Isn't that just the lot of the all squad players though? They know they're not the coach's favourite, all they can do is work as hard as they can in training and hope for a chance which may never come. At the end of the day the game couldn't survive without these players.

So some of them may be on more money than others think they deserve, but so what? What should they do? Offer to work for less? Show me anyone on here who says he would willingly work for less than they currently receive and I'll show you a liar.

Perhaps I should clarify, I think Sykes and Platt are capable of playing better than they do usually. Sykes particularly showed what he could do versus Huddersfield at Odsal last year. Now it might be too much to expect consistent performances at that level but I do think they can do better than what they're doing at the moment.

I'd suggest that's why they've been "demoted" and rumours about them being surpluse to requirements have come about.

To me a player that's capable of better, that tosses it off and takes the money and is happy to do that is wasting his own time and ours. I think I see players like Sykes and Platt (who've both played rep RL) in that mould at the moment than players who may give their all but only get in the 1st team occasionally.

I feel a bit for Platt - a actually think he puts 110% effort in every game he plays but unfortunately he's not a centre and can't defend as one would expect of a centre.

Sykes, even in 2011, played most of his games out of position. When he was moved into centre, he actually did okay (i remember home game to cas as another example).

These 2 players had a rough ride in 2011, and i have often thought their omission from certain matches must have been a result of something done off the field. Or maybe Potter has given up on trying to coach Platt how to slide and defend.

I see effort not just being the amount of gusto you take the ball up on the pitch but how much you put into training to iron out the faults in your game. These two have long had a weakness in defence and decision making yet it hasn't improved much if at all over the past few years.

A few on here said Sykes is actually a better defender when he's nearer the middle of the field, i.e not stood at centre, so I'm not sure how picking him in his "normal" position helps that side of his game. As for Platt he was converted into a centre as his performances at fullback had become too error prone.

I lived in London for a while and watched The Broncos when Sykes played for them, and I remember him being superb playing fullback for them, consistantly superb! So much so he was chosen for the international squad......at centre where he was dire



I was recently on holiday in Cyprus and Sykes was at the same hotel as me, he looked in great shape, and was working out in the hotel gym every morning and evening. I got to speak to him a few times, and told him I thought he was outstanding at fullback, and why he didnt play there anymore? The answer he gave was round the houses and ended up with I play where the coach prefers me to......which says to me that your coach doesnt want him at fullback (in my opinion his best position) and said to me he prefers playing fullback. Again from what ive seen of him recently he is no way a centre or a stand off!!! He had plenty of time for my son who was always buzzing around him asking him hints and tips about playing rugby etc.....a really nice guy, I hope he gets to play his preferred position sometime soon and is a hit!!

Matt

Good post

Yes, some good points by adiddy

I do recall Sykes being around the fringes of international recognition based on his full back play for London. He was also, I think, the top goal kicker that year in terms of % kicks landed.

Sadly it seems that he's gone backwards since then, and getting shifted around the park probably hasn't helped. McNamara did pick him at Full Back on occasions, although not regularly - but I do not believe (I'll stand correction) that Potter has ever picked him at Full Back. One can only speculate why. But when Kearney got injured last year, Potter went with Royston rather than Sykes at full back.

we were so desperate at last year and Royston was more than ample as a replacement for Kearney. Sykes will play wherever asked and do a job, maybe it's that which has counted against him?

Nero didn't finish his time at Bradford on a high, but he was a far superior centre to these two, and he could play in the pack to good effect!

Shame he had an inflated sense of his own worth, but he did have a big name to live up to.

It's a bit of a coincidence that both Platty and Sykes can both cover fullback. Michael was moved because of the errors, basically very poor decision making, at the back and unfortunately when the last line of defence blunders it usually leads to an opposition try. I think Paul Sykes is a good FB (as was Shad Royston)but neither were ever going to get that job with Brett Kearney at the club.

At centre Platty always gives plenty of effort and looks dangerous on attack but his defence at centre leaves nearly as much to be desired as at FB. Sykesy is probably the better defender at centre though he does miss a few. It's not his best position and he's been moved around a great deal which, as I've consistently pointed out to his detractors, does nothing for his game, particularly when he never plays in his best spot at FB.

I've got plenty of time for both but I can't see how they can win back their spots higher up the new squad. Assuming the newcomers perform as expected, of course!

Rubbish man , The "photos" are of the sleeve and Ian Kirke has them

Nero always has been crud.

Wrong. He was only kept out of the St.George team by Gasnier and Cooper, and was the best centre at Bradford after Hape left. Macca just didn't know how to get the best out of him, as with other antipodean players with big reps like Glenn Hall.

Go Nero

And he knows where you live...

yes, we all know where bulls4champs is at.