Oh dear

At least it saves us playing Jack Hughes at fullback.
A lot of people seem to have problems with Russell's scooting from dummy half which does seem to help with getting us upfield. Against Wigan ,much of our progress upfield was from dummy half scoots but because most of the scoots were done by Clark, Dwyer ,Patton ,Ratchford & Lineham it wasn't an issue.

The trouble with scooting from dummy half is that it is usually our entire 1 dimensional attack game. If a player scoots it's difficult to start a second phase of attack as support runners don't know when or where the next phase will start from, making reading a play and timing of runs very difficult for the attackers but not for defenders. It's effective when players aren't back in to position to defend as a unit and also to take a bit of work load off the forwards.

We just scoot far too much, and in Russels case it's about all he offers since he lost the ability to catch, he hasn't developed his passing game sufficiently in my views still reluctant to pass and passes forward too often. He's like Evans both try hard and are useful as cover but are too limited in their games to be in the first team.

Yes, i think PLAN A must be "scoot from dummy half" in our training manual.

Regarding Savelio also misses a shed load of tackles. Very poor defender

This, the cons really outweigh the pros with russell.

Also, with a game plan like the above, as we saw last year and very much so this season, you get an unsympathetic ref who allows the ptb to be slowed down to a dying dog, and we're completely neutralised. Wigan especially have ed us with their persistant use of 3 and 4 men always in the tackle, plus last year they made sure one of those always rolled backwards towards the acting half, (in)directly interfering but not getting penalised for it.

We're limiting ourselves by using this as plan a.

Just looked at the stats - Russell is the 7th highest player in the league for runs from DH. He's ahead of most other team's starting hookers!

It's clearly a core of our gameplan, but the bigger issue is this affects our signings and player coaching/development.

With the exception of Ratchford and the kids, our back line and second row are interchangeable in both size, and worryingly, core skillset. This is no coincidence.

Russell was electric when we signed him. Quick, powerful, skipped past tackles. Take those attributes and coach him as a proper winger, he could have been be doing a similar job to Eden (also a fullback convert).

Unfortunately he's been molded into the wrong player. We need proper wingers playing on the wing. Maybe he has to go, maybe there's still hope should we see a change on the coaching front, but either way the blame shouldn't lie on the player who is just following the coaches orders.

just filling the gaps

The scooting from dummy half tactic is certainly effective at getting us up field, we just don't know what to do when we get there.

Using Russell to Scoot was effective the first 5 or 6 games. its predicable rugby that's easy to defend.

As soon as he stands at dummy half; everyone on the opposite team, everyone in the stands, everyone watching on T.V and even the members of the international space station passing overhead at 17,150mph whist glancing at the game through a telescope knows that he's going to scoot.

Stale and predictable tactics that reeks of Richard Agar. The same happened at Hull, then at Wakefield and now us.

It is also easier to defend against scooting when the opposition don't have to place at least one and possibly two defenders further out wide to combat Currie, which means they can compress the centre of the park.

I have no issues with his runs from dummy half, he is effective as the stat proves. My issue is that when we pair him up with Hughes you might as well have a neon sign point the way for the attack as they can not defend in that position. you are playing 2 players out of position together along with a changing second row each week. They have not built a relationship despite playing together for a while. Therefore its not working.
Savelio has showed that if we run lines we can make yards, something Hughes cant do.

Russell isn't out of position though?

Because he sure isn't anything else other than a below average winger.

Smith also confirmed new signings Peta Hiku and Ben Pomeroy are not ready to face the Dragons on Saturday. Pomeroy has trained with his new teammates but is currently suffering with a minor knee injury. Bargain. www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/spo ... d_Pomeroy/

Smith also confirmed new signings Peta Hiku and Ben Pomeroy are not ready to face the Dragons on Saturday. Pomeroy has trained with his new teammates but is currently suffering with a minor knee injury. Bargain. www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/spo ... d_Pomeroy/

2 year deal with Kevin Naquima imminent

Any chance he can play Saturday?!?

Russell being used to his strength, tough to tackle with ball in hand. As unreliable under high ball, low ball and poor passing skills he certainly isn't a fullback. Probably in the only place he can play and doing what he is capable of doing.

Is Penny injured?

I don't think so but he was brought back after a long lay off and was clearly not match ready. Unfair on him and not really going to help when the new contracts are handed out.

Ashton sims to Cas for rest of season then signed for Toronto next year

We must be getting ready for a gentle slide into the championship with Captain Smith stood on the bridge as the Wiretanic slips beneath the icy waters.

Any truth of Brad Dwyer going to Salford for next year?

Practically guaranteed to leave over wages and game time. Last heard Wigan.

I doubt Wigan is an option for Brad, he'd be their 4th choice hooker at best.

We (Smith) have really 5hat on him from a great height!! I'm disgusted how he's been treated to be honest and, even though he's fit and able to play, Smith still persists on choosing fullbacks in the wing position over him!

Ridiculous!!