16 replies to this topic

[topchef]

I cannot believe some of tripe spouted on this forum regarding James Nixon at times.

He is a proven try scorer for our club and scored a record number of tries during the Championship winning season of 2009. That was against better defences than we have seen this season.

He followed that by breaking his arm at the start of the next season. Anyone who saw that incident on TV would know how sickening that must have been for Nico. He followed that by another break, to his ankle this time, when he returned to action.

To say that he must lack confidence in his limbs at the moment would be a massive understatement.

Unfortunately we don't have reserve team where he could rehabilitate his game.

He is the fastest winger I've seen at Craven Park in 30 odd years. It would be fair to say that a fair proportion of a wing's tries come from opportunities created by those that play inside him. Nico benefitted from a lot of left side moves that involved Liam Harrison and Ned Catic in 2009.

I had hoped that when Bull moved into Ned's position and Twiggy started at left centre that normal service would resume for Nico and the Raiders but as we know we have had some terrible luck with injuries in the middle backs.

I wouldn't advocate ditching James for one second. A settled back line is what we need, just as 2009.

Remember this, were we to let one of the fastest players below Super League go would be a big mistake. Charlo and whoever replaces Don Galer at Haven would snap Nico up very quickly. Rooney and Bauer know his abilities.

Edited by topchef, 29 August 2012 - 12:58 PM.

[Baaarrow]

Very well said !!!!!!!!!!!
My sentiments exactly !!!!!

[Michael Ashton]

Good post topchef.

This Forum is full of coaches. LOL

[Gaffo]

Totally agree

[Keith Nutter]

I cannot believe some of tripe spouted on this forum regarding James Nixon at times.

He is a proven try scorer for our club and scored a record number of tries during the Championship winning season of 2009. That was against better defences than we have seen this season.

He followed that by breaking his arm at the start of the next season. Anyone who saw that incident on TV would know how sickening that must have been for Nico. He followed that by another break, to his ankle this time, when he returned to action.

To say that he must lack confidence in his limbs at the moment would be a massive understatement.

Unfortunately we don't have reserve team where he could rehabilitate his game.

He is the fastest winger I've seen at Craven Park in 30 odd years. It would be fair to say that a fair proportion of a wing's tries come from opportunities created by those that play inside him. Nico benefitted from a lot of left side moves that involved Liam Harrison and Ned Catic in 2009.

I had hoped that when Bull moved into Ned's position and Twiggy started at left centre that normal service would resume for Nico and the Raiders but as we know we have had some terrible luck with injuries in the middle backs.

I wouldn't advocate ditching James for one second. A settled back line is what we need, just as 2009.

Remember this, were we to let one of the fastest players below Super League go would be a big mistake. Charlo and whoever replaces Don Galer at Haven would snap Nico up very quickly. Rooney and Bauer know his abilities.

Superb post TC. The vile on here at times borders on the libelous and I personally doubt very much if any of them would be man enought to say such things to James' face.
James is a great professional whose record stands up against any winger who has played for this fine club. He is a thoroughly nice quiet lad who conducts himself properly on and off the pitch and he certainly doesn't deserve the ###### posted on here recently.

[Flaming balls]

A bit harsh given we all pay to watch him. And TC I think you pointed out the problem people have, "in 2009" that's 3 years ago since he's had and kinda form.

[fozzy3]

i think in any form of sport confidence is massive and the only way you get confidence back is by playing through the bad times.i believe nicko has a really good job and probably doesnt need to put his body on the line,that injury he suffered against leigh alone would probably of finished alot of players but to come back from that and for then to break his leg straight afterwards his confidence must still be shot to pieces and hopefully once he gets a couple of length of the field tries his confidence will come flooding back.give the lad a break people are correct in saying that he is nowhere near the player he was but after what he has been through at least give him a chance to get back to the kinda form he showed when he left sam tomkins grasping thin air at craven park.

[soss]

I cannot believe some of tripe spouted on this forum regarding James Nixon at times.

He is a proven try scorer for our club and scored a record number of tries during the Championship winning season of 2009. That was against better defences than we have seen this season.

He followed that by breaking his arm at the start of the next season. Anyone who saw that incident on TV would know how sickening that must have been for Nico. He followed that by another break, to his ankle this time, when he returned to action.

To say that he must lack confidence in his limbs at the moment would be a massive understatement.

Unfortunately we don't have reserve team where he could rehabilitate his game.

He is the fastest winger I've seen at Craven Park in 30 odd years. It would be fair to say that a fair proportion of a wing's tries come from opportunities created by those that play inside him. Nico benefitted from a lot of left side moves that involved Liam Harrison and Ned Catic in 2009.

I had hoped that when Bull moved into Ned's position and Twiggy started at left centre that normal service would resume for Nico and the Raiders but as we know we have had some terrible luck with injuries in the middle backs.

I wouldn't advocate ditching James for one second. A settled back line is what we need, just as 2009.

Remember this, were we to let one of the fastest players below Super League go would be a big mistake. Charlo and whoever replaces Don Galer at Haven would snap Nico up very quickly. Rooney and Bauer know his abilities.

Well said.

[Oracle]

With a lack of a reserve team to rebuild confidence Nicco has been thrown back into the deep end, and no-one for one minute (myself included as one of his biggest critics here on the forum) doubts his bravery for coming back repeatedly for more from several serious injuries. For that he derserves credit.
However, a player is judged on his on field performances, and at times this season he just doesnt look up to the job or even interested for that matter. His work rate is extremley poor - he never injects himself into the game, preferring to walk the touchline with hands on hips. Not once have i seen Nixon scoot from dummy half to help the forwards out - the same way that Backy and Haney do when selected.
Sentimentality only goes a short way in out game, and i think its time the fans realised that. He was a great player for the club, but frankly he isnt anymore. Well done for all you have achieved James, but i think its time for you to move on to greener pastures.

[barrowraiderskid]

One bad season and you're saying he should retire in his twenties?

[bwa]

James is a whippet, fast but lightweight. Its a waste of time for him taking the ball up from dummy half. he would get nowhere.
The problem is he stays out wide ready to strike but never gets the ball.
Either Holty's game plan is not being adhered to or there is no game plan involving the fastest guy on the park.
Last home game he did not touch the ball for 75 mins. The guy could play in a Dinner suit.
What a waste. Again you can't blame James!

[vocalist]

A bit harsh given we all pay to watch him. And TC I think you pointed out the problem people have, "in 2009" that's 3 years ago since he's had and kinda form.

Do you not think the reason might be that the service he has been given since then has been practically non existent the last three years? maybe it's time to start asking yourself why.

[RAIDERSRUS]

After a very quiet 1st half from Nicko today I thought he was pretty good in the 2nd half, some good returns of the ball when he very nearly got away. After the 2 bad injurys he had there's no wonder his confidence has been knocked.

[Shipbuilder]

Watched today's game, our whippet got one pass all game, he turned it into a try only for ref to rule it a forward pas - so Nicco, our fastest back got no passes in a full game and we wonder why we struggled today.

Haney can get involved a lot more but no one beats Nicco for raw pace, think a strong runner on one wing and a whippet on the other is a good combination.

The other move that often produced the goods was when Rooney would kick directly from the scrum with Nicco already in full pursuit, even if you don't score it still makes the opposition lie a little deeper.

Stop having a go at Nicco and try giving him the ball with an inch of space

[bearman]

A couple of times today he collected the ball from their kicks and then made good yards in heavy traffic.
He still has the speed and today I thought he showed the bottle to get stuck in.
Don't forget his best performances have been in the Championsip and next year that's where he will be playing.

What colour is the future?

[Flaming balls]

I agree he didn't have a bad game yesterday, but a couple of times had he ran instead of cutting inside I think he'd of put them to bed.

[Red Stripe]

I agree he didn't have a bad game yesterday, but a couple of times had he ran instead of cutting inside I think he'd of put them to bed.

A far as I'm aware when returning a ball from a kick deep within their own half, all wingers are instructed to bring the ball back into the centre of the field, not risk running up the wing and risk being tackled into touch.
The only other time he touched the ball was when he crossed for a try only for it to be disallowed for a forward pass.
I must have been watching a different game because I never saw him have a single opportunity to "put it to bed".