He played regularly last year but I didn't spot any major improvements in his game.



Maybe he needs to build up his confidence in the U21s?

Or sheer stupidity.. maybe you'd try it if we were leading or losing by a few scores but we were well in the game at that point. It was an unnecessary gamble in my opinion.

I don't think you can fully blame Platt for all of that either. Don't forget that's he's playing in a team that's turned in truly awful performances from mid 2007. IMO if Michael Withers was playing in the current side he would look have as dangerous as he did for the simple fact the service they receive is at times terrible. On a fair few occasions yesterday he looped round the back to joining the attacking line and our passing was so slow the Hull KR defence knew who was getting the pass before he'd caught the ball or the pass would go behind him on to the floor.

You can blame to a certain extent his lack of service and slow ball but he's still had an extremely low return when it comes to tries scored. I'd like to see him pop up in midfield a bit more. I remember Kris Radlinski was very adept at supporting forwards up the middle. Perhaps Platt could watch a few videos of him and try and copy it. I'm sure if he could improve his reading of the game he wouldn't be so dependant on good service from the halfbacks.

Michael Platt 188 metres from 22 carries not bad for some one who only runs sideways.

Does it say if those 188 meters were in a forward direction then?



I wouldn't know as I wasn't there

...and if you got back to collar him, Terry would be on his shoulder.

Statistically he compares well with most other fullbacks. Only Clint Greenshields really stands out a mile. 116 tackle busts in 2008! Platt got 48 but that compares quite well with others.



I think Platt's bloopers are his undoing really, they seem to be more obviously catastrophic. The more they happen the less patience fans have. That may be unfair but only a prolonged error free period is likely to get the monkey of his back.



It could be worse, we could have Richie Mathers at fullback!

think point is he didnt really make any last week, at least not catastrophic ones. One missed tackle, which led to a try early doors but at least he managed to attempt the tackle which is more than 11 other players did. One bad decision going outside the winger and being forced into touch but if it had come off people would be hailing it as a brilliant try and 1? unnecessary pass to sheriffe, which came off anyway.



Compared to some off last years performances I thought it was quite encouraging overall although theres still room for improvement, in particular cutting out running across the field and running forward instead

although he did seem to improve in this respect as the game progressed

My patience has obviously worn thinner than yours! That said I take on board the point that others were as bad if not worse such as Jeffries. There is room for improvement.

couldn't agree more mate,platt is a loose cannon,and sykes isn't a centre but an out and out full-back,can't macca even spot this?



what would we give to have mumby playing now for the side?

I think part of the answer might be that Im not sure if Paul Sykes thinks Paul Sykes' best position is full back. (did he not start out as a stand off??)



He can play full back, has played there, and can do it quite well. But he's still not a top drawer full back if you ask me, much like Reardon looked good there in spells. We also need Sykes in the at the moment more than we need him at FB IMO.



I also think Platt did not do as bad as some people are making out. Like has been said he made three obvious errors, but the fans are looking for them to pounce on and they get highlighted, rightly or wrongly (Im as guilty of this as anyone). His work rate was good and he did look to support the ball but all too often it never got that far, there were plenty of occations of Platt running through the line but the ball never being released.



Having said all that, Im not sure if Platt, Sykes or Halley are the best answer for full back, but they are our options for this year and they will all suffer in comparason to a very long spell of the club having superb full backs.