Thing is, we tried Myler and Ratch last year in Briers' abscence, and although we did win a fair few of those, they looked very much like two individuals, i dont think they compliment each other well at all.

O'Brien looks the best out of the 3 at the moment, i think we've got a problem if Russell is back to fitness. Personally, i'd grown to love RAtch at fullback last year, his pick ups from quick PTB's and the maze-y running was destructive, he did it a bit yesterday which was good to see.

id try ratch and gob at hb with russell at 1, get the message out to myler improve or your place is gone, would like to see evans given a go at centre and dwyer as relacement hooker.

Well just seen that Russell is fit and will play this weekend. Looks like Riley will be back in as well.

Regardless GOB has to stay, especially catching the highlights and seeing some of the deft kicks he put through.

I think it wasn't until about the 70min before a kick from us actually turned a man, and I think that was in part helped from an awkward bounce.

If O'Brien does not keep his place then what sort of message does that send out to the players?

So you are right and Smith is wrong? As usual people are making judgements after 3 games. I seem to remember everyone saying last year about this time that Wigan wouldn't get anywhere because all their experience had gone. Look what happened.

Hypothetically, let's assume TS sat down when he dished out the squad numbers and assigned 6 & 7 to Ratch & Myler on the premise that those were his preferred halfbacks for the coming season.

Does that mean that this decision is, therefore, unquestionable not by us mere mortals but by TS himself? Does it mean that he is thinking "I'll look daft if I don't pick them at half-back cos I game them the squad numbers". Is it not possible he is now thinking "This isn't working - I need to rethink". Do you think he actually considers the squad numbers when picking the next team?

You pick based on form, not based on the number on the shirt. The squad numbers MAY give an inkling as to the coaches thoughts pre-season, but that doesn't mean you're a shoo-in for that position season-long.

No but they haven't been tried together yet.

and what exactly would playing them together in their pre-ordained squad positions prove, given Myler's total abject form? You could give Andrew Johns the stand-off shirt at the moment and Myler would still be anonymous.

TS has shown us many times he values seniority and past form of injured squad members coming back into fitness over current players of that time.

If we're going to break the bank I would aim higher than Danny Brough.

apart from with Brett Hodgson last season...

Correctamungo mm.
And most of us were baffled by the secrecy too!
Perhaps something happened we may never get to know?

Kin hell I actually agree with a Duckie post generally Smith sticks with his first 17 when some of them don't warrant it, he obviously has his reasons but it can be frustrating as a fan.