Mathers plays the game as a fullback, Hodgson plays as a third pivot, a third halfback if you will, 92 kicks in 2009 tells you that, 50 'attacking kicks'. Hodgson can make something happen, Mathers needs something to open up that he can then be part of. Mathers has improved this year creatively, but is still miles behind Hodgson in this regard. If you've three 'go too' men towards the end of a set it'll create a lot of doubt for the opposition, it'll also help Myler further and as Friday allow him to sniff out opportunities.

From a defensive prospective, I think Mathers is the stronger of the two, Smith must not anticipate too many breaks being made against us.

Are you mathers wife?

Totally agree that its about opinions....My own is that we have one glaring weak spot at present that opposing coaches will waste little time in trying to expose, and that is Richie Mathers.

While the Wiganers' criticisms of Mathers are undoubtedly over the top, there is no doubt that there is some truth to their claims that Mathers is a walking disaster waiting to happen.

As for claims on Hodgson's error count??...I'd counter that it is a lot easier and less pressurised playing Rugby in an all round more talented side like ours than a more mediocre side like Huddersfield??

If you check out somebody like Steve Menzies' stats, then I'd hazard a guess that his stats in a poor Bradford team aren't quite as impressive than in his much distinguished career down under, playing for some good sides??

Yeah.

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The Angry Pirate - Yeah, I understand what you are saying but I think Mathers' defence is better than Hodgson and that is vital in the fullback posistion but as you say Hodgson ahs some qualities Mathers doesn't i.e. goalkicking, attacking etc.

Listen i'm not saying Mathers is the better player but i am saying he brings more to the defence despite the brainfarts. I also acknowledged that BH was better in attack it's just what we gain on the swings we lose on the roundabouts

Hi All

Apologies for not replying earlier, I work weekends.

Firstly, I must admit that I was rather surprised to see that people are so interested in what I say, and have the time o sit there sending me messages.

My initial tweet was made after Richie's second comment, after being nagged to do so by a few people around me. One of which has since commented on this thread praising Mathers, however he shall remain unnamed.

If you read my first tweet, it started saying that I have been behind him all season. You only need to look through my posts on RL fans or twitter to see that. However the past few weeks have been spent trying, and failing to defend him.

I would have just left it at that, however @olly007 responded praising him. I responded to his tweet, by that time I had a good few beers down me. In hindsight, I used a few choice words and was probably a bit too harsh.

I used Richie's @ tag when making my comments, so that people reading knew who I was on about. I didn't think Richie read his mentions, as players are normally told not to visit RL Fans etc.

Quite a few people have said that after watching it back, they thought he had a better game than they did at the time. Not had chance to watch it yet. However it's not just me who has slagged off his performance, my views have been echoed on both RL Fans (Mathers v Wigan, Hodgson for playoffs) and on twitter. There was also much worse said in the stadium.

Re all the personal insults, I'm not going to bother responding to them. You can't please everyone all the time. However I'm happy for anyone to send me a PM if it really means that much to them.

Few people are saying that Mathers makes costly mistakes, so your forgetting about Hodson dropping the ball in front of his own sticks and gifting us a try earlier in the season.

Don't get why you had to personally attack him, don't you think he knows if he's played bad and who are you to criticise him are you Tony Smith ? are you an expert on all things technical about the game ? you wouldn't last 5 minutes playing against Wigan. You're an embarrassment to us fans, never attack your own players how does that improve him for the next game ?

You want him to play better ? support him !

Wire Yed if you read my post properly, you will have noticed that I didn't think he read his
mentions on twitter.

But you think it's mature and beneficial to publicly confront one of your own players in that way? He's just played in one of the most physical games of the season and has to deal with one of the club's "fans" criticising him like that. Also noticed that you had a few choice words for your old law tutor - yet again very mature.

But as a so called Warrington fan do you think slandering a player like that will make him play better? We've got 5 crucial matches left and your doing a fantastic job at building confidence.

As I said earlier - it's all to typical for Tories. Even during the good times, always looking to blame and say everything is broken.

I wonder who will face the wrath of the immature when they have a poor game next week?

I bet he doesn't read them all but I bet your one of the first to attack him like that, don't you think it might stand out?

And that excuse really does not cut it anyway, "I didn't think" - Give us a break.

Albeit my twitter is public, most of the time it is only seen by my contacts. So it's a lot like having a conversation in the pub.

With all due respect how I speak to people I know is nothing to do with you. I get along well with my old tutor very well, and that was just a typical exchange.

As for the Tory comment, I thought it was me who was immature? And if you think that MY comments on MY twitter would have an effect on the team's performance, you need your head seeing to.

Judge, Jury and Prosecution?

Cant believe you're attacking one of your own because they had a go at a player. It's about time these lads get told the hard way.

What makes Mathers miss tackles ? Courage. Therfore he rightly deserves a rant off Wire fans who shell out alot of money to watch RL players erm.... tackle!!!