I hate to be too critical of the lad as he has some very good spells,
However every time I have seen him play last year and this he comes up with some howling errors..
why have they dropped Johnny Campbell? imho against hudds and Keighley he was solid as a rock.
Not full of attacking flare but the surfaces and conditions haven't allowed that anyway and he is getting back into the groove after snapping his leg in half.

This isn't a targeted attack on Thomas as I think under Toovey he will gain confidence and improve.

I think he's a fast track player, like a good few yesterday he seemed bogged down and at a lost when his speed and step had been taken away? If 2V can improve his concentration and clear up his errors he'll be good cover in the halves.

His first conversion attempt was a belter



But a controversial 'Yay' from me

I also fully appreciate at this present time beggars certainly cant be choosers.

Didn't see yeaterday but listening to it, it sounded like he should have caught it and yet again, it was a crucial error. We sounded like we were in control and his error gave the momentum back to Rochdale (same as Keighley)

Campbell knows this roughh tough muddy league and we need someone who catches the kicks, makes tackles and killa the ball in these boggy conditions.

I don't understand why we played Campbell for the 2 friendly's but now we have dropped him.

He should be full back in my opinion, Thomas messed up twice yesterday and didn't should anything good going forward.

Way too predictable for me. Doesn't offer enough to make up for the errors he comes up with. He may be fine on a nice wide open firm pitch where he's got plenty of space from a decent pack of forwards and quality halves creating it for him. But I think it takes too many factors to be in his favour before you see enough ability to justify his place. Should only be in the team if we're desperate. Which we were last year for a 7 and we are now to an extent. I'd still have Campbell in ahead of him based on friendlies though.

Has pace and evasion skills. Doesn't read the game well enough and his anticipation of play is way off.

...except in this case we could choose Campbell

He hasn't got a rugby league head which is a real minus. Clare for example was a rugby league player through and through, and looked like he'd played the game since he was 6 which is probably the case.

Maybe given the right coaching and patience he could be good, and if this did transpire he'd be immediately snapped up by Huddersfield or Hull KR.

In which case you think Lee Smith should be a target?

Campbell for me. He's more experienced and has proven pedigree at this level.

Unless there's a fitness issue he gets in the side in front of Thomas every time IMO.

One would like to think so regards Lee Smith.

As Bullsear said, Campbell for me.

I was well impressed with Campbell I can't see why he never played last year..
Let alone now.

How many fullbacks do we need? We have Thomas, Campbell and the new bloke Phoenix whose described as primarily a FB. Suspect smith would still expect a substantial wage and that money would be better spent on forwards

The question for me is, Is he a full back? He has talent no doubt. O.K. he made a couple of howlers yesterday, but for me its hard to be too critical after yesterdays Siberian weather. I had 2 thick sweaters, a body warmer and big overcoat, hat scarf and gloves, and when I came out of the stand into the wind, you were immediately aware of just how perishing cold it really was. These guys played 80 minutes, wet through and freezing, hardly surprising fingers were unable to get a grip on the ball. That said, I agree that Campbell is probably a more natural full back.

It was a terrible day to be a fullback and even the best would’ve had difficulties. The Hornets kicking game improved as the game went on and Thomas ended up having a mare. Even making allowances for the weather and pitch I would still have gone with Campbell if he’s fit.

If yesterday had been Thomas' only bad game, you'd forgive it and put it down to the weather. However I remember the games last year too when he was still very poor and it wasn't nearly as cold or wet as it was yesterday.

Fullback is one of those positions where an error often leads directly to a try. Bit like being a goalkeeper. Certain players have a steadiness about them (Mumby, Withers, Watson etc) whereas others are prone to making howlers (Platt, Sykes etc.) I think Thomas is in the latter group.

Batley away been a prime example

To be fair that was Mathers

Yeah I thought that was Mathers too.

I don't remember specific games or incidents with Thomas. But I do remember being sat or stood at those games and thinking less than nice things about what he'd done and not having the excuse of poor weather. I tend to remember the emotion of being irritated more than the specifics of what caused it. I know I said "God he's sh....." on a few occasions though.

I'm 99% sure it was Mathers because he stood there and watched the ball bounce to let Keegan Hirst score under the sticks. If ever there was an example of signing a player who didn't give a flying one then he was it for me.

I;m not saying he's sh*t. he's a young lad and you can see there is potentail and not a little ability. Just at the moment maybe he would be better out of the firing line, he seems to be panicking and when you make a few howlers it can mess with your head. The up and under he dropped being a case in point, it wasn't that great a kick, but he was under no pressure at all, he jst got his position all wrong, and basically you could see his confidence draining and knew he was going to foul it up. Which he did.

I think he could be a decent player, but Campbell should be ahead of him right now.

Agreed FA.

As for Batley away it definitely was Mathers at fullback that let the ball bounce.

Mathers, it was a bit of a shame. You could see his mind was willing but he just wasn't effective anymore. He knew where he needed to be but it was like his boots were filled with lead weights. I felt sorry for him more often than not.