Re: Matty Russell signed : Thu Nov 24, 2022 7:33 pm  

When I saw the rumour it did make a little bit of sense to me. It would be great to have somebody like Makinson that Carrie's the ball well on tackle 1 or 2 but is also a world class finisher but there are not many of them around. Blake Fergusson would have been a better target.
Russell was the only opposition player when we played Tolouse that I was worried about. He is still a handful early in the tackle count and i was always concerned about the speed of the play the ball and defenders still on the floor. I appreciate that he might be blocking a pathway for a younger player but with Thewlis and Ashton returning the ball on tackle 1 and 2 they are often dominated and we struggle to get a roll on.

I am not too disappointed. By his own admission he had some problems at the tail end of his first stint with us and let's hope he can put a few things right. However the moment he is 5 yards out from the try line with defenders coming across and he puts the brakes on there will be a meltdown here saying x player would have scored.

We would all like a winger that scored length of the field tries every week but in the modern game we have to accept that we also need them to create havoc on play 1/2.

Re: Matty Russell signed : Thu Nov 24, 2022 7:55 pm  

Providing the rest of the team are in on the plan & can spot a chance to support the ball carrier ,scooting from DH is probably the best chance of creating broken field running which we have done well with in the past.

Re: Matty Russell signed : Thu Nov 24, 2022 8:03 pm  

poop signing

Re: Matty Russell signed : Thu Nov 24, 2022 8:17 pm  

People trying to defend this signing are part of the problem. No other top 6 or even top 8 club would touch him(and before anyone starts, I know we finished 11th!). Daryl "I give opportunities to young players" Powell has lost whatever plot he had.

Re: Matty Russell signed : Thu Nov 24, 2022 8:54 pm  

We really have turned into a comedy club.
Even more baffling than the return of Blythe, a few years ago.

As I've said for years, ANY youth players we have (unless they're the reincarnation of Ellery Hanley) , may as well leave.

Re: Matty Russell signed : Thu Nov 24, 2022 8:57 pm  

Well here's 1 fan less they'll see next season if he plays regular 1st team rugby.

What a joke.....

Re: Matty Russell signed : Thu Nov 24, 2022 9:23 pm  

morrisseyisawire wrote:

I have no words.

But I do have a keg of my experimental lockdown mulled wine/Harvey's cocktail that is calling me.

Any chance you can share that around, a few of us feeling numb by this signing.

Re: Matty Russell signed : Thu Nov 24, 2022 9:34 pm  

Literally can't complain with this at all, he's experienced, strong, still a try scorer and he's still fast as fook. He's signed as cover on a 1 year deal and will keep Ashton and Thewlis on their toes. And if Ashton or Thewlis.....or hopefully not, both get injured. He'll do a good job stepping in. Literally can't complain at all other than just to moan.

Re: Matty Russell signed : Thu Nov 24, 2022 9:50 pm  

[quote=
We would all like a winger that scored length of the field tries every week but in the modern game we have to accept that we also need them to create havoc on play 1/2.[/quote]

Did you attend the Wire v Wigan game at the HJ?

Bevan French was brilliant, and certainly no better than Ashton or Thewlis on plays 1/2.

Re: Matty Russell signed : Thu Nov 24, 2022 9:51 pm  

1% improvement on Minikin

Not sure how feel about this signing, I can see the pros and cons to both sides. Yes he’s an experienced winger, makes a lot of meters and difficult to tackle but remember how poop he was at the tail end of his last stint with us. Whether he was fumbling behind his own line, out of position from a kick in behind or completely miss-reading an opposition attack and punching out the line.. I just hope he’s improved on those fundamentals.

Take Dufty, Thewlis & Ashton out that back line it looks more like we are planning for the championship then the top 4..