2017 Featherstone Rovers squad.

[oldrover]

i think John Davies played standoff as a youngster

[distantdog]

i think John Davies played standoff as a youngster

 

He played there for Batley a number of times when we had a number of half back injuries. He was adequate at best in that position, and nowhere near as influential as he is in the back row!

[jamescolin]

Watching his speed off the mark and his very good positional sense and passing skills it would not surprise me if Briggs is out that Davies isn't used.

[The Phantom Horseman]

Watching his speed off the mark and his very good positional sense and passing skills it would not surprise me if Briggs is out that Davies isn't used.

Davies actually filled in for most of the game at stand off in our remarkable Cup win at London earlier this year, and he did surprisingly well in the circumstances. But the skill set required at 6 or 7 (not to mention the understanding of game plan/set moves) is so specialised and different from other positions that you wouldn't ask him to play that position as anything other than an emergency. He's a back-rower, or maybe a prop if you're short of props.

[The Blues Ox]

I wouldn't have Davies has a centre, great worker, but surely hasn't the skills or pace to be and effective centre.

It's strange really, we wouldn't be suggesting backs to play in the forwards, of our strength was in the backs.

For me, we need another specialist three quarter, not a convert from the pack.

 

From the outside looking in you are bang on about Davies. He was great for you guys last season when facing players running predictable straight lines and again with ball in hand pretty effective but its all straight line stuff and faced with anyone with decent footwork he suddenly becomes a target for the opposition attack because of his lack of mobility. Obviously I will get shot down as been too harsh but the reality is at this level you really do not face that sort of player too often and in a team working hard for each other stuff like that does not get shown up but just give my opinion of why he could not be played at centre.

[jamescolin]

Nice to have a chat about, it. Cheers.

[knottla]

Robin I think your comment was a bit too cryptic.

[Robin Evans]

[Steve Slater]

Watching his speed off the mark and his very good positional sense and passing skills it would not surprise me if Briggs is out that Davies isn't used.

 

Jon Sharp is often heard enthusing about Wildie's progression as he returns to full fitness. I imagine he will be first choice cover for Briggs unless he manages to sign someone else or a regular D/R option comes available.

[The Phantom Horseman]

Jon Sharp is often heard enthusing about Wildie's progression as he returns to full fitness. I imagine he will be first choice cover for Briggs unless he manages to sign someone else or a regular D/R option comes available.

That's a good point, especially since as well as Carlile we still have the talented Sam Day, who would presumably be third on the pecking order at 9 as things stand but hasn't let us down when called upon.

[marklaspalmas]

Jon Sharp is often heard enthusing about Wildie's progression as he returns to full fitness. I imagine he will be first choice cover for Briggs unless he manages to sign someone else or a regular D/R option comes available.

 

Oh aye. The forgotten man. Yes, we will be good half-back cover.

 

John Davies. Good player. Centre never.

[Monkeymagic22]

Davies as well as not being a three quarter isn't a halfback either....He's a hard working back rower....

[sentoffagain2]

Davies as well as not being a three quarter isn't a halfback either....He's a hard working back rower....

    My old coach who played under Roy Francis at Leeds said the best position to play in the pack was second row.You could get into the game in attack or defence just as much as you fancied.

[Cardypaul]

I think the problem is if we sign another specialist centre we are potentially left with one spare. Most of the time teams don't go with a centre on the bench so it needs to be someone who can cover a few positions or they won't get the game time.

[Steve Slater]

I think the problem is if we sign another specialist centre we are potentially left with one spare. Most of the time teams don't go with a centre on the bench so it needs to be someone who can cover a few positions or they won't get the game time.

 

Kyran was playing centre while on loan at Hunslet. My grandson saw him a couple of times and said he did ok but didn't get the openings on attack, while looking threatening with his extreme pace, but the best chance he had to score was when he was forced into touch when a bigger guy might have scored. He was ok on defence though and less vulnerable because he didn't have to field the high balls.

[Monkeymagic22]

An option if he can bulk up in the off season. Would be good to have a local lad coming through.

[marklaspalmas]

Kyran would have even more problems at centre than on the wing through his lack of size and bulk. I don't see him there for us in 2017.

 

He played FB a lot for the reserves U21s, but I dont think Ive seen him there for the first team.

 

He has the pace to make it on the wing and it's a big year for him at Fev with a lot of competition for a starting place. Good luck to him.

[jamescolin]

Im happy to start adding to and subtracting from this list as things get confirmed.

 

Meanwhile, the rumour mill continues to grind!

Is the list up to date?>

[Steve Slater]

Kyran would have even more problems at centre than on the wing through his lack of size and bulk. I don't see him there for us in 2017.

 

He played FB a lot for the reserves U21s, but I dont think Ive seen him there for the first team.

 

He has the pace to make it on the wing and it's a big year for him at Fev with a lot of competition for a starting place. Good luck to him.

 

His major weakness is under the high ball though Mark, he would either have to improve to play wing or fullback, or switch positions with his centre late in the tackle count. Trouble is when you show a weakness the opposition will prey on it.

[The Phantom Horseman]

Oh aye, Corey Aston is a reasonable shout too. He will need a development spurt to be in the Leeds 17 from the off and I cant see that. He'll need to play and learn and with more news of Kyle Briggs still being dogged with ankle trouble (just how many bad injuries has this poor lad had to bounce back from??) we could see as much of Tubby's lad as any other Loiner in 2017.

Confirmation today via Radio Leeds' James Deighton saying Brian McDemott "confirmed that close-season signing Cory Aston will start the season with Featherstone Rovers on dual registration". So that looks like the cover for Briggs sorted if Kyle isn't ready to go.

[plug]

Shaun pick signed for Toronto on a 2year deal yesterday