38 replies to this topic

[TIM THE LION]

Anyone like to explain to me why these two weren't playing today as they were both fit? Gavin Dodd is not good as a fullback at this level.

[Bryce]

Trying a bit of squad rotation. You have to give the lads that haven't played so much the chance to perform. Was it essential that we won today to win the league leaders shield???

[TIM THE LION]

True but we know who is best at what position by now so surely putting out a deliberatley weakened team is not good for the fans, credit though to the lads who played today they did really well.

[Bryce]

I agree, I'd rather have Morty and Kev Penny in the side. But it's a good chance to have a look at the players in the squad that haven't played much. Al Hurst and Sam Reay did well today. Doddy and Rob Foxen were ok, but Rob's not played for a while. I do feel that we should play our best team for the last game, Leigh will be a very big test.

[TIM THE LION]

Agreed we need to give leigh a game even if it is a dead rubber for us if only for the fans.

[duffymoon]

Maybe Mort and Penny won't be with us next season! If that's the case why play them.

[TIM THE LION]

Don't think mort will be if we don't play him fullback. Same for penny if he doesn't play who can blame them.

[mark richardson]

Our first try set up by Dodd carried on by Foxen and finished by Ainscough was top drawer. I thought both Dodd and Foxen were two of our most potent attackers and despite their rush of blood with that ball in the bottom corner when it was nearly a try for Keighley i thought both played well.
The forwards were the problem to me. The second rowers ran it in hard all day and tackled till they dropped but the front row were quite ineffective and ouplayed by their opponents.
Why was Ritchie Hawkyard taken off , he was our impetus to get back in the game?
I thought it was a tremedously entertaining though and we showed a lot of spirit to stick at it exemplified by Ainscough smashing their centre up time and again.

[bigtony]

Our first try set up by Dodd carried on by Foxen and finished by Ainscough was top drawer. I thought both Dodd and Foxen were two of our most potent attackers and despite their rush of blood with that ball in the bottom corner when it was nearly a try for Keighley i thought both played well.
The forwards were the problem to me. The second rowers ran it in hard all day and tackled till they dropped but the front row were quite ineffective and ouplayed by their opponents.
Why was Ritchie Hawkyard taken off , he was our impetus to get back in the game?
I thought it was a tremedously entertaining though and we showed a lot of spirit to stick at it exemplified by Ainscough smashing their centre up time and again.

Think swintons front row went well against a much bigger, more experienced cougars front row, dont forget how young swintons props are and what they will learn from this season

[duffymoon]

have to disagree with your comments re Dodd,agree with his contribution to the first try but thought he looked decidedly vulnerable today.I didn't see anything that suggests he is worth keeping for next season.

[mark richardson]

have to disagree with your comments re Dodd,agree with his contribution to the first try but thought he looked decidedly vulnerable today.I didn't see anything that suggests he is worth keeping for next season.

That's the beauty of the forum different views of the game. Dodd also made an amazing run down the left wing in the second half leading to that forward pass decision from sir Ronnie.
As for whether I'd retain him next year I'm with you. Too many mistakes and his relaxed style leads to many nervy moments for fans. Today I thought he was great in attack.
Big tony I like both Holland and meekin and yes they're learning. But our front row was outplayed for me today.
I'm sure Danny will enjoy whatever you cooked him for tea

[bigtony]

That's the beauty of the forum different views of the game. Dodd also made an amazing run down the left wing in the second half leading to that forward pass decision from sir Ronnie.
As for whether I'd retain him next year I'm with you. Too many mistakes and his relaxed style leads to many nervy moments for fans. Today I thought he was great in attack.
Big tony I like both Holland and meekin and yes they're learning. But our front row was outplayed for me today.
I'm sure Danny will enjoy whatever you cooked him for tea

Ive cooked him nowt for t, you must be thinking of someone else lol

[lions4eva]

Dodds not good enough simple as that for me. No excuses for me about "seeing some of the other squad". Dodd and raey have been with us for a Long time now. Mort and penny if fit > Dodd and raey. Simple. Hursty played well today, but not necessarily in the role of a winger, he ran like a forward and showed some good hands at times. Good result today, but think we should have won (again). Dodd needs to stop in his role of goal kicker, awful at best. Cost us the win at York and he missed a relatively simple kick today for te win!

[duffymoon]

Rob Foxen had a decent game today

[Barnie]

The only reason you dont play two of your better players when both are fit is for reasons other than footballing ones. we all hear rumours and speculations but at the end of the day Penny is the best winger we have had for years and Morty is the best goal kicker and safe as houses at full back.

I cant help thinking that both may already be looking elsewhere. I would if i wasn't being played.

[PhillH]

I've often wondered what Steve McCormack sees in Gavin Dodd. To select him at fullback has to be one of the most bizarre selections for some time, especially following on from a horror show at Featherstone where his normally poor defence never got much better than a token effort. His handling is far from assured, he's hardly a cool head under pressure and his goal kicking is nowhere near Ian Mort's standard. Honestly cannot understand why he would ever be first choice fullback with both Ian Mort and Richie Hawkyard available, both of whom I'd prefer in that position.

The omission of Kevin Penny also doesn't sit naturally, he missed out last week too - was he the only one to play badly at Batley? Did the other players put in a good case to keep the shirt ahead of him at Featherstone? And now we see him left out of the side in favour of Rob Foxen, not a selection that can be based on ability and form. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that there must be some other factor involved.

We very rarely see a player sent out on loan that ends up returning to the club - normally a loan is just a means of facilitating a transfer in this modern world of 12 month contracts. Perhaps an indication that Rob Foxen, having previously said he hoped to stay with Oldham for the remainder of the season, is now keen to improve and make his mark at Championship level. We know the things that he needs to work on.

The most important thing Neil Holland needs to learn from that game is never to turn his back on the play when involved in the marker defence close to the line.

[PhillH]

That's the beauty of the forum different views of the game.

Indeed Mark. Can we conclude that your assessment that Martin Ainscough is a "stand off pure and simple" has now changed, and rather than shooting it down you reflect differently on my suggestion from a few months ago that his playing style is one of a centre?

[duffymoon]

I just think its a case of the coach wanting to look at players with next season in mind in games where there is very little at stake.Im sure both Mort and Penny are shoe ins for next season assuming that they want to stay with us ,a coach of McCormacks experience would presumably at this stage told both players that they figure in his plans for 2013,

[bigtony]

I just think its a case of the coach wanting to look at players with next season in mind in games where there is very little at stake.Im sure both Mort and Penny are shoe ins for next season assuming that they want to stay with us ,a coach of McCormacks experience would presumably at this stage told both players that they figure in his plans for 2013,

Correct

[mark richardson]

Indeed Mark. Can we conclude that your assessment that Martin Ainscough is a "stand off pure and simple" has now changed, and rather than shooting it down you reflect differently on my suggestion from a few months ago that his playing style is one of a centre?

No not at all Phil. He's in the running for player if the season for me and he's played stand off in most games.
He is also a very good centre . As was Danny Wilson.
I don't see the point in splitting hairs over that. Great players both. Great in both positions. Nice to see we have options.