Re: Props : Fri Apr 14, 2017 10:33 pm  

Clubb wont be playing for a while yet so there will be the chance for someone else to step up.

[DaveO]

Re: Props : Fri Apr 14, 2017 10:52 pm  

I have mentioned before the props have not had much injury trouble but we been have been being beaten in this area. Only Sutton out for a while and in the meantime only Tauati earning his money. Not sure what has happened to FPN. I thought he looked a bit unfit last season when he arrived but was even so adding that extra bit of aggression to the pack we needed. With an off-season with Wigan I thought we had a Craig Smith MkII on our hands. Flower and Clubb have not impressed either.

Re: Props : Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:01 pm  

DaveO wrote:

I have mentioned before the props have not had much injury trouble but we been have been being beaten in this area. Only Sutton out for a while and in the meantime only Tauati earning his money. Not sure what has happened to FPN. I thought he looked a bit unfit last season when he arrived but was even so adding that extra bit of aggression to the pack we needed. With an off-season with Wigan I thought we had a Craig Smith MkII on our hands. Flower and Clubb have not impressed either.

FPN is sadly following the same pattern shown at a couple of previous clubs - strong start then descends into laziness. I hope our coaching staff can snap him out of it.

Re: Props : Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:09 pm  

I think the props more then anyone are suffering a bit of a hangover from the Cronulla game and they look a little jaded from having to cover the back row in the absence of Bateman, Lockers and Farrell in the past month or so.

When the time comes to switch on they will do, they always do but we could do with a lift of intensity (especially in defence) in the meantime. We could really do with Tautai staying on though, he's been very good this past 18 months.

[DaveO]

Re: Props : Sat Apr 15, 2017 12:09 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

I think the props more then anyone are suffering a bit of a hangover from the Cronulla game and they look a little jaded from having to cover the back row in the absence of Bateman, Lockers and Farrell in the past month or so.

When the time comes to switch on they will do, they always do but we could do with a lift of intensity (especially in defence) in the meantime. We could really do with Tautai staying on though, he's been very good this past 18 months.

I think they need to snap out of their lethargy a bit quicker than that. We need to keep adding league points to the board and we will have Challenge Cup games soon. We could draw SL opposition in that. If Tautai can do it (and also Sutton who looks up for it) then FPN. Clubb and Flower need to up their game.

Re: Props : Sat Apr 15, 2017 5:08 am  

I'm going to disagree as I think the Props are playing to a game plan set out by Wane. We rely on our outside backs to make yards and our Props to damage the opposition in defence.

Tautai comes on and causes mayhem for 10 minutes then is pretty anonymous. Flower is never going to rack up big yards due to his size but he is an absolute machine in defence.

FPN probably underperforming but I expect his stats willl surprise a few when they are published.

Re: Props : Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:17 am  

Even defensively they've not been great recently. Sutton was caught out at least once yesterday, Frank was at fault for not pushing over for Saints' last try and Cas had a field day going up the middle last week.

Re: Props : Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:22 am  

I think the props are struggling partly due to our injuries elsewhere.

We rely a lot on the outside backs to come in and do some of the carrying for the big lads, and with the injuries and unfamiliar personnel in these backs, maybe the props have not been supported as much?

Tautai has certainly been the stand out prop in the side though. Really making yards and driving it up with aggression.

Re: Props : Sat Apr 15, 2017 8:42 am  

well Ive just looked at the stats and a few things stand out from the pack:

Faz - his stats are by far the most consistent - tackles, yards. errors - good in all
JT - poor all round. poor yards, high errors, lots of missed tackles.

Props
TT shading everyone in all categories.
FPN good yards but lots of errors and missed tackles.
Clubb and Flower - distinctly average all round.
Sutton - solid but not making many yards.
Navarette - good promise. Better all round that TC and BF.

I think those figures pretty much bear up what people have seen on the field.

Re: Props : Sat Apr 15, 2017 9:22 am  

ShortArse wrote:

well Ive just looked at the stats and a few things stand out from the pack:

Faz - his stats are by far the most consistent - tackles, yards. errors - good in all
JT - poor all round. poor yards, high errors, lots of missed tackles.

Props
TT shading everyone in all categories.
FPN good yards but lots of errors and missed tackles.
Clubb and Flower - distinctly average all round.
Sutton - solid but not making many yards.
Navarette - good promise. Better all round that TC and BF.

I think those figures pretty much bear up what people have seen on the field.

The bashing of the forwards is a bit unfair. You say JT has been "poor all round" but he's fourth top tackler in the team and second in the off-loads. Yes he may not be making quite as good yards but you need to remember he's been playing alongside very young centres so the defensive effort is not to be overlooked.

In terms of Clubb, I've thought when he's come off the bench he's been superb. But due to injuries he's been playing much longer minutes which in combination with his consistent back troubles makes it quite unfair to be slating him in my opinion. Imagine someone like Walmsley having to play the number of minutes that Clubb has been lately, wouldn't be as effective as he is when he plays in stints.