Although Big Roy hasn't been knocking down barn doors there has been some small improvement in the last two weeks.
Last week he was okay and at magic he was talking to players and was involved more and once again was okay, solid, without busting doors down.

I will at least give credit where due and Roy doesn't deserve too much of that, but I think neither does he deserve criticism for his performance at magic as he didn't do wrong.

That said, I would still swap him for Morley. We miss his leadership and example.

Interestingly, I noticed Walsh lingering at the back of the Saints side of the tussle, too; ball in hand.

I agree with most things said about Asotasi, although he put a great hit on Soliola just before the 58th minute (however, failed to wrap up the ball and the resulting offload led to the Hohaia try...). This was the first time (that I recall) that I've seen Roy make an individual and genuine effort. Maybe, in a few weeks, we'll be wondering why Hill is starting over Big Roy...

EDIT - RD: he did cough up possession in our 10m which led to the Turner try. I will concede that this can happen to anyone, though.

And, Cat: I think Laithewaite was a little less than keen to get involved in the tussle, too. Will need to rewind when I'm done watching to see though.

Seriously folks stop comparing King to Asotasi.

King was a great player that took time to adapt.
Oz play a different game to SL, we actively get more players involved and throw it about more.
Asotasi played in a forward oriented league, some teams won't pass it more than once unless they're over the 50m mark in NRL.
Forwards don't need the settling in time, here's the game plan.
a) stand in this spot when we call this play, run in this direction hard and into the line.
or
b) stand in the middle tackle the guy with a different coloured shirt on when he runs at you with the ball.
by different colour we don't mean the blue one with grass stains, that's what happens to your shirt when you work.

Stop it and stop it now, I really should ban all on site that make that comparison between Roy and Matt.
If you can't see his distinct lack of interest by now you don't deserve an opinion on this game.

I'd have Rhys Williams ovet him YES I SAID Rhys WILLIAMS NOT EVANS.

I agree to an extent: I agree that a forward's game plan is simple when compared to a back's; I agree with what you said about the NRL being more similar to SL for forwards than backs.

With that said: he might be fully adjusted to SL, but not fully adjusted to life in England. Whether you are a top performer in your job or not, life outside of your job will affect your ability perform at work. Moving towns can be a little jarring at first, so I imagine moving across the world would be a little more jarring. Different people will cope with this at different speeds. This is what I think most comparisons with King are getting at (I know it is what Rugbychick is getting at).

Does that negate his sub sub-par performances? Does it negate his lack of interest/desire? No. Not for a second, it does not. I am not here to make excuses for Big Roy, I am as underwhelmed as any fan, but: does his potential 'homesickness' explain his overall attitude? Perhaps.

(For the record: I am inclined to say that we are not here to coddle any player. If he is, in fact, homesick then release him from his contract. If he doesn't start showing some desire soon then that is obviously best for both parties).

Homesickness is no excuse for not running into a line hard...jebus how liberal have we become in this country.

He's lazy and clueless and looks like a spare [delpri[/del part.

I too think he had not settled.
I'll tell you why.
I followed Big Roy on twitter from him arriving here.
He never once spoke anything other than all things Samoa and wanting to catch up with his Samoan pals.

Except for his latest tweet he thanks a lady for her kind remark and a big game.

It points to him not being happy but maybe that last text hints of some small adjustment?
And perhaps I'm just clutching at straws.

I get so wound up watching Asotasi trying to not play the game that he is paid handsomely to play!
Homesickness is a terrible excuse for a former New Zealand international captain.

Hill T22 MT6 C17 AG8m

Asotasi T17 MT0 C9 AG8m

England T14 MT4 C15 AG5.47m

T: Tackles MT: Missed tackles C: Carries AG: Average gain

I think looking at those you could easily assume Asotasi is a good player with a poor work ethic and would be a great player for us if he would make more tackles and carry the ball more.

(Btw on the overall stats both Monaghan brothers had storming games as did Russell and Ratchford.)

At last you have seen the light Yed; I knew you would get there eventually

thing is though, he's not on 'basics' wages. He's there to be the cornerstone of the pack, the aforementioned hit on soliola, i thought at that point 'yes, thats the hit he needs to do to starting getting fans onside' Cos thats what he needs to do, clean someone out like an MF-er.

Is he doing the intangibles though, is he talking to his fellow forwards and motivating them, leading them? i can't see it, maybe he is.

Maybe he needs a substitute run at swinton, i dont know.


Sigh, its sad, cos i do want to like the fella, i really do, i'm not expecting him to be all fui fui moi moi off the bat, but i'd like him to smash a few players.

I recall Trent Waterhouse being critised (on here) as achingly average compared to Louis Anderson, but he seems to have turned it around now.

People wanted him swapped with Danny Kirmond. Yes, that's right, Danny Kirmond

Although I agree that Asotasi has been rather disappointing, in the game against Bradford he ran in the ball so hard that the Bradford player tackling him was stumbling and all but KO'd for the rest of the set.

I believe he has the strength and skill but it's a lack of effort on his part. Maybe homesickness, maybe arrogance.

Either way he needs to turn it around and improve or get booted out. I bet he's taking a large portion of the overseas quota and so far he isn't earning it.

In regards to the Magic game, I think we played well. Our covering defence was much better and Bridge, Russell and Ratchford played brilliantly.

Saints turned up expecting an easy win, their fans didn't even make a sound all day until their "comeback", and we stunned them.

Bring on the Whino's in 2 weeks.