If in your opinion you actually believe that Sutty was pretty bad,then what is bizarre with Brian Mac thinking that he was in fact Very Good?

I know that we will need Sutty going forward if Magsy keeps being not available for selection,but you have clearly contradicted yourself have you not regarding his performance v Saints?

they don't need to play him at all. the best half back we have is on loan at Bradford.

sutty ran hard and tackled well, made some good half breaks. bulk him up a bit and you have a cracking second row/loose forward.
but a half back? never

Don't think I've been contradictory. While I believe everyone can see Sutty wasn't good on Thursday, I don't think it's bizzare for Mac not to call him out in an interview, looking to protect the player and maybe boost his confidence.

That's what I was trying to say, even if it has taken me two attempts.

I understood what you meant, I just think mac would have better not saying anything

That is the thing.he is a good rugby player but not a general or play maker and he makes some real bad decisions. Although, like you say, he did some good things in general he was the main reason we didn't post the points we should have in the first half hour that would have seen us out of sight and its hard to look past that given his role in the team right now.

This is it pretty much.

McDermott doesn't criticise individuals in public to throw them under the spotlight. Never been his style to do that so not surprised he hasn't done it on this occasion. Basically just another one of those occasions where people want to get upset by something he said without actually thinking about it.

nobodys upset, just think its a pretty strange thing to say.
how many times have you defended him for things he hasn't meant to say????

not sure who's the biggest idiot

Didn't say he hasn't meant to say it, said he just not going to slate his players in public because he never really does.

That you can't understand that means you might want to look in the mirror for your final line.

Guys, stick to making your points and keep the schoolyard name calling to a minimum please.

It'll only escalate and I'll have to start deleting crap again.

TIA.

Keep on eye on Tad, he's been throwing the insults around quite a lot recently.
Jennifer Anniston and/or Halle Berry must've dumped him, poor lad.

If this is true, then it's not that unusual. Remember Gaskill and Lomax were touted as England's future saviours at 6 & 7. Now both doing alright at full back. Maybe Sutty can do a job for us (but not as a 1 or 6).

Could fully understand that if he was specific about an individual player, and he was talking about a youngster. He wasn't though. He was talking about the half backs in relation to criticism. And Sutcliffe is as near to a veteran now as he is going to be. I mean how many games does he have to play before people stop with the youngster tag? He's played more games than George Williams. Another season and he will be around the same games as Marc Sneyd currently as.

He's actually only played around 10 more games than George Williams and about 50 less than Sneyd who is 4 years older. I'd class players as youngsters until at least 24/25 because it's not just about experience, but maturity and ability to deal with criticism.

Perhaps he referred to the half backs as a pairing as the need to protect them from critics, at least externally is as important whether your the 22 year old Sutty or 35 year old Burrow?

I do like Sutcliffe as a player and think a lot of the stuff posted on here is harsh. None of our key area players were particularly creative - burrow, cuthbertson, hooker and fullback. Long term would see Sutcliffe as a good back rower.

I think he could do short term a decent job at centre and I would prefer Joel Moon given a run at stand off. He's decent with ball in hand and an illusive runner who can kick well close to the line. Great defender also. Lilley's lack of pace and suspect defense rules him out as a long term answer.

Fundamentally we do seem to be short on attacking structure/ideas which has been evident for years. This I believe to be a coaching issue whether by choice or failure in the abilities of our coaching staff.

Unfortunately mags for me is done. Fantastic player and great clubman but he is physically shot.

The stand off issue needs sorting this year before our next round of retirements kicks in.