If you are referring to players, they can always come & join me for 60 hours a week out of the house, or they can keep the priviledged lifestyle of a professional sportsman. I think you way over estimate the effects of a message board on players, do you think they spend their time worrying about message boards?. A similar comment was made at the club love-in (I wonder who asked that one).

Directors, generally, are a different case. But most get fair less criticism, joking & serious, than players.

It was referring to those at the club charged with PR and media relations, and indeed to the hierarchy generally. Would have thought that was obvious, but seemingly not.

Yes it WAS one of my questions at the forum. And quit being disingenuous - the question was not primarily about the effect on current players, but about the effect on people like potential sponsors, potential players or employees and indeed the media in general - and of course to anyone who does not wish the club well. Look at those who should know better in the media use MB gossip. And I had good reason for asking it, which I have no intention of sharing on here.

As your post, & the thread, was discussing Langley, also super Deacs, it was fair to assume you were referring to players.



I would find it hard to believe that a player, sponsor etc. would be put off joining/supporting a club my message board banter. I don't do other sport MB's but would imagine it is the same in every major sport, certainly RAB is no worse than most sites on here, save those currently on an upsurge in form. Apart from those I know who post on here no-one seems to give a jot about gossip, they only care how their team is performing.

Cue Brad Meyers show and tell lesson........

Given that you had about 13548 questions answered at the forum I would have thought that that was a strong possibility TBH.

Spinning the topic a little bit - Langley played through the pain of a shoulder niggle without it affecting his performance - I wonder how much steroid/anaesthetic he needed injecting into it before & after a match. hopefully that would not have any longterm consequences and the operation is definitive.

Compare that with Chev Walker who appears to have played most of the season with a stress fracture in his lower leg and also needed injections.

Generally the decision to play is made by discussion between player/coach & medics. I would also say that the medic would have a veto ultimately as he is concerned with the health of the player longterm ( and also by extension the health of the other players on the pitch.)

From Langleys point of view everything has worked out for the best. Walker unfortunately seems to have taken a bit of a calculated risk which has had a horrendous complication. The stories in the press would suggest he will make a full recovery & is aiming for 6/12 return but there are a lot of variables between now & then. Hopefully he wil come through it ok

Aye, it makes you wonder just how many players go out and play week after week with levels of injury that we would see us mere mortals staying at home in bed! It is their livelihood, and clubs are understandably reluctant to sign injury prone players, so maybe they don't have much choice?

If players are going out there onto the pitch injured before they start the game then it is a bit of an insult to the fans who are turning up week after week in order to watch the players play.

I accept that his effort is to be admired but essentially we are not getting a player playing at 100% of his capability and therefore by continuing on the park they are weakening the side.

Also, what message does this send out to some of the youngsters who are not getting a look in despite a first teamer (who hardly had the greatest year ever) carrying an injury?

Fair play to Langley for his efforts but the fact that we have to persist in using a player who is carrying an injury is a bit of a concern.

Every team in SL will have players playing who are not 100% at times during the season. Where exactly is the line drawn? I think it is completely unrealistic to say a player shouldn't be picked if they a slight niggle or an injury that they feel they can play through. The club have to listen to the medical advice given and the player in question and then make their decision. As already mentioned, the form of Langley towards the end of the year suggests it wasn't just the injury that affected his performances.


Players like Whitehead and Donaldson who forced their way into the side this year and look certain to play even more games next season?

But not at the expense of Langley.

No at the expense of Solomona who was deemed unable to play on and delay surgery. As someone who paid to watch the Bulls and Langley, I can't say I feel insulted. I expect like all clubs we had other players continuing on with niggles, it is something that every player in SL will have done at some point.

So given the point I was making was about Langley I fail to see your argument?

I've played a lot of rugby & would say that there was someone not 100% fit in every game I played. My body is knackered largely due to the same. The only player I can remember refusing to play unless he was 100% was Bob Lindner while at Cas - he got roundly abused as a result.

Chev Walker point blank refused to come out for the 2nd half the other day. Fair play to him.

Well which youngsters are not getting a look in due to Langley playing with an injury? Or would you suggest we put half our reserve grade out if a player has a slight knock despite him still being able to perform at a decent standard?