do something stupid.

Yeah I've heard that argument before and I recognise that their are times for that, but the amount of times and situations Webb chooses this option suggest to me he would just rather not make the tackle. Back pedalling does not really pressure a player into making a decision it just gives him time to make a more informed decision. I'd be more inclined to go with hit him as hard as you can as soon as the option presents itself. Worked really well for JPR Williams, who i regard as the best defensive full back in the history of either code.

Well its not that simple though. Firstly, going into hit him as hard as you can is more likely to result in you missing it, as your footwork is less likely to be up to scratch, than if you wait for the right moment and bring him down. Also, fullbacks are not generally the biggest and best tacklers, so going for a smash would more quite likely to result in being bumped off.

Also, with a player 1 on 1 with the fullback, if he's brought down quickly there's a pretty high chance that the supporting players will score from the next play as the rest of the defensive line are not back onside. Again, if you try and slow the runner down, and make them make a decision, then it also allows your players to get back, and be better positioned for the next play.

The thread is do we need to strengthen the squad for 2013 and beyond. It's very likely that Webb will not be a Rhino next year and neither will Smith. I think BJB should be given a chance at fullback with an experienced quality winger/who can also cover fullback signed as this would assist our talanted youngsters. There is then some experience if BJB does not make it at fullback. Who is available?