Re: England Full Back : Mon Jul 17, 2017 1:08 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

As things stand Hardaker should be at fullback with probably Ratchford providing some utility back up. I'd go Widdop and Gale in the halves as Williams form has gone totally west. A player I'd still be considering for the squad would be James Roby. He looks to be in good form for St Helens and his experience could be very handy.

I don't watch Williams every week so I'll take your word for it that he's out of form but he still has more assists than anyone else in the league this season, playing in a team which has been fairly average with a half back partner in Leuluai who by all accounts has been a let down this season. Don't you think that's still a pretty impressive return for a half back and that he'll look even better alongside someone as good as Gale or Widdop?

Re: England Full Back : Mon Jul 17, 2017 4:03 pm  

jakeyg95 wrote:

I don't watch Williams every week so I'll take your word for it that he's out of form but he still has more assists than anyone else in the league this season, playing in a team which has been fairly average with a half back partner in Leuluai who by all accounts has been a let down this season. Don't you think that's still a pretty impressive return for a half back and that he'll look even better alongside someone as good as Gale or Widdop?

He's a supreme talent that's for sure and he is being let down by not having a balanced pairing to play in at Wigan. To let the lad thrive he needs a halfback partner who can take the lead when it comes to the long kicking and the general organisation of the side. I agree that Widdop and Gale provide that but those two in their own right deserve a place. As things stand I think they both have a more rounded game then Williams. There's things Williams can do that those two could only dream of but unfortunately his confidence is very low and he's making some really poor decisions. His assist tally is huge but for every assist there's a poor pass, offload or a panic kick thrown in and as things stand I don't think he warrents a starting spot.

There's time for that to change though and if anybody has the talent to pull it round it's Williams. He could still be a very handy option off the bench in the World Cup. That role may well suit him to a tee at the minute because he'll be free to just play what's in front of him at hooker or halfback and add some impact.

Re: England Full Back : Mon Jul 17, 2017 4:42 pm  

Charlie Sheen wrote:

We don't have many centres capable of matching the Australians or Kiwis physically, either in size or pace. Shenton would be solid, and he's in good form, I think he should get the nod, but Josh Griffin has also been in good form recently, he has all the athletic attributes, so perhaps he could work his way into the squad. I also think Joe Burgess would be a good shout to play in the centres.

After watching Joe Burgess get spanked all over the park by Cas at Wheldon Rd when in the centres, he should be nowhere near that position. Nor should be we shoehorning people in for the sake of it.

Re: England Full Back : Mon Jul 17, 2017 5:18 pm  

Hardaker is without a doubt the best English Full Back right now. Playing anyone else there, unless Hardaker is injured, would be completely daft.

Re: England Full Back : Tue Jul 18, 2017 6:01 am  

Jordan Turner at centre?

Re: England Full Back : Tue Jul 18, 2017 7:09 am  

Fully wrote:

After watching Joe Burgess get spanked all over the park by Cas at Wheldon Rd when in the centres, he should be nowhere near that position. Nor should be we shoehorning people in for the sake of it.

He had a nightmare along with the rest of his colleagues that night. He did actually show some good touches in the centre in other games but I agree that he's nowhere near ready to play internationally in that spot (although he's a shout for back up winger in the squad now Eden looks to be done).

Watkins and Percival for the centre spots imo with back up being provided by either Shenton or Gildart. In all the mediocrity of our season Gildart has been sensational (when fit) and looks a 'proper' centre. His footwork is superb and he's laying try's on a plate for his winger. His big test this year was opposite Jack Bird in the WCC and he was fabulous. I'd have no issues with Shenton being selected though. He's a steady pick and you know exactly what you get with him.

Re: England Full Back : Tue Jul 18, 2017 8:56 am  

For me

1. Hardaker

2. McGilvary
3. Watkins
4. Shenton
5. Hall

6. Widdop
7. Gale

8. Graham
9. Hodgson
10. Sam B
11. Bateman
12. Whitehead
13. O'Loughlin

14. Williams
15. George B
16. Hill/Tom B
17. McMeeken

Hardaker needs to play where he is most effective. Shenton is probably the best defensive centre in SL at the moment. Agree with the sentiments on Williams may have a lot of try assists but my god what a frustrating player to watch at times. When you see him not passing when its on, trying miracle balls when its not he needs some specialist coaching in my eyes. I'd love to see Darryl Powell have him for a year! people probably wont agree with John Bateman either but we need someone who will properly stand toe to toe with them and for me our pack members that do are him Sam and Graham. Ryan Hall over Eden (if fit) for me too as he is proven and shows what he can do when played to his finishing is second to none. Think he is massively underused at Leeds

Re: England Full Back : Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:37 am  

thepimp007 wrote:

For me

1. Hardaker

2. McGilvary
3. Watkins
4. Shenton
5. Hall

6. Widdop
7. Gale

8. Graham
9. Hodgson
10. Sam B
11. Bateman
12. Whitehead
13. O'Loughlin

14. Williams
15. George B
16. Hill/Tom B
17. McMeeken

Hardaker needs to play where he is most effective. Shenton is probably the best defensive centre in SL at the moment. Agree with the sentiments on Williams may have a lot of try assists but my god what a frustrating player to watch at times. When you see him not passing when its on, trying miracle balls when its not he needs some specialist coaching in my eyes. I'd love to see Darryl Powell have him for a year! people probably wont agree with John Bateman either but we need someone who will properly stand toe to toe with them and for me our pack members that do are him Sam and Graham. Ryan Hall over Eden (if fit) for me too as he is proven and shows what he can do when played to his finishing is second to none. Think he is massively underused at Leeds

I'd go along with that. Although Hill would be a shoe in and the Burgess' twins would be one or the other. Neither seem to have kicked on since the top year they had when they won it, and they seem to fumble a lot of ball whether it be loose carries or attempting offloads that aren't on. Can't afford two lads who do that in one team against top international opponents.

Would like to see Walmsley get a shot in one of the games.

Re: England Full Back : Tue Jul 18, 2017 9:56 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

In all the mediocrity of our season Gildart has been sensational (when fit) and looks a 'proper' centre. His footwork is superb and he's laying try's on a plate for his winger. His big test this year was opposite Jack Bird in the WCC and he was fabulous. I'd have no issues with Shenton being selected though. He's a steady pick and you know exactly what you get with him.

I think Gildart is definitely one for the future, but to describe him as on fire is a gross over-exaggeration. 4 assists, 6 tries, 8 clean breaks, 18 tackle busts is mediocre. Shenton's are 17, 5, 13 & 34. Not that I am suggesting Shenton should be a shoe in either.

Re: England Full Back : Tue Jul 18, 2017 10:38 am  

tigertot wrote:

I think Gildart is definitely one for the future, but to describe him as on fire is a gross over-exaggeration. 4 assists, 6 tries, 8 clean breaks, 18 tackle busts is mediocre. Shenton's are 17, 5, 13 & 34. Not that I am suggesting Shenton should be a shoe in either.

Gildart has barely played after Brett Ferres turned his hand to a bit of wrestling. He's also played in a much worse team too and won't get anywhere near the kind of good ball that Shenton gets. He's probably one for the future though along with Joe Burgess.