Never liked this lad and think it was a big mistake keeping him and letting Paul Johnson go to Wakey?

Yes every side need squad members but Matty offers zero chance of breaking a tackle or getting us going forward?

Discuss

Paul Johnson is 23, Matty is 21.

Aside from that, I agree to an extent. Although Matty was clearly rated more highly than PJ in his time at Saints, Andy Dixon is a better player IMO and I would also rather see Magennis play than Ashurst.

He runs good lines and has decent hands, I don't think he's ever let anyone down when he's played. Perfectly fine as a squad man so far.

I don't think we'll get bitten on the in letting Johnson go.

I think Ashurst will turn out to be better than Dixon. Dixon is a tackling machine and nothing else, were as i thought last season Ashurst was starting to show some good stuff with his hands, as well as being a tackling machine. Ashurst also played games at stand off for the reserve so he must have decent hands. I'd rather have him in the side than Dixon if i'm honest.

Thought Ashurst looked a bit light when he first came through. However, he seemed to beef up quite a bit at the end of last year and was showing some excellent form up until an injury finished his season. He seemed a little anonymous on Sat, but that was his first appearence for the 1sts since said injury. I think he'll add some extra penatration slightly wide of the ruck, or possibly make a good, no nonsense centre (he often filled in there last year mid match).

Definately a better keeper than Johnson on first team showings.

www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 If you check out Paul Johnson's stats this year you'll be surprised with his work load Matty Ashurst only made 785m in 20 games last year? Johnson has made that in 6 this seaon?

www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 If you check out Paul Johnson's stats this year you'll be surprised with his work load Matty Ashurst only made 785m in 20 games last year? Johnson has made that in 6 this seaon?

Why don't I remember Johnson at all?

Ashurst is another random academy second rower that will end up moving to another SL side before dripping down the leagues over the years.

Dixon is clearly better. Fist team material now IMO.

I like both Ashurst and Dixon. The former hits the ball hard and in space (an underrated skill). The latter has very good tackling technique and workrate. Both keep mistakes to a minimum and have a clear professional mindset. It's a bit too early to come to any firm conclusions as neither has matured physically. Perhaps I give Dixon the slight edge but I could be wrong.

To be honest i camt see peoples facination With maginnes he take a pasting every time he gets the ball. Dixon and ashurst are both young solid players and will pnly get bettrt

He was caught napping at the ruck for McShane's try, which was a little disappointing after the heroic defence that had preceded that try. He's a good player, but whether he'll make it at Saints I have my doubts. I think Dixon is the more likely of the two.

I'd like to be proved wrong, but looks like just another superleague/championship journeyman, he'll make a career out of it but not at a top club

He is a pretty good player, has a good pair of hands and works hard. Paul Johnsons stats look better because he is getting flogged to death at Wakey as they don't have anyone else. Ashurst is the classier player who will take on a greater workload as he gets older and by far the best one to keep.

Ashurst is a decent player. Not sure why the original poster is so down on a young lad making their way in the game.

I use Mike Bennett as a barometer for these situations. If the kid is better than Mike then he is a valuable squad member. Mike never let us down and wasn't blessed with an abundance of talent so I judge others by his standard.

On the "Bennett Barometer" Ashurst makes the grade for me.

He's yet to prove he can run when his shorts have been pulled down, does not have a ridiculous chest and his gay try celebrations leave a lot to be desired before he can be talked about in the same breath as dangerous bennett.