The comparison to Gary Sanderson is an accurate, and complimentary one.

Sanderson wasn't called the hoover for nothing - he mopped up errors from colleagues and opposition alike and got on with his own game in an unfussy and professional way. The lad could play a bit as well, his pass out of the tackle to release a quicksilver Brian Johnson for a cracking try in the JP semi in 87 is one of my favourite Wire memories.

In a pack boasting the likes of Boyd, Gregory & Roberts I suspect Sanderson was the first name on Tony Barrow's teamsheet, and I guess Laithwaite is fast becoming the same for Tony Smith, and rightly so.

Beat me to it!

Fits as well

to the tune of
hurray hurray,
it's a holi holiday.
(boney m)

Spot on. Sandy was the archetypal no nonsense forward. Bob Jackson once told me he hardly said a word during a game but his effort and dependability made him a player the others revered. If James Laithwaite turns out anywhere near as good as Gary we've got a gem.

James Laithwaite is going about his business quietly and I hope it stays that way because he has been superb in defence this season. He's a hard runner who probably does lack a little in attack at present but this will come with maturity and experience of playing games at SL level.

Tony Smith has recognised his talents and he is clearly a starter now in the second row, so fair play to him and his hard work has paid off so far.

If he keeps going, he can be a future England player no danger

Not too concerned about that, as on the flip side in the whole of SL he is;

6th in total tackles (our top tackler)
4th in marker tackles (our top marker tackler)

I'm sure his team mates will appreciate that hard work.

We have many other players making plenty of tackle busts, carries, metres. We could do with an increase in our clean breaks and offloads, I'm sure they will come.

I am very happy with James Laithwaite's contribution at the moment. Every side needs a back row who is a tackling machine and a workhorse. We've got him.

Look at the flip side, Westerman, great in attack, turnstile in defence.
I know what i prefer.

As a kid watching the game in the eighties, I never quite understood why Sanderson got the plaudits. That was of course before I realised defence wins games. The hoover was a great nickname, nothing got past him, and he was 100% consistent. If Laithwaite continues in that ilk, I don't give a flying fart as to his offensive game (not that it's shabby anyway) - he'll go from strength to strength. Totally businesslike and professional, nothing showy, but could be the backbone of our pack for years. And a born Wire too. What's not to love?