What?

He's no Hardaker, obviously, but he did about as well as could be expected tonight.

Ablett for me the biggest dissapointment, like watching a young kid in a kids match. World class players outside him, but constantly holds onto the ball, believing he can beat them on his own. Very frustrating player this year, and that match what he has been like most of the year.

Maybe if Golding could catch the ing ball or tackle a man, we wouldn't have done six repeat sets.

The first try typifies his efforts all year - simply way off the pace - he made no effort despite being the nearest man to effect a tackle.

He caught pretty much every kick, and made a good one on one tackle on Swift. He lacked upper body strength to stop the Jones, and Walsh trys, but it's hardly surprising, the kids 18!

Perhaps if a senior player had done his job Golding would not have been called into action for the Walsh try - the Jones try was debatable I think he did all he could - I don't the Hardaker would have done any better given the build up.

What he doesn't offer is the strike power Hardaker does in attack.

Except those three kicks that went for Saints repeat sets, except for every tackle failure that lead to a Saints try.

Being able to catch a ball and make a tackle mean you can cut in the unde-13s. More is required to be a SL player. If he's not trusted to play FB for the 19s then god knows why we're picking him over Handley.

Don't know what has happened to him this year. Seems to get a lot of leeway from supporters due to past exploits. Having being so consistent over last three years, has been a big dissapointment this. He plays like he believes in his hype. Thought he played well last week, especially defensively where I have questioned him this year, but tonight was back to square one.

Who knows - could be carrying an injury, his drop in form is alarming all the same

Did you watch the game?

If we had jjb I'd rest Ablett next week .

With Delaney clearly struggling we don't have that luxury.might be worth starting ward and achurch in the SR with cuthbertson back at lf and burrow at hooker with R Ward on the bench with ablett

Ablett has been very disappointing, overall. He's had a half a dozen decent games, but this has been his worst season in terms of not meeting expectations. It's frustrating because, he had a full pre season, and I thought not getting picked for England would really fire him up to prove a point this season.
I actually don't think it's a case of him believing his own hype, I think he actually looks a little short of confidence, especially with his handling. He was probably guilty of trying to force the pass a little too much early in the season which resulted in errors, and he seems to have gone into his shell a little bit and kept hold of the ball more than he perhaps has done previously.

Thought Ablett was ok and Golding improved as the game went on. Biggest concern for me is missing Aiton. Sinfield is probably the best option for DH but we look very one dimensional in attack with only Mcguire to play off. Second best tonight, Saints won the ruck and their kicking game was exceptional.
Not too concerned yet but we need an improvement next week.

Funny innit....how opinions can differ sometimes? I really don't get the criticism of Ablett. He always looks like he is going to do something in attack and IMO he knows when to not panic and hold onto the ball or take the tackle - epitomised by Briscoe's first try at Wembley. Delaney (and Ward) is far more guilty of holding onto the ball or running into the man rather than the space - not a criticism of them either as both make up for it in other areas.