From the outset I would like to point at that this topic is intended as an area for discussion of poor old Richard Mathers, and not (really) the Brett Hodgson rumour.

I like many of you this week became a stalker of his Twitter page, and tried to keep my feet on the ground by reminding myself that many of his moody tweets may have simply been linked to non-rugby goings on (e.g. girlfriend, family, whatever!), he is only human after all. However I don't think it takes Poirot to work out that his most recent Tweet from this morning;

"need I say more....!! all I can do is enjoy everyday left in 2010!"

Confirms what we were all thinking. Especially as it was posted this morning following the news breaking of Brett Hodgson leaving Huddersfield at the end of the season.

The reason I have made this post is because I feel that regardless of his quality compared to Hodgson, until next season, as our first choice full back, he is without doubt an integral part of the team.

We have already seen him have some terrible luck in previous years of career, and I hope this event now will not prove to be his breaking point. Without a decent full back, we cannot guarantee to be title contenders week in week out.

You could argue that Mathers now needs to play like a superstar to at least earn a contract elsewhere, but I think if you look at the Paul Johnson to Wakefield example, it is clear that there are many clubs out there who would sign him up no matter how he plays. My worry is that this hurdle may prove to be too much and his form could just disappear.

My feeling is that whether he is staying or not, and whether or not we agree with the way he has behaved via Twitter (something I do feel he has strongly been in the wrong about!), we need to get behind the lad because like it or lump it he is still a huge part of our team until the end of the season (injuries permitting).

Good luck to the lad, and if I Had it my way, every other chant on Sunday would be;

"Mathers is a Wire!"

Players come and go if Reardon can get a gig elsewhere Mathers will he will be fine.

At the end of the day if your just not good enough.. your just not good enough. Mathers is a top bloke and boosts confidance with his attitude. Its a shame realy. Good luck to him... Just another step forward for us IMO.

Agreed.

The last few games he has shown a bit of form. If he's a true professional which I believe he is, it's up to him to now do his best to either earn a new contract with us or be deemed as a good signing for another club.

I'm sure he'll continue to do his best, just hope that a certain minority of idiots don't get on his back, after all he didn't choose this.

In Smith We Trust....

Yeah I totally agree that overall Hodgson > Mathers. However I just don't want to see us playing with a fullback whose mind is elsewhere for the rest of the season.

I hope the fans get behind him, he steps up to the plate like never before, and is rewarded with a decent deal anywhere next season.

Good post that and I agree fully. Whatever is going on Smith will ensure his head is in the right place come matchday or he won't play simple as that. If his head does go we have Riley and Hicks to drop in at full back.

Hope everything works out for him either way.

CARRY ON BACK-SLAPPING!!!! i hope he gets a decent deal soomewhere

As people have pointed out, regardless of the enthusiasm and effort he puts in he's just not good enough for a top 4 side.

We moved forward getting rid of him, and he's the noticeable weak link in your side as well, the signing of Hodgson imo makes you the favourites next season even at this early stage. I think Wigan and Saints in particular are going to have a massive summer recruitment wise, as we both have positions we need improving, whereas you now look very strong across the board.

I think if we could get rid of one or two props and get someone the quality of Morley or Graham then we'll be up there with you, as I think thats our weakest link.

Any club that takes Mathers on and gets reeled into his 'masterplan' needs to take a long hard look at their ambitions. If there is any sense left he will end up at somewhere like York, somewhere where his ability levels are a match.

Maybe a team like Crusaders working with Noble might be a good place to go ?

I suspect it may be Bradford though that get his services.

I really like the guy and i know this is Pro sport so things like this happen but i genuinely feel for the guy, the morale has been great in the camp and from what i've gathered from press releases and other stuff that's out there, he seems to be an integral part of it.

It makes me wonder how this might affect the players bond in the short term though ?

Lets not forget this guy was in our challenge cup winning team.. scored a try. he will be in the wire history books.. its a shame realy.

Personally I question the wisdom of replacing a 26 year old with a 32 year old,no matter who the 32 year old is. Shouldn't we really have been looking for someone younger?

Sometimes you need long term players sometimes especially quota players they are only short term.

Ask any fan of any club if they'd have Moz in their team for just one season in 2011 ?
I know what the answer would be.

Fair point but let's be honest mathers was a top full back for leeds and in his previous loan spell with us in 2002,should we not be working on him to get him back to that standard?

I know he's prone to at least one error a game and sometimes it's cost us a try, but as has been previously pointed out, mistakes are more noticable at the back, however I do believe that he's one of the people, along with Mr Smith that has resposible for the turnaround from the perennial under achievers to a cup winning side and team that's currently second in the league.

The team that won the cup wasn't vastly different to the team that started last season in disasterous style, the difference being it was a team with professional attitude towards the game, both on and off the pitch and also wanted to work for each other. Mr Smith will have promoted this, but Mr Mathers will have been one of the chief exponents and therefore will have help spread the gospel according to Mr Smith.

Many people have a pop at him for his back slapping, but I genuinely feel that it helps the team and that his overall contribution to the team outways the odd mistake here and there. As always we will trust Mr Smith and his judgement, but whether he stays or goes, I think we should be thankful for all he's done during his time with us and wish him well for the future.

Top be honest how do we know he's going ?
Not yet confirmed all though it's been implied, it may not be so.

I agree, it's only implied at the moment. If you look at RM's bio on twitter it reads "Its all about being the best dressed doll in the window", up until yesterday it read something along the lines of "Warrington Wolves Fullback".

You are quite right.

Yes, all signs point to Hodgson signing which would surely come hand in hand with Mathers leaving.

However in a game like rugby league you are never more than one unlucky tackle away from a career ending injury (especially at his age), or even just deciding you have had enough at the end of the season (for example Stacey Jones).

I hope as a set of fans we are able to get behind Mathers, bring out his best form, and if it does prove to be his last season with us, give him a great send off.

Tony Smith is not saying anything about all of this and i am sure he will let all who need to know when he thinks it is right. He will have a plan for Mathers . He hasnt played him for fun and i am sure he wont let him go without giving serious consideration for his future. Smith cares about his players and their future. Dont take it for granted that Richie is on his way.I have a feeling that Smith knew all this would break and speculation take over while he quietly and calmly gets on with his master plan.

lets cheer extra loud when his name gets annouced before the game just to let him know we want him to stay. im still hopeing he stays as hes one of my fave players

One of his "tweets" even with all the talk of him maybe being pushed out he will still put in 100% he is that kind of guy! I might be one of few but i dont want him to go anywhere! MATHERS IS A WIRE!!!

"as for the hodgson rumours I'm in the dark... I'll keep my head down work hard for the team and boys as it's a questions I can't answer...
7:06 AM Apr 21st via API "

was the "best dressed doll in the window" about his new Puma boots??

I think this is more about him now being in the shop window and hoping to attract the interest of other clubs.

It is a shame he isn't one of those players who cannot slot in genuinely effectively elsewhere e.g. Hicks and Riley wing to fullback or Matt King wing to centre.

I would love to see him stay.

i only ask because another of his "tweets" was

"gonna crack open some new Pumas this weekend want to be the best dressed doll in the window...."