CHANGES FOR CASTLEFORD?

Quote: MOPSEY LIVES ON "All young players hit highs and lows when they're coming through, Burgess, manfredi,and Williams all got dropped when their form went and we're then taken out for a spell. Mark applegarth played under john harbin i think I'm right in saying he made nearly 50 tackles in the first 3 games then his form slowly went 30 20 and he went into the low teens so youngsters have to be managed properly. Johnstone has been put to the sword against cas in every game hes played even though he scored a few at m m. To me the kid looks athletic with good pace and balance but looks like a manufactured player who hasn't got the awreness from being a youngster. Saying that most players are now robots.Johnstone can tackle if they run at him but if you watch where he stands in defence has all over the place. With all the videos and tv coverage players get studied can they move to tackle to the left the right how long it takes to get up. Players get worked out and at the moment teams no that if they can keep him under pressure his concentration will go. In pre season he played in the right v solamona didn't he play left last week. He probably will get taken out before long then put back in.'"

Sounds a fair appraisal. Few players enter first team rugby the finished article and Johnstone is no exception, it's down to the coach as to when the time is right as he's probably the only one close enough to know.

Interesting comment about manufactured players - I've long been of the belief that players who start young have an edge. That said I can't see why it should be so difficult to rectify this with intensive coaching? Surely we have access to a quality ex winger who could give some one on one training or does it not work lie that? Honest question.