I would say he is in the better half of full backs, and if he could add those extra yards to his game, then probably one of the top three. He just seems to have a tendancy to run at 3/4 pace when maybe a sprint would be more benifical. Briscoe was causing massive problems for us on Saturday by doing exactly this.

Personally i dont think you could ask for much more from Blaymire . Positionally he is spot on and it is not often that he drops the ball. His job is to sweep up any line breaks and to catch the ball from kicks through. He does this very well. In attack his support play is decent and although he doesnt break the line regularly he does a great deal of hard work that goes unnoticed by some it seems.

Is he not the best full back we have had for years. This is Wakefield remembers. Some people are getting too carried away!

maybe you should apply for the player performance manager post. I can just imagine the impact of your revolutionary idea for improving performance on Mr Blaymire. Imagine getting to his ripe old age, having played for clubs in the Northern and Southern hemisphere and he has to log onto fans forum for the tip that sees him leap into the hall of fame - run faster please Matthew.

Seriously - no doubt he would be a better player if he ran faster, but I can't help thinking he runs as fast as he can when he, in his professional judgement, believes it important to do so.

Maybe I am, but after our highest ever finish in my lifetime, I reckon I'm allowed to be optimistic!

On a postitive note, does anyone reckon there is a coach out there who could do the job that John Kear has done at the club? Personally, I don't think there is. In the entire game, I don't believe there is anyone better suited to each other than Wakefield and John Kear.

I was initially doubtful about Blaymire's impact on our attack, then a few comments from Sky and my Dad who I was watching Saturday's game with changed my viewpoint. As an adult, I feel that is possible - some may not!



Blaymire - I have always felt is an average fullback, does enough to make a difference, not like Platt letting in defensive cockups week in, week out.

He does a 3/4 pace-ish return of the ball and tries to look for gaps.

Briscoe tries to do a faster return but gets injured more often.

If Blaymire did a faster return more often and got injured, we have very little back up. He is being squad-wise responsible in returning the ball and preserving his place in the team. He is also realising that he is just the start of the ball back, not the total product.

Sky mentioned that he is one of the best British fullbacks, and if you look at the other teams then yes he is... surprising though it may be. Wellens, Webb, Briscoe, Richards, Hodgson are in the top 6 with him. So is he in the top 3 British fullbacks without us realising it? The table says so.

I am happy to change my mind about a player - how many of you are?

Players player award says it all for me really - they tend to know what they are talking about. Could also be that he contributes to the performance of the team in more ways that simply what he does out on the pitch.

Who is the back-up full back? Would say Grix at the mo, but if and when he leaves who would provide cover/competition for Matt Blaymire.

totally agree, i think that is the award to be cherished the most. apart from super league 2009 winners that is

As the squad stands, I think that the only realistic option would be Aaron Murphy (providing he signs a new contract) as he has played FB in the reserves occasionally.

There is a rumour on the Wigam forum about full back Vievers coming to Wakefield on a season-long loan.

If you are recieving a kick from say the oppsoition 30mtr and you are on your own 20mtr, what is the point in blasting back at full tilt if when you are tackled all your team mates are still in the opposition half, and you have nobody to play the ball to?? Watch Matty properly.........when the support is there, he runs it harder and faster. He only runs it in steady to allow his team mates to reposition accordingly





He has had a great season IMHO.

i would venture to say the Briscoe gets injured more due to the way his body position is rather than the speed he runs the ball...and he's unluckier.

ROFL at the criticism of Blaymire

Check out the respective stats on Blaymire & Briscoe on the Engage site, I think you`ll find Matt come out better on balance, and he`s been our only ever-present, while Briscoe has missed 6 games.

You can always pick fault in someones game.....but Blaymire is better than good at all aspects of Fullback. He of course could be even better at some but he has time to improve too.
Wouldn't swap him for anyone else at the moment.

Couldn't agree more. Blaymire doesn't run back with any vigour and doesn't have the requisite physical attributes to make tackle busts etc but rather, get dominated beyond belief in practically in every tackle.

Compare to Morton and Murphy who both returned kicks far better than Blaymire at the weekend vs KR.

This is ridiculous.

Running slowly surely means the opposing defence has more time to get further up the pitch and thus, giving them a better position for the set?

Surely if he ran faster, the Wildcats players wouldn't have to retreat as much as he'd get up to them quicker, thus meaning they'd be saving energy?

Blaymire is safe as houses and has been outstanding this year...I wouldnt swap him for another full back..congrats on the players player award because that in my eyes is the most coveted award to win in any team. well done matt

It's nice to know I'm not the only fan who sees this!

Yeah - you're in great company there!

Indeed. Just like some of the people who stand directly behind me at Belle Vue, offering nothing but criticism for Blaymire as soon as he gets the ball, no matter what he does with it.

He has had a really good year and has done exceptionally well. I wouldn't swap him for any other full back in the league and I'm glad he's got some recognition for his performances this year, even if it has to come only from the players and not the fans.

Wakefield fans will never be happy and players like Matt Blaymire will always be a target for these people.

what has he done wrong this year -- answer nothing but still people will moan, he has set up tries,scored tries, and stopped tries, fielded kicks effectively, ran then back, couldnt ask any more and im pleased hes still with us,

we have had loads of full back and christ some would have been slated on here...

Trever Midgley - couldnt catch when i first started watching trin.
Martyn Holland - apparently was never fast enough according to some
im sure if we had Billy Slater,Brent Webb, or Paul Wellens someone on here would find something wrong.

Well done Matt great season and also ever present.

No finer acolade than to be chosen by your fellow players. A well deserved award.

By no means do I think that Blaymire is a poor player, but if you look at the sides above us in the table, each one has a full back who can turn the game in an instant. I don't believe Blaymire is in that class.

I also think Kevin Henderson is vastly overrated. Can I say that on here?????