I've finally calmed down enough to have a look on here and am amazed to see some players getting it in the neck but not Monaghan.

I don't know whether a scrum-half who seems to have no interest in getting involved in the play at all is seen as acceptable these days, but at times it looked like we had twelve men on the field when we had the ball in hand.

At this point in time I can't see what contribution King and Monaghan are making to the team, and I've seen little to suggest that it means much to them to be out there.

But I'd be happy to hear your views (not Latchfordwolvesfan's, obviously).

I thought Monaghan was anonymous on Friday night, he might as well have not been on the field. I just dont think Monaghan has what it takes to be a top class seven he just doesnt get involved enough in attack ie with setting up moves, organising the team and his kicking seems at times to be very poor.

I must admit I too am surprised that King gets so much grief, yet Monas escapes relatively unscathed.

It is becoming apparent that he is not a scrum half. On Friday there was absolutely no leadership from him (which is what a scrum half should be doing), his distribution was basic in the extreme, his kicking poor, his running limited.....its frightening that people's strongest defence for him IS his defence.

Trying to defend him last season, I suggested that maybe it required Briers being got rid of, in order to free Monaghan's attacking instincts properly, however, I just don't see any indication that Monas has anything that would scare an oppositon defence.

Maybe over the years we have been spoilt by having some top class scrum halves, who have been able to turn matches with genius moments, but I'm afraid as far as Monaghan is concerned I just see a bog standard number 7...(Gary Hulse anybody??... )

There's been plenty of comments ace, they've just got caught up in the wave of emotion concerning others, namely Penny & King. I thought he was quiet, and it's for that reason I was amazed that folk were/are targetting Briers, as I thought he looked sharp. A couple of examples like a quick tap on the 20 that we were pulled back for & his tackle that was given as a knock on, but he was alert to the situation & first to the loose ball, I thought there was some positive signs where Briers was concerned, that he was on his game, in his head etc.

Back to Monas, he seemed to do most of his work with little balls back on the inside, feeding the forwards so to speak. I can't recall him attempting to take on the line, if he did, it must only have been once or twice. I guess it could be argued that it depends what role he's been asked to do, and how influential he's been asked to be, for me, I thought he was there to ensure he put a little doubt into the Saints line, and to ensure that the forwards got good ball, at the line, and they did get that at least. That said, he was anonymous, especially compared to the fact that he was the heartbeat of the Manly side. Again, like others, I'll afford him a little time, It may have been that Lowes prepared a gameplan that he felt was for the Saints game, and players fit into that plan. Games like Catalans at home, Wakefield away, I'd expect Monaghan to play a big part in and be more expansive, should he not, I think questions will be asked.

I'm giving my opinion anyway.

I like Monaghan, last year we seen odd spells of great plays from him, Harlequins away springs to mind (watch the dvd), we haven't seen a kicking game from him but that isn't to say he doesn't have one, it's just that the ball goes straight to Briers every time.
He doesn't get involved a lot in ways of attacking the line, making space ect but i feel he's again playing second fiddle to Briers, this is why i would like to see him play with Bridge if only for one game.
He can tackle however and gives his all in defense surely people can see this?

A bit like Penny, then.

Quote: just_browny "A bit like Penny, then.'" This thread is about Monaghan, can we keep it that way please. Penny is this way, forums.rlfans.com/viewtopic.php?t=394587

Quote: just_browny "A bit like Penny, then.'" This thread is about Monaghan, can we keep it that way please. Penny is this way, forums.rlfans.com/viewtopic.php?t=394587

I'm not sure Geordie made the best choice in making you a moderator.

Oh hold on....

you've not looked hard enough, plenty of comments about his lack of involement.

Can we stick to the subject please and stop trying to derail the thread.

Thank You.

Indeed, we don't want any threads de-railed with innaccurate comments like this one forums.rlfans.com/viewtopic.php? ... c&start=30 Stick to the topic please.

Indeed, we don't want any threads de-railed with innaccurate comments like this one forums.rlfans.com/viewtopic.php? ... c&start=30 Stick to the topic please.

Last year Monas kicked 202 times (8 per game), Briers kicked 276 (12 per game).

We see plenty of kicks from Monaghan, I have seen very, very few good ones (or even average ones). You carry on bashing Briers though if it makes you feel happy.

His inside ball did contribute towards Rau's try in the second half.

I think he's been asked to sit back keep the ball tight, nice little inside balls and not to take the line on [itoo[/i often, as I think Lowes is looking to concentrate on field position and possesion as opposed to open, fluent rugby.

Monaghans best position is hooker. He just WANTS to play scrum half and was signed to play there. Hopefully his desire to play at 7 is justified by the end of the season. We could have snapped Myler up from Widnes for a quarter of Monners contract 18 months ago.

I think the problem is, if we are going to use a player who can just put the odd inside ball on, then a young lad could be doing that. We are not getting anything special from him.

We could get much more from Bridge there.

Even when we played more open Rugby last year he wasn't great.