Kurt Mann @ 5/8

[Overseas dragon]

True OD. He has his faves and Mann isn't one of them. As Red V stated, a reshuffle with positions may work wonders going into the finals. Widdop to FB could prove a stroke of genius. Unfortunately our esteemed coach lacks vision. Only positive I've seen in the last couple of weeks was the introduction of Peirera to first grade.

i personally would like to see HERBERT tried at full back hes certainly knocking on the door if we dont try him im sure hes gone gone gone

 

[ouryears]

Yep...the Anti -Widdop club out in force again...when they get bored, Dufty will probably be next in line...

Nope, just saying it as I see it.
Not blinded like some.
Dufty is fine.
Widdop is weak.

Creeping knew it, wouldn’t put him in halves or as captain for good reason.

So you think you know more than Bennett??!! ....ffs man

 

[possm]

I pray Widdop is out for the year so we have a decent half on the field in Mann.

The side line is Widdops friend, crabbing, sideways, nothing.

Mann is the better option.

Wish you a slow recovery widdop.

During the early rounds, when the Dragons were on fire and leading the competition, our forwards were dominating the opposition. Because of this Widdop and Hunt were the form halves and calving it up. Once the forwards stopped dominating our halves stopped calving it up.

It's time for the forwards to dominate again. Once Vaughan returns we should have the personnel to do just that:

Vaughan
McInnes/Robson
Frizell
Leilua
Sims
De Belin

Ah Mau
Graham
Host
Robson/Mann

 

[possm]

Nope, just saying it as I see it.
Not blinded like some.
Dufty is fine.
Widdop is weak.

Creeping knew it, wouldn’t put him in halves or as captain for good reason.

So you think you know more than Bennett??!! ....ffs man

Widdop is a better five-eighth than Mann. Bennett moved Widdop to fullback to fill a vacancy through injury. All we need is for the forwards to dominate like they did in the early rounds and for the referees to keep the 10m.

Our coach and players need to limit the penalties, they are killing us. We need a strong on-field Captain to hold the referee to account and to inspire the team. Graham is the man and so should remain co-captain for the remainder of the season. McInnes is an odd choice and shows no leadership qualities at all.

 

[LINESPEED]

What's your beef with Widdop?

Well I'd like him at fullback for defence and his capacity to set up wingers ( like Dufty & Nene).
Bennett played him there & I'd trust his judgment - and he can't go MIA at fullback.
And he's not a captain's bootlace - on field (where we need one now for the fuc*in referees - like James IMO), or, I suspect, interpersonally in the dressingroom.
He seems to have a lazycosy suck up relationship with Dead Man Walking & his press conferences are lackadaisical - rehashing his Mate's platitudes.
He's no circuitbreaker in a slump
Seems to lack passion & motivational skills
Runs sideways too often.
Seems to drop his bundle - and I do remind viewers his absence somehow, probably coincidentally, coincided with a lift in attitude & intent?
You couldn't realistically drop Mann from 5/8 for anyone after last week.
But hey fellas, Mary'll have him back on the bench ASAP, while the 2 Untouchables who don't even make half breaks now smile & fuc* the attack

 

[Belta]

I personally feel we need to stick with Widdop at 5/8 when he becomes available. He was one of the form players earlier on and definitely assisted in getting us to where we are on the table. His short kicking game is up there with the best, but admittedly it’s gone MIA of late. Also Widdops for the most part is a solid defender and should come back refreshed.

Not down playing the importance Mann played in the latest win I still feel that his performance shouldn’t cement him at 5/8. I have seen a lot of players come in and have amazing games but couldn’t keep the high standard, ie Frawley springs to mind. Hopefully Mann will continue to play well for us at 5/8 in Widdops absence and afterwards as a sub or wing/center whatever the case maybe.

I’m not sure I’d advocate moving Widdop to fullback. At the moment I would stick with Dufty, other then being susceptible to high kicks he’s been relatively solid and still is our most potent attacking player, but if he was given a rest than imo the in form isp fullback Herbert deserves to be the his replacement. Hunt is the biggest concern, on top of the publiced lack of game management his defence is well below first grade standard. He needs to get it together and fast or he could sink us.

 

[Saintsified]

Mann might well be the best utility in the league and the only one who is good enough to specialise in many positions if given a shot.

That could well put him up in the most as the most complete player in the game, he will only get better.

Moving him around so much we may never get to see his true potential.

 

[LINESPEED]

He

Mann might well be the best utility in the league and the only one who is good enough to specialise in many positions if given a shot

Needs to be utilized for 80 minutes IMO

One of our few players to back up a ball carrier on a break in a long time - how slick was that!!

He was the toast of the media

It's also called playing for your position - which few others have to do!
There's a message there for the dullard?

f**kc off one of the 2 barnacles on the arse of progress surely?

 

[JohnnoMcJohnno]

You are kidding...as much as I like Mann and hope he can secure a starting spot in our side, Widdop is our 5/8...one of the best short kicking games in the comp...just ask any opposition player....Nice one; the Vas/Ruby/Sigurd/Glen fan club is out in force again...LOL.

The opposition players all have sore shins from Widdop kicking the ball into them.

 

[Saintsified]

He



Needs to be utilized for 80 minutes IMO

Agree

 

[Warabrook saint]

Mann might well be the best utility in the league and the only one who is good enough to specialise in many positions if given a shot.

That could well put him up in the most as the most complete player in the game, he will only get better.

Moving him around so much we may never get to see his true potential.

We might not see him in the red and white at all soon if he keeps getting taken for granted

 

[Saintsified]

We might not see him in the red and white at all soon if he keeps getting taken for granted

Yep unfortunately, he will go on and become an Immortal elsewhere .

 

[Warabrook saint]

I personally feel we need to stick with Widdop at 5/8 when he becomes available. He was one of the form players earlier on and definitely assisted in getting us to where we are on the table. His short kicking game is up there with the best, but admittedly it’s gone MIA of late. Also Widdops for the most part is a solid defender and should come back refreshed.

Not down playing the importance Mann played in the latest win I still feel that his performance shouldn’t cement him at 5/8. I have seen a lot of players come in and have amazing games but couldn’t keep the high standard, ie Frawley springs to mind. Hopefully Mann will continue to play well for us at 5/8 in Widdops absence and afterwards as a sub or wing/center whatever the case maybe.

I’m not sure I’d advocate moving Widdop to fullback. At the moment I would stick with Dufty, other then being susceptible to high kicks he’s been relatively solid and still is our most potent attacking player, but if he was given a rest than imo the in form isp fullback Herbert deserves to be the his replacement. Hunt is the biggest concern, on top of the publiced lack of game management his defence is well below first grade standard. He needs to get it together and fast or he could sink us.

Widdop is brilliant but quite inconsistent and at times ordinary

 

[Belta]

Warrabrook saint said;

“Widdop is brilliant but quite inconsistent and at times ordinary”

——————————————————————-

I agree he was brilliant when we were flying, and like the majority of the team inconsistent and ordinary over the last couple of months.

Not sure when Widdop returns but Mann a may have a chance to further stake his claim. In this time he may well offer more, but my other BIG concern is goal kicking. Imagine dropping out of a semi-final due to missed conversion(s).

 

[RedV Resurgence]

During the early rounds, when the Dragons were on fire and leading the competition, our forwards were dominating the opposition. Because of this Widdop and Hunt were the form halves and calving it up. Once the forwards stopped dominating our halves stopped calving it up.

It's time for the forwards to dominate again. Once Vaughan returns we should have the personnel to do just that:

Vaughan
McInnes/Robson
Frizell
Leilua
Sims
De Belin

Ah Mau
Graham
Host
Robson/Mann

Hey Possum

Mann needs to be in the starting side, I suggest Left Centre. Did you see him run past Lafai chasing Luc to assist in our first try? He started behind Luc, ran around Lafai, and got in front of him to pass the ball to our winger.

Think Speed,
Think Passing
Think Elusiveness

Something our current centres do not have or show infrequently.

 

[Dragonslayer]

Bennett put Widdop to fullback because the regular choice fullback was injured and they did not have a cover for that position. He chose Widdop because they had other 5/8 options and Widdop had played fullback in reggies for the Storm.
If he was to pick the England team now Widdop would be 5/8 as he was in last years World Cup.

Yes Widdop can play fullback but Dufty is the first choice then probably Lomax or even Herbert.

 

[My man Gasnier]

Bennett put Widdop to fullback because the regular choice fullback was injured and they did not have a cover for that position. He chose Widdop because they had other 5/8 options and Widdop had played fullback in reggies for the Storm.
If he was to pick the England team now Widdop would be 5/8 as he was in last years World Cup.

Yes Widdop can play fullback but Dufty is the first choice then probably Lomax or even Herbert.

Agreed, mate. It isn't fair on Widdop to be calling for him to be replaced at his regular position because Mann has had a few good games in the position. Mann's few good games don't outweigh the countless good performances Widdop has had for us with the 6 on his back.

 

[possm]

I personally feel we need to stick with Widdop at 5/8 when he becomes available. He was one of the form players earlier on and definitely assisted in getting us to where we are on the table. His short kicking game is up there with the best, but admittedly it’s gone MIA of late. Also Widdops for the most part is a solid defender and should come back refreshed.

Not down playing the importance Mann played in the latest win I still feel that his performance shouldn’t cement him at 5/8. I have seen a lot of players come in and have amazing games but couldn’t keep the high standard, ie Frawley springs to mind. Hopefully Mann will continue to play well for us at 5/8 in Widdops absence and afterwards as a sub or wing/center whatever the case maybe.

I’m not sure I’d advocate moving Widdop to fullback. At the moment I would stick with Dufty, other then being susceptible to high kicks he’s been relatively solid and still is our most potent attacking player, but if he was given a rest than imo the in form isp fullback Herbert deserves to be the his replacement. Hunt is the biggest concern, on top of the publiced lack of game management his defence is well below first grade standard. He needs to get it together and fast or he could sink us.

What about rotating Widdop/Dufty during games with Dufty having orders to run straight. A run around Dufty - Lafai - Dufty may well be a very potent attacking move in the right circumstances.

 

[The Damo]

Hey Possum

Mann needs to be in the starting side, I suggest Left Centre. Did you see him run past Lafai chasing Luc to assist in our first try? He started behind Luc, ran around Lafai, and got in front of him to pass the ball to our winger.

Think Speed,
Think Passing
Think Elusiveness

Something our current centres do not have or show infrequently.

That looked like a planned play to me - Lafai was running an angle behind Luc to give him that option. Nothing to do with Mann running past and getting in front of Lafai.

 

[Old Timer]

That looked like a planned play to me - Lafai was running an angle behind Luc to give him that option. Nothing to do with Mann running past and getting in front of Lafai.

Mann has acceleration, good top speed and crucially great anticipation of which Lafai has none.
Doubt very much it was a planned play more likely it just unfolded and Mann had the smarts and speed.