The stats have always confirmed that he is difficult to tackle and that he makes hard yards.
In his best season (at full back) I think he was the best metre maker in the league. (I don't think I've made that up)
We know his strengths & we know his weaknesses.

60% of those quick play the balls end up in knock ons

this was when we were all getting ratty (mussell) because our attack consisted of, scoot from russell, scoot from ratch, scoot from clark, and repeat.

also see comments

"why dont we play him at hooker?"

We were totally "scoot mad" at the time. Mind you we could have done with one or two of those scoots last season.

Elite

Have you googled "Elite" for the definition?

He's an improvement on Josh Charnley, and now we're stuck with him.

Considering how low we must be on cap, I think Russell is a coup in contrast, we aren’t going to get anyone better for the money.
We at least have some depth in the outside backs now.

I think we are a better squad with him than without him. He had a good WC for Scotland too, so he’s in good shape.


As alway for me at the start of the season, a clean slate. Welcome back Matty.

Dead right Ducky. Clean slate.

He had a pretty good 2014 ? campaign IIRC. Was scoring tries and supporting well. Also topped the stats of tackle busts and post contact metres. Then it all went pear shaped. Can't really say i've been impressed with him for Toulous or Scotland. So this definately comes as a surprise.

My problem with clean slate is that he dirtied it here. He's said himself he was overweight (and I think turning up drunk/hungover), we nursed him through that period so as a club, we have a clear conscience. To resign a player who has had issues and has caused the club issues it questionable. Especially seemingly at the expense of youth.

My post by the way is in no way intended to damn Matty to a life of hard labour, i wish him well,.i just would've preferred to wish him.well at Wakefield, not here.

I'm also surprised Powell has taken him considering his end of season interview about attitude etc.

As ever with these things, nobody happier than me if I'm proven wrong but I don't like this signing one bit.

I have no words.

But I do have a keg of my experimental lockdown mulled wine/Harvey's cocktail that is calling me.

When I saw the rumour it did make a little bit of sense to me. It would be great to have somebody like Makinson that Carrie's the ball well on tackle 1 or 2 but is also a world class finisher but there are not many of them around. Blake Fergusson would have been a better target.
Russell was the only opposition player when we played Tolouse that I was worried about. He is still a handful early in the tackle count and i was always concerned about the speed of the play the ball and defenders still on the floor. I appreciate that he might be blocking a pathway for a younger player but with Thewlis and Ashton returning the ball on tackle 1 and 2 they are often dominated and we struggle to get a roll on.

I am not too disappointed. By his own admission he had some problems at the tail end of his first stint with us and let's hope he can put a few things right. However the moment he is 5 yards out from the try line with defenders coming across and he puts the brakes on there will be a meltdown here saying x player would have scored.

We would all like a winger that scored length of the field tries every week but in the modern game we have to accept that we also need them to create havoc on play 1/2.

Providing the rest of the team are in on the plan & can spot a chance to support the ball carrier ,scooting from DH is probably the best chance of creating broken field running which we have done well with in the past.

Shit signing