I don't disagree with you, but as someone who has only followed League seriously for four seasons I can't understand how he's ended up as a half-back and not a hooker - his strengths you have identified would seem better used there.

Well morally it would be an insult to Dwyer and more importantly it doesn't solve our hb issues!

FFS guys, give it a couple of weeks, a few dropped balls / missed tackles and Russell will be the new scapegoat who's shipped out on loan and GOB restored..

With all this heat on Myler (most of which i agree with), I'll pose the question about Ratchford.

Yes he's been playing at FB, but he's not been that 3rd pivot that can split defences. When he did move up to 6 vs Wigan he bombed a couple of chances, the Laithwaite run into the line springs to mind. Ratch either had to hit him or pass behind. He did neither.

Add to that his kicking isn't 100%. I don't think any of the backs are covering themselves in glory at the mo. Russell provided a spark, but you'd expect that against a defence that has been playing 60 mins.

Be interesting viewing on Sunday either way.

All fair enough but as far as GOB is concerned IMO he didn't cover himself in glory v Wigan but seemed to be playing like he knew his time was up...Russell coming off the bench a bright shiney new thing and the coach has his 1,6,7 on the field.

It says it all when Ratchford has had the goal kicking duties this season, when you might think GOB is our best place kicker I know I do Hardly a ringing endorsement that your firmly in someone's future plans

FB at the Salford game said something along the lines of you can tell GOB won't be playing when everyone is fit otherwise Ratchford wouldn't be kicking goals.

Obrien unfortunatley isnt good enough imo. I think he will be shipped out at the end of the season. I think that ratchford and myler is the way to go.

I don't think he'll be shipped out, I think he'll ask to leave.

See if Widnes want to do a swap deal with Mellor.

A very good point. When GOB played in the U20's he looked a carbon copy of Hodgson with his goal kicking, he rarely missed. In contrast, Ratchford hardly inspires confidence, so perhaps your reasoning is correct. Either way I think he will have to rip trees up when he next gets a chance, otherwise he will be viewed as cover for the half back position only.

he just seems to go through games 'doing ok'... he doesn't really seem to have a stand out quality that a HB should have... To be as small as he is i think you need to have a bit of star quality.. you need to be able to bring something to the team that puts the opposition on the backfoot.

The bottom line is he had to make himself undropable and he hasnt done it.... Warranted, playing next to Myler cant have helped him.. but you cant drop them both.

Its the right decision for me.

6 Ratchford
7 Myler

and then sign a quality HB in the summer (or sooner if one becomes available... cheeky Bid for Danny Brough maybe.. 50k and 1000 fans on loan for 3 months)

With Mellor being injured, O'Brien will go on loan to Widnes.

It says a lot about our half back situation that when debating which of Myler/Ratchford/O'Brien to drop, the argument comes round to which one has been the most e.

As several have pointed out, none of them have made a case to actually be picked and trusted, which is particularly frustrating with regards to Myler and Ratchford, who were both brought to the club for when this situation, of being permanently without Briers, arose.

Naughty, but funny.

However, I think you underestimate Mr Moran. He likes long term plans and I would bet a few quid that as soon as Briers announced his retirement we started to look for a replacement. Ok, it would have been a paper exercise perhaps with a list of options, but nevertheless I think the ball was already rolling at that point - I can not see SM saying 'lets wait and see how GOB goes'.

I think you're spot on WO... We're just treading water until a quality HB is brought in.

Thats its boys...thats has to be a contender for phase of the week. Classic.