Rather like you do with O'Loughlin eh Dave?

Aussie's come first for noble.

For some reason you seem to accuse those who highlight that fact they've been to a reserve game that they are claiming to be better fans. This isn't the case, they are just in a better position to comment on a players form rather than somebody who only saw them in a first team game weeks earlier...Obviously?



I asked Dave the question of whether he'd been to the game or not. How am I meant he know he hadn't? I wasn't presuming anything. Of course it's an argument in a reserve watchers corner, they have actually seen the player in question play!



But unfortunately, form dips and performances in the reserve grade is a basis of whether your deemed ready for the first team or not. If you're playing well/poorly in the game or in certain criteria, it will affect whether you will be picked for the first team game. So viewing a players performance in reserves in NOT redundant.

I actually don't think they claim to be better fans (the whole Cat 1++++ thing was tongue in cheek) - well some probably do. I actually believe some think they have some superior knowledge on players and like to trot out the "have you seen him in the reserves" line.

Knowing the opinions of some on here who watch the reserves you assume way too much in terms of them being in a better position to judge anything, form or otherwise.

I would say Richards at FB and encourage him to come into the line more like Brent Webb does. I feel alot more secure with Pat at FB. Roberts is not as good positional wise or under the high ball although he may run the ball back well, field position should not be a problem against Celtic.

You're right, it hasn't and he has in no way gone backwards since his first team spell.

However, his eye catching displays have forced the opposition pin point weaknesses in his game and they have exposed them which is hindsight is a good thing as he is at the correct age and position to work on them.

Surely his weakness is not hard to fix, just swap him with his centre and he can block the defenders by standing his groud and then he can be first at the play the ball to get us moving forward.

I mentioned that Noble should of done that, in the Wire game soon as Briers started to bomb him.

He can't do that week in week out, he as to develop and become confident under the hign ball, next time he plays, I'll expect him to at least leave the ground. Something that he's never done throughout his whole rugby career.

If he is to be a world class winger (which he has the ability to be) then I'd like to think he'd be able work on any weaknesses he has rather than just covering them up. Then again, I'm not the coach.

Personally, I'd love to see Ainscough given another chance soon.

We have all seen it - in SL where it matters.

The only issue with [iboth [/iplayers defensively IMO is being vulnerable under the high ball and they both are.

If as people are saying opposition teams will have worked this out about Ainscough are you suggesting they are too dumb to do the same with Roberts?

They worked out Tim Smiths frailties quick enough but eventually Noble and the team have seemingly sorted this out.

I do not see why, especially with the arrival of Gleeson, and playing Ainscough on the right suitable tactics could be employed to minimise his exposure. We will need to do this for Roberts anyway!

So at the end of the day this defensive frailty that is the justification for keeping out of the side is IMO, a complete red herring.

Dave