When did the current era begin?

If was talking about hookers from the era of the 3 point try I would agree but both Newton and MCormack played Super League for Wigan in the grand final era. Both played under the 10m rule. To suggest they played in some by gone era is not correct IMO.

Both were better players for us than Riddell has been so far and McCormack was up to speed right away.

Dave

Is Riddell better than KFC, Clarke, Buderous, Randall etc. His SL counterparts? That is what counts and if he isn't (and I don't think he is better than many at all) then being better than someone you didn't rate doesn't count for much does it?

Dave

I saw Riddell play in the NRL some years ago at St. George. If memory serves, he did much more from dummy half - taking the ball up a couple of steps trying to wrong-foot the markers before offloading (as Newton used to do at Wigan). He also had a decent short kicking game.

I've been pretty disappointed with him so far. He hasn't done that much wrong bar a few dodgy passes but he hasn't really caught the eye either. Perhaps our one-out/totally predictable attacking lines don't help him much - but often he seems content to throw a short ball out. He certainly doesn't create any headaches for the markers.

On the other hand, I have to admit we often look much more lively when either MclLorum and Tommy are playing hooker. But that could be partly down to the fact that we often push the pace of the play-the-ball once Riddell has been substituted.

Dave,
He is an improvement on what we've had for the last three years. He is better than Clarke. Boderus has been a waste of a spot, (how many games has he played)

Riddell has done o.k.
You didn't defend him last week when Wigan scored ALL their tries when he was on the pitch, but are very quick to attack him for ONE bad pass on Friday.



I suggest you come into the South Stand bar after the game v Hull and see if he is really fat. I'll guarantee you'll find he isn't.
rlhttp://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics_player.php?hs1

He's not been as good as I expected but he hasn't been as bad as some people have made him out to be.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but Tommy L is a far better hooker which makes me wish we had signed a scrum half instead. I was actually calling for us to get rid of TL till I discovered how good a hooker he is. I still maintain we will not win a trophy with TL as scrum half.

And Riddell v Cunningham


rlhttp://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics_player.php?hs1

Look at Cunninghams missed tackles, errors and penalties.


He's nowhere near as bad as Dave is suggesting.

Riddell could find the cure for cancer and David would still complain as he replaced his beloved Michael Higham.

Smith was injured at first (ankle, I think), then he was magnificent.

Rogue,
For some reason I couldn't reply to your post inviting Dave to go to the South Stand to see that Riddell isn't so fat.
I keep imagining you carrying one of those mirrors from the fair ground that distorts the body shape and Riddell innocently walking in front of it.
Then Feka pushing him out of the way.

I just wasn't very good ...

When we were arriving at the ground on Friday Riddell was walking from the players car park.

I was walking alongside Barnsley Pie who posts on here. He commented on Riddells size saying that some of the posters on here would be surprised that Riddell was not as fat as they thought.

I agree, Rogue. He wouldn't last 50 mins if he was that fat. It's just the invitation to the South Stand conjured up a surreal picture for me.

Looking at the stats in comparison to Cunningham the only thing Riddell needs to do to improve to be on a par if not better then Cunninghams level of preformence is to take the line on a little more. He's been doing that more recently and he always causes problems.

If the lad has a really commited pre season next year I think we'll see a better player in 2010.

He committed to a pre season in 2009 in case you forgot. Was supposedly coming over early to get up to speed and settle in. As to being on a par with KFC with some improvement, you have seen them both play and one is clearly far better than the other.

Dave

It wasn't one bad pass. It was one bad pass and a ridiculous kick 3.75390625:5