We didn't pay a fee for him, he was out of contract

Good insights from ratticusfinch and lefty there.

Ratchford reminds me a bit of Iestyn Harris. He's not express pace, but his footwork is very good and he can ghost through people. If he had a yard or two more pace and could accelerate away from defenders when he's through he'd be one of the game's elite players. Where Ratchford lacks behind Harris is in focus. Ratchford often seems to be on the pitch but not part of the game. He's always had one or two errors a game in him and this hasn't improved as he's got older. He looks casual, lacks urgency returning the ball and always has these lapses in concentration.

The impression I have of Ratchford is of a guy who since being a kid has found the game easy, who has always been more talented than most of his peers, even when he got to SL. He's probably had people telling him for years how good he is and how the sky is the limit for someone of his talent. After the start he made to his career he probably looked at guys getting signed by the NRL, having long international careers, competing for Man of Steel honours and winning Grand Finals and thought that would be where he would end up.

Now he's 29 and the realisation is probably dawning on him that those things aren't going to happen. This is his 7th season with us and he hasn't improved much on the player we signed from Salford. He was a player with 'promise' who was frozen in time rather than developing and maturing year on year as Briers did. He will look around now and realise he's no longer in a team at the top table but it's unlikely that he's going to be signed by one of the teams at the top any more, his next move will be back to Salford or somewhere like Catalans or Toronto.

He seems like a decent guy with a laid back personality who lacked the burning intensity that would have got the most out of his talent.

There was a time when I thought if he bulked up a bit there was a very good, old style loose forward waiting to blossom.

I agree..
One of my all time favourite none wire players was John Pendlebury..
Absolutely perfect as a loose.
Ratchford has his height and just a stone short of his build.

The funny thing is, Ratchford was heavily linked with Wigan until recently. And I’m sure had he gone there in the last couple of years he’d look a different player, even under Wane. There’s something engrained in this club that prevents players reaching their true potential even when we’ve had good coaches. I can’t put my finger on it but I just know Ratchford’s natural talent would shine through at the likes of Leeds and Wigan. Maybe it’s to do with the fact he’s never really had a firm position.

Ratchford should be our right centre (Goodwin being the left). He’s not specialist enough at full back for me. Doesn’t run from the line well, isn’t s good enough defender, is too erratic as he’s got no structure of field position.

Whenever he’s played at centre he’s been stand-out either the best player on the pitch or his best performance of the season.

I postulated that last year, with Gidley at the back. However we have no experienced full back to fill in there now... Johnson hasn’t really shone but I suppose is worth a chance.

Roberts is class at full back as we’ve seen in the NRL, but he’s needed in the halves and has clearly stated he came here on the condition that he’s playing at half back as that’s his real position and where his strengths lie. We’re so short of talent in that area I don’t want to him off and see him sack us off, just for the sake of replacing an out-of-form Ratchford. I wonder are we regretting letting Will Dagger go now? Didn’t exactly get a chance last year.

I was about to mention Roberts playing some fullback in the NRL. Roberts to FB Ratch to the halfs.

He's had so many positional changes its like the bleedin hokey cokey

Made me laugh that.

Why swap 2/3 players just to keep Ratch in the team, when at the moment quite frankly he doesn't deserve to still be in the team,
just drop him for Johnson or Brown...

Indeed....that's why I think he does more harm than good. His supposed utility value should only be cashed in off the bench. You don't see Holbrook messing about with Smith....he's just dropped.

Having read the interview / seen the video from the WG, Roberts basically says he agreed to come here on the basis of being a traditional style half back and that’s what he’ll be doing. To be honest, can’t argue with that as it’s what we’ve been crying out for... Ratchford is a good player but he’s out of form and maybe we should try someone else there. We binned Dagger so that means either Johnson or M Brown. Johnson is a specialist in that role albeit not really hit the heights expected of him. Now would be perfect to stake a claim. Let Roberts dictate the attack from the halves. Hopefully he’ll be fit enough soon to make a difference.

Has Ratch ever played hooker? He's very good at finding the gaps off a quick play the ball.

Can he play scrum half?
Can he play loose forward?
Can he play Iago in Shakespeare's Othello
Can he put a Rowntree's Fruit Pastille in his mouth without chewing it?

Can he be dropped?

Ratchford should be your 13

Forget about the backs.

Lockers was a skinny lad for years, he only filled out in the last 5 years.

Get him in him in the pack with a bit of bulk and you have a different player.

He filled in at loose about 3 years ago and it was written all over him. If he isn't going to be a hb then I'd have him at loose all day.

Can't stand to watch him carry the ball from a deep fb position and watch him knock on off his own knee.

Shame it wasn't persevered with, he does remind me of SOL.

He has good hands and general awareness but has always been played out of position.

A good few years left as well, get him in the pack and i think you will have a diamond even by the end of this year.

Ratchford has been tried in the halves and he doesn't have it in him. OK in support or if a gap opens but he does not have the vision nor passing game to open up defences. That's what we've signed Roberts for. Mitch Brown is a decent full back or I'd give Jack Johnson a chance. Ratchford is probably a better bench option that Morgan Smith - the latter puzzles me, as I thought we'd signed him as a half-back but he seem to be deputy hooker these days.

Replace "Ratchford" for Livett and you have a 'bob on' post!

Ratchford turns 30 in a couple of months... slightly ridiculous idea to turn him into the the next SOL who was always very good defensively, and has a much better rugby brain and passing game that Ratchford come dream of.

SOL has a much bigger frame, and hasn't been as skinny as Ratchford since he was 17.

Ratchford is a jack of all trades, not good enough in any.... lacks that devastating speed/ power you need in the backs, and lacks the brains to make up for it.

everytime i watch ratchford play, im left with the feeling that 'he just doesn't fancy it'.

Especially at fullback.... on a number of occasions the chance to put his body on the line and prevent a try, is often met with indecision, a lethargic chase and a half hearted attempt at a tackle.... i just dont think he fancies the hard stuff.

Just do what Bennet did ....Put him on the wing.

Wow gotta love Facebook, a guy asjust called everyone numpties for ripping into Ratchford last couple of weeks,guess he never saw them games.

Lol....Ratchford.
Never once have doubt Ratchford or slagged him off....I'll take this opportunity with my 'told you so cap on)...he is the most talented player we have...no case to answer from Roberts as yet).
I'll say it again, you wont your best players in position they can get their hands on the ball.

For every poster on here that said he should be moved on or put out as a ....take a long hard look at how dumb your posts are!

Well done Ratch...it shows how well a back can perform when the pack is finally on the front foot.
Ratchford Patton and Clark too, haven't looked as good on the past year....you can't tell me that was coincidence!