I would have loved to see him play next Friday just to show Jukes what a kicking game should be. He was never given a chance at 6, unlike Reynolds who apart from a couple of games and aside from his goalkicking has been abysmal.

I really, really do hope I'm wrong on this, but I have a nagging feeling that Martyn Ridyard could have been the difference between staying in SL and returning to the Championship.

For both us and Huddersfield!

Time will tell on how good Mortimer is, but what Ridyard is showing at Hudds is that we have a SL quality half on the books. Sometimes, when you have a problem with a player you have to sort it out, not just get rid and replace him which seems to be the standard approach.

We'd have a lot more options for replacing Weston / Acton on the front row if we had an overseas spot left. Sadly not to be.

Don't forget many of our fans have said on this Forum that Martyn wasn't Super League standard.
I personally have always argued the opposite and its interesting, looking back, when Super League teams came in for Jamie Ellis and Ryan Brierley both these players were richly praised by the Media, they left and Riddy carried with new partners and was the main influence just as, he has always been

I had my doubts as well to be honest, but once he'd shown his form and fitness during the initial month's loan, letting him go for the season was insanity.

Can't get over how Huddersfield fans reckon he has been instrumental in getting them into the top 8! Just to think, they were down there in a mess with us, when he went there! Talk about irony!

Every club has what is deemed to be a 'problem' player - or one who isn't 100% towing the party line. Most tend to accommodate them.

I just can't get my head round what we did with him - certainly after the initial month, when he had proved his match fitness!

A players perfomance will always increase at a new club. Was he giving that same performance at Leigh?

The facts are he wasn't playing for a reason! When he did play,it wasn't the Ridy we all know. Sending him to Hudds based on the initial loan deal and given his performances for Leigh was a correct one.

As stated the additional season loan,I cant get my head round that one. Obviously theres more than meets the eye gone on.

Summed it up well there atomic. Well said.

Correct

I agree that the initial loan was for a good reason - i.e.getting him up to speed for SL - and that what then happened was barmy. He wasn't the Riddy we know, because he never got the chance to prove it - he started the season injured, and when he finally got into the side, he was just a 'bit part' player, with the plays and kicking all revolving round his half back partner.

As for a player's performance improving, when he moves to a new club, I can think of one or two of our signings this season that may not fit into that category!

He's likely made way for cap reasons. But whatever the reason cheers anyway!!!

Well we all know what happens at our club when your face no longer fits, you don't get in the team no matter how good you are. I'll bet Ridy is laughing his head off at the boss of the coaching staff (Cookie).

No, he started the season about two stone overweight, which is criminal for a full time player!



He's slower than a tax rebate, never takes the line on, and people on here think he's a world beater........probably the same folk who, few years ago, had a 2,396 page thread going about how good Dean Hatton was!

He was injured preseason missed alot

He was injured in pre-season training - fact. Who was Dean Hatton and why are Ridyard and his current team doing so well?

Watched the Superleague show last night, and for every other try scored by Huddersfield' the commentator kept saying RIDYARD great pass!!! It still beggars belief you would loan out one of your most influential players to one of your relegation rivals. At the time of the loan move both teams were on 6 points. Look at the table now!!!

He said he would be back at Leigh for pre-season training and a fresh start.

That's good to know. I admire all the half backs we have been using but, for me, none is as influential as Martyn can be, when fully fit. I just hope he is back for pre-season in SL!

While it's true that a player's reputation can get better and better by not being in the team, can't argue with the league table, which shows Hudds more than likely staying in SL, and us more than likely not. While it's not entirely down to Ridyard (Hudds can point to Mamo, and getting players like Turner and Rankine in), he's certainly played his part.

Sadly, I don't think Ridyard would've made much difference to our form. With no strike power outside him, and a beaten pack in front of him, could have Thurston and Cronk in the halves to little effect. I do think the two freed up quota spots could've been better used than a half back that's been playing 9 the last few years and an unknown that doesn't seem to have a set position though. We lost a centre and a prop, they're the positions we needed to fill in.

Not the first time you've suggested that Cooke is calling the shots. If so, Jukes needs to go, as he should be strong enough to keep his authority on things.

You only need to watch training sessions at the LSV to see that Jukes is calling the shots. Makes you wonder why people post lies about Cookie? Do these people have hidden agendas? Or do they just like being mischievous?

Oh yes, full of mischief me.

Riddys face don't fit.

And that's straight from the horses mouth

Well it's fit for the last few years so what's changed

Unfortunately, that could be back in the championship. I have never got why we sent him out on loan to another club and refused to drop Drinkwater but then drop him as soon as we bring in another half back thats best position is hooker. Some of the coaches decisions have been baffling, like not signing an out and out Centre when we have released one.