The only way to get the absolute best out a player is to remind him of those who are waiting for a flaw in his performance to take, and keep his shirt.

For the last two years Atkins has been playing like a player who knows he has the left-centre shirt sewn up, regardless of his form and the availability of other players. The situation now is that Atkins is no longer merely performing badly and we have lost attacking edge as a result, but Atkins is clearly, and very successfully, being targeted by the opposition and we are shipping points, possession and position down that flank as a result.

He needs to be dropped, or certain players will be wondering exactly how bad he has to be before he is dropped, whilst they appear to have been made the teams appointed sacrificial lambs.

It was intended as a joke.
But I like your joke about Burtonwood.

I remember the great interest that was shown when a company i worked for installed GPS trackers in its wagons. There was great excitement as the transport manager demonstrated a particular vehicle being monitored as it travelled down the A23 to Brighton. The mood was somewhat subdued when a driver brought his keys into the office ....the vehicle they were supposedly watching was parked up in the yard 250 miles away from Brighton !


I am sure a ref would be just as good as expensive technology.

I thought the "GPS in the ball" idea had been trialed in Australia. If the ball goes forward a little light lit up in the VR/officials booth ? I take it, it didnt work.

We appear to have wandered off thread somewhat and in an attempt to retrieve it, I thought the general attitude of the players showed a marked improvement from the Saints game. I have sometimes wondered how effective a three week warm weather training session on the other side of the world (or otherwise) is, especially when players show little in the way of playmaking and try-line crossing in the first game of a season following it! With the exception of Atkins, ALL players were impressive against a good Leeds side and our defence against Burrows, Sinfield and Maguire was spot on. Ormsby impressed me by not letting the inexperience and minor errors he made influence his game. He continued with his head held high and carried on attacking and defending very well. England reminds me of an "old school" pack player which I love. He was solid in defence and made good attacking gains whenever he was handed the ball. I look forward to more of the same. Westwood, Hill, GOB & Grix all impressed as always and Waterhouse has so far (for me) been our most improved player from last year. I would have said he needs his hair cutting and to get rid of that ugly beard thing, but if that would be in substitution for form, then long may they stay. Personally, because I like Atkins, I would keep playing him so that his confidence returns. I think an Atkins hat-trick is only a game away and then we will watch him fly! COYW!

The problem is that we are only one game away from London, so an Atkins hat-trick there isn't really going to prove much!!