Exactly the point I was making. As I say George and Blaymire and the rest have there failings but we know them, most of us know naff all about Hickey as a player and even far less as a person. Regardless of ability who knows if he will settle with us, just look at Tronc.

I'll bet a quid that our coaching staff do indeed know about his playing strengths and styles. If they think he fits...

You only have to read these forums to see that very few fans indeed know anything at all about the game - I suppose that's why we are fans and not pro coaches...

Indeed, we are all touchline internationals to one degree or another - although some do appear to be a wee bit stranger than most.

At the end of the day we are not in the camp so it's all guess work IMHO.

As for Hickey, I'm sure he fits the bill but for me that's not the issue - it's more a case of will he and his family fit in like a JD or not like a Tronc. Tronc was a good player for us for a while but as a signing he was a disaster. Unfortunately with these type of overseas players it's very expensive to find out if they are going to work.

We have people at the club whose job it is to recruit, coach, play etc...

As much as I may not like a particular player, if he's in red, white and blue, then he's playing for my club and playing for me!

He offers us security as the last line of defence, hardly nothing is it.

I've never been a fan of Blaymire, I feel we lose valuable yards with his 'slugish' return of kicks. Don't want to get into a slanging match like last time I said this, but I just think in Murphy we have a much better full back.

So apart from his apparent 'sluggish' running what else did you see wrong with his game?

That's your opinion, to which you are fully entitled.

My opinion is that Blaymire is the best fullback at the club. Remember we are a side that usually ends up doing more defending than attacking and so for our team a "solid" defensive fullback is more important than a less solid attacking fullback. I think Murphy has done very well at fullback when he has played but I still worry less with Blaymire at the back.

Would you prefer he ran it back with purpose, thus risking losing the ball in collision?

That's not a leading question - some of the top coaches do want that from players on kick return and they accept the percentages.

I guess the Kear prefers the safer option and has coached Blaymire accordingly.

I don't think he's safe under the high ball, particularly when under pressure. And I feel more secure with Murphy as our last line of defence than I do Blaymire.

It's good to have a discussion about these players, Blaymire, Murphy, Penny, Johnson, Griffin, George, Dean, Morton all English.

FWIW i'd go with Blaymire at the back, with Murphy and Griffin on the wings. Stick with Dean and George in the centres.

Personally I'd like him to be more attacking, even if that means taking more risks.

No-one should be above questioning of their opinions and how they carry out their job, apart from mindless and personal cricitism.

*****

How do loan rules work these days? Can you take players on a season-long deal without a get out clause for the club loaning the player?

Can't remember him dropping many under pressure or not. I would say his safety under the high ball and his last man tackling are two of his best qualities.

Blaymire is our safest fullback under the high ball but his last man tackling is no better than any of the other fullbacks we have. He actually missed two tackles that led to Harlequins tries this sunday alone. His positional play though is quite good and can make up for a lack of pace. It is fair to say that he is quite pedestrian in attack and could possibly do to support the ballrunner a little more but overall he just gets my vote as I think Murphy is better served in the threequarters for us at this time.

Oh come on now...

Almost any criticism of Blaymire is reasonable apart from that one. It is the best part of his game, and his stats I'm told put him right at the top in that respect. If you're going to knock a player at least try to get it right.

Your obsession with Murphy is also frankly a touch OTT - exactly how many games has he played at F/B and how many did we win? That's not a dig at Murphy, however I suspect he's a way to go to match Blaymire.

hull this year, quins, leeds and catalans last year

If I was to pick the one area where Blaymire has failed it is this. A few years ago he was very good at chiming into the line and supporting the man. Especially near the line and he chalked up a fair few tries. Since then he's lost it there, but maybe the service just isn't there.

Blaymire is technically a good player and this makes up for any lack of obvious physical gifts (speed etc). In which case IMO he looks better in a more organised and drilled team which we were not last season - just a theory that last bit.

blaymire was superb at FB last week, even if he was knocked unconcious

Can you be a little more specific? Home? Away? win or lose?

all wins - hull away (this year), catalans and leeds home (last season), quins away (last season)

ta

As someone said, as a team, we defend in most games, more than we attack, so for me, out of the choices we've got, I'd keep Blaymire there, he's good under the high ball and safe in defense and his positional play is good . Murphy's had a pretty quite season so far, but I'd leave him where he is because he's a good in defense and hardly makes many mistakes or gives away penalties.

I don't want a slanging match either and everyone entitled to their opinions. Personally I feel that Blaymire has just about the safest hands going, and has had constantly for a few years now. Murphy is a fantastic player but can be very hit and miss and sometimes go missing completely.

How anyone can question Blaymire's safety under the high ball is beyond me - I'll admit that he tends to amble back with kick returns and will volunteer to be tackled by the first man that gets to him, but he's safe as houses under the high ball and is positionally sound.