Yes, that's my interpretation of the freeplay rule too. Perhaps Bridge mistakedly thought Hodgson had the ball knocked out of his hand by the defender. I don't think I've seen Bridge do flat cross-field kick before, so it was weird. Especially as Lineham did virtually the same type of intercept earlier in the season, think it was v leeds.

I'm glad somebody else has highlighted the roles of Riley and Grix on that play.
They seemed to completely mis-read where that ball was heading for.
My only explanation is that they thought each other was going to attack the ball and both went into support mode.

Perhaps I'm more annoyed at them than I am at Bridge because of what also happened just four minutes later.

The 'free play' idea is interesting and when I saw him put the kick in initially I thought it must be a free play. Perhaps he thought so.
I've always liked Bridge as a player so maybe he's just a bit rusty. I was cursing him during the game but I've cooled off. There were certainly other players who were not at their best and didn't do as much as might be expected.
I thought Ratchford tried hard all game and was the one who nearly stopped the breakaway try. I'd always imagined that Riley was one of our quickest but he was easily chased down when he got an interception. Do we have a very speedy player? Do we need one?

One good game doesn't mean he's a good player the majority of his performances are pure garbage he's a liability IMO last weeks M.O.M was Currie .
Lets face it Bridge wouldn't get into a fully fit first choice 17 in front of Ratchford or Atkins or do others think he is better than either of those two if so please tell me in what areas of their game is he better I.E ball distribution , tackle busts , defence , metres gained what ?

That would be atkins who;s form has been off all year and people have been calling for him to be dropped, and even himself has said, he's far below his best?

TBH the way i saw things was that it was either Ratchford or Waterhouse who moved out of the line for Whiting to score. Not sure which as i only saw it once at the match.

Whiting was clearly riley's man to tackle and he just let him stroll in without laying a hand on him. I tell my 8 year old son off if he defends like that. He has now made massive defensive errors in some of our biggest games. But he's a local lad so i guess we won't criticise him.

Moe,
I understand your point and he was really Riley's man to tackle but you've got to give credit to Whiting for his positioning and angle of run.
The ball went out with Whiting coming in.
Riley was moving out and was left for dead.
Looked easy for Whiting but he made it look easy.

One bad game doesn't mean he's a bad player. If Tony thinks the same as you, Ratchford will be playing at centre on Sunday.

In all honesty though, our right side of attack has been our go to players this season. Yeamon and Briscoe haven't been firing all season with the loss of Manu.

O.K. Mr RL coach
Right, so the majority of his performances are pure garbage.
Please explain to me why Cullen and Smith (a GF and CC winning coach) have signed him, and given him extended contracts.

So Bridge wouldn't get into a first choice 17
Please explain why Smith gave Bridge a "starting number jersey" as opposed to a "squad number jersey".
What you really mean is, if you were in charge, you wouldn't give him a squad number that Professor Brian Cox could imagine, just to put his nose out of joint, such is your dislike of Bridge.

From the close on a decade we've seen of Bridge in a Wire shirt, I've seen multiple examples of Bridge, busting tackles, making great metres forward, tackling, ball distribution. In short, being a key (and very good) member of our team.

YES, WE GET THE #####ING POINT, YOU DON'T RATE HIM.
I don't rate one or two of our players (one in particular I share with Horatio Yed), but I don't come on here, every two minutes, shouting vitriol about him.

You must have been "nursing one", when Bridge made his mistakes on Sunday.

Sad really, as I was gutted for the lad. He had a very poor game (by his standards). ATEOTD, he's a Wire. PITY YOU'RE NOT.

Im really struggling to see what Riley offers these days.... Some people dont like it when you criticize him. But i don't think he is good enough as a starting winger for a team at the top.

I suppose you could excuse all his defensive frailties and mistakes if he was lightning fast or an exceptional finisher.... but he is far from either.

His contract is up this year.
Do we replace him with Williams. No
Is he better than Williams? Yes.

Or do we place both?

TBF Smith has extended Williams contract, so he doesn't get it right all the time. I'm not a fan of Bridge, i don't think he has the rugby brain required, strutting round with his invisible carpets under his arms and an expression like he's sucking on a lemon isn't enough. He is strong and quick, his passing is hit and miss. I would rather see Blythe in his position.

I would like to see Evans start on the wing. However the trouble would seem to be keeping him fit... Another option could be to play Atkins there outside Grix or Ratchford

I don't think Riley or Williams are good enough for our first team.