Bridge or Evans did not play yesterday. So they are not ready to return yet.

ryan atkins @rararyan85



Thanks for all the abuse last night! I'm well aware Im not playing my best yet but its not from lack of trying! Stick with me! #whenitcounts

8:17 AM - 18 May 2013



He tweeted this after the match on friday...

I don't think anyone is trying to scapegoat anyone here. In fact, I don't think anyone is ever trying to scapegoat any of the players.



Some people have opinions on player's performance levels and like to discuss their concerns, but I have never seen anyone pinpoint a player and say 'he is responsible for that loss/our recent performances'; I've never even seen anyone insinuate it.



I will concede that some comments are a crass and, in my eyes, unwarranted, but this forum exists for us to discuss the team and the players.



For what it's worth: I think Atkins has been on a downward slope since the game against Hull at the end of 2011. Maybe he s bitter that his monster of a try didn't even get a try of the season mention...

I don't think that's the reason as he's not a six year old child.

This form problem is a confidence issue in my opinion. It stems back to losing so much weight over pre season due to his shoulder op, ad having a stunted, and quite frankly, rushed pre season.



He went from being a wrecking ball, barging players out of the way and running the rest of the way untouched. That form came from a full pre season (elected not to play for England) and a winter in Aus where we had the most advances pre season of all.



If we had enough fit centres, Bridge and/or Evans I'm sure he would have had a rest (he did, kind of, during the Salford game) to refresh him and wipe the slate clean. I'm sure he will recapture the form we know he can produce, let's try not to make a 'King' out of this situation.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions ,i'm another that thinks its more of a confidence thing with Ryan..But the people that abused him on Twitter are a disgrace and won't help the situation at all...

Can I just point out Mr Atkins, #whenitcounts is #everytimeyouputonaprimroseandbluejersey.

Love it !!!!

Ryan Atkins is a top player, he is a confidence player though and needs to be handled well to get him at his best.



He has long spells of being destructive, and when the team is doing well, Atkins is usually doing well too. When he is out of form he tends to get stuck in a spiral for a bit. Obviously fans having a go at him don't help and probably prolong his dips but hey they will make up for it by kissing his booty when we next win a trophy.



Atkins isn't a newcomer having second season syndrome when you wonder if he is actually up to it or a flash in the pan, he was a very good player for Wakey and he kicked on a level with us and has done it regularly on the big occasion so the quality is there it is just a dip.



There is time for us to play him in to form before the business end of the Challenge Cup and the playoffs so stick with him I say, there's nothing to be gained from trashing one of our best weapons.



At Man United guys like Mark Hughes and Andy Cole are regarded as Old Trafford legends but they went through spells like this where they were out of form and their heads went down and they brooded on it for a while, a good manager like Fergie always got them through it.

I think I'm missing something r.e Atkins, plated quite well I thought. I'm amazed Riley escapes criticism. Shocking defensively and isn't that great a finisher, constantly cutting inside rather than backing himself on the outside, he got mullered several times by Linehan as well.

All wingers cut inside unless they are within 10yds of the line, if they get pushed into touch they give the ball away via the scrum. Lineham is a big unit and a bit quicker than Riley so Riley had to use his brain when he had the ball. Watch Joel on the other wing, inside every time except when he can see the line or has clear ground in front. Only players with exceptional pace use the outside regularly. Riley and Atkins are confidence players and feed off each other. Positional play in defence particularly at the line is letting Riley down at the minute.

If #whenitcounts is how people interpret it, maybe the regular season lack of intensity it doesn't matter if we lose attitude is filtering to the players.

If so that's going to really hurt the sport.