There is a news article in today`s League Express, regarding Andy Ackers.

He has returned to Swinton after Wire didn`t offer him a contract after his loan period.

The decision leaves us with only Daryl Clark, & Micky Higham, as recognised hookers, with Brad Dwyer on a season long loan to London. However we currently have surplus of half backs & utility players who could play there as stop gaps.

Thoughts?

We need to have a third hooker lined up. I realise we have a few players who could fill in but an injury or two would leave us very vulnerable.
I would think (and hope) that we have a plan for such an event.

Quote ="Boss Hog"There is a news article in today`s League Express, regarding Andy Ackers. He has returned to Swinton after Wire didn`t offer him a contract after his loan period. The decision leaves us with only Daryl Clark, & Micky Higham, as recognised hookers, with Brad Dwyer on a season long loan to London. However we currently have surplus of half backs & utility players who could play there as stop gaps. Thoughts?'" viewtopic.php?f=21&t=578180

Quote ="Boss Hog"There is a news article in today`s League Express, regarding Andy Ackers. He has returned to Swinton after Wire didn`t offer him a contract after his loan period. The decision leaves us with only Daryl Clark, & Micky Higham, as recognised hookers, with Brad Dwyer on a season long loan to London. However we currently have surplus of half backs & utility players who could play there as stop gaps. Thoughts?'" viewtopic.php?f=21&t=578180

Isn't Matty Russell also a recognised stand in hooker ?

in some peoples minds, aye.

Would it be that difficult to get Ackers back if something happened in the season?

Potentially four hookers in the U19s plus Myler and Grix (when fit) can cover the role.

God help us if Russell has to play there lol

It would every unfair to go back to Ackers again, we would simply be mucking him about. I thinks he has now been finally rejected.

Russel at hooker is a definite no, no for me.

Outside of the current squad, I think we would need to go to Dwyer. We have some very good prospects coming through, but they have not even been tried at Championship level yet so I would be surprised if TS went down that path. We must surely have an agreement with London that Dwyer can be released in some circumstances ? basic contract drafting.

Cant argue with that, definitely think Russell at hooker is a no go.

Matty winger or fb only agreed...

...on loan.

Unfortunately the loss of the Academy means that even though we might be bringing good hookers through the under 19s they may have already had to move on to other clubs before we can use them in the first team.

We've had this debate before about Russell playing hooker and there are those who are adamant that he'll never make a hooker. I'll say the same again that from what I've seen he has the potential to be a really good "scooter" from dummy half. The argument against is that he lacks the passing and game awareness skills to succeed. I would think that these skills are at least up to the Micky Higham standard and he's been a superb hooker over the years. I think Tony Smith will be giving Russell a short spell at hooker very soon. Thankfully Smith tends to be a little more flexible and imaginative in his thinking than one or two regulars on this forum.

It sounds as though Andy isn't too impressed by the way he's been treated. He lost his job as a result of coming for a trial and now has nothing to show for it.

That is a bit harsh on Ackers to say the least.

Oh and if Russell will ever make a hooker I am a Dutchman. He can barely pass to his right in hand never made about off the floor. And doubt he will survive 40+ tackles per game.

I guess Declan Patton will feature if there are injuries

The awareness you seem to lack is the understanding that those two qualities you say Russell lacks, are fundamental to position you say he ought to play!

To add to that, as a back he would have to stop big forwards running at him over and over and put them down.

Agreed the role of a hooker has changed, he no longer has to get nitpicking in a scrum using all his trade tricks to win or get a penalty from a scrum, but his central position in field means he has to rough it with the big boys, which means he ought to be a forward.
nippy but big enough to put a jamie Peacock or a aidrian morley on their !

Of the people not recognised as a hooker, i think Myler is the best option.

Matty Russell's teeth couldn't stand the front row of the scrum!!

In Grix and Myler, we have able replacements should anything happen, plus 19s lads.

A full year for Dwyer down at London will do him the world of good, then look to bring him back in next year if TS decides he is the man to eventually replace Higham

Myler and when he is fit again grix can cover hooker, let's not forget daryl Clark is well capable of 80 minutes at a high standard.

personally CW8, I think whichever 9 we field ought to be doing 80 mins.

The bench then 3 forwards and a utility back.

Give Ratchford a chance I say

I say just play him, he doesn't need to prove a point.

Play either Bridge and/or Wheeler at hb too and drop one of the current hb's.

I don't care which. But we need a footballer at hb fast.