If so, who loses out?

Can't say we've missed him in the slightest.

After months of protesting how he isn't good enough, hopefully now people will see my point. Not been missed in the slightest.

I was constantly asking for him to the dropped to see what impact not having him in the squad would have on the team, and it turns out he's not been missed at all.

My next call...Riddell.

See how we do with McClorum/Tommy interchange with Tomkins/Smith at the halves.

Asking has be been missed is asking the wrong question.

The question that needs asking is has he been replaced by a significantly better player and the answer to that is no, assuming Bailey is the player in direct competiton for the place in the side.

Drop Bailey for Hansen and ask was Bailey being missed and the answer would probably be "no" as well.

So does this mean we have two sub-standard players competing for a 2nd row place? The answer to that is also "no" because people have unrealistic expectations of the quality of players we can sign all over the team.

Hansen is probably part of the long term plans of the club and will be part of the back row "squad" of Hansen, Hock, Lockers and J Tomkins for the next few years with the younger players from the junior sides pushing for the odd game here and there.

I just don't see the problem with this and at 23 he has plenty of time to improve.

Dave

My question was based on current form, that's all.

Phil Bailey

Over rated and Over paid

I agree 100%. a good SQUAD player!

And I agree Alex. I think your question was fair.

The questions Daveo asked are the one's which I feel dodge the initial point.
Is Hansen been missed? The answer is no, he's not. Daveo then compared Hansen to Bailey diverting from the original question, simply because Hansen often has been compared to Bailey, this isn't the point or question.

For a point of discussion, on the field I think Bailey is better, offers more in attack and is better with ball in hand, it was Bailey would steadied the ship by moving to centre and doing a good job there.

Daveo, to mention people thinking we are unrealistic with our players and wants. I don't believe this is the case, after all we operate under the same salary cap, so it isn't unrealistic to compare players or teams to others who have the same cap? I don't think so.

Ignoring that, Daveo mentions Hansen as a backrow squad member, but do we need him when we have the likes of Tomkins, Lockers, Hock, Flanny, Mossop, Farrell etc? If it's quite clear he isn't missed (leading back to the question) is there room for him when other might offer more and might be missed when they're not selected?

I think the last two games spoke volumes.

There's not much between them this season.

[urlhttp://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics_player.php?hs1=2009&hp1=1183&hs2=2009&hp2=1974&stat=tries&season=2009[/url

In short, Bailey slightly better in attack (yards, offloads) whereas Hansen puts in more tackles.

At the moment, I'd take Bailey on form. Hansen's getting close to the point where he needs to do more with ball in hand justify his position as "long-term" squad player.

The original question js IMO fairly pointless. Did we miss Carmont v Wakefield? No and so what do we conclude? Nothing meaningful I would say. Same here with Hansen IMO.

You are completely over stating the case against Hansen. He has been a very good player for us over the last few seasons and if (and it is only "if") his form has tailed off a bit lately writing him off is premature.

For some reason you don't like Hasnen but your comparision with Bailey shows your bias as since when has Bailey offered more in attack and been better with ball in hand? If anything the major criticism of Bailey has been he has not not very good in either department. All of a sudden the implication is he has become a ball playing running 2nd row! No he has not!

And to mention Flanny, Mossop, Farrell as suggesting we don't need Hansen as a squad member is ridiculous given two of them have no first team experience and the other very little. You have no idea how they would stack up in comparison.

Anyway Hansen is contracted beyond this season, Bailey isn't so if you want to see any of those young players get a run out it will be in place of Bailey in 2010. If they ultimately take Hansens place as they turn out better players then fine but there is no argument against Hansen based on these young players prospects at the minute.

In the meantime I will back Hansen to prove you wrong.

Dave

The question is simple Dave.



If Hansen is to come back in, who drops out?

Yet you made the very same point last season re: O'Loughlin, Dave....go figure!

Hansen is the sort of player EVERY SL team needs. hes an excellent squad player. is he good enough to make it to the next level? personally, i doubt it but you know exactly what you get with him. hes a good, hard working player who plays with pride. to get rid would be a mistake BUT, you dont change a winning team so until someones form drops he'll have to take a back seat.