I'm not disappointed, I'm really happy. I know his defence is not as strong as some full backs but he is a good attacking full back and fairly reliable. He suffers the odd error but who doesn't. Like goalkeepers the FB is the last line of defence and errors are remembered more than by any other player.

My view of Mathers rose last year due to his performances for us and he clearly enjoys it here. I'm delighted that we have committed to him and vice versa. Thanks for committing to the rollercoaster that is Wakefield Trinity Richie, enjoy the ride!

I like that he's not a robot - he wears his heart on his sleave and his heart is where his home is - which for now is with us. He's popular, got good relations with the media and generally enjoys a bit of banter.

Never thought I'd feel this positive about Richie - always loved to hate him when at other clubs - but I guess it's the same qualities - him wanting to win so badly and making it obvious (both when winning and losing) that endears him to me now.

I can live with the odd 'blooper' - ALL players make 'em!

It's worth remembering that if he makes a blooper in defense, it is only because someone made one further up field, otherwise he wouldn't have got to Mathers.

As said above, I'm happy with the signing. He offers far more to us that simple last man defense.

Nah - that's not right - too rose tinted!

He's a full-back - it's a tough job and you are exposed, as are wingers a lot these days, but it's his job to catch the bombs and clear his line - sometimes it goes wrong - spectacularly - but his work and contribution in other areas more than compensate. He's good to watch!

Mathers is an entertaining player who in my view, gave 100% for us last season in difficult circumstances - after the Cas debacle, he must have known that his future was uncertain and at his age, that can't be an easy situation to be in. He's just landed what will probably be his last long-term contract and I hope he repays the faith that WTW have shown in him.

Performance wise, he definitely made a few bloopers and he'll make some more next season - that's fb's and Mathers in particular. I can't help thinking though that with the way our squad is shaping up, there'll be fewer defensive errors further up the field, so he'll be exposed at the back less often. Either way, he'll score a few more and I predict that he'll be in the media by round 5 for having said something controversial or provocative on Twitter.

When I said defence I was specifically talking about tackling defence, which clearly he wouldn't have to do if everybody in front of him makes their tackles.
He still has to make his share, but I reckon he misses less than most in the team.

I've never heard anyone bag him for his ball return. I would say he is one of the best at that. And under a high ball I would say he is safe. He made some errors in two games this season but generally he is sound.
So we'll just have to disagree on the rose tinted.

That'll be Stevo's uncatchable 'spiral bomb' - even the great Stomkins can't catch 'em!

He is if he has the ball in his hands. He missed a few bombs and bombed a few opportunities to kill the ball at times, and I can't agree on the defence - he is quite horrid on his last man defence at times - but I'll take him as a package - warts an' all because his contribution in the positive column is far greater than the negatives!

You don't play for Leeds, Wigan, Warrington and Gold Coast Titans if you're a poor player!

I agree, you have to hope that being settled and with maturity he makes less and less of those. Mathers will never be top class he simply makes too many basic errors for that, but he offers us something and plenty of it - he's a bit like Cockayne, not a great player but drives the team with his obvious enthusiasm and willingness to have a go - Wakefield need as many of those as we can get.

Frankly if he'd stop letting the ball bounce horror style I'd give him a 3 year deal, but I don't reckon he can. It's a price we have to pay. The tackling can be a bit limp at times but oddly this doesn't bother be as much as it's a part of the game practice can't always sort out - unlike catching.

In my view Mathers is in a much better league of ball catchers than Tomkins.

Tomkins' skill is all in his attack, not his catching or defence.

Is it just me or does letting the ball bounce appear to have become accepted practice in SL? In recent seasons, it seems to me that the majority of kicks are allowed to bounce, rather than the other way round.

I agree with you though - it's a horrible, heart in the mouth moment when the ball takes an unexpected bounce and squirts towards the sideline or an on-rushing defender; it usually results in a repeat set, a soft try or your own player throwing his body on the ball and getting smashed to bits.

I'll give it you for loyalty, however never in this world is that the case. Tomkins isn't even a F/B by trade but he looks super confident under the bomb compared to 10 year veteran Mathers. Yep he misses a few but that is because he actually goes for them all.

I'm happy enough with Mathers but let's be a little bit realistic here. For me the best F/B in SL is still Wellens, yep he lacks pace as does Mathers but apart from that he's text book.

Possibly, not many obviously good F/Bs at the moment, can't believe it's coached. If you knock on so long as you kill the ball the worst is a scrum, let a ball bounce and it's a 50/50 that the opposition will get the ball and almost certainly score. However Mathers more than most let's it bounce or leaves it to the winger (without his prior knowledge) when it is clearly his ball to claim and that part of his game he can and should sort. The rest is just the rest as is the case with most players.

Just looked up the stats to be all smart and prove the knockers wrong but his tackle to missed tackle stats are aweful.
I am switching sides.

I still like him over all but he ecratinly needs to improve that part of his game.
Unfortunately Sykes is just as bad.

glad this saga is over and mathers as signed, yes he did have some faults but what is the off season for? to improve his game and his weaknesses! he's played for some quality teams with great leadership, he as far more strengths than weaknesses! get off his back a little.

Is that it for player signings? Or do you think we are due one of two more surprise signings maybe Bobby Goulding Junior and another prop?

thought it might have been fergie. they have been talking to him i hear. not wanted at hudds along with a bandy legged centre who is busting to get back to wakey?

Where would Fergie play ? he certainly wouldnt get the nod over the players we already have.

Same with Murphy, they wouldn't be automatic choices.

Don't think either would add to an already well balanced squad. Think another bargain price prop would do us as we were lucky with injuries in the pack last season and Ferguson is a second row so doesn't fit the bill. Hope the rumours are false.

I'm a bit puzzled if Ferguson is being considered - he was good at times but hardly a star for us and I don't think he is good enough to force his way into our present back row. I was sorry to see Murphy go I thought he was RW and B but he chose to go - again I would be surprised if he is on the list.

Jason Netherton at prop on a 1 year deal?

Going to Oz I think.

Very much doubt if Ferguson is being looked at a all, someone on here said we were looking at a former player and then the names followed from there, Murphy came up because of his lack of game time at Shudds.