Anyone have any idea when he is back, can't wait to see him play again!

I heard he wasn't far off.

About a month off.

Smith said "3-4 weeks off" in an interview with the guardian prior to Magic Weekend, so in the next couple games I would imagine...

Good we've missed him this season and his return will allow Ratchford to go to 6 and get his hands on the ball more.

He won't replace ratchford at fullback, he's our future number 1 for years to come, just my opinion though. I could be way off so only time will tell.

Have you been working away for the last 3 months?

Ratchford will be playing 6 next season. Gidley will be FB.

Could do with him, asap.

The more times Ratchford gets his hand on the ball (at HB), the more we will improve

Agreed.
RL is a simple game and quite often just the most obvious ideas are the best.
Your best player in the key position is one such idea.

Have to agree with this!

Russell has been very good for us since he joined and had a great year at number 1 last year. Apart from getting his teeth smashed out by a typical Widnesian tackle, he did nothing to lose the trust from TS as a full back. I can't understand why Tony now sees him as a winger.

We know TS has said Russell fancied it on the wing but he went from guaranteed full back and a very good one at that to third choice winger if full team were fit.

For me, when he is fit, get him straight back to full back and move Ratch to 6 with Myler/GOB at 7.

I agree with ratchford as stand off but I don't understand why he isn't there now. Yeah I understand injuries etc but we're crap in the halves right now, and have plenty that can fill at fullback so it's a bit weird. Penny did a great job at fullback so I'd slot him there and put ratch at stand off now.

Very bluntly put but a few of us are thinking along the same Lines.

nico

I think there was another thread that stated Russells strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths - strong return, strong off the mark from dummy half
Weaknesses - positional play, organizing the defence, communication.

For me the strengths outweight the weaknesses unless he can develop them out of his game.

Our best full back for many years - Hodgson - was not a strong returner or strong from dummy half but he was excellent at chiming into the line, organzing the defence and communicating.
That's why I think Russell will be behind Gidley at fb and Ratch will be in the halves.

I'm suprised that Ratch isn't there now if the intention is for him to be there next year with Kurt at fb.

Looks like
Gidley
Lineham
Bridge or Monas (I assume one wont be here next year which is a real shame if it happens)
Atkins (i'd like Bridge there)
Ormsby / Evans / Russell
That's really tough on Penny who I think played very well at fb earlier in the year

Coupleof additions there

He's the backs equivalent of Danny Lima to me.

Danny Lima, now that's a prop I would swap Asotasi with.........even now