Riley at fullback and Penny on the wing?

No! Give Gareth O'Brien a chance, see what he can do.

But he isn't as good as either Myler or Ratchford who are our first choice half-backs so under what twisted logic should O'Brien be in the team in front of them?


If Russell doesn't make it why change half-backs when you can just put Evans in at full-back (especially considering that Evans has been a better prospect than O'Brien through-out their development to date)?

I'll put my head above the parapet here and say that IMO O'Brien will never make a regular first team player at Warrington.

Funny how when given the chance at St. Helens Gaz showed what he could do, and when he was getting settled warrington brought him back to sit on the side lines waiting for one of his team mates to get an injury...not a great position to be in.
I hope warrington release Gaz & he gets the opportunity to play for a team that will develop & progress him!

I think a lot of people will share that view. Personally I want him to be given the chance to stake his place first. If it doesn't work out then bring in Russell and put Ratchford at 6. At least we have options.

Along with many others on here, I'll put my head above the parapet and say that IMO no-one gives a monkeys regarding your thoughts on Warrington.

I think ,apart from being a half back, GOB should be included for his more consistant goal kicking otherwise we will find gaping holes in results when conversions are being missed. A few more games could also do wonders for Gaz's confidence & turn him into a better player. Luckily Ratch is skilful enough to play in several positions & still influence the result ,although i wish he would stop carrying the ball in one hand.

I'd have GOB back at saints if you guys don't want him. He has flaws to his game sure, but plenty of scope to work on them, but he needs game time to do so - would work well as our stand off for this season

I reluctantly agree.
let him go and for full his promise and hope he comes faces us and makes pay one time.

Gareth may not make it at Warrington, or in SL in general, HOWEVER, he has shown enough potential to be given a chance to prove his abilities. Throughout his Warrington career he has been shipped out on loan, used when we have injuries (and therefore the team and halfbacks are disrupted) and never given a prolonged spell in the team.

Let ME put it on record that the player under most pressure this season is Myler. If we'd have been as dismissive of him in the early days as we appear to be of O'Brien then Myler would have dismissed years ago as not good enough. However, quite rightly he was afforded plenty of game time and patience to become a key team member but it is only in the last 12 months he has begun to fulfill that role and his promise. This year Myler needs to step up and finally become the lead playmaker and organiser.

Gazza wasn't an expensive buy compared to Myler.

We're doing to O'brien what saints did to briers, soon he'll be off and with his potential he could be an outstanding player like briers was for us.

So on last season's form for Saints was GOB a better player than Ratchford or Myler?

How's that?

I don't recall O'Brien playing lots of games leading up to a Challenge Cup Final and then being dropped for the actual final. I do however recall that happening to Myler, perhaps O'Brien should learn from Myler and knuckle down and improve his game and physique then when he gets a chance due to one of our HALF-BACKS getting injured he'll be ready to take his chance.

O'Brien was injured in training and had to have a knee operation after he returned from Saints last year but don't let the truth get in the way.

What if neither of them get injured and we keep winning so a spot doesn't open for him?

Are we just going to waste his talent?

It may be that O'Brien has to go elsewhere if that happens. That's what happens sometimes even with the best in the world, Thurston moved from Canterbury due to lack of a regular first team berth because Anasta and Sherwin were in front of him. To an extent he's in a similar position as Matty Smith was at Saints.

Don't get me wrong I like O'Brien and have done for a number of years having watched him since he was a 17 year old in our u20s however having done that I have the opinion that if Russell is injured then the obvious choice is for Rhys Evans to step in for him rather than disrupt our first choice half-backs.

Gaz was fit when brought back from saints, Smith then played Grix at hb against saints, again not giving him a chance. That kid the truth & I haven't said anything but ...

Am I missing something here? Have I pricked my finger on a spinning wheel during autumn and nodded off?

When did Rathford produce a performance to convince us all bets are off on Briers stand-off role?
When did we decide exactly where Matty Russell's best role in the team is and on what evidence?
Since when does paying a fee for anyone (Myler) give them a guaranteed first-team berth?

As far as I'm concerned in the new regime, every jersey if up-for-grabs and plenty of people have a point to prove, but this is particularly true at full-back and half-back given the quality of the players we have lost in those roles. The only criteria for which players occupy those roles v Saints should be based on pre-season training, performance v Salford and, of course, fitness.

I think GOB is a very useful talent and part of me wants him to be given a good run in the team. Unfortunately, the other half of me thinks he is a bit brittle and for his age has had far too many injuries. I know this can be just bad luck and for his sake I hope it is.

If the management have been criticised in the past for paying over the odds for a player i would expect them to be determined to justify the deal. Personally i think Myler will be a lot better now he is no longer in the shadow of Lee Briers ,but i think GOB should be given a chance as well , seeing as he is a proven goalkicker, alongside Myler in the halves. Ratch is capable of fitting almost anywhere in the team & may be more effective with a roving commission. I would think he would make a very good loose forward with his ball playing ability.

I've said it before and I'm jolly well going to say it again.

Ratchford at FB
GOB at stand-off
Myler scrum-half

GOB/Myler can interchange at hooker with Higham/Monas and Monas and Ratchford can interchange at HB as needs be to keep the opposition guessing and to adapt as games unfold.

Dead easy this coaching lark.

Agreed.

Its quite heart wrming to know that we have so many talented coaches sat in the stands that totaly understand the ins and outs of being a super league coach and player. Since when has Tony Smith every given us a hint that he will only play tried and tested players and will not give youth a chance when ready. Forgive me if i am wrong but isnt Ben Currie younger than GOB and has secured a first team starting place purely on his form and being ready to play. TS obviuosly does not think GOB has been ready to make the step up yet Same applies with Laihtwaite, dwyer and a couple of others. If he didnt think they would make it, guess what? he gets rid. GOB will get there as long as he can be patient for even longer.