DIFFERENT GRAVY ... HES THE BEST YOUNG H/B IN THE COUNTRY .. COME ON MCBANANA .. GIVE THIS LAD A CHANCE INSTEAD OF THE PLAYERS YOU ARE TOLD TO PICK IE LEEDS SAINTS AND WIGAN PLAYERS .... STEFAN HOPE YOU DONT HAVE TOO MOVE TO GET NOTICED KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ...........

I am not sure if he is the best young halfback. Personally I think he is more effective in the centre or at fullback where he has more space to damage teams with his elusive running and handling skills. Since he's bulked up over the last year or so I think he's looking more like a classy, creative, centre. If he could just improve his defence a little more I think he's a future, full international in the Peter Williams mould.

I agree with theredshed ratchford showed in catalan what he is capable of in the centres, with the extra space outside and with good ball from the wizard smith and godwin he will only get better.
He is a good standoff but I feel if he continues to develop physically he could be a world class centre and at salford he will be given time to forfil his potential.


And EVERTON1 will be pleased cos his name was spelt right

Absolutely, his performances over the last couple of games have shown us just how good he is. I for one feared he hadnt quite kicked in from his early promise a few years back. Combine this with the arrival of Holdsworth and Patten i thought he may be limited. That said he could be a revelation at centre, not just for us but for England - there isnt exactly a wealth of talent out there.

He is signed up beyond next year if i remember correctly?? Need to lock him down.

Stef played centre at Magic W/end in Scotland last year against Quins & had a fantastic game even though we got beat, he scored a superb try near the end if my memory serves me well.
After being probably the best player on the park for us in that game, he then got dropped the following week
We all said at the time, maybe it was a future position for Stef to play in with his build,+ he has bulked up this year, he is quite elusive the way he drops his shoulders & glides past defence & these last 2 games seem to cement that place for him.
England RL has not got depth in the centre's, Senior coming to the end of his international career, Stef could step into his boots

[iLet's all hope Salford City Reds can keep hold of Ratchford

He is without doubt a very talented young player and I will be sick as a parot if he is allowed to slip the net.[/i

The thing that worries me is that he hasn't had a sustained run in the first team at SL level. He shows flashes of brilliance but I do wonder how that would hold up with him playing 25 full games a season.

Hopefully we'll get chance to find out.

Ratchford was brilliant at Perpignan,as many have said.
I was fed up of everyone saying that he was our best player in games where we went down by 50 points.
Centre will be his best position as he has more space.
He will be a better provider for Jodie Broughton as he will create more half chances than a conventional centre and Jodie is electric even with a half chance.
Chris Nero has been top class too,but he may need to stay in the pack,for now.

It would be fair to say Stefan's (and the teams) significent improvement has coincided with Steve Simms & others being handed more coaching responsibilities

The boring safety first percentage rubbish approach which is very easy to coach against has been been replaced with off the cuff dynamic rugby and the opposition are finding it hard to defend against

Stefan's confidence (and the size of his next contract offer) will be going through the roof because he has the freedom to express himself and certainty that he will be getting a decent run in the team

This really shows how much bearing the coach has on the team

What happened on the first day of the season against Crusaders and particularly the first half against St Helens must not be allowed to happen again

Same again for Saturday please !!!!

EVER! Plus the 2nd half against Saints

We KNOW you players read these threads

Just FOOKIN get your ar$es on the field and win us games and you will all get that kinda reception that you got after the game in Perpignan from everyone who posts on here! When you play as a team The few of us who follow you through thick and thin will bring you the rewards you dream of!

DO YOU GO 2 MOST AWAY GAMES BLACK CAT ..... OR ONLY ONES YOU CAN SNEAK INTO OR CLIMB A WALL OR FENCE ...

Most away games I go to 'BOB' I am usually trying to sneak out over a wall or fence!