Dave,
I respect your opinions as you are one of the more reasoned posters on the message boards.

What I will tell you is I know from speaking to some of the Wigan coaching staff that Myler was targeted defensively when Wigan played Salford in the Cup and also in the league game.

If you watch him he has a tendency to come out of the line. It is something that with time and good coaching can be sorted if he willing to listen. Having watched Myler, Tomkins and Eastmond for the last four or five years I do believe that Sam is the better all round player, but it is superb for our game to have all that talent available.

I don't doubt any of that tbh, and it is very common for halves to be targeted, indeed Tomkins does a hell of a lot of tackles (with a very very high completion rate) but obviously the tactic is to get him working in defence to make him less effective in attack.

Personally, I agree with you and Rob, that Tomkins looks the best player, although I have seen more of him than the other two, and have formed an opinion on him. The fact is though, that Myler was available, whereas Saints and Wigan would not release their young lads to us.

My main reson for bringing the defensive stats into the thread has been in response to some claims about his defence over the past few months, which suggests that he couldn;t tackle, when actually he is no worse than many others knocking around, and much more experienced than him.

Rob, I agree with what you say above, my stats were simply in response to people who make out he can;t tackle for toffee, of who there have been many over the past few months.

Sometimes the stats can help to give fresh angle and support or challenge our opinions which can be formed on initial viewings.

For example, when certain players get called penalty machines, or others get called lazy, despite being up there as a team's top tackler and so on.

I found it interesting to see that Myler had a hand in 26 tries so far this year, whether he was scoring or making the last pass/kick. Salford have only scored 73 all year, so he has had a hand in one-third of them, and that has to be a good thing. There will also have been other tries where he hasn;t been credited with anything on those stats.

I'm sure that's correct and he was targeted- however I'm also sure that it's true in almost every game of Super League played this season. Without turning this into a tiresome Tomkins v Myler debate (for the reasons you state in your last sentence), Tomkins' defence didn't look that great when Matt 'Waste of Money' King was smashing him all over the Halton Stadium at the semi final.

I've no doubt that Richard Myler is not a defensive beast. I suspect we're aware of that and have signed him for different things - namely his passing, running, kicking and backing up play. He'll improve under Smith, absolutely sure about that too.

And as for Salford's fans views on Myler. No doubt they are more qualified that most to comment on him. However the comments over the last few months must be placed in their proper context. The whole transfer saga has been handled poorly, principally by Offiah. That put Myler, and to be fair McRae, in a very difficult position. It's clouded Salford fans views of him and I can appreciate that - we had the same thing when Gleeson left - people slagging off a player who had given very good service.

Loving the reaction from the Bitters, handful of games and his stats allover most halfbacks in SL and he was in a team...Priceless.

I look forward to the English version of this post being published.


Back on topic:

I find it amazing that a scrum-half is being rated in terms of his defensive ability. TBH I'd much rather have a scrum-half who can catch, pass, create something and score tries.

These kind of opinions reflect the fact that RL has become increasingly defensive focused, and more often than not, quite boring.

To point on the Myler Vs Tomkins and Eastmond debates... (may be Widnes bias) But...

I'd pick Richie ahead as the out and out 7!

Myler runs a side better than the other two!
Myler has the better kicking game!
Myler has the better distribution!
Also having played two games for England superbly (all beit against 'lesser' opponents) he's eased his way to the next level every time!

The other two's main assets are in try scoring... Myler has more than is fair share this season aswell! Yes his form has dipped but that's due to all the rumours... with them gone now I bet the lad just can't wait to get going next year now!

200k for a 19yr old England international scum half? BARGAIN - FACT! Look at Briers for example Wire have got up to about 12yrs minimum they could get out of this kid at the top level... how can you question that?

Great signing IMO... Just fuming he's joined you lot! Just remeber your groundings Richie

Myler & Atkins both offer lots, not least pace. For all we've got at the minute, we're not blessed with great pace. If either of them support a break or make a break, I'd fancy them to romp home. I think the two additions compliment what we have in place very well.

Great signings. Two up and coming young internationals stepping into a squad that is packed with experience.......perfect formula for developing further!

Soo... Which guess was nearer? The former or the latter?

Well according to this we have signed Atkins for £150,000

rlhttp://www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk/atkins-to-join-wolves-in-2010-i606129.htmlrl