Just personal preference that's all. I just prefer modern wingmen in the mould of Joel Monaghan, Pat Richards, Ryan Hall, Chris Hicks etc.
There's no need for people to leap to Chris' defence. Obviously none of us are in a position that really matters, and clearly TS thinks he's worth a new contract so I'm happy with that.

I think that his positional (defensive) awareness and (defensive) ability is not that which befits a top 4 side. He offers little under the high ball, and I dont often see him take on other wingers for pace or power. Other than that, he's a good player. Good strike rate, hard worker, and will never give up.

highlighting that part there, for the people who think we could/should do better in that position, who could we replace him with on similarish wages that you would get significent improvement from?

there's not many i can think of that i'd replace him with.

The stuff about 'backing himself' and 'taking on his opponent' is something that really riles me (no pun intended).

You only take on your opponent on the outside if you have a 40% or better chance of beating him. Otherwise you turn into Ryan Atkins of 2011 vintage and get pushed into touch 20 times in the season.

Riley's never had a problem taking on his opponent in to the corner. In fact, he's scored some terrific tries where he's crept into tiny spaces where the odds were stacked against him. Against Hull in the cup, he took the gamble near the end and was inches away from delivering.

You judge a player on what they do, not on which players they are not. If every team had two Joel Monaghans or Pat Richards then the game would be extremely dull.

The only time when Riley winds me up is when he over-runs his centre, because that's one thing he could iron out of his game with a bit more concentration.

And therein lies the rub, for his "cap number" we'd probably have to disgrace ourselves with the likes of a Peter Fox or a Ben Cockayne. Ergh.

I think Riley's form has dipped this season but that's as much a reflection of his contribution over the years as it is his play this season. As Just Browny notes, his numbers aren't exactly crap this season. I take 71s point about him taking people on, I think that's maybe down to size as - he'll get smashed into touch half the time, he's only a little fella. As for the future, I'm happy we're keeping him and I'm certain he'll get back to his best next year.

On a tangent, was it me or did Monaghan (J) look quicker than usual last Saturday? Has he lost some Terry?*

*Waite = weight

I guess this is the point I am making when I said "I also like wingers to take on their opposite number, centre and full back and to back themselves occasionally". Riley clearly does not believe he can take on his opposite number when not in diving distance of the line. I do not recall seeing him do this. He has also left some very soft tries in when in a one on one situation.

The Wolves are also thought to have agreed a transfer fee with Featherstone for prop Anthony England.

OK - only just seen this. Rumour or fact?

To be fair, those players play in positions that will get a lot more traffic than a winger so you'd expect a stat like that or are you really suggesting that Riley is a better tackler than Westwood?

Popular video-sharing site, search for 'Chris Riley wonder try v Bradford'.

The reference to Grix, Monaghan and Westwood might have been ever so slightly tongue-in-cheek.

I'm refusing to watch The Wire till Kevin Penny is on the wing.

I'm refusing to watch The Wire until Kevin Penny is on the wing.

What kind of reprobate follows wire and a sheffield based football club?

I follow Sean Bean sunshine!!

I must have been thinking of someone else then

Apology accepted Yed. I would change my avatar to remove the Sheff Utd badge but I believe it is a cracking photo of Bean, one of his best in fact.