Well that would mean dropping penny or Lineham.
I would much prefer to see Russell off the bench. Fresh against a tyring defence he could be even more effective.

I don't fully agree RD, as surely it's about balance and partnerships particularly as far as HB combo's are concerned. Perhaps Gidley with Ratchford just works as did Gidley/Sandow, as they compliment each other, but would Sandow/Ratchford?

It might do and we might find out during the course of this season, but, if it doesn't then do we conclude that Ratchford isn't a SO?

If we are suggesting messing with Russell after that performance, the lad might as well pack in because he has no chance of winning over Warrington fans. All of our best sets of six contain a run from him, either in play one or later in the set.

It will be a surprise if TS does not have Gidley and Sandow at halves when both are fit. Russell will stay at FB and the wings will be Lineham and Penny when fit. That is our strongest and best brains in the right places. Centres will probably be Atkins and Evans.

I don't think getting the best from Russell is messing him about?!
Getting the best from him means getting the best for the team. The team is far more important than the feelings of Matty and that goes for any player.

well whatever we do, i think it would be daft putting gids at fb, a lot of extra running, and more likely of getting smashed, i don't think we'd get best use out of him, what we've got now(now that he seems to be able to run more) works and works well and its daft to consider putting him at the back imo

Hodgson had no problem with it FMC.

and?

Wrong! Wigan are 2 points off the top, with half their team missing - and their best half too! They've had players missing all season, or most of it. They will have ALL but one of those back for the full second half of the season, and, when they do, for me will be favourites.

just to nip in before you reply, bert was an out and out fullback, and a lot more spritely than gids is. And we were very concerned about him getting smashed a lot in his last couple of seasons, it was worrysome, just see the 2012 cc final.


More importantly than that, gids is doing a bloody fine job leading the team around the field from the halves, his role would be changed considerably at full back.

It ain't broke, so don't fix it.

Maybe the enforced partnership with a proven playmaker has done Steff´s game the world of good.Last time he spent any length of time at halfback it was alongside Richie Myler & neither of them shone at running the game. Myler also seems to be benefitting from his move to Les Cats.

talk of moving Gidley out of the halves is utter madness. He is so well organised, and such a good defender that he makes life so much easier for his HB partner.

He does all the graft and gets the team in the right places, which allows the other half to go and play rugby.

Gidley would even have made Chris Bridge look like he could play HB, thats how good he is.

Pah! Don't believe the hype with them. They are pants. They play the same way no matter who is playing, brainless hyper-aggressive rugby. You've got bigger, better forwards and your backs simply outclass them (Bar Manfredi). Even if Sammy boy came back as good as he was when he left they still wouldn't be better than you and the rumour is he'll be as dynamic as Paul Aitcheson when he returns. Granted they COULD theoretically beat you, I'm not saying it's a foregone conclusion. Attitude and belief are as important as ability and club culture is one area Warrington have always suffered in. With Sandow's belief and Gidley's composure and professionalism you're well set. I've booked a week in a cabin in the lakes for GF weekend just in case anyway.

I thought full back was Gidleys favoured position at Newcastle followed by stand off with hooker a poor third?