Ryan Atkins.
I hoped that after Ryan had a full pre-season injury free, that we would have seen him return to the form of 2010-11.
After v Saints it was clear he is a long way from that.
I feel Chris Riley is getting more criticism than he merits.

Isn't it time to drop him?
I feel the time is well over due that Rhys Evans got an extended run at left centre.
Providing he's fit??

Quickly becoming a McDonald Bailey, I'm really not quite sure why. As you say, Riley is getting a lot of criticism where he is having to move across due to Atkins being completely out of position.

As much as Ryan's needed time off in the last season, the fact that Rhys Evans seems to be made of glass doesn't help. I'm a big fan of Rhys and would love to see him get a run, but short of grafting Wolverine's skeleton onto him, I can't see it happening.

Wouldn't positional pressure sharpen him up some or might he just throw the toys out of the pram and request a transfer?

Atkins was one of our stand out players when he and king played left edge for us and they switched positions between wing and centre throughout games they read each other so well. I don't see why Rhys Evans and Atkins can't play that system but if they never play together then we will never know. Atkins' problems seem to have come about since Riley came back in to the team after king left us.

I am a Riley fan and have always stood by him but against saints when he went for the high ball in the first half, he got in ratchfords way only to make absolutely no attempt at the catch and I lost patience. We need to strengthen our left edge quickly and I really don't think Atkins is the weak link. I am sorry to say this but I think we would be better off if Riley was used as cover for the first team at least until he finds his confidence again.

Aaargh!! Atkins is not in good form but that cannot excuse Riley's error for the first try. Riley had two options; stay put or snot turner...he did neither! He has the same defensive abilities as penny with not half of the threat. He is not the scapegoat from Thursday but he is not good enough and has made two HUGE match turning errors in both grand finals that have been 'locally airbrushed'! Would any other top 8 side accommodate him? No

Don't know if many are aware but was apparently involved in a car crash on wilderspool causeway on the way to the ground.

He must have hit his head then. We play at Warrington Wolves Stadium now....er HJ.

Atkins strikes me as a confidence player...ever since he joined us he has been prone to form swings, but some of his hot swings have lasted a long time so he has been good. He just seems to have these dips. I don't think he is the most confident guy so not sure he just needs 'pressure to perform'.

Another thing with Atkins.....some players are like barometers for the team's performance. When the team plays well they are on form but when the team struggles they disappear a bit. Atkins is one of these, so are Myler and Bridge. I always had a sneaking feeling King was too. These players are great as long as everyone else is playing well but not likely to influence a turn around when things are going badly. Saints had a few like that who were shown up in recent years as well.

On the other hand you get other players who can play well in a team that's scratching for form and help turn things around, for us I would put Higham, Westwood and Wood as players that come to mind.

I think Atkins needs careful management and I hope fans don't get on his back as this would be counterproductive, he needs nurturing back in to form and then he's a dangerous weapon as he's quite quick and powerful, at his best he played for us what Senior did for Leeds over the years, albeit Senior was a more robust and consistent player. However he's a player that I would be wondering about when it comes to next renewing contracts....28 now....are his best days behind him or ahead of him. Unfortunately I think behind him, and I think you could say the same about most of our backs.

May be trying Riley at fb & sticking Ratchford outside Atkins on the wing would strengthen the left side & give Atkins some confidence back. I would think Ratchford would be a pretty powerful winger in the style of King .

I think Ratchford would spit the dummy if asked to play wing.
And I dont think we would get the best from him.
Like I've said before, he is most effective in centre field with a tired defence.
I say off the bench for Ratchford.

Thought we would see a better Ryan Atkins this season after him having a full pre season. Whilst it's only one game, I was a little disappointed with him. Still it's onwards and upwards. I hated people leaving early on Thursday night. I did shout out my displeasure at them. They never left early whilst we were winning.

Or here is a crazy idea, play Ratch at 6 likes he's been training too all season. Russell will be backin the next few weeks, drop Atkins, drop Riley. And in their place play EEvens and Penny. Because to be honest, they can't be much worse.

We love to take the mick out of fans leaving early, just another form of banter but I seriously don't understand people's anger when their own fans do it?

You pay for your own experience, you form your own opinions and you do what you want?

I'll leave when I want, I'll turn up when I want and I'll buy a pie if I want or a programme or a beer if I want. If it angers them so what. I've left a game we were winning, no one had a go at me then.

I'll get angry at something worth getting angry about like prams the size of tanks.

Atkins never seems to be in any fear of the axe, hence the apparent apathy of some of his performances, so I'd personally go Ratchford at left-centre and Russell at FB.

If Evans is back and fully-fit (that is, minus the Brian Bevan-esque bandages he spent the entire WC adorning) then I'd seriously consider Evans to left-centre, Ratchford to stand-off and drop Myler to the bench. I remain unconvinced about Ratchford as a half-back, but I AM convinced about his all-round ability whilst I am not convinced about Myler on either score, I'm afraid.

Regardless GOB should start the next game. If he has an 80-minute stinker then fine, maybe he's not the answer, but let's at least give him a chance.

Good post that.

Matty Russell is fit to play so he'll play fb, G O'B will be dropped & Ratchford with be in the halves with Myler. Playing one game will not show how good or bad a player is especially a halfback as they have to work as a pair, & develop a partnership.

Seems to be the criteria applied to O'Brien, though.

Getting back to Atkins, the problem is in-between his ears. Drop him to either regain his confidence, his desire and his motivation if he still possesses any.

Atkins should be dropped for Leeds game as he had a shocker in defence and attack. TS will send the wrong message out on his team selection policy if he selects him.

Or he has faith in his team and uses the Leeds game as a chance for some of those who underperformed to prove themselves!

Agreed.
Then drop him.

My feelings about Atkins are rather like those of Padders towards Bridge.

Terrible player IMO. Especially considering the lads build, speed and the fact he cost alot of money.

Because of the money involved id say he is probably Warringtons worst ever signing.

I'd say Andy Currier.

Never a massive fan of his, only had one good season. Been a major disapointment for me. A lad of his build with his pace, should be a devasting player. Maybe a little spell out the team might make him buck his ideas up.