As I clearly stated I'm not an Owen fan - yet to be wowed that's for sure, but your description of him is way OTT s usual.

You're utterly wrong about Lyne and had you attended some matches you'd realise he's shaping up nicely after a dodgy start at the club - he was excellent yesterday all be it just a friendly.

I still see nearly every match you daft bugger, ever heard of SKY and DVD's. Saw all but two matches in full last year and still attended a fair few, so thanks for valuing me so highly!

Regarding Lyne, no you didn't you binned him completely continually bemoaning the loss of Cowling (??).

Some players just look lethargic, I don't know why it's just their natural style and we've had a few in the past - Mathers the most recent. Yet I tend to ignore this so long as their stats match up and Owens actually do.

I do understand why fans don't like these players but I also understand why coaches do.

You may remember in the 90's a fans favourite winger we had called David Jones - total all action brave as alien guy - but he only scored one try in Trinity colours which for a winger is just dreadful. His opposite winger was Andy Wilson, laid back etc who scored far more. As a coach you'd have Wilson every time.

I'm far from Owens greatest fan, he may be giving it all he's got but his demeanour gives the impression otherwise which gets peoples back up. He was a talented kid but since his injury some of that sharpness doesn't appear to be there. It doesn't mean he isn't trying though. But to then make the call that we could have had Omari Caro who has that exact same traits is laughable!

Both were decent defenders!

I'm not going to start the season by slagging Owen off, merely saying that on current form I prefer Johnstone.
Owens a poor defender who doesn't read what's coming at him very well, he gets himself out of position and loses his hips which makes him look like a turnstile as he reaches at attacking players as they race past him.

I agree on the demeanour of certain players, they look lazy, slouching and not bothered but beleive me to get on the pitch in the first place they've had to put in a huge massive effort in training, if they really couldn't be d they'd sack that off straight away.

He needs sorting defensively, if he's bothered by the fans perception of him then he needs help working on his persona (not sure he's at all bothered tbh).

I don't get the 3 year deal, I don't see the need for it, he wasn't a hot property being chased by half a dozen clubs.

Let's see how he responds to the challenge from Tom Johnstone before we stick his head on a spike

Yes, I've just watched the Wakefield Australia game from 1990.

Dave Jones defence in that game against superb opposition was immense.
Along with many others, probably because of his 100% effort, we wanted the guy to be scoring some tries and eventually IIRC his first score came against Carlisle in the cup.
It was worth the trip for that try alone.
Wilson, on the other hand, scored some cracking tries and was at his best whilst nursing a groin strain ??

Which of these would you have in your team, the no nonsense defender who may get the odd try, or the "prolific" finisher, who you could rely on to finish ?

In a winger, I'll take the prolific finisher every day of the week; as a coach, if my wingers were called on to be no-nonsense defenders as their primary attribute, I'd be looking elsewhere on the park for the root of the problem.

TBH Owen is not my favourite player but I'll still give him my support. Was discussing various plays with my mate at the game and how some players just get that scapegoat tag and can't shake it no matter what they do, whilst others can make mistakes and get away with it.
Johnstone I think has looked excellent but not seen one mention yet of the knock on he did close to the opposition tryline where a certain try was begging, had that been Owen people would be purple with rage.

For balance - I guess that's because he's a young lad trying to break into SL - mistakes are part of his process.

Owen is a seasoned pro who has the added difficulty of being a Cas lad, and has recently been awarded a 3 year deal which even the most sensible fan would consider... unwarranted. More is expected of him, and rightly so.

He's not my favourite either by the way - even when he's playing well, his body language and demeanour are unfortunate; he gives the impression of being a bit reluctant and doesn't appear to have any urgency about what he's doing; that will always enrage fans, particularly when we're under the pump and other players are ranting and raving, trying to marshall the defence. Mathers had that down to a fine art - waving his arms around and shouting when we were on our own line in front of the North Stand - playing to the gallery to keep people off his back. Some players don't give a shiny schit what the crowd think, and Richard Owen appears to be one of them.

Him being booed onto the pitch (by his own supporters) isn't going to help his confidence though is it? Especially in a friendly.
He's ours whether we want him or not.

I agree with you Bren but, Jones was a clear fans favourite.
Probably because it was clear for all to see that he was giving 100% for the team every time he went onto the pitch.
Perhaps this is where Owen could help himself.
Just by outwardly showing some more enthusiasm.
His scoring record shows that he is good enough and a hat trick against his old club (if he is selected) would instantly get most of the fans on board, no doubt there will still be some in need of someone to blame ??

Course your correct to criticise on a fans' forum that's what they are there for, unfortunately your criticism extends beyond that to personal abuse sometimes which reaches an unacceptable level, just maybe if you and his other detractors on here and the morons' in the north stand got behind him and gave him some encouragement instead of just booing him before he even gets a touch, then perhaps we might just see something that the management clearly sees in him, and yes I know it's a forum but you don't have to keep reminding us at every opportunity to make your point that you think he was the dumbest signing the club has made in years'.
Ignore that monstrosity outside of your house and don't go to the Hull game feeling grumpy, instead be positive and instead of taking it out on him just simply get behind him and the rest of the team.

A bit hypocritical this post squire, by your own admission you've not been today but still find time to have a good go at it, you have had your say/opinion but apparently anybody what has a different opinion to yours are dismissed as giving you flack and viewed through red white and blue glasses.

I must have seen Owen play about half of his 121 games for Cas. For me it's simply down to his attitude.

How can a player be so quick and decisive in attack (he is one of the best finishers I have seen at Cas), yet in defence he is so slow and lazy. Far too often you would see him beat a few players on the outside then dive into the corner for a well taken try. Then a few sets later, the ball is kicked through by the opposition and he would stroll after it, let it bounce a few times, then decide to try and sheppard it out allowing his opposite number to score. Or he wouldn't jump for a kick, just let it come down into his arms.

A classic example was the Good Friday game last season when he was still playing for Cas, 2 well taken trys, then 2/3 woeful attempts at positioning/catching a kick resulting in a few trys for you. His body language is also awful when it's not going right, shoulders slumped/back turned/head down. That's what annoyed me the most.

I have nothing against the guy, I want him to do well. When he first broke into the Cas side his defence was far far better, his positioning was good and he put his body on the line. Now he only seems to put his body on the line when he is heading to the try line. That to me says it's his attitdue and not his technique which is the problem.

I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being your top try scorer this year. However, most points against you will be scored down his side.

Riley and Johnstone starting wingers
Owen 3 year deal on a decent whack for a reserve position =
Dumb move by the club =
NGB4C correct once again