Ben Roberts

[ERG2012]

You can't put the blame on ben he has said he is not looking forward to playing full back and is there because powell wants him to be - if he's not confident in his role how can we be confident with him there? The blame lays with Daryl and rhe board we should have gone for a recognised full back instead of buying cheap options for positions we have already have filled.

Correct. :clap: :clap: :clap:

We all knew our two main requirements were a QUALITY fullback and a no nonsense tough forward. We've got neither. But created a disjointed spine that's much weaker than the previous 2 seasons

[RonnieGibbs'forearm]

You can't put the blame on ben he has said he is not looking forward to playing full back and is there because powell wants him to be - if he's not confident in his role how can we be confident with him there? The blame lays with Daryl and rhe board we should have gone for a recognised full back instead of buying cheap options for positions we have already have filled.

Correct. :clap: :clap: :clap:

We all knew our two main requirements were a QUALITY fullback and a no nonsense tough forward. We've got neither. But created a disjointed spine that's much weaker than the previous 2 seasons

Definitely looks that way at minute. These were the concerns many if us had and they look vindicated right now. However, it is early doors. Plenty of time to address these and again we were away at the best side in the league plus we are all still hurting from the GF so hard to get full perspective yet. 6-10 games in will really give us a clear indication of how far Powell's magic will stretch.

[Lofthouse Tiger]

Correct. :clap: :clap: :clap:

[gateman]

[quote="tigerfeat"]I cant see powell looking at turner he never even give him a shirt number !


Strange one that being picked for England and not given a squad number, does the lad want one ??

[duke street 10]

Robbo.

Daryl Powell as already said hardaker won’t play for us this season.
So he knew what was what for 2018.
My grip is, he’s done nothing about filling that spot with an out and out full back.
I think he was hoping and praying Roberts could be the make swift replacement.
It’s looking like this could back fire, there is a slight possibility he could grow into the position, but it could be to late if it takes him 3/4/5 months.
We could be fighting it out with others teams in the middle 8’s.

Its possible he could have looked for a full back. The board hold the purse strings maybe he inquired for funds and told there wouldn't be the funds there. Roberts body language screamed he hated it there, either he bucks up or he's replaced because Widnes next week and especially Sneyd in two week will smell blood.

[lidds]

Problem is can we actually sign a FAB until Zak is sorted? What happens if we sign someone use Zak's wages then he doesn't get a ban?. It's frustrating how long it takes the powers that be make a decision. I guess if we had found out in Nov it's a two year ban. It would have at least given us some.time. it must be hard for the board and Darryl to second guess what's going to happen with him (it looks pretty clear cut but you never know)

[laner]

With the outcome of the ZH problem the signing of a recognised fullback should have been the no 1 priority for this season but DP chose not to then broke up a settled half back pair leaving the team two positions to reajust and on top of that still leaving the problem of anyone capable of creating play on the right hand side, what also i would add yes Eden last season scored many times but have doubts about the three quarters this year,

[Lofthouse Tiger]

If we had sacked Hardaker and moved on then we wouldnt be having this conversation. As soon as he admitted his guilt, after the test was proved he should have gone end of. Nobody is bigger than the club however good they are or how much they cost.

The club were quick to drop him on that evidence, rightly so, so what is the difference now?

[brodie123]

If we had sacked Hardaker and moved on then we wouldnt be having this conversation. As soon as he admitted his guilt, after the test was proved he should have gone end of. Nobody is bigger than the club however good they are or how much they cost.

The club were quick to drop him on that evidence, rightly so, so what is the difference now?

100% correct, he has admitted his guilt he should be sacked, don't blame Ben Roberts blame ZH for all this mess. It shows how good the defence was last night, is was absolute terrible and with a weak defence you cannot blame BR for the work he had to put in, you don't see the top full backs running around like headless chickens when they have a decent defence in front of them. How can the board go out and splash out £100k on a top class full back when they have simply given the Rhinos a sum of £150k for a player who will now be banned. We ain't got an open wallet.
The Rhinos have a excellent academy don't forget they lost ZH but have produced two young great FBs it took them 12 months to get over it but the GF last year showed they have and we will do the same if e move on, Sack ZH and start bringing our kids through, a good young player will always be better than buying a journeyman both short and long term, we may have to write off this season but so what I would rather have a young player at FB like Walker of Leeds than wait for ZH to serve his ban etc

[fords]

If we had sacked Hardaker and moved on then we wouldnt be having this conversation. As soon as he admitted his guilt, after the test was proved he should have gone end of. Nobody is bigger than the club however good they are or how much they cost.

The club were quick to drop him on that evidence, rightly so, so what is the difference now?

They were instructed by powers that be about his suspension so Cas had no option. Im sure if they could and i would have let him play and dealt with it after the GF but it was taken out of our hands

[fords]

You can't put the blame on ben he has said he is not looking forward to playing full back and is there because powell wants him to be - if he's not confident in his role how can we be confident with him there? The blame lays with Daryl and rhe board we should have gone for a recognised full back instead of buying cheap options for positions we have already have filled.

Same as Eden in the GF he didn't want to play there and told Powell he wasn't and from what i was told 2hrs before KO he still wasn't going to play there.

[old cas lass]

You can't put the blame on ben he has said he is not looking forward to playing full back and is there because powell wants him to be - if he's not confident in his role how can we be confident with him there? The blame lays with Daryl and rhe board we should have gone for a recognised full back instead of buying cheap options for positions we have already have filled.

Same as Eden in the GF he didn't want to play there and told Powell he wasn't and from what i was told 2hrs before KO he still wasn't going to play there.

Heard same fords.

[tigerfeat]

Somethings not right then ..and thats the way it looks

[Big Shug]

All this talk about Hardaker's wage, Cas should have sacked him and cut our losses.
We would have had 3-4 months to source a replacement and train him to our style of rugby.

[Robbo]

If we had sacked Hardaker and moved on then we wouldnt be having this conversation. As soon as he admitted his guilt, after the test was proved he should have gone end of. Nobody is bigger than the club however good they are or how much they cost.

The club were quick to drop him on that evidence, rightly so, so what is the difference now?

They were instructed by powers that be about his suspension so Cas had no option. Im sure if they could and i would have let him play and dealt with it after the GF but it was taken out of our hands

Was the RFL who made that call mate?

[Robbo]

Robbo.

Daryl Powell as already said hardaker won’t play for us this season.
So he knew what was what for 2018.
My grip is, he’s done nothing about filling that spot with an out and out full back.
I think he was hoping and praying Roberts could be the make swift replacement.
It’s looking like this could back fire, there is a slight possibility he could grow into the position, but it could be to late if it takes him 3/4/5 months.
We could be fighting it out with others teams in the middle 8’s.

Its possible he could have looked for a full back. The board hold the purse strings maybe he inquired for funds and told there wouldn't be the funds there. Roberts body language screamed he hated it there, either he bucks up or he's replaced because Widnes next week and especially Sneyd in two week will smell blood.

The 250 grand paid to the Fultons in Interest would have got us a top grade Full back.

My guess is the BOD did not allow DP to get another.
Again last nights MOM was only banned for 12 weeks. WHY?

[ERG2012]

Thing is Andy Ben Barba was taking coke out of the playing season and under Australian law not UKAD hence the 12 week.
Would Lynch Monaghans' Larroyer and Patricks' salaries(plus the increased in cap spend) been better utilised for a proven quality fullback and a tough forward

[viva brad]

The issue we have is probably the fact that when the news hit about zak this years salary spending will have all ready been budgeted for and the club will have been looking towards next year in terms of spending.

We will have had to improve deals to players who performed well last year and were no doubt on other teams radars McShanes deal already announced we will probably see others follow.

As yet no ban has been announced for Zak I am no legal eagle but would assume that until it is that we will have our hands tied with regards to his contact. I suppose it will all depend on the small print with regards indiscretions etc.

One thing is for certain we need Ben back where he belongs he is too good a player to sit in a position he has no confidence in which has got to have a detrimental effect on his desire to play for the club.

We may have to look at a loan signing for the full back position.

The knock on effects of Zak’s stupidity are certainly going to rumble on for quite some time

[heppy]

Where do you get a full back of zak,s quality not even Barba

[Towns88]

Doubt Eden refused to play FB, he used to be a bloody FB!!!!

He is a better option there as he is naturally fit and quick.