Joel needs to really pick it up too many silly plays too many loose carries, thought his brother was awesome today, ran the show without catching the eye.

Joel is a big issue for me, dont think he can at the moment be part of a team capable of winning SL.

It's such a pain in the , he's our best attacking second rower on his day and a decent defender too, just wish he'd pack in the daft penalties. He's right to try and slow the ptb down but needs to be less blatant about it.

Joel has been a liability for a few weeks now and will cost us in a big game, Mossop should really replace him next week but he wont.

A bit of 2nd season syndrome?

He had a great season last year IMO when Lockers was out injured but it has not gone quite to plan this time.

I think his attempt v Cas in the right wing said a lot. He wanted to impress IMO and has not quite realised his success in 2008 didn't come from stuff like that but doing the basics well.

I think as he matures he will be a very, very good player for us but in the meantime who do you think should be part of a SL winning team? Given Flanagan is on the bench the only alternative is Mossop and while I rate him this is one time I'd go with Nobby keeping the same player in the side. We have hardly got a lot of choice.

Dave

He's trying too hard. Should've been dropped weeks ago but it's got to the stage where you can't drop anyone.

Are you saying that because we have no one else or because he is part of a winning team? From my point of view I think it's the former.

Dave

I personally would love him to be dropped next week for Mossop but it won't happen. I expect the same 17 for the remainder of 09.

I didn't notice him do much wrong tonight in all honesty but i suppose it's tough viewing behind the sticks at KR when things are going on down the other end of the field.

I'm a big Joel Tomkins fan but agree maybe he's trying abit too hard at times. I'm sure his form will pick up though and i wouldn't drop him tbh. He's got too much pace and threat about him to leave him out in these big games.

He'll get it right.

I did not rate him last year to be honest too many errors and brain farts. I personally see him as a Danny Sculthorpe of the secondrow.

Me too for the bit in bold. Needs the coach to sort him out for the next game.

Dave

Well I thought he went very well at 13 last year but even it he didn't to compare him to DS is surely rather daft!

Lets be careful here. Trent Barrett didn't look that good in his second season according to some (not me) so give him a break.

Dave

Because we don't have anyone else. He would be on the bench or not playing at all if Bailey was fit.

Why?

Fair enough but it boils down to him or Mossop IMO. Who would you have?

Dave

Mossop should replace him next week, a fresh player with the impact he would make could be the key to our progress.

Think Flanagan has struggled too for a while so lets drop them all and give another kid a chance.

Did little wrong imo.

ON the forward subject, though Prescott had a belting match. Smashed Vella on about 4 or 5 occasions. Top showing tonight.

Agree with some of your post but sam needs to pass at the right time,had the chance to put joel through a big hole in the first half and we go in 24-0 up at half time,instead we get pulled for a shepherd.Would we then be talking about the great lines joel runs off barret last season and smith at mm.

I put this on another post but, I am not a big fan of Joel. But last night he did the dirty work, he put a massive shift in defensively and was always sencond in on the tackle. Rovers didnt manage one offload in the first half a lot of that was down to Joel stopping that option.

As for the Flannagan Mossop debate. Mossop for me. The interest flash has shown in the past 2 games has been none existent. IMO he has got his 2 year deal down under doesn't look interested. Mossop of the bench instead for me next week.

Said it a few times, he's a reasonable defender when he cuts out the silly errors.

In attack though the only time he's any use is when he's hitting gaps, other than that he's non-existant. He has an awful lot to improve before he convinces me he's up to the job.

Thought Joel was penalised 3 times in the first half yesterday unfairly. Terry O Connor commented on 2 of them saying he was very unlucky to be penalised.

It's a very fine margin and he works tremendously hard for the team. Same 17 for me next week.

Someone has to do the Bailey role! I'm glad someone else has noticed it. Joel has stepped into this for me.
He also provides us with a bit of agression when he's on, something we've missed since Hock's absence.

He's a big lad, He runs Hard, He tackles Hard.

He'd be in the 17 for me.

Personally it's Mossop or Flannagan for me.

Would play Mossop in his place next week.

Flannagan has to be the one to miss out IMO.

At the end of the day he's leaving and the experience of playing in such a big game should be given to players who will be here next season. Yes we might be a little weaker with say Mossop or even Farrell in there but it will improve us in the long run having youngsters playing in such big games.