Bridge out for the season

[1976PMJwires]

So we had 2 lads who have played a handful of first team games against a team that included 3 full internationals.

Don't know if the future is that bright for Warrington, do you?

Thanks for clearing that one up.

Still think it's a positive for Wires.

[FearTheVee]

Thanks for clearing that one up.

Still think it's a positive for Wires.

I'd be tempted to try Joel Tomkins in the centres - we are already strong in the back row and he's looked very good when played there.

Leon Pryce would be a better centre for England than pretty much any other alternative in my opinion.

[boxhead]

I doubt Bridge will be missed in the four nations.

There is not an English player from stand off to full back that is better than the opposite player they will face from NZ or Australia.

[Wendall]

I doubt Bridge will be missed in the four nations.

There is not an English player from stand off to full back that is better than the opposite player they will face from NZ or Australia.

So do you think they will fear Eastmond?

[terrywebbisgod]

So do you think they will fear Eastmond?

Probably more than Bridge.

[boxhead]

So do you think they will fear Eastmond?

I dont think the word fear is in the mindset of teams from downunder.

Respect maybe but fear is not a word that an NRL player would think about.

Eastmond has done what at top level at this point of his career?

He is around the same ability as Matt Bowen a couple of years ago.

[Walter]

So we had 2 lads who have played a handful of first team games against a team that included 3 full internationals.

Don't know if the future is that bright for Warrington, do you?

I think you need to check out the performances that we have been putting in week on week before you say that the future isn't bright.

The lads that did the damage yesterday are the same lads that have been producing the goods all season long, and most of them are still 17 or 18 years of age.

[Exiled Wiganer]

Gleeson has been playing very well after his ticking off and being dropped, and would as ever do a good enough job for England. It wouldn't weaken the team at all.

[Dave T]

Gleeson has been playing very well after his ticking off and being dropped, and would as ever do a good enough job for England. It wouldn't weaken the team at all.

Yep, wouldn't think twice about puting Gleeson back in there. Like with Pryce, we shouldn't just be resigning players to the scrap heap just because they have lost their spot once. We simply don't have enough quality players to be able to do that.

[1976PMJwires]

I would welcome Gleeson and Pyrce in the centre position.

For me they are talented players who (on there day) are a handful for anybody.

It's the coaches job to get them ready for the BIG games, plus their own pride and passion for the game.

[MrPosh]

Strong opinion MrPosh

Who would you have instead????

Bridge has been a form player of Super League this season, plenty of players, ex players and SKY people been talking him up.

Quite a few. You are quite right that it is important to pick with form and also players that play there for their clubs, but I would put several ahead of Bridge in terms of talent.

I would like to see Pryce play at centre, but I'm not sure that he can do that effectively if he's not doing that for his club - I still feel it's his best position. Likewise Joel Tomkins, who looks to have all the necessary attributes, but I see Wigan fans feel he should stay in the second row.

I might be a minority, but I really like Clubb at Quins and I think that Lee Smith is a better option than Bridge (as I'm sure would be Callum Watkins) - especially if Widdop is going to be full-back. Add in Gleeson and the fact centre is meant to be Tom Briscoe's best position and I think Bridge should be quite a way from the team.

Also, the fact that he originally chose Ireland should rule him out of selection permanently.

[Wendall]

I would welcome Gleeson and Pyrce in the centre position.

For me they are talented players who (on there day) are a handful for anybody.

It's the coaches job to get them ready for the BIG games, plus their own pride and passion for the game.

Don't you think its a bit like the England Soccer team, trotting out the same under performers year after year just because we have nobody else coming through?

I would prefer we blood some up and comers, maybe some of the Huddersfield backline?

Centre is a position we have not much depth at all.

[1976PMJwires]

Don't you think its a bit like the England Soccer team, trotting out the same under performers year after year just because we have nobody else coming through?

I would prefer we blood some up and comers, maybe some of the Huddersfield backline?

Centre is a position we have not much depth at all.

Yes it is like the Football team, but 1-5 we can't compete with the Kiwis or Aussies and IMHO Pyrce and Gleeson are the better options.

I guess its all about opinions.

[Dave T]

Quite a few. You are quite right that it is important to pick with form and also players that play there for their clubs, but I would put several ahead of Bridge in terms of talent.

I would like to see Pryce play at centre, but I'm not sure that he can do that effectively if he's not doing that for his club - I still feel it's his best position. Likewise Joel Tomkins, who looks to have all the necessary attributes, but I see Wigan fans feel he should stay in the second row.

I might be a minority, but I really like Clubb at Quins and I think that Lee Smith is a better option than Bridge (as I'm sure would be Callum Watkins) - especially if Widdop is going to be full-back. Add in Gleeson and the fact centre is meant to be Tom Briscoe's best position and I think Bridge should be quite a way from the team.

Also, the fact that he originally chose Ireland should rule him out of selection permanently.

Is this serious?

So when asked for a list of players who you would put at 3 ahead of Bridge, you go with:

Pryce

J Tomkins

Clubb

Smith

Watkins

Briscoe

Most of those players don't even play right centre, yet you would have them in ahead of a player who has made that position his own and has had a couple of decent games for England in that position already.

[1976PMJwires]

Quite a few. You are quite right that it is important to pick with form and also players that play there for their clubs, but I would put several ahead of Bridge in terms of talent.

I would like to see Pryce play at centre, but I'm not sure that he can do that effectively if he's not doing that for his club - I still feel it's his best position. Likewise Joel Tomkins, who looks to have all the necessary attributes, but I see Wigan fans feel he should stay in the second row.

I might be a minority, but I really like Clubb at Quins and I think that Lee Smith is a better option than Bridge (as I'm sure would be Callum Watkins) - especially if Widdop is going to be full-back. Add in Gleeson and the fact centre is meant to be Tom Briscoe's best position and I think Bridge should be quite a way from the team.

Also, the fact that he originally chose Ireland should rule him out of selection permanently.

Firstly you've got issues with Bridge leaving your beloved Bradford

Since he left he has improved year on year after injury after injury and made the Centre spot his position.

We both agree we would like to see pyrce in the centre.

Lee Smith over Bridge not sure, Smith is a winger / FB for me.

Callum Watkins over Bridge..... WCC thats enough said

Tom Briscoe agree 100%, but thats one for the Future (is he ready to play centre v's Aus and NZ)

Gleeson like you we agree (pies would back this up, he deserves his place back)

and I'm sorry you are being pathetic if you think Bridge shouldn't play for Eng because he played for Ireland.

[MrPosh]

Is this serious?

So when asked for a list of players who you would put at 3 ahead of Bridge, you go with:

Pryce

J Tomkins

Clubb

Smith

Watkins

Briscoe

Most of those players don't even play right centre, yet you would have them in ahead of a player who has made that position his own and has had a couple of decent games for England in that position already.

With the caveats that I put in, yes.

Bridge is a distinctly average player - good enough for a mid-table SL side but that's it.

[MrPosh]

Firstly you've got issues with Bridge leaving your beloved Bradford

Since he left he has improved year on year after injury after injury and made the Centre spot his position.

We both agree we would like to see pyrce in the centre.

Lee Smith over Bridge not sure, Smith is a winger / FB for me.

Callum Watkins over Bridge..... WCC thats enough said

Tom Briscoe agree 100%, but thats one for the Future (is he ready to play centre v's Aus and NZ)

Gleeson like you we agree (pies would back this up, he deserves his place back)

and I'm sorry you are being pathetic if you think Bridge shouldn't play for Eng because he played for Ireland.

I have no issue with Bridge - if he wanted to do to his body what he was reputed to have done then that is his problem. I just don't think he's a very good player - I have said that I would like Pryce to play there and he left Bradford in a reasonably acrimonious manner too.

And whilst I can accept players 'choosing' a country to represent - they should never be allowed to change. It makes a mockery of the game.

Edited June 28, 2010 by MrPosh

[Dave T]

With the caveats that I put in, yes.

Bridge is a distinctly average player - good enough for a mid-table SL side but that's it.

Fair enough it's your opinion, but I just find it strange that you couldn't find any actual number threes knocking around in the game that are better than him and doing it week in week out.

The one that is up there is Gleeson and you don't even mention him.

We saw how good Lee Smith was at 3 in that 40m destruction at the DW.

[MrPosh]

Fair enough it's your opinion, but I just find it strange that you couldn't find any actual number threes knocking around in the game that are better than him and doing it week in week out.

The one that is up there is Gleeson and you don't even mention him.

We saw how good Lee Smith was at 3 in that 40m destruction at the DW.

Yes I did - although I think the baggage that comes with him might not be worth the improvement in player.

[Dave T]

Yes I did - although I think the baggage that comes with him might not be worth the improvement in player.

Apologies, missed Gleeson, thought it was strange he was left off the list.

[sam]

And whilst I can accept players 'choosing' a country to represent - they should never be allowed to change. It makes a mockery of the game.

that's a more valid reason for not having him in the team rather than him not being up to the standard.

[Dave T]

that's a more valid reason for not having him in the team rather than him not being up to the standard.

Yep, especially when the 'standard' is Clubb, Smith and a second-rower.

The Ireland thing is the one thing I have agreed with Mr Posh about in this thread, although it is up to the governing bodies to put a stop to this farcical situation now.

[Kenilworth Tiger]

Sad that an injury is the source of such poor bickering

For any player to have an injury that puts them out for the season is awful for them - I hope he comes back big and strong in time for selection against them there Antipodeans.

[1976PMJwires]

Sad that an injury is the source of such poor bickering

For any player to have an injury that puts them out for the season is awful for them - I hope he comes back big and strong in time for selection against them there Antipodeans.

You are spot on.

end of thread for me.

[Dave T]

Sad that an injury is the source of such poor bickering

For any player to have an injury that puts them out for the season is awful for them - I hope he comes back big and strong in time for selection against them there Antipodeans.

Personally I just hope that by season they were referring to the 8 week period and that he may be back for the playoffs.