At least a few more supporters are starting to see Ratchford for what he is. Poor decision maker, prone to errors and when returning the ball aimlessly jogs up and gets dominated in the tackle. Some supporters don't seem to understand the difference between a fullback getting a quick PTB to start a set, and one being put on his back giving the opposition all the time in the world to set their line, it sets the platform for the whole set. Go watch some games on Billy Slater, he rarely ever got put on his back, and fought constantly for quick ptb.

In the big games he is found wanting, and in a pivotal position like fullback it kills us.

Bu.. but he got picked for England! Shame for England that are only 2 decent fullbacks of the last 5 ten years, Tomkins (injuries) and Hardaker (drugs) have fallen off.

Good Grief
He's by far the most talented player in this club.
Don't get me wrong, there are some great specialist players at Wire.

What denotes talent in your eyes RD? If he can catch pass and step but can't make first choice 6,7, 3 or 4 and is at 1 but can't contribute like other FB's can do, what's the point? I'll say it again, i don't expect brilliance from him when we are 2 points behind on 78 mins.

If he was an aussie import, would you afford him such patience?

FWIW i actually think he'd be good at centre, i don't like him in defence as fb and I don't like his ball returns, akin to what quickening said before.

Take Ratchford out of this side, and we're a LOT worse for it.
The one player we have, that possesses a bit of unpredictability, and some aren't happy with him.
Ratchford's main problem, is that he doesn't have ONE position, where fans can say that he's great at. He's a very good player, wherever he plays.
I wouldn't mind seeing him in duckie's suggested role, loose forward. He'll be very good there (I get VERY pee'd off seeing props played @ 13), but that further proves that he doesn't OWN a nailed on position.

Replace him with Barba or Hardaker and we're better for it. (Both of which i think we were in the market for)

We'll be worse off because we haven't got anyone to play in that position currently, but there's plenty of better options out and the club have tried in vain to get these.

Hypothetical question, if we did sign Barba, where would you want Ratch? If he goes in at 13 against a side with a big pack, can he do the muscle work in defence? I doubt it

Don't my stomach already hurts.

I find myself totally baffled by the Ratchford-baiting. He has had, in.my opinion, his best ever season at the club and over the course of the season has been one of the top players in the comp and alongside Barba, the best FB.

As lefty alluded to, he is unpredictable, off the cuff and that sometimes lends itself to errors. But guess what? I pay to be entertained and Stef on his game is thrilling to watch. He makes errors, so does Barba, and so did every player any poster has rightly lauded on here as a legend.

Hardaker? A busted flush, a liability, a bad inflence and pure poision in the club. Haven't you learnt anything from the signing of Bailey & Sandow?

If we have signed Olly Ashall-Bott. Where does that put Ratchford? I would think that Olly Ashall-Bott would play a similar role as Mitch Brown does.

Where has the Ashall-Bott rumour come from?

Quote easyWire="easyWire"Where has the Ashall-Bott rumour come from?'" Widnes forum. www.wissl.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8546

Quote easyWire="easyWire"Where has the Ashall-Bott rumour come from?'" Widnes forum. www.wissl.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8546

Personally I think ratchford is our second best player behind Darryl Clark. I wouldnt mind us signing a quality full back and playing ratchford in the halves with Austin. Can't be worse than what we have had this season, however if there aren't any quality fullbacks available then I'm happy to continue with ratchford at fullback and maybe bring in a new half back. Depends on who is available.