To be honest I was a bit underwhelmed at our signing of Mathers, not particularly bothered either way.

Watching him play for us I've not once been sorry we signed him. He's always been solid and for me is a much safer bet than Readon at FB. Plus he looks like he wants to be here and play for us and the stats above speak for themselves. I'm really glad we signed him.

And that is a good word for him (apart from the one glaring costly error he seems to come up with per match). I would want more attacking threat from FB.

Thought pickers had a solid game, and McCarthy didn't look out of place at all considering 1st game back from knee op and his debut.

But not actually making a break. And that is the point. He needs to beat the first man on the kick return and he never does.

He needs to work on his basic speed and evasion skills.

He did against Hull at home.

He made a break in broken field at Widnes last week too, with good footwork. Kick return, broken field.

His 'strength' is as a 3rd halfback, rather than line breaker, which he will make his share of.

Agree with that, I like a traditional full back that can hit the line out wide and cause an over lap, but right now with our lack of scrum half Mathers is doing a good job of linking up when needed.

I rate Mathers and think Tony Smith did and outstanding bit of business in bringing himhere.

FWIW I really rate Mathers too. As well as those stats he has a hugely infectious, persuasive, enthusiasm for the game and what it means to be in a team.

Plenty other positions in the team which require improvement before the full back berth comes under the spotlight for me. He'll do me fine and he would fit in to a SL winning side no bother. Maybe he's a Republican

No reason why you can't have a line breaker and aggressive kick returner whilst utilising the free role to join the line as an a additional pivot.

The three mentioned earlier (Webb, Hodgson and Wellens) all do it and coincidentally all play for the top three teams in the table.

I would like Warrington to aim higher and bring in a world class talent for this position. I also used to think the same for hooker but it appears that by default we have now got a world class player in that role; question is will he be here next season.

We still need to recruit a winger/fullback, halfback, centre and impact prop forward.

Quote: mark_m "No reason why you can't have a line breaker and aggressive kick returner whilst utilising the free role to join the line as an a additional pivot. The three mentioned earlier (Webb, Hodgson and Wellens) all do it and coincidentally all play for the top three teams in the table. I would like Warrington to aim higher and bring in a world class talent for this position. I also used to think the same for hooker but it appears that by default we have now got a world class player in that role; question is will he be here next season. We still need to recruit a winger/fullback, halfback, centre and impact prop forward.'" I'm not sure these fullbacks are as 'far ahead' of Mathers as you think, take this comparison right, www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2009 Webb has made 8 breaks in 17 games, Mathers 3 in 10, so he'd make say 5 in 17, not much difference. Factor in, he makes heaps more yards and has a similar number of assists & a much better tackle completion rate. I think he's up there y'know.

Quote: mark_m "No reason why you can't have a line breaker and aggressive kick returner whilst utilising the free role to join the line as an a additional pivot. The three mentioned earlier (Webb, Hodgson and Wellens) all do it and coincidentally all play for the top three teams in the table. I would like Warrington to aim higher and bring in a world class talent for this position. I also used to think the same for hooker but it appears that by default we have now got a world class player in that role; question is will he be here next season. We still need to recruit a winger/fullback, halfback, centre and impact prop forward.'" I'm not sure these fullbacks are as 'far ahead' of Mathers as you think, take this comparison right, www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2009 Webb has made 8 breaks in 17 games, Mathers 3 in 10, so he'd make say 5 in 17, not much difference. Factor in, he makes heaps more yards and has a similar number of assists & a much better tackle completion rate. I think he's up there y'know.

Rather shows that stats are somewhat misleading as surely you are not saying Mathers is in the same class as Webb? I know which one I would rather have in the number one shirt.

Just out of interest who is the leading fullback in SL based on stats?

But does he really? He makes more yards than these fullbacks you are comparing him to, so if they make more breaks, the basic stuff they do must be really crap.

Go on do some digging who is the leading fullback based on stats alone?

Cheers!

To be honest it surprised me that Mark singled out Mathers, as for me he has been a real positive influence on the team.

Like Wires71 said too, his attitude and enthusiasm is a great asset.

Webb has been a shadow of himself this year. Surgery in the off season, no doubt very little of a pre season, missed a few rounds. Not looked the same.

Webb of 2009 : No difference.

Webb of 2007 & 2008 : Of course, Webb was outstanding.

I'd say, naked eye, Hodgson & Briscoe have been the most impressive this year. Webb & Greenshields standards have slipped.

I also like that Melling at Quins.