I personally don't agree with that, his record speaks for it's self before he came, I do expect better of him, but to be honest I expect better from numbers 1 to 17 full stop.

Has I've put in the other topic, Phelps even tho is playing great, as Coley is, I still think they will leave. Due to the fact, next year it will be

1 - Roberts
2 - Ainscough
3 - Gleeson
4 - Carmont (Aslong as injuries aren't a constant problem)
5 - Richards

That is as long as Ainscough proves his development. Saints currently have two greatly talented players coming through do they play week in week out, No, because that's not the right way to develop young players into this sport at the highest level.

Tonight he played well apart from the first 10. His ball off the deck was superb, were it Gidley people would be creaming themselves, his presence of mind to put Richards in was very nice.

Certain players also never seem to find space, Calderwood for example, Roberts does know how to position himself to get in space, he does not always maximise that space but he still makes good yards, was he a short sighted signing, in my opinion yes but think it is tough to criticise him off tonights performance.

Showed no bottle or pace -

Fox is probably faster than Penny and that says a lot. And how did he show no bottle? Just walking on the the pitch shows bottle. Nice of him to say that behind his PC.
Defence is weak - On what basis? I didn't see him miss many tackles except the break down their line where he almost got the winger into touch.
Under the high ball - Sun was in his eyes, under pressure. HKR were lucky that it fell to their man but the circumstances were poor. Ainscough wouldn't have even attempted to jump for it.

I would agree with how that looks, but my worry is still Roberts at FB, earlier in the season he was shocking there so unless he's going through a bad patch, god help us if he plays there.

I think you are being harsh on Roberts.

The guy has great acceleration which he showed today, and his wonderful work set up a great try for Richards, which sealed the game. The break (again which was great work) were he was caught by Fox, put you in a good position to attack. Can't remember if anything came of it but when a player makes a break people think they should score and deem it a disappointment when they don't.

Tomkins was immense, an obvious talent and showed a side to his game which shows he's maturing by taking the game by the scruff of the neck. Same for young MM, when he came on he competley changed the pace of the game and I found it astonishing the way he took you forward despite your props bar Prescott being average at best.

Riddell has looked poor every single time I've seen him play this season, very slow and lacklustre. Fielden and Feka didn't have too much of an impact and Joel Tomkins has a shocker. Mossop surely would do a better job i'd hope it's only a matter of time before Farrell/Davies/Flannagn gets a chance. Although you wouldn't want to disrupte the great work of the reserves by taking out the top performers such as those 3.

But what you fail to see is that because he is "Keeping Ainscough out" that in itself is enough to call him rubbish or a disgrace!

Played well tonight IMO.

PS

It's the same with Piggy & MM.
Piggy has played better than him last 3 games but as soon as MM has the better game they all start again!

But if we're going to criticise every player who made a mistake today then J Tomkins shouldn't be immune.

Also, Feka actually breaks tackles, makes yards and creates tries with his offloads and creates space for others because he attracts more tacklers. Fielden plays for 50mins + but when's the last time you saw him make more than 3 yards, offload, create a try. Oh, and i suspect Fielden drops a lot more ball in the tackle and gives away more penalties. Feka's defence isn't immune from criticism but you're not telling me you're pleased with Fielden's contribution?

Which Salford player is as fast as either? He failed to take then on with pace as well in the league game when Gleeson put him away several times. Par for the course.



I should have edited that bit out too as it is nothing to do with it.



You don't see Ainscough miss many either do you?



Now if you are going to say things like saying he has no bottle are wrong you will have to accept saying things like Ainscough wouldn't have attempted to jump for it are a joke.

The fact is Roberts has not been some defensive Rock all season. He certainly has not been as effective as Ainscough on attack (absolute indisputable fact).

Dave

The reason he attracts the flack is he is no better than Ainscough defensively and worse on attack. So since he is keeping Ainscough out this is a problem.



I doubt many would agree but in any case over the course of the season MM has been better than Riddell overall.

Dave

Paul White.

No he has not, but he has made some telling contributions in defence tracking back, Ainscough has not been any better in defence, but probably has been slightly worse.

Roberts did well in attack, he is different to Ainscough, i would prefer Ainscough to play but having said that both make errors and perhaps Roberts contributes more in defence and still has acceptable go forward.

I think that Ainscough's try scoring record this year has been greatly helped by playing on the left wing. Richards is now up to 12 Sl tries.

I think a lot of people of very unfair on Roberts, I think he has improved as the season has gone on. Riddell still flatters to deceive and I actually thought Fielden had a good game today.

Richards on the left wing:

Played 9
Tries 11