Warrington Wolves • Re: Tom Lineham
Lord Tony Smith wrote:
But he’s a genuine game breaker and our fastest player. You play him fullback with Ratchford at lock.
I understand this notion of Ratchford as a loose forward, but it would sanitise an already unconvincing pack in order to make space for a fast player and expect him to create out of nowhere.
Ratchford is the best fullback in the squad, Inglis aside as we are yet to see what he can deliver. Organisationally he out ranks Ashton, he is VASTLY more creative in the third pivot role and has enough of a running threat to create and exploit gaps himself.
Ashton, at this stage, is raw speed. And that is good. But raw speed running at a flat, unbroken defensive line gets tackled pretty easily. We can’t squeeze out a pack member for another pivot and expect to make ground, break tackles and win quick play the balls. Cooper and Hill are under enough pressure for that as it is.
If Ashton is a fullback, and only a fullback, he better wait in line. But he is at best second choice. If I was him, I’d be banging on the coaches door forcing his hand to pick me on that wing and getting the chance to prove what I can do for 80 minutes.
Statistics: Posted by Barbed Wire — Wed Apr 14, 2021 5:35 am