Agree with that.



But



Richards is scoring points for fum



Phelps is the only decent FB we have, performs are dropping slighty.



Roberts, yes couple of mistakes, but he's finally gaining that confidence back.



Ainsy should play this weekend! Prefect game for him



Phelps out



Roberts FB

Anisy

Gleeson

Carmont

Richards

I would say Richards at FB and encourage him to come into the line more like Brent Webb does. I feel alot more secure with Pat at FB. Roberts is not as good positional wise or under the high ball although he may run the ball back well, field position should not be a problem against Celtic.

You're right, it hasn't and he has in no way gone backwards since his first team spell.



However, his eye catching displays have forced the opposition pin point weaknesses in his game and they have exposed them which is hindsight is a good thing as he is at the correct age and position to work on them.

Surely his weakness is not hard to fix, just swap him with his centre and he can block the defenders by standing his groud and then he can be first at the play the ball to get us moving forward.

I mentioned that Noble should of done that, in the Wire game soon as Briers started to bomb him.



He can't do that week in week out, he as to develop and become confident under the hign ball, next time he plays, I'll expect him to at least leave the ground. Something that he's never done throughout his whole rugby career.

If he is to be a world class winger (which he has the ability to be) then I'd like to think he'd be able work on any weaknesses he has rather than just covering them up. Then again, I'm not the coach.



Personally, I'd love to see Ainscough given another chance soon.

I didn't realise I had been appointed to such an influential position as head coach of Wigan





Dave

We have all seen it - in SL where it matters.



The only issue with [iboth [/iplayers defensively IMO is being vulnerable under the high ball and they both are.



If as people are saying opposition teams will have worked this out about Ainscough are you suggesting they are too dumb to do the same with Roberts?



They worked out Tim Smiths frailties quick enough but eventually Noble and the team have seemingly sorted this out.



I do not see why, especially with the arrival of Gleeson, and playing Ainscough on the right suitable tactics could be employed to minimise his exposure. We will need to do this for Roberts anyway!



So at the end of the day this defensive frailty that is the justification for keeping out of the side is IMO, a complete red herring.



Dave

*cough* the rest of us were convinced you thought you had *cough*

I totally disagree in regards to Roberts being 'vulnerable' under the high ball. His general positioning is spot on and he has already proven that he is more than capable of playing the fullback position. This is the reason why I wouldn't have Ainscough ahead of him at the moment.



Attacking-wise, I think a Gleeson/Ainscough partnership would be better than having Roberts outwide and would love to see it regulary this/next season once Ainscough is deemed ready again for first team.

It's not JUST his weakness under the high ball though it is general kick defence.





Look at the ones we conceded against Leeds and Hudersfield as examples.

Then dropping the ball v Catalan and Saints from kick offs.



He isn't a poor tackler.



It's a problem that IS being addressed, and he will play some more games this season.

Roberts didn't get to 2 at the weekend (Although 1 of which no-one got to and it was scrambled clear) and 1 resulted in a try.



On BOTH occasions Tims Smith's covering was a disgrace! No effort to block the runners etc!



If Ainscough's kick defenc eis a problem with him playing on the Left Wing it will be double on the Right With Smith anywhere near him!



PS



Noble has NEVER said that Ainscough has got problems with his kick defence. He said he had areas to work on in his game.

It is the fans and media that have assumed it is his kick defence and IMHO they are right as exactly the way Rogues as put it in the earlier thread.



"It's not JUST his weakness under the high ball though it is general kick defence.

Look at the ones we conceded against Leeds and Hudersfield as examples.

Then dropping the ball v Catalan and Saints from kick offs.

He isn't a poor tackler.

It's a problem that IS being addressed, and he will play some more games this season."



Roberts is the Better option ATM given the current options and set up of the team.