May be trying Riley at fb & sticking Ratchford outside Atkins on the wing would strengthen the left side & give Atkins some confidence back. I would think Ratchford would be a pretty powerful winger in the style of King .

I think Ratchford would spit the dummy if asked to play wing.
And I dont think we would get the best from him.
Like I've said before, he is most effective in centre field with a tired defence.
I say off the bench for Ratchford.

Thought we would see a better Ryan Atkins this season after him having a full pre season. Whilst it's only one game, I was a little disappointed with him. Still it's onwards and upwards. I hated people leaving early on Thursday night. I did shout out my displeasure at them. They never left early whilst we were winning.

Or here is a crazy idea, play Ratch at 6 likes he's been training too all season. Russell will be backin the next few weeks, drop Atkins, drop Riley. And in their place play EEvens and Penny. Because to be honest, they can't be much worse.

We love to take the mick out of fans leaving early, just another form of banter but I seriously don't understand people's anger when their own fans do it?

You pay for your own experience, you form your own opinions and you do what you want?

I'll leave when I want, I'll turn up when I want and I'll buy a pie if I want or a programme or a beer if I want. If it angers them so what. I've left a game we were winning, no one had a go at me then.

I'll get angry at something worth getting angry about like prams the size of tanks.

Atkins never seems to be in any fear of the axe, hence the apparent apathy of some of his performances, so I'd personally go Ratchford at left-centre and Russell at FB.

If Evans is back and fully-fit (that is, minus the Brian Bevan-esque bandages he spent the entire WC adorning) then I'd seriously consider Evans to left-centre, Ratchford to stand-off and drop Myler to the bench. I remain unconvinced about Ratchford as a half-back, but I AM convinced about his all-round ability whilst I am not convinced about Myler on either score, I'm afraid.

Regardless GOB should start the next game. If he has an 80-minute stinker then fine, maybe he's not the answer, but let's at least give him a chance.

Good post that.

Matty Russell is fit to play so he'll play fb, G O'B will be dropped & Ratchford with be in the halves with Myler. Playing one game will not show how good or bad a player is especially a halfback as they have to work as a pair, & develop a partnership.

Seems to be the criteria applied to O'Brien, though.

Getting back to Atkins, the problem is in-between his ears. Drop him to either regain his confidence, his desire and his motivation if he still possesses any.

Atkins should be dropped for Leeds game as he had a shocker in defence and attack. TS will send the wrong message out on his team selection policy if he selects him.

Or he has faith in his team and uses the Leeds game as a chance for some of those who underperformed to prove themselves!

Agreed.
Then drop him.

My feelings about Atkins are rather like those of Padders towards Bridge.

Terrible player IMO. Especially considering the lads build, speed and the fact he cost alot of money.

Because of the money involved id say he is probably Warringtons worst ever signing.

I'd say Andy Currier.

Never a massive fan of his, only had one good season. Been a major disapointment for me. A lad of his build with his pace, should be a devasting player. Maybe a little spell out the team might make him buck his ideas up.

The problem with Atkins is that he isn't a natural RL player, in that he has to think (occasionally) of what to do next rather than instinctively know. He's a supremely gifted athlete, with a superb physique but he has little speed of thought, deed and action, in the way that Allan Bateman, for example, did.

Still, worst ever signing is a bit harsh. We've splashed out on plenty of players with equally little natural instinct and who didn't at least have the compensation of looking the part.

It was Andy Currier who we 'tried' to replace Allan Bateman with.

What a f@#$ up that was.

He doesn't have the required skill set to play Centre. He makes rash pass decisions, doesn't time his passes to the winger well at all and doesn't defend his Centre position correctly. He infuriates me more than any other Wire player.

I think he has the pace and build for the Wing and doesn't have to pass nearly as much as he would at Centre. Just ing leg it!

My personal preference would be to play Russell at FB, O'B at 6, Ratchford at Centre with Atkins outside him. I doubt that will happen though.

I think i have a Brad Pitt, split personality fight club persona, either that or you're Derren Brown.

I'll be taking keen notice of Atkins positioning on Friday.
To see if he leaves Ormsby exposed in defence.

Too many night feeds? Hasn't played well since he became a father

agreed.

Fast running out of patience with Ryan Atkins.
Leaving his wing man isolated and giving pointless penalties lying on.

...and forcing a pass thats not on and knocks on.