Well, I've seen games when King has played left wing with Atkins inside him pal, I've never seen Bridge on the wing. Huddersfield in the cup last year being one.

Anyhow, I think we agree, he's first choice centre ie, one of the two spots.

The players who have the shirts now deserve to keep them. It wouldn't be right to make any changes.

I love Evans but don't think he had a great game last night. If Wigan had better half-backs they'd have sent more high kicks his way.

I think Evans would have been up to it he has an amazing talent and will be a world class centre or fullback in his time he is still learning but was and is still head and shoulders against his opposite number last nite

He didn't do anything wrong from what I saw and looked assured in defence.
The 'chances' he got out wide were difficult and on a least 2 occasions the pass was too high forcing him to reach up and almost come to a standstill before trying to get to the line.

Che's plan seemed to be to attack on the right with Blythe and Joel - and it worked a treat - execution of the first and second tries was spot on.

Really? For me, he didn't do anything wrong and was unlucky with his try attempt. Another solid and assured game by a player who will be a star in the future, that's for sure.

Personally I'd have Blythe in above Atkins as on thus seasons form he has offered more, then have Joel and King on the wings.

I would like to see king and Joel play together on the same side of the pitch king at ctr Atkins and Evans on the other side Bridge to play along side Riley in the reserves !

Yes drop Bridge, he is clearly awful.




(shakes head in disbelief)

If you'd have told me after the perfomance in Cardiff, that with King, Atkins and Anderson out, we'd put together a run of wins including beating Saints, Leeds and Wigan, and Matty Blythe would be playing a blinder, I'd of accused you of drinking antifreeze.

Great 'problem' to have in so much as demonstrating we have quality cover across a number of positions.

No one has said he is awful but he isn't as good a ctr as king or Atkins or Blythe and he isn't a winger or full back or halfback so the only thing left is as a replacement so would have to play reserve grade until one of our centres has an injury !
Bridge has good footwork good upperbody strength his passing is suspect as is his defence good squad player nothing more IMO

Never in a month of Sundays is Atkins a better option in the centres than Chris Bridge. Bridge has turn into a marvelous centre, the perfect centre infact. Not sure how you've come to the conclusion that he can't pass.

King and Bridge would be my starting centres. With Monaghan and Atkins on the wings.

It s a great position for Mr Smith to be in to have so many excellent options.
The only downside is if he decides to bring Ryan and Matt back into the team as soon as they are fit , what does he say to Matty B or Rhys.
They have played superb and done what was asked of them by taking their chances when they came available.

Headache tablets and sleepless nights for Mr Smith I think.

I could see Atkins or Bridge going to 13 and Harrison back to prop

how can bridge be a perfect centre when he never passes to his winger???

You clearly didn't watch him play much last season then? His passing to his winger from left to right was very good indeed. I'd say his try assists last season were well into double figures. And he missed quite a chunk of the season too.

I would speculate that we won't have all the backs fit for more than 3 or 4 games. Having options is a grea( problem to have, there's nothing negative in it and all are decent players, some are experienced, some inexperienced, some good at taking a high ball, some have good feet, others are quick.......I could go on.

But its a positive

I'd give Ryan Shaw a run out at centre against Keighley in the cup. His performances at u20 level this season warrant acknowledgement.

Correct, 14 try assists in 18 games in 2010...
[urlhttp://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics_player.php?hs1=2010&hp1=1017&hs2=2011&hp2=216&stat=try_assists&season=2010[/url

13 has changed so much in recent years. Different teams/coaches use the position differently. If you look at the job Harrison does, then Atkins or Bridge could never take his place. Warrington have 6, 7 and 9 doing enough of the creative stuff not to warrant a ball playing 13.

Good work.

Exactly.

One flash in the pan season why not look at his record as a whole versus the top assists
2005 Bridge 9 top was 30 Errors 18
2006 Bridge 5 top was 38 Errors 15
2007 Bridge 7 top was 23 Errors 14
2008 Bridge 0 top was 27 errors 2 Mainly injured this season
2009 Bridge 12 top was 24 Errors 32
2010 bridge 14 top was 31 Errors 21
2011 Bridge 0 top is 8 Errors 5

Would be better if his Error count was his assist count

obviously never was an exaggeration and i appreciate the stats, but given the number of times he takes the ball himself when the pass to his winger would be better he takes the first option too many times, IMO.

also people are saying atkins is nowhere near as goos as bridge, but he had 13 assists last year, so in that case he must be doing something right too?

He's turned into a fantastic centre since Tony Smith has taken charge. That is the point. Going back 4 years previous is pathetic, not to mention the fact he wasn't even playing as a centre then.

Atkins is a good centre in his own right, but Bridge is the better player. We have unbelievable strengh in depth, quality in depth at that. So its a fantastic problem to have, and I don't think you'll hear too many people complaining about it or trying to pick holes that aren't there in certain players to try and justify an opinion. Apart from you two idiots of course.