31 replies to this topic

[duffymoon]

Our forwards just weren't big enough at the start of the season in my opinion.The one common denominator about all of our dual reg forwards is size.Where is PhilH?

[bigtony]

So are people saying without the dr players swinton wouldnt have won a game if so does that also mean swinton are in a false league position ??, but you have only won 4 league games so they are not making that much difference.This season would have been ideal time to develope their own players and to get them some experience in a higher division without the pressure of relegation

[mark richardson]

We are not in a false position due to the loan players as all teams have them.
I honestly believe forster riley and walker have led to us winning more games. They are outstanding.

[LOYALION]

I appreciate all the comments made on this thread and understand both sides of the coin. I would love to be able to say that these players had come up through the Swinton ranks but those avenues just don't exist for financial reasons. At least the players we have brought in are young English players and we have resisted the temptation to recruit a load of Aussie/Kiwi has beens as some clubs do!
Until we "go home" and start running the club from a firm base we will have to continue in this manner. It is vital for our survival to remain in this league and slowly build a squad that will be able to compete and attract interest from players,supporters and sponsors.
If we get it wrong and drop into Champ 1 we are as good as dead!

[LOYALION]

BTW it is the holiday season and PhilH may be on his jollies.
I too await his unique insight into the game!

[Furryenzo]

So are people saying without the dr players swinton wouldnt have won a game if so does that also mean swinton are in a false league position ??, but you have only won 4 league games so they are not making that much difference.This season would have been ideal time to develope their own players and to get them some experience in a higher division without the pressure of relegation

At the start of the season Steve Mc said he was going to give the vast majority of the lads who won the title a chance. And he did. Sadly, after maybe 3/4 league games, it was becoming very apparent that some of our forwards werent quite making the grade (thats not to say they are bad players, but its a very tough league) and our pack was being beaten week in week out. Its not too easy to sign players on a permanent basis mid-season and so loan players/DR were our only option, plus you know from the background and training they've already had at super league level that they will most probably be able to hack the intensity. Glen Riley, Carl Forster and Adam Walker have completely changed the dynamics of our forwards and it gives the rest of the team room to work the ball.

As for said players who are thinking about quitting RL, fair enough, they may have there own reasons, but not getting picked in a Championship side is nothing to be ashamed/annoyed at, there are other clubs and other divisions, not too far away who would probably take them on.

[bigtony]

At the start of the season Steve Mc said he was going to give the vast majority of the lads who won the title a chance. And he did. Sadly, after maybe 3/4 league games, it was becoming very apparent that some of our forwards werent quite making the grade (thats not to say they are bad players, but its a very tough league) and our pack was being beaten week in week out. Its not too easy to sign players on a permanent basis mid-season and so loan players/DR were our only option, plus you know from the background and training they've already had at super league level that they will most probably be able to hack the intensity. Glen Riley, Carl Forster and Adam Walker have completely changed the dynamics of our forwards and it gives the rest of the team room to work the ball.

As for said players who are thinking about quitting RL, fair enough, they may have there own reasons, but not getting picked in a Championship side is nothing to be ashamed/annoyed at, there are other clubs and other divisions, not too far away who would probably take them on.

3/4 games is not a lot of game time to adjust to a higher division

Edited by bigtony, 27 June 2012 - 07:09 PM.

[duffymoon]

I

3/4 games is not a lot of game time to adjust to a higher division

. It is when there are only 18 league games! It's also worth remembering that we lost probably our best three forwards from last season in Dana,Phil Joseph and Warren Thompson.

[Bryce]

Back to the game...I wasn't impressed. Some of the mistakes we were making were schoolboy errors. I think we actaully knocked on 3 times, either direct from KO or on the following play. Down on the penalty count again and one was thrown away when we had the ball for mouthing off!

We played at our potential for about 15 mins of the 2nd half and I too am not sure how Morty got the MOM award. His kicking was awesome, as we know he can knock them through from the touchline all day long, but you could tell it was his first game back. Taking the ball dead was also a poor error on his part. But a solid 2nd half and I'm sure he'll get better after a few games back. I'd have to say Adam Walker for his two tries and solid defence, when him and Mike Morrison were on the field (and Smithy), we were obviously the better team.

As for a lot of the Hunslet fans (and even coaches) saying that they deserved more from the game, well I'm pretty sure we gifted field position for all but one of their tries. For Doddy's fantastic effort in the corner, we took it the length of the pitch in 6 tackles. But I do agree they were much better than when we played them the other month.

The D/R player situation is tough on some of the lads that have dropped out of the team, but Riley, Forster and Walker have all been quality for us. They give us far more up front and for me they are vital to our game. But it's a competition for places and that is what's needed. Again, it's tough on people like Morty (out for 6-8 weeks through injury) and Al Hurst (2-3 months) plus others that have suffered with injury, Richie Hawkyard last season being a good example. When you get a chance, you have to perform in every aspect of your game. None of the lads that have dropped out of the team have impressed the way that some of the other lads from last season have, Ainscough, Watson, Smithy, Cunniffe, Doddy, Richie Hawkyard and probably the person who has made the biggest improvement to his game is Darren Hawkyard who has been immense for us. Anyway, onto the Sheffield game next!!!

[steve wild]

A couple of points:-

1- Mort's goal-kicking is consistently sensational and he showed on Sunday how valuable he can be in close games. The touch-line conversion after Dodd's brilliant try put us 8 in front and must have been so disheartening for the Hunslet players. One Huns fan near me muttered "I don't bloody believe he's just kicked that!". Morty is without doubt the best place kicker I've ever seen in a Swinton shirt.

2- The lack of games and big gaps is a serious problem in our division. Hopefully the expansion of our league next season will help alleviate this.

[class of 63]

A couple of points:-

1- Mort's goal-kicking is consistently sensational and he showed on Sunday how valuable he can be in close games. The touch-line conversion after Dodd's brilliant try put us 8 in front and must have been so disheartening for the Hunslet players. One Huns fan near me muttered "I don't bloody believe he's just kicked that!". Morty is without doubt the best place kicker I've ever seen in a Swinton shirt.

Totally agree with both points Steve - I personally feel more confident when Mort is in the side, on the basis that most of our tries will be six ponters and in my opinion his general play is fine - I commented, when that conversion went over, ''that is why we need him'' .


2- The lack of games and big gaps is a serious problem in our division. Hopefully the expansion of our league next season will help alleviate this.

[Blue Monkey]

Morty is without doubt the best place kicker I've ever seen in a Swinton shirt.

Yes Steve I'll second that, and, of course, my time frame goes back much further than yours (to the late '50s).