Kirke replaced Peacock while Sinfield was convertiing the Watkins score. The substitution was reversed in the 47th minute.

I made that around 18 minutes either side of the break. It coincided with a very sloppy period by Leeds categorised by poor handling when in possession and poor discipline when not. While the three carries doesn't sound a great deal (and isn't) it would also be interesting to see a comparison to the other Leeds players out there during that spell.

Unfortunately no-one will put any effort into doing such a thing because it's much easier not to.

__________



Yours and mine both on this occasion then, although I actual imagine you sat somewhere with a post-it note and biro headed up 'Ian Shirke drive/s'.



If we are it's only a sad commentary on the collectors of statistical data that some pundits and posters like to put great store by. I find them to be sadly lacking when put to the test.



I've been trying to ignore your post match commentaries since Danny Buderus arrived.

___________

Phil Clarke during the aftermatch analysis programme showed a missed tackle stat of Castleford 18 Leeds 8 and Castleford 3 Leeds 10 for breaks. Opta on Monday report Castleford 27 Leeds 11 and Castleford 1 Leeds 9 for these categories.

Do Sky not use Opta?

Opta are also reporting Castleford conceded 5 penalties, I can show they conceded 6:

9th minute - High Tackle, Dixon on Leuluai
39th minute - Ball Steal, Chase on Jones-Bishop

48th minute - Grapple Tackle, McGoldrick on Hall
71st minute - Offside, take your pick
74th minute - Ball Steal, Emmitt on Peacock
76th minute - Re-start not travelling 10 metres, Dixon

It appears from the individual counts against the Castleford players that the 71st minute generic offside is the one that has been missed/ignored.

This is pretty basic stuff. If they can't be trusted to accurately reflect penalty counts it doesn't leave much hope for the rest, IMO. Still it gives Phil Clarke and others incapable of reading the game somewhere to hide.

You hurt my feelings.

Prepared for a surprise. It's a quiet night and our lass is out.

During the timeframe you mention the forwards made the following carries whilst Kirke was on the pitch:

Kirke: 2 carries (I agree with the official stats on this viewing)
Griffin 5 carries
Pitts/Clarkson 2 carries (Pitts was subbed by Clarkson during the 18 min)
Delaney 3 carries
Ablett 2 carries

However, the key indicator for me is the other bench prop, Griffin. Griffin was already on the field, having subbed Kylie, when Kirke was introduced so not as fresh but still made 5 carries, about what you'd expect from a front rower.

I was hoping someone might rise to the challenge. Disappointed it was you - I can't afford your rates.

Like Eddie I credited Kirke's 1st carry to Peacock so I am back to 3. Unlike Kirke I am all over the place.

SS.com should sponsor Kirke to wear one of those GPS tracking devices worn by unsavoury types when he plays. That way we could have a live 'Kirke watch' during every game.

Watching grass grow would be more entertaining.

Only kidding, 'Kirke-Watching' Kirke hiding in the middle of the field trying not to touch the ball does achieve .........

And sometimes even when he does advance the ball, Opta - Eddie Hemmings - and even some usually knowledgeable Leeds fans, chalk up another carry to Jamie Peacock. Having said that I'm not sure where Opta have placed the credit as they once gave Kirke a 40/20 that belonged to Rob Burrow and gave a farewell conversion success to Danny Buderus - although the Buderus goal has since been ammended looking at this: www.engagesuperleague.co.uk/stat ... eason=2012 Mistaking Peacock for Kirke - perhaps but Burrow for Kirke ..... really ..... come on.

And sometimes even when he does advance the ball, Opta - Eddie Hemmings - and even some usually knowledgeable Leeds fans, chalk up another carry to Jamie Peacock. Having said that I'm not sure where Opta have placed the credit as they once gave Kirke a 40/20 that belonged to Rob Burrow and gave a farewell conversion success to Danny Buderus - although the Buderus goal has since been ammended looking at this: www.engagesuperleague.co.uk/stat ... eason=2012 Mistaking Peacock for Kirke - perhaps but Burrow for Kirke ..... really ..... come on.

Wrong way round. 40 games and 20 drives. I checked with Opta.

I just saw that RU refs actually do wear those! You can track their bat$h1t decision all over the pitch electronically (although my reffing is always fair and correct).

What a miserable set of so called supporters we have - Ian Kirke has got how many Grand Final Winners rings ?

He won't be a high earner and is no where near as bad as made out on here.

The coaches make the decisions to play him (the same coaches who have won four out of five Grand Finals). Go figure.

Get off his back

I've done jobbies that lasted longer than Kirke.

Kirkes performances get the same scrutiny the rest of the squad get.
Read through ANY match/squad threads and IF he's not performed as fans would expect from a 6"+ 17st+ Prop then it gets commented on just as Burrow etc did last year when they were "off form" or not producing.
Whether others get bored or not offer something to the debate that gives a positive spin on his efforts indeed he did ok v Widnes and it was mentioned.
With the size of the squad and the emergance of some potential within the acadamy players will ALWAYS be disussed whether + or - you just have to look back to Seniors last active 18mths.
It's not "bashing ,kicking or witch hunting" just debate and opinions on players within the team/squad we follow.