Re: New signing : Thu Jan 28, 2016 8:39 pm  

roofaldo2 wrote:

Ok. So let's break this down into manageable chunks

Positives:
He's a former challenge cup and SL Grand Final winner on several occasions
He's played for several top clubs in SL as well as playing in the NRL
He's a recognised full back rather than a winger/utility player filling in.

Negatives:
A number of very serious knee injuries throughout his career
He is the wrong side of 30
He's been out of the game for the last 6 months due to questionable off-field issues

So, while I'm not stoked about the signing, he is a decent player. He's not a world beater but he adds some experience to the backline and hopefully he can have a positive influence on players like Thomas.

Guess we'll see where we are in 12 months

Positive:
He can only improve and impress us with our low expectations.

Re: New signing : Thu Jan 28, 2016 8:45 pm  

Having reflected on this a little, I think the reaction has been a little OTT and partly because people's imaginations run away with themselves once the announcement of an impending signing is announced. I expect he will eventually prove a solid enough signing but falling short of adequately replacing Mullaney in terms of being a match winner. A lot of pressure on Gaskell once again to provide the individuals brilliance in those tight matches.

Re: New signing : Thu Jan 28, 2016 8:51 pm  

Listening to BullsTV he's saying it's been a mad 3 or 4 days after getting a text from Chev, to me something hasn't worked somewhere for what seems like a panic buy.

Re: New signing : Thu Jan 28, 2016 8:56 pm  

I can understand he reaction of most but I do think people are mistaking the fact they hate him as a person with the fact he's a proven, experienced full back.

He is exactly what we need. Steady, confident, one of the better defensive organisers in the game still.

I see this a a huge positive despite the fact that I think the guy comes across as a massive tool!!!

One year to get us into super league... I'll take him any day of the week over a makeshift full back like Thomas or Clare!!!

Re: New signing : Thu Jan 28, 2016 9:17 pm  

Suppose it depends how we use him. Play him in bigger matches and have him passing on his experience to thomas/campbell etc in training with them getting game time against some of easier teams and it could be a clever signing. If we just use him exclusively at FB and he blocks opportunities for younger guys then its nots so clever. Both Thomas and Campbell are already decent championship level FBs and training alongside Mathers and getting benefit of his experience could push them to next level.

Re: New signing : Thu Jan 28, 2016 9:53 pm  

hindle xiii wrote:

Positive:
He can only improve and impress us with our low expectations.

Or he could simply live up to our expectations.

hindle xiii wrote:

Listening to BullsTV he's saying it's been a mad 3 or 4 days after getting a text from Chev, to me something hasn't worked somewhere for what seems like a panic buy.

Again

Re: New signing : Fri Jan 29, 2016 2:17 am  

I like how people are commenting he will push Oscar Thomas or James Clare out of the lineup but that would of happened if Jake Mullaney was still at Bradford. If the players are good enough then they will be first choice and now they have chance to learn from someone with experience.

I also remember seeing Richie Mathers slotting into the line as a ball handler on numerous occasions, which can only benefit considering we are lacking a true play maker currently. This could actually be a very intelligent signing, which brings a lot to the team.

Re: New signing : Fri Jan 29, 2016 3:06 am  

I was initially underwhelmed by this signing but after a bit of thought I am actually quite happy with it!

Thomas is one for the future, he is a fast and smart player, however he is not an out and out fullback. He is essentially a halfback who can play fullback, ala Brett Kearney. We could see Mathers helping him through this by improving his game by working with him in training.

Caprice, unless I have missed something this bloke isn't even a member of the club? He is a TRIALIST. He has to learn a new sport and be prepared for a faster game. It's good he came from 7's as that is pretty fast, however he will have to learn the rules etc. Could potentially be a future fullback but he hasn't even played again of league yet, Mathers has, therefore Mathers is more logical than Caprice.

Campbell is a winger as far as I am aware that can play fullback? So he isn't really specialised, Mathers again can help in this respect by passing on knowledge and showing him what to do. Also coming back from a career threatening injury it may take him time to go back to how he played before (assuming he does, and psychologically is okay).

Clare is a winger, had ONE god game at fullback then dropped a few games later due to poor performances.

I have personally never been a fan of Mathers, but his signing is beneficial to the club. He does have the defensive attributes (ie. Organising the line) and can pass this along to the younger players. He can attack and come into the attacking line. May not be as good as Mullaney but he can do it. Also I honestly can't see him being on a massive wage, coming out of retirement, betting scandel, already employed by Wire. Anyway I am sure we will see soon enough how valuable (or not) he is.

PS. When it was announced that we were signing a retired player, did anyone else hope it would be Steve Menzies haha?

Re: New signing : Fri Jan 29, 2016 9:09 am  

tigertot wrote:

One of the great disappointments of the SL era. I remember him as a SO destroying the Aussie juniors for GB, then playing as a superb third HB from FB position under Graham Murray (I think). He went down under, got a bad injury & went downhill. I've long thought he has a touch of arrogance that is not deserved & sometimes lacks bottle. My under is completely whelmed.

I think it was Daryl Powell rather than Murray, but I may be wrong.

You're spot on about him at SO though. I saw him play there a couple of times before he broke into the Leeds first team and he was outstanding.

Re: New signing : Fri Jan 29, 2016 7:36 pm  

woolly07 wrote:

Good to read Kavanah this morning saying we will be even stronger when Clough gets back. If Clough was leaving would he have said that - assuming players find things out like that.

Clough being interveiewed in coral stand. Had surgery on his tonsils reason he's been out