The question that needs to be asked is what type of Stand Off do we want in the team? Do we want the Richard Horne type, running stand off, or do we want a ball handling type, who can run at defences and put people through gaps. Richard sadly at this moment is not the player he was be it due to his illness/injury.

For the first time ever, I am doubting horne. I hope he comes through and plays well, he is Mr Fc for me in todays times.



Washy is a 13, play him elsewhere and ask for issues I reckon.



Whiting to 6, said it for the last 2 years

I think that is were the problem lays.

It seems he has one game plan, and tries to fit the players in to it.



It might be a good game plan, when all his team are available, but he seems unable to adjust if any of his main pivots are missing. he seems incapable of thinking outside the box.

Horne needs to be dropped. Golden boy or no golden boy. He has been totally ineffective for too long now. Put Turner or Tansey in there but please drop golden balls.

whiting

calderwood

hall

yeaman

briscoe

turner*

tansey

o meley

berrigan

dowes

tickle

manu

fitz



lauaki

cusack

houghton

moa



* not seen much of this lad admittedly but if hes played for eng/gb at any level in this position he must at least have a clue how to play it!!! sorry if this upsets some on here but ive said to friends for while that horne/washbrook just arent good enough creatively,dont really buy into this "running half back" stuff your half backs are there to create,lead the team around the park and make space for your outside backs....all my opinion,of course!!!!

So he only gets one game? How many has Horne had...?

Washy has had plenty of games at 6 - enough to show that he just isn't one. He was no better or worse yesterday than last season, apart from maybe being a little ring-rusty. If we're looking to improve on what happened last season then Washy is not the answer at 6 any more than Horne is at 7 IMO.

Spot on Kosh, they've both been tried numerous times in those positions over the last few seasons with absolutely no effect. Time for something different.

Washy is a 13 but can do a job at 6 for the team. Pair him with Long and it could work, problem is Horne is not a 7. Also it was Washy's first run out of the season behind a pack that was not on the front foot. The one thing he lacks is pace and Turner has that but not sure he has the skills to play 6.

Jeeshush, only a few weeks ago before a ball was even kicked, we were saying we have cover in the majority of positions but our 6 and 7 was a worry.

How right we were as only three weeks in the fan is covered in brown stuff !!!









At least we are at home on Friday so I can drink loads of ale !!!!

what was up with tickle anyway ? anything serious not heard any reports as to why him and long didnt play ?

We're not talking about who partners Long though, are we? Long is pretty much sure to be out for the next game at least. I agree that Turner doesn't look like he has the skills either, but the only other options IMO would be Hall or Whiting. I think either of them would be better at 6 than Washy in terms of skills and, in Hall's case at least, pace. Trouble is that means moving around half the side to accommodate the switch.



No easy solution TBH. We're still short of creative players to cover the halves.