McNally with Mark Field.
Agar refusing to play Andy Ellis.

I'm sure there are many more examples where coaches refused to change tack even though their jobs were on the line.

Are you seriously suggesting that Chester would simply refuse to play Jowitt? He has picked Grix because he thought he was currently the better fullback. He played RH there because he obviously thought he was the better option? He is the coach, he sees them train everyday. If he was the best option to play there, then why on earth would he not play him there?

No conspiracy theories here, its quite simple. Jowitt is not the best fullback at the club, even without Grix.

That's all great I suppose when everything's rosy in the garden.....but that's the point, we've lost 9 out of the last 11, obviously some very narrow defeats in there, but you can't argue with stone wall facts! What is a coaches job? To bring on young talent and improve them, or to get the first team to perform and win more than they lose? Both in an ideal world obviously. He's tried so many differing combinations now, and it's just not working is it, you can argue till the cows come home who should be playing in certain positions. Grix was first choice, we've won and lost with him at fullback, he gets injured, he has to be replaced by someone. Jowitt's natural position is full back, therefore he should get a fair crack? Has he had that? Not sure, how can you judge someone on a couple of games here and there? This is Chesters' dilemma now of basically a long losing run, he seemingly won't pick the same team injuries permitting, he feels 'forced' into making changes in the hope something sticks, and our fortune turns around.

Looking back, those narrow defeats against better opposition were opportunities, missed opportunities to get wins on the board, he fell into the trap, as did most fans, that the 'winnable' run of fixtures would see us do exactly that, but sport doesn't work like that does it?!! There's just been something lacking, missing this season, a killer instinct, an individual to take the game by the scruff of the neck and turn those narrow losses into wins? We are becoming very infuriating to watch, there's definitely more in those players than they are currently giving, hopefully we can start to perform to a higher standard, 'cause unless we want to be dragged into a dogfight of survival, I think we are gonna have to.

Debatable, but even if so most would suggest that the team would benefit from having Hampshire in the halves and whoever else at fullback with Finn missing out.

There were times last year when Grix seemed to be dying for a rest and still Jowitt struggled to get a game. Not a conspiracy theory but maybe it isn't simply rugby related, nobody would know except them? Happens in other walks of life people generally being disliked by a manager, so cannot see any reason to be 100% sure it would not happen in RL.

More likely though I would say Chester doesn't seem to have faith in the younger lads and hasn't shown much in terms of bringing them through. Seems to have given up on Jowitt which is bizarre considering the form he showed in 2016, Batch has struggled to get a run in the team, Crowther nowhere to be seen after impressing in pre-season and TJ has been dropped a few times.

Read on this forum we have won 7 of last 24 games including end of last season. Would be good to know how many times Finn and Grix have played together in these matches .

Really is strange, the sudden, what would appear a lack of faith, in Max.

Didnt Chessie see him as playing in the halves a while back?

There talk of trying him at hooker in training earlier this year

An old boss of mine once surprised me when he announced to the whole team that he had favourites in every team he managed.
He went on to explain his favourites were always the ones who worked hard, had integrity in what they did, and delivered the goods.
I imagine Chester is the same.

Being young, or from Wakefield, or behind someone who isn't actually playing at their best doesn't guarantee you a place. You have to earn it with hard work, talent and execution. I am not there when he makes those decisions but I imagine that's how he makes them, not just based on whether he likes the person.

This post is far too sensible for the current forum members (with some exceptions).
You need some more "banter" or to slate the club, players or coach or, other posters.

I'm still surprised that Jowitt didn't plat last week though

Not that I would dispute your undoubted knowledge but we have won 10 and lost 14 of our last 24 competitive games

I've said that to my team many times - sometimes when accused of having favourites; I've always responded the same way - my favourite people are those who work hard, get results, and add something positive to the team - so everyone has the capacity to be on the list.

I've never subscribed to this theory that coaches don't play a player because of some personal beef - it seems perverse and obtuse to hamstring yourself in a performance business by denying a place to someone who could deliver better results, because of a falling out or random dislike; I'm sure it's happened - but it's probably rare. What's more likely is that a player is left out because of an issue in training, with attitude, fitness, injury, form or some other legitimate reason - but because some fans disagree with their lack of selection and have no information to the contrary, they create their own story.

That said, I do think some coaches, Agar was one, have a fear of playing kids; Chester may have the same tendency - particularly in the face of a run of losses. Better the devil you know and all that jazz.

I remember A certain Danny brough been given the cold shoulder by the the then England coach when we were crying out for someone to guide us around the park .
These things happen in life you just got to either move on or put up with it .

I think that comes under the works hard and shows integrity part of my post.
I don't think I'd like Broughy personally but I'd play him in my team.........unless I felt playing him would disrupt the rest of the team.

On Max, Michael Monaghan just said on his pre match interview that Chester has told Max he will have an extended run at full back and have his chance to show his skills.
He said that they have talked to him about some of the things that he didn't do well, but also said that they appreciate the changes at half back have affected Max at fullback and they are working on that too.

I agree with the principal behind your thing PT but how does that fit in with senior players getting an instant recall without having to prove their worth first? That's what puzzles me.
Also, as bad as some people think Max is, is he more incompetent at FB than BJB or Hampshire.
Whatever has happened to MJ has not been caused by MJ. His decline (If he has!) lies within the club. Just my opinion, of course.