Can't agree about Aiton - fantastic player that he is - he ain't a hooker.

At random I chose Danny Houghton for a comparison:

[url=http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics_player?hs1=2012&hp1=2619&hs2=2012&hp2=2180&stat=tries&season=2012SL stats[/url

Half the number of dummy runs and about 2/3 of the metres made. Not the right player for the role.

He would definitely be in the 17, and I don't mind him covering hooker, but for him to play most of the game there is stifling our play straight away.

I don't believe that any of the players should be dropped based on Saturdays performance - it would do no good to single out individuals in a dreadful all-round performance - but I do think that tactical changes could be in order and I would certainly wish to see either Wildie or Ellis in the 17, with Aiton's role being altered. If that means someone has to make way, then that is what has to happen.

If we can't get momentum from the PTB, then we won't be able to play our expansive game - without it just being lateral movement.

This is not someone getting something wrong - I just don't feel that we've got it right yet!

As for Southern - get stuck in lad and lead from the front as the job description says - you are that man, if you want to be!

Can't just compare him against 1 hooker, (Possibly the second best hooker in the league behind Roby)

Look at the stats against luke robsinson.. [url=http://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics_player?hs1=2012&hp1=2619&hs2=2012&hp2=581&stat=tries&season=2012Stats[/url

Aiton is a class act, and quite possibly the best signing of our season

I would like to see Ellis given a start but to drop Washbrook and put Aiton at loose would not be fair as Washrook has done no wrong.We do need another prop and not just anyone one that will drive the ball up all day long and make the yards not just go down at the first touch of a tackle.The loss of Amor for a few weeks showed this and in the London game he appeared to get a knock at one bit and did seem as though it stunted our go forward.Up to that game most players had given it a good go so who to drop/move I will leave that up to Agar hes the coach not us and will rise or fall by his choices over the long run.

It’s a good point, the main difference really between the two being carries from dummy half and meters made

That comparison issue actually strengthens my point though, the forwards need to create more go forward, were desperate for a prop with more size to help out in this, Sothern is too under sized to effectively do this. Without the forwards getting us on the front foot, like the 6 & 7 the hooker doesn’t have enough room to work effectively

That’s shown in those stats

Got to say though for me Aiton is the buy of the season and doing great job at hooker

It’s funny how people view the game and players in different ways!

Not argued at all.

However, his stats against Robinson don't show that - given that Robinson has played 1 game fewer and will have certainly spent less time on the pitch.

The only definitive win to Aiton is tackling - and he could still defend around the ruck, even if someone else is playing at half-back.

We need more go forward from the PTB.

There's a bit of chicken & egg here. Bigger forwards may help to put us on the front foot, but more runs from dummy half might also allow our forwards a little more space and time to run into - rather than a charging defence!

agreed, if he's to play at dummy half, he needs one thing; coaching.

How often has our pack this year got a roll on and given Aiton the opportunity to have a go?? Roby wouldnt be going from acting half in this side, well not as much as he does at Saints anyhow.

Houghton and Robinson are playing in sides that are near the top of the league. 2 sides that have predominantely been on top in the games they have been involved in. Compare our props stats to Crabtree or Lynch and im sure you will see similar differences.

Bigger forwards WOULD put us on the front foot for def, I think that is a fair comment about more running from dummy half but it always starts with the forwards

All we need is the one though, thats not a go at AR PJ OW & Jonson as they are all working hard

Some one like Gareth Carvell would transform our side IMO

I think Aiton as done a fantastic job but I would also like to see him go on his own a lttle bit more. It may be unfair to bring Wood into the argument as Aiton as done most of the hardwork, but Wood never seems to hestitate in having a go and he's actually put us on the front foot. Mind due, like people have highlighted and you yourself, we have little go forward compared to the bigger teams when building a platform for the halves and the hooker to have a go regularly. Also we don't know what the coach tells em !

Jesper Parnevik ...my favourite golfer . Hope he recovers from his injury asap

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Sorry - back to the topic everyone .

I agree and so do many more. I think RA knows he needs a prop as well but who's available?
I think such as Andy Raleigh and Ollie Wilkes make good yards as support props if you like, but Steve Southern and Paul Johnson although excellent defensively don't seem to be as productive in the prop role.
Looks like they'll have to soldier on for the foreseeable future though!