No more than a poorly judged kick from Michael Monaghan. Regardless of Joel's treacle induced effort, we should have scored on the next phase anyway.

Just because Atkins is quick, doesn't mean he is/will be a great winger. Evans looked far more effective in the centres this season, compared to being shipped out to the wing.

He's already played on the wing for us, him and King used to rotate round during games. The majority of players these days at professional level have to be adaptable and add utility value to a squad, it doesn't mean that because Ryan Atkins is a centre he has to stay there.

Have a look around SL, their are a lot of players that have switched back and too between their recognised positions, thats called having flexibilty in your squad when needed. Joel Tomkins, Sam Tomkins, Francis Meli, Lee Gilmore, Leroy Cudjoe and both Gareth Ellis and Sam Burgess whilst at Leeds and the Bulls just to name a few.

The thing with all this, is that there are probably only 6 or 7 games when a coach can put out what he considers to be his best 17. The rest of the season there are always a number of players missing, so its how the 17 looks with any combination of 2 or 3 first choice players missing.

So Briers and Myler will both miss a few games and Ratchford will fill in for both, plus we will have Gaz O'Brien back. I think we have plenty of coverage elsewhere although I'm more worried about 2013 when we will likely lose Hodgson, Briers, Carvell and Morley and key players like Monas and Benny Westwood (and Waterhouse) will be well intio their 30's.

I'm not a massive fan of Williams, he is decent, but I'd just like to know what Riley offers us that he doesn't?

Well, a PROVEN try scoring rate, for one
Riley's tries do take some scoring. Every time I see a Williams try, it's been something little more than getting the ball 3 yards out, and falling over the line.

Not a direct question to Lord Tony Smith, but a general one to everyone on here....ask yourself this...would Williams have scored that try v Bradford (a) last season (the 100 yarder with a chip and chase involved)...and the answer is...never in a million years

I know we can't have a side full of superstars, but Williams is just NOT the answer to our wing spot (imo).

He also has the worst side step in rugby so much so that it isn't even a side step more of a tribute to The Bangles walk like an Egyptian

They almost have the same flaws, just differing body shapes. Of the two, I just about prefer Riley, only because I think he looks marginally more likely to make a break for himself.

Problem is, If (I haven't a clue) he earns double what Williams does, yet he's not double better, he might get the door shown, like Kev Penny, who I don't think Smith disliked, he just didn't represent value for money.

Neither have this bit of class, like say a Kallum Watkins has when you watch him although I always think when watching on SKY you end up 'rating' other players higher, you're more critical of your own, it's like having kids.

I do get the feeling that certain players are just treading water with the club.

Mr Smith may well be phasing them out soon and giving the next batch of younger players a chance at proving themselves.

Riley
Williams
Mitchell
McCarthy
Blythe (as well as he has done in patches this season)

They could all find themselves being shunned in favour of players like

B.Evans
Laithwaite
Shaw
Hellewell
Currie
Peasnell

Over the next few seasons we have plenty of good young players coming to an age where they can make their mark on the first team.

I agree with you regarding the try against Bradford, no Williams wouldn't of scored it, but alot of Riley's tries didn't take much scoring.

For what it's worth, I think they are both similar players, I just think Riley cuts in alot more than he should do. I'd have Williams out of the two but not by much.

I wish we still had Kevin Penny. Imagine him taking that intercept, TRY TIME.

+1

I still curse Messrs Cullen and Lowes for totally destroying Kevin's confidence.

Could score tries no other SL player is capable of scoring.

There was an interesting article in this week's League Express that included Smith talking about Riley and how he's fallen behind Evans and Williams in the pecking order. He said all of the things you would expect, he's working hard, knows what he needs to do to get into the team etc. The really interesting bit I thought, was that Smith also mentioned Ryan Shaw and the fact that he probably deserved a run out in the first team.

Hodgson
J Monaghan
Bridge
Atkins
Evans
Briers
Myler
Morley
M Monaghan
Carvell
Waterhouse
Westwood
Grix

Solomona
Harrison
Wood
Ratchford

Has everybody forgotten O'Brian?