Hull FC (h)

Quote: Jukesays "
Quote: Jukesays "Poor might be pushing it thinking back. I thought he panicked on that last try and dashed in and that’s stuck in my mind probably. I’ve seen him play far better and be a lot busier in games. I like Bibby to be fair and have stuck up for him in the past. I’d say average was about right. I wanted him back in for Saturday and didn’t understand people’s teams with him not in there but I’d also like to look at Halsall and would give him a shot this week and KPP would be locked in to the other spot for the rest of the season for me. He needs a run of games there to get ready for the big games down the track.'"

That's what I thought you'd say, and it wasn't a trick question.

The problem I have with it is that there are a number of observations I have with that situation before I even talk about Bibbys decision making.
We number up wrong on the blind, they have 2 players short side and we have 3 (you could argue 4 as Bateman is directly behind the ptb and Smith IMO is hiding a bit).
Being 1 man down and numbering up that way we're already 2 maybe 3 players short in the line.
I think Faz pushes up a bit and him and Partington seem to number up 2 on one which again leaves space,( it's more complicated than that as I think Partington is too passive, if he pushes up then I trust Smithies and Bateman inside to deal with inside runner).

Anyway, this is my big issue

After that ball Bibby finds himself 4 on 1, not just because of what's happened inside.
The comments made to me about Bibby rushing in, I counter with Where the hell is Marshall outside?

Hes 20 to 25mtrs behind the defensive line on the 3rd tackle !!!
It's likenhes playing full back, but Field is in the perfect FB spot, so what's he doing?

If Bibby doesn't rush in there's a 3 on zero outside him (I do agree rushing in May not be great), but where the hell is Marshall and why is he 25mtrs back on the 3rd, 20mtrs in field?

Also
Marshall was all over the place on the first Batchelor try.
Although I can just forgive him when they come short side and he comes in off his wing to suppprt Bibby (a bit Bibby esque) and gets beat outside by Bennison. He gets back after a Bibby tackle and they pin bennison 2ft from the touchline.
As he plays the ball Welsby is 1st receiver 11mtrs in from touch and Marshall goes walkabout chasing after Welsby inside and gets picked off and stranded without laying a finger on him. Bibby is also in trouble as he can see 2 runners back outside and he's practically 4 on 1.
Welsby turns back outside and we have a 3 on 1 to defend 7mtrs from touch

What's Marshall doing?

He reminded me of the younger Kid in the playgorund Marshall of 4/5 years ago on Saturday. Running around trying to solve problems that didn't exist instead of doing his job.

Anyway, probably over analysing and all with a backdrop of the players all being knackered due to the defensive efforts.
But I just think Bibby was unfairly singled out on that last play.

At the PTB he's exactly where I'd want him to be, Marshall on the other hand is miles away.'"

Fair points Jukes - what on earth Marshall was doing on that last try Iv no idea. Whether he was told to do that by the coaches I'm not sure but I don't know what the function of it was, particularly when we were down a man.

Iv never been as big of a fan of Marshall as some - I just feel he cancels out his good stuff with his bad stuff. Two good finishes in the semi but two basic handling errors - one which really cost us. Good finish in the final but a poor one on one miss on Jerry McG in the corner. Poor error and rash defensive decisions on Saturday. Bilko and that other clown in commentary keep moaning he's not being considered for internationals - for me he's nowhere near that. He has to improve.

RLFANS.COM MERCHANDISE

RLFANS.COM SPONSORS & HELP