Fair enough, but unfortunately it seems there is no one better in the squad (which is a whole other issue) as I can’t see Price ruining his chances as coach out of sentiment for a winger he hardly knows.

Regards Matt he is better than that vs Widnes.
However it's time to invite Mitch Brown into the 17.
.... but in Mattys defence is it any coincidence every winger gets poor outside of Atkins? Look at Lineham now! RA is great at what he does but I'd dread being outside him.

stop trying to blame Atkins for everyone else's deficiencies.

Lineham was crap in his first season in the right wing due to lack of effort, and before he got moves to left wing.

Russell has been bobbins wherever he's played and Atkins has been nowhere near him.

Atkins unwillingness to pass has nothing to do with Russell not being to catch it hold on to a ball, or hiS judgement.

Chris Riley scored 100 odd tries playing outside Atkins.

spot on..why pass when he.ll only drop it

...and Smith let him go and he was eventually replaced by Russell.

Riley was no world beater but he had a better all round game IMO. Although Russell does kick returns better and is stronger from dummy half, which suited Smith’s style of play.

I’m not one of the anti-Russell gang but I can’t help agree their arguments at this present time. Certainly wouldn’t do any harm to try Brown there knowing the speed of Wigan’s wingers. Marshall could have a field day again.

But my point is how do you know that Brown will do a better job? It’s possible that he could do a worse job. Price sees them both day in, day out, if he thought Brown was better he would have him in, he holds no sentiment for any player after 3 games. It’s a bit like when there were calls for Prell to play from people who have never seen him in action.

Just watched the game again which is always useful.

I couldn't help watching Matty Russell after the comments on the forum. He lost the ball in the tackle early on. He dropped a high ball in the first half ... which was very difficult and anybody could have dropped and he cocked up a play the ball towards the end of the game. He looked a handful and made useful yards several times and made a super run in the 75th minute.
He does tend to really rush to play the ball and he probably ought to slow down a bit to ensure he plays it correctly. He needs to relax.
As usual weaknesses of our players do get wildly exaggerated. We watch our players so closely so we spot weaknesses but often fail to see similar problems with other teams.

I'll just go and get my tin hat.

]


Bumped off a 50/50 ball mid air by a winger with 1 SL game under his belt. Lack of finishing in the corner.

It's not about looking at Russell one game at a time, it's about performance's over the last X months. He isn't good enough to be a top 4 winger. Why should we, as fans, settle for it? He isn't a kick option and he's not someone I'd look to get the ball to on the 6th tackle. He's also not someone in want chasing back to stop a game changing try. I want my winger to score and prevent tries. He does neither.

I'll stop posting about him now, for my own sanity!!!

I think your right. I got flak for seeing something akin.
I did say he hasn't contributed to a loss.
I do think it's good time to try Mitch Brown though. FMC gave his counter post and makes a fair case that I can't argue with.

Matt Russell has scored 30 tries in 4 seasons at Wire, which is an average of less than 8 tries per season.

Just NOT good enough, for any team that has ambitions to win trophies

This is at the heart of the issue. As a kick returner or scooter he is very good. As a winger he is not.

Boss Hog has made one of the most valid points over the last couple of weeks on the issue of Russell. 8 try's a year isn't good enough . Marshal got four against us in 1 game. We need to find an alternative if we are to push on for top 4.

I think he got 7 in 180 mins against us last season?

I'm not a fan of Russell but he does return a kick well assuming he doesn't knock it on. But that isn't really what I want from a winger. I want someone who is great under a high ball in attack and defence - Russell isn't. I want someone who can break a tackle and get away from the defence - Russell can't. I want someone who can create excitement and beat a man - Russell can't. I want someone who can score 15+ tries a season even with poor service - the good wingers can manage to do this - Russell can't.

He tries hard and I can't fault his work ethic but that isn't enough for a team that wants to be higher than the middle 8's.