True, but I think most of his poor form is due to playing at centre. Admittedly he didn't shine before then but I'd still have him in the team at LF where I think he's more suited to than at centre.

You sure about not shining? His introduction changed the momentum of the game against Warrington. He had a great game at Catalans, and another good game at Huddersfield.

Fans are so fickle, and that is not aimed at you Him.

I'd agree with Ward's performance at centre being out of sorts but IIRC last Friday was only the second time he'd filled that role at a senior level. Ward is a LF all day long - his poor showing this past couple of weeks has as much to do with the coach as it has to do with Ward himself.

Personally don't think you lose anything replacing ward with sutcliffe. And as I said my main reason for dropping ward would be to give him a few weeks off. Only 20 had two serious shoulder injuries and against London at one point I saw him tackled and couldn't put any pressure through his shoulder to push himself back up. He is only 20 no reason to not give him a few weeks off, especially as we have sutcliffe back. Would also be dropping Delaney potentially as he doesn't look fit at the moment

So just to clarify a critisism of ward is fickle but a critique of hall is fair game. Just so we know if we are being fickle or not.

Is it the same? A criticism of Hall was his defence only, and it was based on four years worth. A criticism of Ward is based on playing out of position and over two games only. Wouldn't you agree there is a difference? and yes I would call that fickle.

I remember clearly when Ablett was played at centre at the start also, and the same complaints were labelled on him also. Funny enough I would bet if I looked back, those same posters back then are declaring Ablett the best left centre now.

The thing is Ward hasn't really been that bad at centre, and his performance at Saints was much better than the one at London. But the fact is he isn't a centre and is only doing a job for the team. Rightly or wrongly that is the coaches call, not the players. Had he been in his natural role then he would be doing a better job than the players currently there, and he deserves that opportunity before labelling him not good enough.

By the way Ferdy, I wasn't having a dig at you personally. You are not the only one with that viewpoint.

I don't think he was "great" in any game so far this season but that's not a criticism of him at all. In the games before playing at centre I think he was perfectly fine (maybe the term "not shined" was a tad harsh) and whilst I don't think he's been as bad at centre as some people do (and certainly not the reason for our defeat) I think his instincts are all wrong at centre at the moment. Again not a criticism of him.
I'm not one who normally knocks the coach whoever they are, because I usually think he knows an awful lot more about the game and certainly about his players than we do and that usually the players on the pitch have more of an impact on the game than a coach does, but I can't understand playing Ward at centre when there's Briscoe, Jones-Bishop, Hardaker and Ablett who would seem more suited to the role.

I understand Ferdy's viewpoint and if Ward is struggling with his shoulder then obviously give him a rest, but I'm assuming he's fully fit and in that case I think he needs game time in a more natural position than centre.

1. Hardaker
2. Briscoe
3. Watkins
4. Moon
5. Hall
6. McGuire
7. Sinfield
8. Kylie
9. Aiton
10. Peacock
11. Ward
12. Ablett
13. Sutcliffe

Subs
Burrow, singleton, Delaney, bailey

Bang on but expect burrow to start

1. Hardaker
2. Briscoe
3. Watkins
4. BJB
5. Hall
6. Moon
7. Burrow
8. Kylie
9. Aiton
10. Peacock
11. Ward
12. Ablett
13. Sinfield

Subs
Sutcliffe, Singleton, Delaney, Bailey

Let's have a bit of pace and guile at half back.... Instead of concrete boots and predictability. BJB deserves a stating place.

Wouldn't actually mind that. I've been one in the past I admit to say to people why bother listing Sinfield at Loose but that's when we lessened his tackling in 2011 & '12 to reduce his defensive workload to save him. This year he's averaging 28.....he might as well be back at loose if he's doing those numbers even with a proper hooker now getting decent minutes.

Moon I wouldn't mind there, I don't actually dislike him, he just isn't a centre offensively (defensively he does a good job there). His running style which frustrates me as a centre would be fine a position or two further in from the touch line (if he was a bit bigger he could do a job as a offloading, carrying the ball in one hand interchange 2nd row like we haven't seen since Lautiiti, except he doesn't look like he could run straight and punch holes if need be so ruled that out).

Moon actually started out as a stand off I think, and has played a few NRL games at 6, but I think the chances of him playing 6 under the current regime are very slim.