Cross has to become our regular no9, i was surprised Gloucester fell for that dummy pass out wide 4 times. I think we have decent pace on the fringes and up front we have some big units but its the halves i worry about we need more guile

[*
Great kicking from Miller, so big-ups there, but not for me, well not yet anyway.
He has got something, but he is so tiny.
Whereas Cross is chunky and strong.

Scoring 4 and getting held up twice I can understand mom but I thought Zac ran strong all game and England tackled everything. Best game I've seen brad play for us

I aren't sure where I think he should be playing. He's not defensively strong enough to be a starting 9 and beyond his own tries doesn't create enough. And I don't know if his kicking game will be good enough as an half against the tougher teams. Maybe loose might be a decent position for him so he can run off the back of plays.

Its a difficult one, as he definitely has the skill to play in the halves, and the mobility. I think playing at 13 may be a good option, as he always runs off the shoulder of his teammates, and creates a hell of a lot of opportunities. He is beginning to create a lot of spaces with his running and footwork, and once he gets a bit more used to playing in the halves (if that is the long term aim), then, he will be very good. This is someone, remember, who has spent a lot of his career prior to joining us playing in the pack, and he has only played 20 'professional' grade games for the Dons (scoring 15 tries).

Gloucestershires number 9 ripped us to shreds when Kes wasn't on the pitch so needs to be on at 9, and for longer periods.

The trick with Cross is, it is obvious he needs to be on the pitch, but to put him somewhere that suits his skills and doesn't detriment the rest of the team. Scoring tries is all well and good but he can do what he does from anywhere.

If he plays at 7, he should be too busy marshalling the others and directing the forwards around to back up as often as he does. If a 7 backs up player and the ball doesn't come you're down a ball player on the next set and the team suffers. Similarly if he plays at 9 he needs to be darting the ruck (which he can't if the pass hasn't come) and putting in a lot bigger defensive stint that he appears able to. He also wouldn't play 80 mins at 9/

it is becoming obvious we don't have a 13, or we wouldn't have been playing a prop there yesterday. Our pack is also big enough, particularly when you add the size in the three quarters. So for me, the best place to keep cross on the pitch and weaken the team least is to put him at 13 and play Howden and Miller in the halves. With Kes hooking and wright his understudy.

On Miller, I genuinely believe he will become a cracking half back that we'll struggle to keep hold of.

(IMO)

Away from Cross...

Braham and Castle were spot on for me. Thackeray terrorised them when he came on and Kes managed the play the ball well. Our team is perfect for fast plays and off loads. Simple and effective stuff which comes off the back of strong forward play.

Aizue looked to be having problems and got stepped a few times, and Heil looks more like a 2nd row than a centre to me

I don't know about that .... 'left outside' might be his best position.

I do agree kes offers more with aggression and with his tackling and the fact he can easily operate in the halves or at 13 is a big plus but ideally he needs to be settled in one position, its quite obvious when were close to the line he's our go to guy. End of the day he's still young enough to be moulded into a position it's just wether mr thornton is the right person to help him!

COYD

Leave the bloody wink and say exactly what you feel about him then. Hes had 2 games for the club, and you're already on his back.

All I will say is the fringe players this season are much better than last season , may be they have not come from Agent Harrisons fold, he sold us some pups last season !

It's a good job he doesn't work for Toppings, he wouldn't be able to let go.

Alright he's crap .... happy now?
I can't help being a complete winker.

Well I've seen him in at least 3 times, so you're maths is not much better.


He's had a friendly, and two cup games as well as games in the Hull -23s.
Long enough to show a semblance of class.

We're still buddies though aren"t we Donny?
Cos I am not too sure any more.


You just seem to chime in once in a bluey railing against what I say. Stalking or what?



'Big powerful centre' was how he was described on coming here ... well he is big.

And I am not on his back, this is a forum, not a adjunct of the Dons, you have an involvement with the club so your view is biassed.
If I may make so bold.



Do you think he cares a sh/t what I say?
Do I think he will be here next season?
No!

Highlights from the game here, thanks to Rob terrace as always https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIOLWuIkEWg

Highlights from the game here, thanks to Rob terrace as always https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIOLWuIkEWg

The Coaches view on the game. Free Press online www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/spo ... -1-8450957 Thanks to Rob for the Highlights. Cross is exciting to watch.

The Coaches view on the game. Free Press online www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/spo ... -1-8450957 Thanks to Rob for the Highlights. Cross is exciting to watch.