Mathers is a decent fullback and I would be happy to see him stay his tackling does let him down but its never being the best part of his game

Mather had a good game tonight, mopped up well at the back and brought the ball out very well, give the guy a break !

Mathers had a good game last night and apart from the St Helens away game he has been pretty consistant all season, I would be happy to see him sign a new contract with us

didn't do himself any favours with Widnes first try and also the one they fluffed (seemed a carbon copy) but he made up for it with some very good takes under pressure and relatively decent attack.

I suppose it all comes down to what you want from the fullback, do you want a plodder who is solid, reliable and unspectacular a la Briscoe, Field, Blaymire or do you want somebody with flair and who poses a genuine attacking threat but prone to the odd brain fart like Webb as was or Mathers? You pays your money and you takes your choice.

Mathers had a dodgy start but recovered well to have a good game. He's never been able to cover tackle so I don't really know why anyone would be surprised when he came up with a powder puff effort on Hanbury for their first try. His strength though has always been going forward and its been a while since we've had a fullback like that.

I thought our bench players were our 4 best last night. Wilkes and Mariano both hit the line well and Johnson got through a load of work. Wood made an impact which is exactly what you are looking for. Ali was great with ball in hand but i still think we need to spell him more. There was a time just before half time where he was badly blowing and missed 6 tackles on the bounce. Ellis was great first 20 and with regards Mathers, jeez people. He missed a one on one for there first try and from then on was one of our better players. Come on people give him a break if we had managed to wrap Winterstein up in the first place he wouldnt have had to make that tackle, why no blame for the right side defence?

Amor and Cockayne were well below what we have come to expect, but hey, everyone has them at some point and its times like that when you need others to step up.

All in all it was one of those games where we didnt play well and in the past would have lost. Winning these sorts of games is what happens when your confidence is up.
Full credit to Widnes, i thought they were vastly improved on what i have seen of them during the season and they were clever enough to play the ref far better than we did. Defensively they were decent and with the introduction of a few more quality players (Brown etc) i think they could be joining us, Hull Kr, Bradford etc in the battle for the lower play off spots next year.

No arguments with Wood getting MoM. Thought Wilkes had a faultless game and made good yardage in nearly every carry. Mariano, Johnson and Kirmond worthy of a mention in despatches.
Rhys Hanbury is a class player and makes many a fullback look inept. At least with Mathers he can give some input on the attacking front, the run through the gap that eventually led to Kirmonds try being a good example. He'll do for me.

FWIW those who are defending Mathers are deluding themselves.

I have never seen a player turn from villain to hero and then back again as often as Mathers. He's likeable and he tries he really does, but that's not enough - at his age he needs to be better he's a senior player now.

The truth is with his experience he should be better than he is. He rarely starts a game switched on, his concentration is dreadful especially for a a F/B. A position I fully agree is the most exposed, but his lapses in concentration are his fault, no one elses. He's also slow, not much quicker than Blaymire and nowhere near as safe.

He's not the worst I've ever seen, but he isn't good enough long term IMHO. Remember before this run there were 2 games everyone on here was blaming him for losing, Bradford away was one. We'd theoretically be top 8 by now - though I accept it's a team game and one player rarely costs us, but that wasn't the opinion on here.

Whilst ever the lad wears a Trinity shirt I will support him at the game - but I won't be convinced he's the answer until he plays a full 80mins. I don't care how many times he pulls it around or gets a vital try he must cut out letting the ball bounce or the unforgivable soft tackles if you can call it that that let Widnes in for their first try - it was dreadful, under 17's dreadful.

Come on Richie be the player you occasionally show you can be all the time because we will need it if we are to get anything further from top 8.

thought Mathers was poor on a couple of occasions, Cockayne had his worst game of the season and as a team we looked decidedly wobbly!
Ali, Kirmo, and Mariano were the stand out performers.
Any news on Dean "Ronny Gibbs" Collis? Looked well out of it on a number of occasions, before going off.

Correct, for fear of getting another load of abuse from his bestest mate fishcake Cockayne is a liability when in that mood - and for those singing his praises there is your lesson - a leopard never changes it's spots.

I can live with that side of BC but it will always cause him and us problems in high pressure games, as Stevo said "he's got it in him" and like many things in life a persons greatest strength is usually their greatest weakness.

Come on Ben, as the poster says "Keep calm"

A few players, BC included, were guilty of trying too hard - champagne rugby when you haven't earned it never works out.

Mathers had a wobbly start but came good - he never dropped a kick, was well positioned in defence and marshalled the troops well; he adds value in the attacking line and that's something we haven't had for ages. When they do the video this week, I expect that Hanbury non-tackle will feature heavily.

No need to panic - it was a stinker of a performance against Widnes with their extra man, but we rescued it; hopefully the nerves will be settled and we'll be back to our best next week.

Didn't play well and still won,in the top 8,6 wins on the trot,why do we still slag our players off,are you bored ,don't understand the game or not true Wakey fans.I suggest you get behind them or shut up and stay away cause your doing my head in.

That wouldn't be an issue if it were just one game but it's every game - I do believe we pay him as a top pro capable of playing well for the full 80 or am I missing something. I'm not being as harsh as the opening poster but he has a point. The rose tinted specs are out again on this one IMO.

You won't get the best out of any player if you just let him off when he makes the same mistake over and over. That Bren is not panic, just reality.

Something I feel needs pointing out is that whilst Mathers is defusing high balls which aint the easiest skill to perfect he also has to be conscious of Mr Fox who can not defend, granted he is a points machine but any half decent side can spot him a mile off and target him so this in turn puts more pressure on our fullback to perform to a higher degree than even he anticipated.

so lets stop attacking our players WE ARE IN THE TOP EIGHT who would have thought that at the beginning of the season.