For balance to your assessment of Atkins weaknesses (for which i disagree about defence) his plusses are.. physical strength (often takes 2 or 3 defenders to get him down) , quickest play the ball in the team (allowing clark to get on the front foot or win a penalty) and obvious big game experience...

That argument is about as relevant as saying Russell should be resigned for the final because he's got a good scoot. Whats the point in being able to attract 3 or 4 defenders if you can't actually do the bare minimum that your job requires?

Exactly. Imagine judging Gene Miles, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Lyon or Kevin Iro on that criteria of quick play the ball.

How about sheer attacking menace and lethal potency?

Its all relative... are you suggesting that his direct opposition for the shirt (Toby King) has sheer attacking menace and lethal potency.
I appear to be in the minority because im not player bashing but i still think Atkins offers something worthwhile.... all though i do think Price should name the same team for the final.

No I get you. Neither can compare to those names above. I guess on balance I prefer the centre who is more likely to bring Charnley, one of the best wingers in the comp, into play more. I think that is King.

Plus, although this may be unfair, Atkins does seem to suffer from Brainfartitis at key times.

Spot on.

Lefty says Atkins is a strong runner but so was Matty Russell. You need a it more than that for me.

Spot on. I'm not suggesting King is the next Mark Gasnier by any means but he's a better fit than Atkins. He passes to his winger more, makes less errors and is better in defence.

You're spot on about the Brainfarts. Ryan Atkins topped the Warrington errors table in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017 & was 2nd in 2014. He's still as high as fifth on the list this season and he's hardly played the last couple of months.

At the start of the season Atkins was far from being our weakest link, he was also one of better performers in the disappointing 2017 season. The main reason that we wouldn't sign him again, if he wasn't already on our books, is his age (34 next year). That's the same as Goodwin but Goodwin is the more complete centre.

Next season Atkins will provide competition for places as well as cover at centre and possibly 2nd row (he was on the team sheet as SR in R27 against Huddersfield although I think that T King played more as a SR and Atkins as 3/4). In that respect he'll be more in the Pomeroy role. T King is still very young (only 22) so I expect him to be better next year.

Fair enough. What about...

If his contract was up in November would we extend him for another year or look elsewhere? I should imagine he is on decent money for a none first team first choice starter.

The way I recall it (may be wrong) is that he started SR and was quickly moved.

I don't think there is a place in the 2nd row for him next season as we will have a surplus of more experienced players for those 2 positions.

You've kind of answered your own question, you'd have to consider what the terms were?

As much as I hope Price sticks with the same 17 on Saturday, I find the criticism of Atkins completely uncalled for. Jeez, Toby king has a pretty decent half of a season and people instantly forget what Atkins has done for us over the years.

I think his place in the history books for Wire is well established, a good hard running, powerful centre.

I think we've had our fingers burnt enough with these pay day Aussies. There are too many turning up with a lack of commitment to superleague clubs.

This

A blockbuster name on a one year agreement with them returning to nrl to new or former club I would take with all parties happy with the agreement. I think that is a better way of getting players over who would add to super league or improve a sides chances of silverware.it won't be cronk one year Smith the following year but these opportunities arise and we should take advantage wherever possible.

I think we may have a few more to be announced it's hard to gauge where we're at on the Salary choke bit a prop n outside back as cover at fb and wing for me and with those already signed we will be God yo go next year. But I don't think any of the signings are going to be big money payers but good squad players.

This time last year, a lot of people were saying Westwood had had a season too long and were questioning TS judgement in keeping players beyond their prime.

Should TS have been more ruthless and cut Westwood a couple of years earlier?

Good point, i thought Benny was gonna fade out and be remembered as being a player who played way past his best........How wrong was i


I do believe King all round is a better centre than Atkins is and will get alot better over the next few years.
For me as cover in the backline and genuine competition i really would like Craig Hall, and 1 more prop just to fill the big boy ranks

We definitely need pace bringing into the squad. I know we have players who can do the 90m but we need someone who can do 90m whilst being chased down by the likes of Johnstone and you know there is a try at the end of the effort.

Or just buy Johnstone.

I see Atkins is suffering from the Simon Grix disease. A period out of the team and people start making up wild stories about how useless he is.

He was our best player in 2017 ffs.

Being our best player in 2017 is no endorsement.

He has been a very good player for us over the 8 years or so we have had him, scoring over 150 tries for us. He does have his limitations with his tackling and passing. He is now 32 and in the normal scheme of things his powers are waning. The question we have to ask is, Is he one of our best two centres now. In my opinion the answer to that is no. I have said he should move to second row, as he has the size on his side. But not on Saturday.

Is he useless? No he isn't.
Is he as influential as he was? Probably not.

He was and arguably the best when he was first switched to right centre.
Every team needs back up and having him fit is a bonus.

However there is no place for him in this 17.

RL's a tough sport and there will be opportunities for a potential renaissance for Atkins, as we've seen with Westwood.
It may be at centre or it may be at second row, all depending on player injuries, form, off field behaviour or not getting on with Price. Who knows what will happen in 2019, but Atkins will play a part in it.
Agree with most posters that his first opportunity won't be on Saturday, unless there's an injury that has yet to come to light.

Wow.
In a handful of days, the level of dislike for Atkins certainly has snowballed. For some on here to question his attributes that just make a BASIC RL player, never mind a bloody good one, is headshaking.

All of a sudden, he's unable to catch, tackle pass etc., and then someone says he's top of the charts for errors. Double wow. There may we'll be a reason for that. He tends to receive the ball at ends of sets, when risks are taken. If you don't take (some) risks, you don't score tries.

You want stats. I'll give you stats
In excess of 200 career tries
In excess of 150 for us, better than 1 in 2 (that's bloody good)
3 tries in CCFs
1 try in a GF

Dragged us to many a late win, and he's crap?
Granted, I don't think he's going to get inducted to the RL Hall of Fame, but in the same breath, he's no Barry Peters.

Totally agree...gives 100% when on the pitch and a very approachable fellow off the pitch...