I believe Price will sort it out in time. Hes only been the the job for 29 games. We are a long way from the finished article. Having said that this is a much better season than I expected.

I am a great fan of Ratchford though i have never been a fan of him at fullback ,for one thing his kick returns never vary. I know we played a greatly weakened Cats team last week but i was impressed with Mitch Brown at the back.
Let's be honest here ,Mr Price has had very little input into this year's team & no pre season but has got us to Wembley which,win or lose we must be grateful for ,with a limited squad. Perhaps next season we will see Ratchford moved from fullback to the halves & see what he can do there.

I've always said he needs to be in a position where he can get his hands on the ball.
I would have slightly preferred him at 6 until this season. He's developed into the fullback role and I think he's most happy there.

Today the pack largely let the team down. No back can play efficiently went not able to roll of the front foot. That happen at Cas. I thought Patton did great coming on fresh withing 2 weakened teams but it was only time that his influence would also seccum to naught behind the beaten pack.

I was completely disappointed with Hill for the stupidest amass of penalties. If he falls into that attitude vs the big pack of Catalans, we'll too will be already beaten at half time.

But back on topic...Ratchford...? Not on enough for me. By far our best inside back.

Had a good laugh at a number of these posts.

Appreciate there's some wind ups here and treated this thread accordingly.

Now where's the laughing emoji when you need It?

Got to agree Fez decent and barmy comment in equal measure........and the name calling as WireWireWire mentioned earlier isn't necessary folks.

I didn't see last night's game however Ratchford at FB works for me he's been great this season IMO safe under a high ball and when he joins the attacking line silky smooth. I think Price has other priorities successfully completing this year and raising the bar next

Ratchford isn't anywhere near my list of worries for players.

He does make mistakes, he’s not a brilliant defender, but he’s one of our top three or four players (Clark, Cooper, Ratchford and Charnley).

Captain Hill on the other hand, our half backs, and a lack of quality in the back row... they’re my big worry.

But Ratchford is doing fine.

This

Spot on with Hill disappointingly so.

He needs to regrow his combover all this faux hardman penalty machine stuff started with it's removal. Seriously though I've never seen so many stupid unnecessary penalties given away during games week on week so much so he's an easy target for the opposition and referees

He's taken over from Benny but at least SBW takes opposition players out when he does it

The trouble is that referees appear to get into a mind set. Once a team or individual gets on the wrong side of them, they don't only get the 50/50s going against them, they also get penalised for the 40/60s.

That's half my point silver, Hill makes it too easy for the 45/55 calls never mind 40/60's he needs to be smarter bit of a thread drift I wouldn't have him as a captain

Hill had an indifferent game and gave away stupid penalties - and he's done that at a couple of other matches BUT he's still instrumental in what we do and generally gives us go-foward.
End of. Move on.

"End of, Move on"? Whatever you say...

I suppose we'll have to debate on that Widnes topic now.

Hopefully SP will deal with Hilly and will be squeaky clean on Sat.

Ratchford for me has developed in to a great fullback, Safe hands, good defensively and reads the game well. I'm happy with him, i agree with whoever said it before But i'd leave Sitaleki out and Give George King his spot. He's got a good engine and has done loads more than Sitaleki has for ages. I'm a fan of Sita but George definately deserves a spot on the bench. Ashton Sims got through a tonne of work whilst here and him coming of the bench this year would have added alot more than Sita has for me. If he's not dropped i hope he's used properly.

When Hill first came on the scene he was just a nice lad who was made up the be given the chance. he turned up and got on with the game.

Since then and since given the captaincy he's just comes across as an arrogant @r$e. Met he a few times and he seemed that way too an all. He needs a shock. make someone else captain and drop him for a game. he needs to play how he did in his first 3 seasons.

I don't care how arrogant Hill may have become, and they do say you shoukdn't meet your heroes for a reason - lots of top sportsmen and artists are very arrogant and often unlikeable.

The only issue with Hill is thenumber of penalties he gives away, and Price and his team need to get to grips with that.

However, there isn't a club in SL, and probably most in the NRL, who wouldn't send their CEO crawlinglover broken glass to get him, warts and all.

He will need to be taking a few more sharp intakes of breath than nornal his Saturday though - if the Cas forwards managed to wind him up god knows how he'll react to Catalans.

Strangely enough, on the international scene he still plays how he used to do &, in my opinion ,is the equal of the Burgess brothers if not better. Perhaps turning over rants to the ref in his mind are spoiling his talent on the field.

Hill Stats

year m ag pen pen position
2018 2654 7.63 16 2nd
2017 2058 7.98 16 2nd
2016 3983 8.20 30 1st
2015 3706 7.55 22 1st
2014 3258 7.54 14 1st


For 5 years he has been either our largest or second largest penalty machine. 2016 was a high point.

Beaten by Benny this year & Jack Hughes last year.

The stats whilst useful as usual don't tell the whole story. Hill plays long minutes in a combative front line role so he's bound to 'attract' penalties more so than a Kevin Brown or an Akuoala.

My problem is that most of Hill's seem avoidable and are gained through petulance, being able to be easily wound up and unfortunately more recently by reputation.

Awesome







in your comparison of Quality fullbacks you list:
A 40 year old retired Australian.
A player who you agree was last in decent form five (5) years ago.
and a serial menace to society, who cost his team a grand final chance and hasn't played the game for 12 months due to his last indiscretion.
and Ben Barba......... who has so far won nothing other than a pair of slightly soiled Eddie Hemmings used Y fronts...

who exactly can we have who is also a winner of leagues and challenge cups and is an England international..... go on

have a word with yourself he is currently our only creative spark in the team......

Quality. ...Eddies y fronts.

Ratchford doesn't concern me at all. Seems as safe a pair of hands under the high ball as you could want (hope this doesn't bite me come Saturday). I'm sure he did a great 1 on 1 tackle on Friday, and he generally causes consternation amongst the opposition.
On the thread drift however I am now in the "what is the point of Akouala" camp, I thought G King was much better and in fact did a good job.
As for Roberts, did he have concussion before he stepped on the pitch? Finally Hill shut the **** up and play the game.

For regular readers...the positivity will resume tomorrow!