Chris Sandow Was Outstanding Against Manly, But What’s Doing With John Sutton?

[Newcastlerabbit]

Brent Read
The Australian
April 04, 2011 11:47AM

Chris Sandow had his best game of the year for Souths against Manly, John Sutton was anonymous. Sandow and Sutton have rightly been earmarked as the keys to Souths’ season. If they can get it right, behind a forward pack which oozes class, anything is possible.

Sandow seems to be getting it. He played a controlled game against Manly. He still missed some tackles – six in all - but the shoulder charge was gone – at the behest of coach John Lang – and his kicking game was exemplary. Sutton, on the other hand, offered precious little. According to NRL stats, he is yet to register a try assist this season. Nor has he recorded a line break.

The Rabbitohs are yet to re-sign either player. If anything Sandow has become more important. “That’s in the back of my mind,” he said of his contract talks. “Hopefully if I play well, Souths will look after me. I have to perform each week.” He’s started doing just that. Sutton needs to pull his finger out.

Source​

 

[Mattyoh]

I am still worried about both of them.

Thoughts on signing Craig Gower? Personally, I would prefer to throw some money at a young up and comer like the Bulldogs have done.

 

[BunniesMan]

If Sandow keeps it up he'll earn himself another contract with us. Sutton may end up being the odd one out.

 

[Zigwaa]

Sandow is still too eratic for my liking. I thought he was going to do seomthing stupid at any moment in that game.

Sutton was a bit of a passenger. At least they both know they need to produce result this year or they will be gone.

 

[boo_boo]

I would hate to lose either of them.
We need both Sutto & Sandow to form that scrum base partnership to lead us in 2011 & beyond.

 

[boo_boo]

I am still worried about both of them.

Thoughts on signing Craig Gower? Personally, I would prefer to throw some money at a young up and comer like the Bulldogs have done.

Like who ?
The Bulldogs have always had a very astute recruitment policy & they very rarely buy a dud player.

 

[CCJames]

Hopefully Sutton gets the boot at the end of the year and we can try and find an experienced 5/8. This would help Sandow as well. Sutton is too lazy for mine.

 

[Noa]

Bunnies would be mad not to throw heaven and earth at a Widdop or Kyle Stanley and let Sutton go. Sandow, like Ive said before, needs a chance with a Craig Bellamy/Wayne Bennett style coach, but he is making progress.

 

[Galeforce]

i like Foran and would be OK for a Sutton/Foran trade.
however
1) Sutton must be doing something , even in an understated way .
Our backline and team have scored most tries this year and near top last year and year before.
2) in the last 4 years , our season has fallen apart when Sutton has been out injured.
3) Suttons defense has never been questioned.
he is a team player that attracts the opposition defense. he is a magnet which opens up space for his team.

 

[JetRider]

I think the critiscm of Sutton comes from a general expectation of Sutton being the go to man more often than not and also from our expectation of seeing him break the defensive line and setting players up. Whilst I agree that his performances are not what we have become used to, it may also reflect a change in the style of play both Sutton and Sandow are playing ie Sandow taking on more responsibility. I believe that Sutton has been a good link person in most games and whilst not dynamic has been very tradesmen like.

It is only a matter of time that these two will be even more effective as team players and as individuals.

 

[CCJames]

I think the critiscm of Sutton comes from a general expectation of Sutton being the go to man more often than not and also from our expectation of seeing him break the defensive line and setting players up. Whilst I agree that his performances are not what we have become used to, it may also reflect a change in the style of play both Sutton and Sandow are playing ie Sandow taking on more responsibility. I believe that Sutton has been a good link person in most games and whilst not dynamic has been very tradesmen like.

It is only a matter of time that these two will be even more effective as team players and as individuals.

I can see what ur saying about the expectations on Sutton. But to be honest, I think for the amount of first grade football he has played, 136 games and into his 7th season, I dont think he plays like an experienced player. This is also shown with the limited rep experience he has had. I think it would best to off load him at seasons end and gain a specialist 5/8 or give someone else the chance in this position.

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

I thought Sutton had a sound game on Friday nite.

 

[boo_boo]

Sutton killed it at the Wombats in his junior days.
If he found that mixture of aggression & control then nobody would be doubting him.

 

[Galeforce]

Sutton has had a bad injury each year . The game can be very cruel to player who goes flat out each game . So i am not surprised that Sutton is playing subdued at the moment and welcome that if he can complete the season ,as i believe his subdued form is enough to get us to top 4.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Neither of these two is an organiser. We desperately need one of them to be an organiser. Pair one or the other with an organiser and they would be outstanding. Both are great 3rd or 4th tackle option players but when you need that kick into the corner or into the ingoals for a repeat set, neither are your man. Put Sutton outside of a Kimorley or Pearce and he would be outstanding. Put Sandow next to a Finch or Anasta and he would be outstanding. Put the two of them together and both are the type of player who will run it on the last or try for the impossible play. Neither are dud footballers, they just form a bad combination together.

 

[boo_boo]

DKoR, i agree with what your saying but who do you shift ?
Sutton to lock ?
Sandow to the bench ?
Buy a recognised half-back & keep Sutton at 5/8 ?
Or do we cut our losses & try & build a new halves pairing.
I was told that Sutton wants 2011 to be a successfull year for both him & the team & he trained the house down in the off season.

 

[Ttime]

Sutton will fire. Just you wait and see.

He made it pretty obvious that he was going to take a back seat so that Sandow could take more control of the game. I reckon once the team are playing consistent footy week in week out we will start to see Sutton back at his best once again.

Once he realises the team can win without him doing everything he will begin to inject himself into the run of play a bit more I reckon..


... or we give Dave Taylor a crack at 6 haha. He has the grubber kick and can also boot a pretty decent bomb too

 

[boo_boo]

As i stated previously Sutton in his junior days played with control & aggression which i think is exactly what he is lacking.
If he can bring that level to the NRL we will see a different John Sutton.

 

[African Monkey]

Lol they could win us a premiership and they would still get criticised. Both are very good players who will only get better imo.

 

[Bundy Rabbit]

For the life of me i just can't understand why these two players are so heavily criticised. This team can score points almost at will, you don't do that with dud halves.Lay off em for god sake. Let's concentrate on getting consistency from our forwards and getting the whole team to tackle.