GOB has now had a short intro in the 1st team last year, and has played 4 games for Widnes and ?? 7 games in the 1st team for us this year. I think he will be 21 in Oct.

He has had a fair run to show what he can do. So putting aside our 'rose tinted glasses' and ignoring his young age, how do we think he has performed ? Do you think he is progressing in his position, or are you a little disappointed he has not shown more initiative. Is his work level and tackling up to scratch ? Does he make enough breaks ? Is his kicking game moving on - this was an important area for him at Widnes.

Honest thoughts ?

O'Brien has always been the No 2 half-back in Wire games. Showed plenty of ability in linking forwards/backs and distributing left/right. Great defence, and a few truly inspired passes. I like Richie Myler and Gaz has been as good in my view.

One thing we all need to remember and also be excited about is that Gareth is only 20 years old.

Most people forget that Myler is only 21, we also have Ratch at 23, so it would seem that we are now in relatively safe hands when Briers finally calls it a day.

Please don't speak or think of this day.

Sorry FB, I won't think of it again. As a penance I will subject my body to an entire days concentrated drinking in the Manchester area next Saturday.

My thoughts on O'Brien are that he seems to have fitted in to the side well. He has been fortunate that Briers has been in the side for most of his games, although for the past two league matches he's been allowed to be a more prominent play maker. Settling in well and has a great future.

Your chosen penance is entirely suitable & appropriate

Well, I think his tackling has been good, he looks dynamic and he has a good pair of hands. I have not seen that much field kicking from him, but of course if that job is given to Briers or Ratch, then clearly we won't anyway. He is also an excellent goal kicker, but then with Hodgson around, he doesn't get much opportunity there either (yet).

Personally though, I would like to see him making more breaks and providing the 'money ball' a little more. Yes, I know I am being a little greedy, but Dwyer has come into the side and has the arrogance to take the opposition on close to the line and has scored a couple of tries from there. I suppose I would like to see O'Brien be a bit more arrogant, more attacking, and to back himself more.

Fair, or not ?

He showed he is above average in his spell at widnes
Was/is a 'link' for briers at the minute - but is learning/gaining experience all the time
His work level, and tackling will also improve with the coaching at Warrington
NO - he has not had/played enough top level games yet to give/have any opinion on his play yet - could be up to 2 years before an opinion should be made on this

GOB, work in progress
Myler, work in progress, but not far away

Maybe, the one thing they need to do, is "take a hit for the team". They both seem to "get rid of the ball" a little too quickly.

You always saw some of the great, modern day halves (Andy Greg, Goulding etc) taking the line on, in order to get THAT BALL, out to a second rower/centre, and getting a heavy hit in the process. Maybe that's the way Smith wants us to play (quick hands, making it a bit less physical).

No problem for me with our halves in years to come.

gob took a couple of hits today from wakey 3/4s coming in from the wing hitting him.

That reminded me of the Wood try v Catalans last week (i think it was that one anyway) Briers held on to it until the last conceivable moment, took a knock (knowing it would come) and put him through

Exactly, Yed.

A good half, knows when/how to release the ball at THAT exact moment, and he cops for a heavy one in the process.

It just seems to me, that our younger halves seem to pass the ball, a little too quick for my liking (but, as I say, maybe that's under orders from our Chosen One)

Im yet to c gob take the game by the scruff of neck n dominating/leading the team ! he did it week in week out for the 20's! When he's confidentvn does this, there will be No dropping him

Yes, I thought we might have seen him do this more in the Salford game with the likes of Briers, Ratchford and Myler absent. ?