Andy Gilder wrote:
You'd have to ask his coaches at Latchford Albion. Maybe he didn't have the skills they wanted in a half-back, or they had a player with those skills that got the job ahead of him.
I'd say that's more likely than them looking at a black kid and deciding what position he should play due to the colour of his skin.
I don't think they would have to be two separate issues. Right now, even at 23 Hardaker doesn't have the skills to be a stand-off, but there is the suggestion he can develop them. I find it hard to believe that at 23 the jury is still out on whether Hardaker can develop the passing, kicking and pass selection skills needed to be a half back, but at 12/13 it was impossible that Watkins could do so.