It was and he did very well for that try. I think people just expect abit too much too soon at times. He's a young lad making his way in the game and theres bound to be some flaws with him.

His record in terms of try scoring for a young centre is very good.

I'd say that was a one off, having watched him carefully pre-season and in our first two games, he's certainly not lost any strenghth.

It's an RLFans-built myth that his defence is that bad, he has a problem chagin out the line.

Compare him to Phelps at centre, that lad lacks any sort of defensive structure watsoever, and his tackling technique will one day end his career ealry.

I agree they're both rubbish defensively. Hopefully my Bailey Ainscough combination idea will gather momentum (Only worry is Ainscough wouldn't get a pass )

I always thought Aspinwalls defence was one of his strongest points.

Who can ever forget his tackle v London Broncos at Brentford.

Some crazy views. His strength? His running lines as we saw when he hit the hole from an Amos pass when winger did not support him. We still scored in that set though with Goulding putting in a neat pass. The first shoulder charge by Byrne was a brilliant piece of defence. Byrne got his result but came off worse. The second break he should have scored but like all British youngsters he tried to stay upright and step back.

The comparison to Gidley is absurd and unfair but the secret of Gidley is that he does not even try to beat his opposing defender. He simply keeps a low body position and uses the try line as his friend, taking the tackle as he scores.

I'm sorry but there's no way that he could have got that first ball to Phelps because the ball from Richards was too hight - You can see Daz reach for it - If you look at the video of the game (think someones posted a link on here), he couldn't have got the pass away to Phelps in time.

As for the second one, well I don't know, I've not seen it - But some people are right with what they say on here, he's only 20... It's a big responsibility to be given the number 3 shirt at that age - especially with the amount of quality centre's in SL at the moment to go up against - I honestly don't think Noble would have given him the shirt if he was no good. Barrett himself spoke of how good he was.

With the weight issue, Noble beefed him up before giving him the no.3 shirt, and it obviously didn't work, he became too slow - Look at the amount of tries he scored off the bench before he beefed up? - That's why he needed to loose that much weight - But then again, I do think that if he doesn't play well this season then thats it for him, either he looses no.3 or, he's sold...

I think with Sam Tomkins people are expecting too much - Based on a) a game against whitehaven and b) 2-3 pre season games, one against kids ... There'll be a big disapointment if Noble put's him in too early I think... And he will get slated on here, it's inevitable.

Goulding isn't good enough imo. If we want to start winning things its average players like him we need to get rid of.

OTT - How about giving him a chance first.

This is his third season mate. Have you ever said after a game "wow Goulding was amazing today" because i havn't.

He had 4 starts in 2007 and 21 in 2008. How has he had 3 seasons?

He had a few decent games towards the back end of last year but never got a run in the team. He was made the scapegoat of the mullering by Saints at Knowesley road and never really got a chance after that IMO - as I said earlier it was due to injuries not just Nobby not selecting him.

Him losing the weight will be to his benefit as he gained nothing from having the bulk IMO and lost his pace as a result which is his biggest weapon.

I personally think he is too small which is his downfall but I think the fans who are saying he should be out the door are being utterly ridiculous as it is the same fans that are moaning about the fact we do not give youth a chance.

You cant beat the sheer irony of that can you really

Agreed, we've got too many average players such as Goulding, Bailey, Smith, Roberts... get rid of them, sign quality and let the good youngsters such as Tomkins (both), Ainscough and Farrell have a go.