I honestly don't know how anyone can criticize Theo. I've never seen him have a bad game for Salford since his arrival.

His defence is quality for his size and he plays well above his weight. Don't forget he's only just 20 years old. Imagine what he will be like at 26...frightening I tell you!

I know he likes to play at Scrum Half but I have always seen him as a Hooker because of his defence capabilities and workrate.

He does need to improve his kicking game, especially his long range one. I'm sure Dobson and Chase can't help him there no problem.

I think most people do rate him.

Some people vastly overrate him though. He's a good player who always seems to put in 100%, he'll hopefully become a great player that we build a team around but that time isn't now.

I'd disagree on his defence, that's his biggest downfall by far. If he stays in the halves he can get away with it a lot more than at hooker. If he's moulded more into the hooker role he'll probably be limited to coming on as an impact player against tiring defenses and I think that would be doing him a disservice.

As I said earlier, I see him as more of a 6 than a 7, I wouldn't be surprised if he makes that spot his own when Rangi moves on. Assuming we don't keep buying halves and force him out of the team.

I don't want to hear any more criticism of Theo. I sat just behind his mother in Perpignan last week. He doesn't know it but he's about to become my stepson. I intend to mention it to his mother soon.

This.
I love Tasi & Walton just on their vitality, them + Fages injected go forward, and turned the game.
Fages is 20, 44 SL games under his belt and Salfords longest serving player. There should always be a place for him as he is our future not the 1-2 year imports.

We were 12-6 up when Theo came on.

Theo made some great runs from dummy half. He also let McShane in for his try by charging off the line. He's a good young player and he hasn't looked out of place last year or this. But let's not overstate things. He's still learning and so he should be

*shakes head*

Rest my case.

Picking none fit injured players can cause more damage. We have a big enough squad to pick 100% fit players

I don't think anyone is saying he's the finished article. Not by far. But to say he's just average is being disingenuous.

Squad stats over five games:

Second highest try scorer, only missed nine tackles, only made two errors, average gain of 7.55m.

In fact, pretty much all his stats show him to be well above average in the squad.

It doesn't bother me people having differing opinions over anything, as long as they show that it's well considered. It's difficult for people not to let some bias or other into their thinking which can cloud judgement. Better to let fact rather than opinion sway your mind. If the evidence showed he wasn't playing well, coupled with watching his performance then fair enough. I think he's been playing well, and the stats seem to show this too.

Theo has been different class this season and was very unlucky not to of started v Wakefield as him and Chase were building up a partnership.

But you can also understand we need a good kicking game so Dobson will be starting if he's fit.

Going forward though couldn't we play Fages & Hood as hookers and start Lee at loose he is a tackling machine. Let's be honest we can't defend anyway so let's just go for it!

I find it surprising that some Salford supporters feel the need to publicly criticise a young player that always gives his all for Salford. The kid scores plenty try's, was our player of the year in 2013 at 20 years old, he's played 6 times for France and his stats make impressive reading. As Butcher rightly says he's not the finished article but I think he's only going to improve and get better. The only conclusion I can make is that some people find the credit he receives, over exaggerated.

I thought Walton was at fault for McShane's scoot for dummy half. It is only his first game of the season though.

True I think if we are to beat teams this season it's all going to rest on our attack. I can see us being in the top 4 worst defensive sides this season.

As long as still score more than the opposition I don't mind it makes for a more open and exciting encounter.

This is the main thing for me. Some people are obsessed with Fages to the point of embarassment.

I think he's a good player, if we had recruited another young developing halfback instead of Dobson & started Chase/Fages I wouldn't have an issue at all. The fact is though we went and bought Dobson, who when fit and settled will bring a lot to the team & I'm sure Fages will learn a lot from him.

I agree it was Waltons fault,a single mistake in his otherwise excellent performance.
The discussion about Theo is quite interesting .
My own take is that he's a very good player and will improve even more. Theres no doubt that,as the smallest player,his tackling ability is targeted by the opposition and he struggles against the biggest forwards,despite his great effort and guts.
His performances are fair game to be discussed,obviously,but the reaction to even the slightest negative appraisal is way over the top.
He's a very good player,but not above criticism.