I wouldn't know old bean, I'm not a SL coach I don't profess to be. It seems to me you fancy being one? I just see things as they are imo of course.

I have to say I agree here. It is an underestimated facet of Roby's game, as people will tend to focus on his running from dummy half, but his defence around the ruck has often impressed me as well, and wherever he defends in the line he certainly isn't a weak link, either in positioning or tackling.

We'll see just how good Roby is when Cunningham retires....

I think we'll discover he's bloody good.

I agree tbf although will spend all his career at 9?
I could see him moving to 13 eventually.

There seems to be a consensus of opinion that Roby isn't best suited as starting hooker due to his ability to tire out defences when he is introduced around the 20-25 minute mark. Although it's obviously true that he does his best work around this time I don't personally agree that he can't step up and be promoted to the starting spot at the start of next season. In saying that, Scott Moore has been excellent from what i have seen at Hudds this season and I expect us to retain his services with him and Roby battling it out for the starting spot.

Although Roby has started at 13 on a few occasions, I'm not convinced he is suited to such a ball playing role. His assets lie in being involved in the ruck with good marker defence and quick hands to get the first reciever going, along with his running from dummy half.

Did Tony Smith have any problem starting with Roby (when available) at the World Cup last season?

This got a bit of discussion ahead of the World Cup last year. In my view, it isn't that I don't believe Roby can be a starting hooker, he's certainly plenty good enough, it's more that I think he can have a greater impact on the game coming off the bench. That will be for the Saints coaching staff to work out when Cunningham quits. They can use him as starting #9 where he will be better than 95% of the hookers he comes up against, but it might not be the way to get his absolute best out of him.

Why has a thread about Leeds performance last night descended into a discussion about a player from our major rivals?

Now that McGuire has lost a little pace, he does not have the ability to go round the men stood wide as often as he used to. His footwork in the middle makes himvery threatening to the heavy footed people in the midfield, and it is because of this he was able to create space for people further wide last night.

If you notice when Long goes to the line, before going behind to Pryce on a 2nd man play, he usually puts Pryce on the outside of the defence, in alot of space. This is because he has the ability to hold the men in the middle, be it with good footwork, or by utilising the dummy runner. Last night McGuire showed similar traits IMO, and looks very promising in that position.

Two words: Thread Drift.

I know but it's annoying when it gets in the way of a relatively interesting discussion/thread.
Still its only my usual grump mode.

Apologies, I just took exception to DISA's usual drivel.

As you were.