Not taking a dig as I've no doubt Myler will go on to be a good player. However, I got slaughtered on this board during the 4 Nations for saying exactly what you lot are now saying; that he isn't an organising half and how Tony Smith's "needing someone to move this big ship around" comment was ridiculous and did Myler no favours. Someone has compared him to McGuire at Leeds and I think that is a fair comparison. His main strengths are his pace and ability to back up a break. The comparison goes further in that Leeds suffer without Sinfield for exactly the same reasons that Warrington suffer without Briers, and that is because neither McGuire's or Myler's (nor Burrows' to a lesser extent) main strength is as an organising half back.

I remember Wayne Rooney not scoring many goals at 18-19. Whilst Michael Owen was scoring for fun. The moral of the story is...........

Why are people so blinkered in these situations? It is like comparing a year two apprentice, to a year three apprentice.

Cos it's lazy scapegoating.

Hanley is quite simply the best British player I have ever seen. No one, Andy Farrell, Paul Sculthorpe included has come remotely close to him in this current era (in my view).

I think Jason Robinson is the closest to Hanley in terms of overall effectiveness. I agree, though, that Hanley is the stand out British player of the past 30 years.

If we compare where Eastmond and Tomkins were at the same age as Myler currently is we perhaps get a better sense of where Myler might actually stand.

So at the same age as Richie Myler is now Tomkins had yet to make an appearance in Super League whilst Eastmond had started 7 games with a further 13 appearances off the bench. He had weighed in with 10 tries.

Myler by comparison has started 24 Super League games scoring 16 tries. I won't mention Championship appearances and awards or international caps.


Perhaps not yet the time to write Myler off then?

Lets face it he's crap overpriced we should of got Orford instead Smith out.

Richard Myler
Super League appearances 24
Tries 16
Assists 18

Hope you boys aint planning a Penny like lynching for youg Richie?

Though luckily some of you seem spot on IMO, the stats above prove that! Richie has stepped up to the mark every time he's been asked too... 1st joined Salford led them to NL Treble in first season as a first teamer (only two games for Chemics) got international cap that year and was excellent (allbeit opposistion, but still) Salford get promoted he get's the nod as chief playmaker and again was exceptional... internationals again did very well.

Just as he isn't scoring or creating every Wire try doesn't mean he's pants! I think this year he'll ease in and next season he'll be a top star... was gonna have a flutter on SL top try scorer this season meself but wasn't sure!

Comparisons with Tomkins & Eastmond...

Well IMO Richie is a 7 the other two are 6's! And long term for England I think it'll be Myler + 1 or maybe Eastmond @ FB!

The other two are known for line breaking, stepping in side to score etc, Myler is known for support play and organisation (hence the 7 / 6 remarks). I think Richie has the better control of the play and his distribution and kicking game is also better. (though the other two are working hard in that area).

Tomkins & Eastmond have been bred in different teams used to more pressure from support and media as well as playing with World class players and set ups from day 1! It's a lot differnt playing for a lower side usually on the back foot all the time to playing for a side expected to boss games and entertain at the same time.

Myler & Briers IMO is a great combination (though I hate to say it!) so for when Briers leaves you should look for a similar player who runs the line well and creates the match winning passes etc whilst letting Richie run the show in the middle of the park... Once he gets used to the players around him more he'll start to pick up on confidence and play more freely!

(bit long winded but hope get my jist!).

Good analysis J20. The lad is young and will continue to thrive with better class players around him. Every time we make a break, Myler is first to see the potential and back up.

That's a very good post and a pretty good point you make about kyle and tomkins relying on pace and losing that as they get older. I was thinking the same thing other day about when kyle is older and lost his pace, but longy was the same. Longy used to rely on pace but was class act that just changed the way he played as all great players do.

IMO both tomkins and kyle have the class to change their game if they do one day lose there pace.

I reckon we give him until Salford are back in the Championship. By 2012 he'll be one of the best scrum halves in Super League.

Will everyone in Birchwood return to supporting Warrington then?

There is no "moral" to this story. However, it's true to say that every dog has its day in the sun.

Just on the £200K vs 12 years argument, there are no guarantees beyond his 4 year contract.

Sam Tomkins is already becoming a much better allround player. He is top of the try assists at the moment.