I think you are right here, he is great in this "attacking fullback" role. The full back is the last line of defence, often there have been mistakes further up the field for the player to get to there. Its unfortunate he is in a position where everything he does is magnified. I think he does a good job for us!

Totally agree.

I know everyone's got their own opinions and all that but to suggest that Mathers is slow, as well as average in kick return and supporting the man with ball, well they must be watching a different game to me and I'm no Mathers fan. As for tackling, sure it's not his strength but I remember him making some key tackles for us last season, he just needs to improve his consistency.

I reckon Lee Smith this up coming season is going to surprise a few of these doubters and have a very good season for us, all he's ever needed is match fitness and game time and he'll produce the goods.

I'm not a big fan of Mellors, i'd rather stick with Smith.

I'd say EVERYONE has to be a great defender otherwise there will be gaps that the other team will exploit. I got shot down for saying this previously but Mathers was really poor at times last season when trying to tackle and he cost us many points. It was his attempted shoulder tackles that really let him down. I agree when attacking he's a good addition but he needs to work on his defense.

Dear me, you believe that if you want - to mis-qoute John Lennon, he's not one of the best in SL, he's not even the best at Wakefield.

We shall see, but halfway through last year the whole forum thought he was losing us games (and he was) and wanted shut. Be careful what you wish for and how knowledgeable you clearly feel you are

Agree, the role of F/B has changed but the need to be able to defend at this level has not.

There will always be times when a breakaway play happens that leaves the fb in no-mans land; he's the last line of defence and if he doesn't pull off the tackle, he can't always be held solely responsible.

I think Mathers did make a few howlers in defence last season, as did most fb's in SL; some were his responsibility and some weren't but as I said at the time, he's far from the worst and is significantly better than some. He also adds a lot in attack, which can't be discounted.

Overall, I'm happy with him at Wakey.

At no time last season did I want shot of mathers, so sorry fella you are not speaking on behalf of the whole forum, and IMHO Mathers offers us a great deal more in attacking options than a lot of other FB in SL and only looks vunerable only when exposed when the line in front have let him down

Even when he did make a few mistakes last year and people got on his back, I certainly don't remember the whole forum wanting shut of him, I didn't anyway.

I agree with vastman peope on here WERE giving mathers stick early in the season, then came that exiting finish and suddenly hes a hero when the same schoolboy errors were in his game.A fullback cant be blamed for every tackle he misses thats for sure, but its the attempt that hes judged on and although im a non drinker and never leave my vantage point during a game with all due respect shifty i cant remember him making a key tackle. I think ive given my opinion on mr mathers and am prepared to wait and see , when ill be back on this subject with either ahumble apology or an i told you so.

[iSome[/i people - a few, but by no means a majority.