Quote Mr. Zucchini Head="Mr. Zucchini Head"All of our starting forwards cab play big minutes, and we are at our best when they are on the field, so I can definitely see Hodgson's logic of having a back and a hooker on the bench. Rather than having 4 forwards just for the sake of it, we are covered for almost all eventualities. What's the point shoehorning in another prop when we want Satae and Sao on the pitch for as long as possible? Not using all 4 subs isn't necessarily a bad thing. It just means our best players play big minutes and there is no point making changes just for the hell of it.'"
Yes our starting forwards can play big minutes and we are indeed better when they are on but while we have been without both Tag and Bowden once Satae and Sao have gone off we lose any real go forward. The only reason I am puzzling the use of the bench of late is against a very physical side like Catalans we went with a very light bench and against Leeds in a game that will have been a very heavy pitch due to the wet weather all week and during the game it will have been energy zapping, we had a bench with 2 players only being used after 60 mins and again minus a good young forward.
So its not a case of having 4 forward son just for the sake of it more of sharing the workload so we don't run out of steam down the middle or lose too much go forward when Satae and Sao are off. If Taylor and Bowden were both fit and in the 17 then we look a different 17 altogther as we still have the size & go forward. So when both Taylor and Bowden are back that would mean if we go with a hooker and back on the bench we have to sacrifice Fash and Cator to make way for Johnstone & Scott? Unless we are going to see more of Cator filling in at 9 to rest Houghton or continue to play Houghton for 80 mins each week.
Its just an observation and other posters have made similar ones, so think they're fair a valid points and at the end of the day its a forum where discussion is had by fans of the club.
This isn't aimed at you Mr. Zucchini Head but while I'm posting I don't know if its me as I'm getting older but seem to be finding the snide remarks from posters just because someone has a different view is tiring. I know in the past there were a number of posters who were heavily critical and overly so but this season I think the vast majority have all made vaild points be it good or bad and reasoned with it. But like I say may be its just me being older now and less tolerant in a Victor Meldrew way
