Bowen contract

[Wigan_forever1985]

We need to be careful, Bowens legs could give up at any time the only way I go with this is if he is not first choice but shares the role with whoever is deemed his long term replacement

[DaveO]

When Bowen first signed I'm pretty sure it was a one year deal with a further year's option. In who's favour I don't know.
We are all big fans of Hampshire yet the thought of him being given the 6 shirt (should Green leave) worries me.
He isn't the biggest lad around and due to his pace and attacking threat he would be targeted by opposition forwards, he would be forced into 25+ tackles a game.

As a player he is a six IMO. If he isn't strong enough to play there then doesn't that mean he isn't good enough to be a first team player in his best position?

In any case it's an old tactic to move a half back out of the way when defending so its not as if it is something that can't be dealt with.

And if pint sized Rob Borrow can have as successful an RL career as he has had in the thick of it I don't see why Hampshire can't.

I don't think 6 is a right move for him.
At full back he is more protected and might be able to manage a season playing there.

He isn't protected from bombs and having to tackle completely. There is a modern view that full back is just another half back with little of the kind of work to do that made Hampson and Radlinski defencive giants. I don't think this is strictly true.

Against Bradford they put up one bomb all match and he dropped it. He didn't look like catching it to be honest. A better team would kick at him all night. If they did I reckon it would be Murphy MkII. I don't think he'd stand much chance against a big 3/4 one on one either.

Watching Bowen catch a ball just shows there is still more to being a full back than is thought.

I think you can get away with non-specialist full backs in SL not just because the role has changed somewhat but because half the teams aren't good enough to exploit the non-specialists. Sam never had half the trouble Radlinski had to defuse. That may not always be the case.

The club have a difficult one here, they have a great talent but using him too much too early could have consequences.
I'd prefer him to continue this season as has been done.
2015 Ryan play to far more games, Bowen take the back seat.
2016 the number 1 shirt goes to Hampshire.

If Hamshire is the best 6 at the club as seems to be the view of several people then Bowen to stay on and Hampshire to replace Green.

I don't see the point of playing a lesser player at 6 and forcing the best 6 into playing 1. If we did that just to keep the "lesser player" I think that would be a bit of a dumb move.

[Owd Codger]

When Bowen first signed I'm pretty sure it was a one year deal with a further year's option. In who's favour I don't know.
We are all big fans of Hampshire yet the thought of him being given the 6 shirt (should Green leave) worries me.
He isn't the biggest lad around and due to his pace and attacking threat he would be targeted by opposition forwards, he would be forced into 25+ tackles a game.

As a player he is a six IMO. If he isn't strong enough to play there then doesn't that mean he isn't good enough to be a first team player in his best position?

In any case it's an old tactic to move a half back out of the way when defending so its not as if it is something that can't be dealt with.

And if pint sized Rob Borrow can have as successful an RL career as he has had in the thick of it I don't see why Hampshire can't.

I don't think 6 is a right move for him.
At full back he is more protected and might be able to manage a season playing there.

He isn't protected from bombs and having to tackle completely. There is a modern view that full back is just another half back with little of the kind of work to do that made Hampson and Radlinski defencive giants. I don't think this is strictly true.

Against Bradford they put up one bomb all match and he dropped it. He didn't look like catching it to be honest. A better team would kick at him all night. If they did I reckon it would be Murphy MkII. I don't think he'd stand much chance against a big 3/4 one on one either.

Watching Bowen catch a ball just shows there is still more to being a full back than is thought.

I think you can get away with non-specialist full backs in SL not just because the role has changed somewhat but because half the teams aren't good enough to exploit the non-specialists. Sam never had half the trouble Radlinski had to defuse. That may not always be the case.

The club have a difficult one here, they have a great talent but using him too much too early could have consequences.
I'd prefer him to continue this season as has been done.
2015 Ryan play to far more games, Bowen take the back seat.
2016 the number 1 shirt goes to Hampshire.

If Hamshire is the best 6 at the club as seems to be the view of several people then Bowen to stay on and Hampshire to replace Green.

I don't see the point of playing a lesser player at 6 and forcing the best 6 into playing 1. If we did that just to keep the "lesser player" I think that would be a bit of a dumb move.

Blooming eck, you are up late, Dave

Night out in Chester?

p.s. But I agree with your last comment about Hampshire to play at Stand Off if Green leaves.

[John Ferguson]

If Hampshire is deemed ready by SW then no doubt he will get his chance but nobody seems to be acknowledging the fact that quite often players are loaned out to gain experience before coming back and being a regular in the 13 ( a la Goulding and Charnley).

Bowen staying for another year and Hampshire going on loan next season would be ideal In my opinion - it may also help decide which is his best position.

[Kittwazzer]

If Hampshire is deemed ready by SW then no doubt he will get his chance but nobody seems to be acknowledging the fact that quite often players are loaned out to gain experience before coming back and being a regular in the 13 ( a la Goulding and Charnley).

Bowen staying for another year and Hampshire going on loan next season would be ideal In my opinion - it may also help decide which is his best position.

That would be a year lost IMO. Sam never went out on loan!

[josie andrews]

If Hampshire is deemed ready by SW then no doubt he will get his chance but nobody seems to be acknowledging the fact that quite often players are loaned out to gain experience before coming back and being a regular in the 13 ( a la Goulding and Charnley).

Bowen staying for another year and Hampshire going on loan next season would be ideal In my opinion - it may also help decide which is his best position.

That would be a year lost IMO. Sam never went out on loan!

No way for Ryan to go on loan, why should he, he's getting his experience here. Doesn't need rushing, him & George are our future

[John Ferguson]

If Hampshire is deemed ready by SW then no doubt he will get his chance but nobody seems to be acknowledging the fact that quite often players are loaned out to gain experience before coming back and being a regular in the 13 ( a la Goulding and Charnley).

Bowen staying for another year and Hampshire going on loan next season would be ideal In my opinion - it may also help decide which is his best position.

That would be a year lost IMO. Sam never went out on loan!

Sam was a different class and the team was crying out for him. At this moment, unless there are injuries or people leave, then we aren't. He might for all we know go out on loan in the second half of the season and get the experience then so if Green does leave he will be better prepared.