Seen some talk about 'deficiencies' in the front row'...

we haven't been short of props this year.. we invested in that position and have had a decent number of them available....we even had people gloating in the 'packs win games thread'. We even got one in the dream team. (yes a few of them have been rubbish)

for me... its been centre AND second row.... Both positions have been terrible all season. That's 2 players stood next to each other, on both sides of the pitch.

Attacks often break down there... breaks have been often made in the gaps between them.

Real weak spots in the team.

I don't know this for a fact, but I'd suggest "Attacks often break down there... breaks have been often made in the gaps between them." is true of most teams.

Methinks Currie will be the 2024 scapegoat, taking the mantle from Ma'atautia this year.
Justified or not, once the bandwagon starts against one player it's difficult to stop.
Dudson had a go this year but I'd suggest overall PM was in the crosshairs for the majority of knockers.

hmmm... that doesn't fit my narrative... stop being factual please.

CEO and Coach have been our weakest positions.
Seriously though, no strike centres has been a concern this year, but we have a bigger choice next year so hopefully will find the right fit.
And Scrum half hasn't been great, although i hope he gets moved back over to the left next year. Williams is fine on the left and right but drinkwater isn't. The 2-3 Games he played on the left when Williams was injured were by far the best games he's had for us.

My opinion on Warrington:

Fullback: Weak. For the pace he has, Dufty doesn't impact games in the way he should or in the way Field or French do. Awful and disinterested defensively too and seemed to be very badly affected by the McGuire fallout. He's one I wanted Saints to sign and thought would terrorise Super League, but whilst his stats will look okay, he's not killing it like I thought he might.
Wing: Very strong. Ashton already one of the best in SL with loads of potential to improve still, Russell whilst limited brings the ball out very well. Both would get in Saints team (Not at the same time), Thewlis has potential.
Centre: Weak: Don't rate King, don't think Ratchford is a positive for you, his body language and temperament seem shocking. The new guy from PNG is an unknown but could be very good in SL, Wrench has potential, but will he be watching the other three?
Halves: Mixed. Williams have been hot and cold at Warrington. Plenty of talent there, but no one to pair him with and still an awkward vibe about him, like he isn't 100% certain he wants to be there. Hayes/Dean aren't trusted for whatever reason and Drinkwater just hasn't worked, despite his performances at Catalans.
Props: Mixed: Vaughan seems to have been a big hit with the fans and the statisticians, but another one I'm not sure is impacting games. He just hasn't performed in the big games at all. Could be that he's easy to target due to the lack of support and the lack of size in the backrow. Harrison is a player I really like, a workhorse that every side needs. Philbin a useful bench player, Kasiano massively underperforming and Dudson was always a poor signing. Bullock looks your next best after Vaughan but was bizarrely dropped for Dudson quite a few times.
Backrow: Mixed. Nicholson undoubtedly has potential, but he's played way too much rugby consecutively this year. He isn't a first choice 13 player yet, as his stats from the Saints game show. There is a danger he'll turn into a typical Wigan forward, overworked having played too many games without a break, tackles well but does nothing with the ball. Currie used to terrify me, but isn't performing anywhere near his old level, perhaps injuries have taken their toll there. Crowther I like, thought he'd work out well for you and he seems to have. Good enough to be a squad player anywhere, but that's his level, again he's not a starting player for a Championship winning side. I think Fitzgibbon will be an excellent signing, I'm not sure why he's coming to Super League at all, 29 and an NRL regular and I'm sure he could have got another contract over there easily.

SUMMARY
Ashton is ok everyone else rubbish.

And other than his Ashton comment he's pretty wide of the mark on the rest. An idiot.

Welsby - deformed and rubbish
Makinson - dirty, should have much longer bans than he gets
Percival - wears a shellsuit, sells meat in flat roof pubs on a Friday - brittle
Hurrell - fat turnstile
Bennison - woeful
Ritson - Championship material
Lomax - past it
Dodd - most overrated player in SL
Roby - see Lomax
Walmsley - see Lomax/Roby
Lees - can't tackle with his arms - should be permanently banned
Matautia - by association (familial) is declared rubbish
Sironen - not bad I suppose
Knowles - overrated and permanently offside.
LMS - odious creature
Hopoate - makes Ronnie Kettlewell look fast
Mbye - a player we'd have signed in the early 2000s - dreadful

We can all do this Saddened

As soon as I saw the heading for the thread I thought ... oh hell ... here we go!

Anybody else worried about our options at hooker now Clark has gone?

I won't be if we get out of the Dwyer deal and get Ackers.

I think before 'weakest player' I would start with 'attitude'. Once Chambers stepped in we have seen a much better level of commitment from the team in general. Thewlis has come up on another thread here and people love him, despite the odd cock up now and again. It's because he gives 110% and puts his body on the line. At the other end of the spectrum we have Dud, who is a complete waste of space and probably a case of wood rot for any attempt to build any team commitment.
I am hoping that with Burgess coming in and the current coaching set up that we will at least see far more endeavour, and then start to pick off some of the ( remaining) weaker links in the team.

Should this be in the rumours thread or just a flight of fancy? Salford are always in need of ackers (is Croft to Leigh enough relief) and I wouldn't mind Ackers with us instead of Dwyer.

May I also add for consideration,

Bellicon_biggrin.gifoesn't know how to pass backwards

Wellens: Has had the mandatory St Helens lobotomy required for the coaching role (like Sean Long) before him leaving him with crazy eyes and anger issues.

Why did you hold back on LMS? Worried about being sued?

Quote ="Bunkaib"May I also add for consideration, Bellicon_biggrin.gifoesn't know how to pass backwards Wellens: Has had the mandatory St Helens lobotomy required for the coaching role (like Sean Long) before him leaving him with crazy eyes and anger issues.'" Wellens the Marty Feldman of SL (if you’re younger than Methuselah Google is your friend). https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/imag ... A-eE8XUQ&s

Quote ="Bunkaib"May I also add for consideration, Bellicon_biggrin.gifoesn't know how to pass backwards Wellens: Has had the mandatory St Helens lobotomy required for the coaching role (like Sean Long) before him leaving him with crazy eyes and anger issues.'" Wellens the Marty Feldman of SL (if you’re younger than Methuselah Google is your friend). https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/imag ... A-eE8XUQ&s

That percival analysis







Agree with that, le sad curry?

Haha. I think it probably grates on your because you know deep down that I'm right. The Dufty and Vaughan ones are probably the main ones you see as being 'wrong'. But on the rest, where is it wrong?

Forgot your hookers. Walker, good competitive player, but not an elite level player. Dwyer, provided he ever gets announced and provided he is used as an impact hooker in 10 minutes spells against tired defenses is fine too.

I can’t think why I am reminded of the old saying “never argue with an idiot, they’ll drag you down to their level then beat you with experience”.

I am looking forward to King coming back. He may have a GF ring to show off and instil that "winners" mentality. Furthermore we won't look clueless near the opposition line as we can bring back the cross field kick to him.

Ha ha ha ha

At least if King gets a ring it will provide a new chant for the south stand. "Kingy,Kingy show us your ring " instead of "Wolfie, Wolfie show us your hacienda " .

I'm beginning to think that maybe the first name on the club shopping list should be an army drill sergeant to give a rocket to a few under performing individuals.