Left edge : Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:58 am  

I thought Rankin looked very comfortable when attacking down the left edge. Much more comfortable than he does on the right edge. Is he having to play on the right to accommodate Brough? He doesnt look comfortable making a left to right pass and regularly dummies and steps when hes on that right edge. He put on two awesome passes vs Cas for both Innes Seniors tries.

If we are going to insist to play Brough on the left which I presume we will, could Rankin become a ball playing full back? Something we've not had since Brett Hodgson..

Rankin doesn't look like a player who suits a structured attack, full back would give him that chance to roam freely. I also believe the Hull fans were saying he's a better fullback than half back when we signed him.

Re: Left edge : Wed Apr 11, 2018 1:13 pm  

might see him at full back very soon if brough is fit this sunday

gaskell and brough seem to be thormans preferred half back combo

rankin went ok at full back last season, till mamo is back ofcourse!

Re: Left edge : Wed Apr 11, 2018 1:52 pm  

Much better at fullback from what i have seen. I cannot understand why Turner was not given another run at halfback seen as in Chris Thormans own words 'he was the best player on the pitch' in the first half against leeds. The problem for me is gaskell, they are accomodating him at halfback cos he aint that great at centre, but guess what he aint that great at half back either! Would be better with Turner at half back, Rankin at fullback once everyone is back fit. Ship gaskell out asap and find another half to replace Brough when he eventually retires and then you need a good centre to play along with Cudjoe.

Re: Left edge : Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:44 pm  

I must be watching different games to the rest of you. I saw little evidence of Rankin as a ball playing fullback for all those games he played at fullback last year- But yes he seemed more comfortable on that edge and set up some beauties. But I also thought Gaskell had a very good game against cas- and did his job as a ball distributor very well- hence us actually managing to score a good few points for a change!
Perhaps it’s brough we will actually be accommodating.

Re: Left edge : Thu Apr 12, 2018 12:04 pm  

jools wrote:

I must be watching different games to the rest of you. I saw little evidence of Rankin as a ball playing fullback for all those games he played at fullback last year- But yes he seemed more comfortable on that edge and set up some beauties. But I also thought Gaskell had a very good game against cas- and did his job as a ball distributor very well- hence us actually managing to score a good few points for a change!
Perhaps it’s brough we will actually be accommodating.

I 100% that Rankin didn't show much at FB previously. But I'd argue that he's starting to look more settled and confident now. It could be a good time to try him there again.
Also agree 're gaskell . Looked comfortable vs Cas. There's a lot if players who have really stepped up in the last few weeks. Smith is another as is Murphy. And the young lads have had a real dig and can be proud of their efforts.

Got to give thorman a mention too. I'd be really happy for him to get the job.

Re: Left edge : Fri Apr 13, 2018 1:23 pm  

Chetnik wrote:

I 100% that Rankin didn't show much at FB previously. But I'd argue that he's starting to look more settled and confident now. It could be a good time to try him there again.
Also agree 're gaskell . Looked comfortable vs Cas. There's a lot if players who have really stepped up in the last few weeks. Smith is another as is Murphy. And the young lads have had a real dig and can be proud of their efforts.

Got to give thorman a mention too. I'd be really happy for him to get the job.

A bit early to be confirming Thorman in the job for me, It takes a bit longer than a draw and two loses, I know where you are coming from because the style of play for me is more important than the loses and they are definitely looking better than they did under Stone.
He deserves a proper chance to prove himself for me, i don't see any need to rush into anything, he has made a good start and when ( if ) we get some players back we can see how he goes with a reasonable squad.
There have been far too many hasty signing in the recent past for me, There does seem to be a much better attitude about the players but It's early days, I will be interested to see how he manages Danny Brough but i wish him luck.

Re: Left edge : Sun Apr 15, 2018 4:36 pm  

Im pretty confident in my assessment of Gaskell , he added a few drops of his own and some hospital passes to others that resulted in dropped ball too. The truth is all our halves are well below par for this level, Brough has only his kicking game left, great decision by 'the management team' to give him another year, isn't this something you do for old players when they are still producing results and have swapped a yard of pace for experience and guile? Losing your rag and getting sent off a few times a year hardly suffices. Rankin is a barely adequate fullback, and for me , as stated previously Gaskell is not good enough at stand off or centre and needs replacing asap.

Thorman sounds intelligent and articulate in interviews, but he also comes across as someone who is very happy with what goes on behind the scenes at the giants. Time to wake up and smell the coffee. Get someone in who will shake the foundations of the club or get ready for the lower divisions!

Re: Left edge : Sun Apr 15, 2018 4:47 pm  

Hangerman2 wrote:

Im pretty confident in my assessment of Gaskell , he added a few drops of his own and some hospital passes to others that resulted in dropped ball too. The truth is all our halves are well below par for this level, Brough has only his kicking game left, great decision by 'the management team' to give him another year, isn't this something you do for old players when they are still producing results and have swapped a yard of pace for experience and guile? Losing your rag and getting sent off a few times a year hardly suffices. Rankin is a barely adequate fullback, and for me , as stated previously Gaskell is not good enough at stand off or centre and needs replacing asap.

Thorman sounds intelligent and articulate in interviews, but he also comes across as someone who is very happy with what goes on behind the scenes at the giants. Time to wake up and smell the coffee. Get someone in who will shake the foundations of the club or get ready for the lower divisions!

A modern day Alex Murphy would fit the bill, Oh hang on they sacked him when he got us to the brink of S league, maybe not then.

Re: Left edge : Sun Apr 15, 2018 4:57 pm  

Rankin at full back again to me didnt add to our attack. Looks like he will be hack in the halves for a while thanks to Danny Brough!

Re: Left edge : Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:19 pm  

Hangerman2 wrote:

Im pretty confident in my assessment of Gaskell , he added a few drops of his own and some hospital passes to others that resulted in dropped ball too. The truth is all our halves are well below par for this level, Brough has only his kicking game left, great decision by 'the management team' to give him another year, isn't this something you do for old players when they are still producing results and have swapped a yard of pace for experience and guile? Losing your rag and getting sent off a few times a year hardly suffices. Rankin is a barely adequate fullback, and for me , as stated previously Gaskell is not good enough at stand off or centre and needs replacing asap.

Thorman sounds intelligent and articulate in interviews, but he also comes across as someone who is very happy with what goes on behind the scenes at the giants. Time to wake up and smell the coffee. Get someone in who will shake the foundations of the club or get ready for the lower divisions!

thorman is happy with what goes on behind the scenes, gets on great with thewlis.

the half back problem was supposed to be solved when we signed brierley... that didnt work... neither has gaskell/rankin... but one thing thats constant is brough... 2020 we might see change.

said before the club needs a clearout from the top down starting with thewlis