I think the Cats game will be as physical. So we've no choice in avoiding that threat.

Erm... because he covers 6,7 & 9 and deserves his place in the 17?! I like Hood and Tomkins is solid enough but with all due respect Theo has done more than enough this season to not be shunted out as soon as Dobson comes back from a lengthy injury stint. I know Theo has some shortcomings but he's single-handedly had to carry the team round the park for the past 2 months and he's made a decent fist of it too.

I'll admit I like Theo and I'll be gutted if he goes but he's never given less than 100% in a Salford shirt and his performances warrant him staying in the 17 in some form. If you're telling me BOTH Tomkins and Hood deserve a place in front of him on merit then I would suggest you either don't go to games or you're a little bitter about Theo putting in a transfer request!

It's got nothing to do with reputations or names... it's purely down to performances.

Well if that's the case than fair enough but just goes to show what a mockery the RFL have made of having no reserve grade rugby. The jump from U19's to First Team is massive and I don't see why having a limited number of spots available for injured first teamers on the comeback trail can't be brought in. Similar to the likes of Robbo and Whiteside (Wendyballers for the uneducated) playing a couple of A team games back in the 80's early 90's before this academy stuff started off. IMO I'd be learning far more as an 18 year old playing alongside a couple of seasoned pro's than other "kids". Just my opinion of course but feel free to put me in my place!

HR - Yes I know the Catalans game will be physical... it's just that Dobson will have a further 80 minutes under his belt to prepare himself for that. Given his recent injury record I'd rather Dobson was eased back in rather than thrown straight back in at the deep end.

Lol bitter about him putting in transfer request, seriously?

You say he's single handedly carried the team around the park, their is a reason we haven't looked like an putting an attack together with Fages at the helm. Decent fist you can call it that but we was dire for them 2 months. Our interchange hooker has been our most attacking player. Before Hood, I'd agreed to bring Theo on after 25 minutes but it's clear Hood is better as an interchange hooker than Fages. So that means does he start? For me no, Logan has a better defence and is more solid, his passing distribution is also better.

I know it's harsh but that's the realities of professional sport. We need Dobson got his organisational skills and more important his kicking game, we can't drop Rangi as he is a mecurial player that can produce something out of nothing, which Theo also has yet to do. I honestly feel his best attributes our being a support player and offering a quick scoot from dummy half when coming on as interchange hooker. That means replacing Hood, which isn't going to happen anytime soon.

I think he'll be a middle of road player, I don't beleive the hype that Salford fans see. If he was at Wigan, Saints or Leeds, he'd be turning out at championship clubs like Hunslet, Workington.

Could go on but i'll leave it for now and eat my words after MOM performance at the DW.

So if he was at those above clubs I mention whose place would he be getting in front of? Without shaddow he's be on dual reg.

I know it's nice when one of our youngesters come through and we all see the game differently. In my opinion he will be average player, won't play in the halves, will get converted into hooker of the Rob Burrow mould. What makes me more convinced is that if we end up getting the lad from Leigh in 2017, his main aspect of his game is support play and taking the line on. TF and RB at 6 & 7, the thought of it sends shivers down my spine, suppose supporters have been engrained into watching poor players and Salford teams for year and we accept average. Again, only my opinion.

And mine too...
He's been targetted by the opposition with no partner to provide decoys and we've still been unlucky to lose in a few of those games.
The things Theo lacks at the moment is a good kicking game and experience. I personally think he'll become a top player for years to come, hopefully in a Salford shirt.

Dobson over Theo all day, but I would rather have Theo in at hooker than Tomkins.

I note Theo didn't play against Wigan at home our best performance of the season when Chase, Dobson, Lee and Hood were all playing.

Spot on. Theo's kicking game isn't up to scratch and I'm pretty sure we all acknowledge that. Then again Rangi's is p!ss poor too, it's just that he's outrageously talented in other parts of his game which more than makes up for it. I honestly don't understand how any HB in Super League can't have a half decent kicking game, IMO it's a basic skill that anyone should be able to carry out to a decent level with a reasonable amount of practice.

salfordfan - Do you honestly believe that performance was down to Theo's absence? I'd be more inclined to say that was down to confidence gained from a good win at Hudds a few days earlier and a pretty much full-strength squad before all the injuries and suspensions hit.

And I'm not knocking Dobson, he's undoubtedly a quality player but I'd have Theo in the 17 every week due to his versatility (form permitting of course). Same with Walton for me... not necessarily as a starter but he can cover 4 or 5 positions and it just gives you options during the game if injuries occur.

I'd argue that Rangi's is inconsistent rather than poor. His short kicking nr the line is good most of the time and has led to a number of tries. Theo's is more variable with too many kicks running dead in my opinion. Rangi's choices tend to be better near the opponents try line than Theos but he's much more experienced so they would be and Theo doesn't have the brain explosions that Rangi is prone too.

I think they are similar with their long kicking game. Rangi is more likely to get you a 40-20 bug also more likely to kick straight into touch or into the wrong place. Theo's is more consistently average. But, unsurprisingly, Theo's kicking game is much better when there is another kicker on the field and the opponents can't just close him down every play like they have been able to off the last 7 weeks.

I think Theo's main problem is game management - his decision making and ability to mix it up and change his style to suit the game. Eg too many times he's been tackled taking the line on on the 5th tackle leaving someone else to kick on the 6th. But he's 20 and that will come with experience. He may always be more of a pivot with great support play and making a break or 2 a game by taking on the line but he has the potential to learn to be a Gregory/Goulding/Long style game manager in my view. I can't think of any other 20 year old half backs in recent years who would have done as well as he has in recent circumstances. Can anyone else? The 3 above plus Edwards and maybe Sinfield. Myler? Smith? Ratchford? Sneyd? McGuire? Burrow? Don't think they would have done much better

That said Dobson and Chase would be my starting 2 cos they are better now. Theo should stay - he will get plenty of game time. Every club needs 3 or 4 top half backs if they are to succeed cos there are always injuries and suspensions. Theo can continued to learn, play plenty and mature into the top player he can be at Salford

Re Theo, does anyone know why he wants to leave ?

salfordfan - Do you honestly believe that performance was down to Theo's absence? I'd be more inclined to say that was down to confidence gained from a good win at Hudds a few days earlier and a pretty much full-strength squad before all the injuries and suspensions hit.

I'm saying we beat Huddersfield & Wigan in spite of Theo's absence not because of it.

Sounded like Dobbo picked up another knee injury to me according to the radio. Does anyone know for Definite?

Can anyone tell me for sure if Dobson was injured (would hate it to be true after being out), on the Radio they said he could hardly walk? Thanks for your time all.