Totally dig your point but playing an advocate of the devil I wonder if you shared the same view on, let's say, Warren Stevens, Gary Hulse, Dave Alstead etc? What I mean is that none of these players were that good and wouldn't pull up any trees, but they had the attributes you refer to.

In closing I'm a huge Higham fan anyway and delighted he plays for us.

I think that says more about the forum than 'us three'.

Come on JWP, you and me see eye to eye we know that, but I don't agree with what you say in this instance. It's a public forum open to anyone. You speak as if it's a pure, unsullied, vestal virgin which should not be subjected to any crude, common advance or lewdness.

It's become very fashionable for the more advantaged and intellectual posters to deride others, often whilst harking back to some imagined halcyon day which gives them great comfort. I don't think that does them much credit in the round. This is a RL forum for RL people, not the Oxford Union.

Let the babies have their bottle, the s be s, the aggressive be forthright, the uber elite reign supreme, the sanctimonious show piety, the debaters be erodite and the wordsmiths verbose.

Word of advice be selective in what you read/reply to and I'm sure we can all find a space to express ourselves on here. Even if you are a willy/wotsit obsessed smart bum button.

My mate Wolfie (no not THE wolfie lol) saw Micky Higham this morning and asked him if he's looking forward to the game tommorow, he said "oh yeah we're gonna beat em"

Go on Mick, can't wait to see how he plays now

Cunningham and Roby are two completely different players and without the contrast in their play arguably would not be rated as highly as they are within the same team. With JC a MH we have a similar contrast and that is good for the team but JC gives more to the overall team structure than MH does.

Look at the game against Hull last week. When JC wasn't on and MH was and Briers and Monas were at half back we lacked structure and direction. JC came on whilst MH was on the pitch and the whole team looked more structured and defensively sound. This is not down to his skills as an out and out rugby league player but as the right player for our team. His communication and organisational skills are top notch and that is what our team needs at this time.

Warrington are a better team with him on the pitch. If we were Saints or another team maybe that wouldn't be so but we're not.

So what do you think to 100% effort Micky Higham and top underrated defender Clarke ? [sizeto get us back to a discussion even if it does have a rather unfortunate title[/size

My thoughts echo those of the normal folk, who can see the huge differences between the two. I'd like to think that I can appreciate the good qualities that they both have & what they bring to the side. I'm happier now that we have Clarke starting with Higham from the bench, as oppose to the other way, which we trialed.

Clarke has a good rugby brain, he's very good at knowing when to slow the game down, and I like the calmness of him. He's also good got a good eye for a pass, as shown with his match winning try assist last week. To call him underrated is somewhat of a cliche, but I truly believe that he is. Every team has to have sort of 'nuts & bolts', that's what he is for us, he's our steady if unspectacular hooker.

That was a cracking pass, that move was what he/we were excelling at in 05 when clarke first started switching to loose and being the trailing runner behind swann and gleeson.

No pal, you've not harked back (sorry if you thought that was aimed at you), my point was aimed against some who pursue a consistent antipathy towards certain members whose recent contribution when compared in their eyes against that of the historic causes them displeasure. You know who I mean when I say that (TANCW for one - who has been strangely quiet on this point, but often chastising previously)

I agree there is bickering, score settling, detritus, malaise, bumkin and general gashness on here. I would prefer it wasn't like that to be honest. But I recognise when a forum opens itself up to the public, and seeks advertising revenue on the back of it, it can only be expected. Like most lucent thinkers say, if you don't like the forum or AUP don't come on here. It's blunt but beautifully apt. The forum ain't owned by anyone, even if they were first on. That's my point.

I suggest those who have had enough of this forum create their very own new one with strict membership criteria. It would remove alot of the conflict.

So, no way a dig at you JWP, more a wider point.

Fair point that Mark well said. Nearly all of the squad now are far more spirited and organised then we have been in a long time. The players are showing better attitude, togetherness and willingness to defend and win matches then there has been in recent times.

We'll have our one-trick-Mick and Richie Mathers, thanks. Even if he didn't want to leave, he knows he's moved onto better things now

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