Re: Anakin : Tue Jan 27, 2015 6:17 pm  

IMHO Annakin would make an ideal 80 minute loose forward as he is more of an attacking threat than Washbrook, is bigger, decent pair of hands and appears to have some pace. He can also tackle as Gareth Carvell found out last season.

If we ended up having some injuries it'd be good to see him have a run of games there.

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Re: Anakin : Tue Jan 27, 2015 6:34 pm  

asmadasa wrote:

IMHO Annakin would make an ideal 80 minute loose forward as he is more of an attacking threat than Washbrook, is bigger, decent pair of hands and appears to have some pace. He can also tackle as Gareth Carvell found out last season.

If we ended up having some injuries it'd be good to see him have a run of games there.

I agree, but I also thought that last year and he unfortunately missed his opportunity at the beginning of the year.
I like Washbrook so it's not like I'm wanting to push him out but Annakin has lots of potential and I like what he does when he comes on the field.

It's only an observation from the terrace but Washbrook appears to be a senior player with some maturity in his game and I think that is a lot of the reason why Agar and Webster both like to play him.
For Annakin to really kick on, he needs to develop a position in the team, not only in the sence of prop, SR or loose, but also as a character and a leader in the team. He's young so he isn't going to take over, but he needs a more dominant personal character to stand up with the likes of Scruton, Ali, Kirmond and be regarded as a regular first team player.

Re: Anakin : Wed Jan 28, 2015 12:04 pm  

Wildcat26 wrote:

Why not? I would argue Annakin has shown a lot more promise than Kirke and Simon in pre season friendly's & Im not too sure we will be using Dan Smith at Prop this season. Every time Annakin has had the chance to play in our first team, he's been impressive.

I cant ever remember JJB playing prop although I maybe wrong.

Kirke only played in the Leeds game and got injured.

Simon looks OK and is actually a prop.

I know people want to see Anakin succeed and I get it - but I think people are seeing things that really are not there IMHO

Re: Anakin : Wed Jan 28, 2015 12:11 pm  

asmadasa wrote:

IMHO Annakin would make an ideal 80 minute loose forward as he is more of an attacking threat than Washbrook, is bigger, decent pair of hands and appears to have some pace. He can also tackle as Gareth Carvell found out last season.

If we ended up having some injuries it'd be good to see him have a run of games there.

People have been speculating on Anakins position for years, and that's his biggest problem.

He has all the things you say but that doesn't mean he's a better LF than Washbrook or even a LF at all. Washbrook is proven in that position and despite a blip in his career under Agar he has recovered well and ended last season on a high and has looked good at 13 in the last 2 games. Anakin has not played 13 at this level and even at academy level was mainly SR.

He's a possibility for the future maybe but nowhere near Wasbrook at the moment IMHO. Leave him as a SR squad player for now.

Re: Anakin : Wed Jan 28, 2015 1:02 pm  

vastman wrote:

People have been speculating on Anakins position for years, and that's his biggest problem.

He has all the things you say but that doesn't mean he's a better LF than Washbrook or even a LF at all. Washbrook is proven in that position and despite a blip in his career under Agar he has recovered well and ended last season on a high and has looked good at 13 in the last 2 games. Anakin has not played 13 at this level and even at academy level was mainly SR.

He's a possibility for the future maybe but nowhere near Wasbrook at the moment IMHO. Leave him as a SR squad player for now.

Nowhere near Washbrook? Give over, for two seasons now Washbrook has offered nothing apart from been a workhorse in defence. For me Dan Smith should take that role now.

I have a feeling Webster will be rotating the forwards throughout the season, we definitely have enough depth in that area.

Re: Anakin : Wed Jan 28, 2015 1:49 pm  

Wildcat26 wrote:

Nowhere near Washbrook? Give over, for two seasons now Washbrook has offered nothing apart from been a workhorse in defence. For me Dan Smith should take that role now.

I have a feeling Webster will be rotating the forwards throughout the season, we definitely have enough depth in that area.

Where is your evidence, neither Smith or Anakin have played at LF so how can you make such a bold statement. As for your opinion on Washbrook, well it's an opinion but clearly not one shared by our coach who I suspect is far more qualified to make the call.

I remain baffled.

Re: Anakin : Wed Jan 28, 2015 2:54 pm  

vastman wrote:

Where is your evidence, neither Smith or Anakin have played at LF so how can you make such a bold statement. As for your opinion on Washbrook, well it's an opinion but clearly not one shared by our coach who I suspect is far more qualified to make the call.

I remain baffled.

Where did I mention in that Anakin should play LF? With regards to Dan Smith he's played a lot of his junior career at 13 and front row, including at Souths 20s - Not at SL level I know, but he never will if he's never given the chance to.

I'm just going on what I watch week in week out, and that is that Washbrook offers very little in attack (In my opinion) and that's just my opinion, I'm not demanding that Webster takes him out the team, but to say Dan Smith is nowhere near him is a bit of an exaggeration for me.

Re: Anakin : Wed Jan 28, 2015 2:58 pm  

Wildcat26 wrote:

Where did I mention in that Anakin should play LF? With regards to Dan Smith he's played a lot of his junior career at 13 and front row, including at Souths 20s - Not at SL level I know, but he never will if he's never given the chance to.

I'm just going on what I watch week in week out, and that is that Washbrook offers very little in attack (In my opinion) and that's just my opinion, I'm not demanding that Webster takes him out the team, but to say Dan Smith is nowhere near him is a bit of an exaggeration for me.

Fair point Anakin.

Smith for me is a prop, he's very buig for a LF and I'm yet to see the ball handling skills - hence I'll stick with Wasbrook - don't disagree that he's good shout should Washbroook lose form or get injured.

Re: Anakin : Wed Jan 28, 2015 3:03 pm  

vastman wrote:

Fair point Anakin.

Smith for me is a prop, he's very buig for a LF and I'm yet to see the ball handling skills - hence I'll stick with Wasbrook - don't disagree that he's good shout should Washbroook lose form or get injured.

In addition I really don't think you need experience as such to play at loose forward. I think in the modern game its a bit of a free role. I.e. whatever the coach wants to make that, or whatever fits into the game plan whether that be an extra prop forward, Grix at Warrington? An extra playmaker on the pitch, Sinfield at Leeds? or even a wide running threat? Gaz Hock at Salford?

Re: Anakin : Wed Jan 28, 2015 3:46 pm  

vastman wrote:

People have been speculating on Anakins position for years, and that's his biggest problem.

He has all the things you say but that doesn't mean he's a better LF than Washbrook or even a LF at all. Washbrook is proven in that position and despite a blip in his career under Agar he has recovered well and ended last season on a high and has looked good at 13 in the last 2 games. Anakin has not played 13 at this level and even at academy level was mainly SR.

He's a possibility for the future maybe but nowhere near Wasbrook at the moment IMHO. Leave him as a SR squad player for now.

The comparison between Washbrook and Anakin is a valid one.
But I think the comparison should be that both are OOC at the end of the season and who would you give the extension to?
A 'steady eddy', or one of our own?
If we don't use Anakin we will lose another one come the end of the season.