Roam Ranger wrote:Regarding the Balmforth situation, we obviously don't know what is going on behind the scenes. We're not seeing the day to day stuff such as training, attitude and the like. To be fair to what Cummins recently said about Balmforth, it's not an unreasonable comment to say that he's still developing and part of that is learning not to switch off (although the focus was on Balmforth, he did say it's the same with the other youngsters). The problem from our point of view is that we only see what happens out on the field. We're seeing several other youngsters get chances and see senior players switch off which contradicts that comment. Throw in the questions about whether Houghton should be getting flogged the way he does and that we're a struggling team in need of something different that might spark us into life and you can understand that there's confusion and perhaps frustration over Balmforth suggesting there's more at play than we know.

It's a similar question with Walker. Dropped for a bad game against London even though others also had a bad game (and a worse game at that) yet retained their place. Now he's being sent to play for the reserves suggesting that there's possibly more to it. And that's no disrespect to Moy who I think has given a good account of himself every time he plays and is a real prospect. But these things definitely raise questions, perhaps more to do with the situation we find ourselves in than anything else.

bonaire wrote:That was the same with Stavely until he was given a run of games
Balmforth has never been given a run of games

Windy winger wrote:Don’t understand all this fuss over Balmforth , not as though we aren’t giving the kids a chance . The ones who are trusted are playing. Remember some on here going on about Hookem not that long ago , look where he is now . Think it tells us all where he stands, when we have to flog houghton , he’s not doing what’s expected, so hopefully the beating of the drum for him will stop until he’s had a decent run and proved himself

bonaire wrote:How can he have a decent run and prove himself if he doesnt get selected.
Thats what fans are saying

pmarrow wrote:Balmforth flopped at Newcastle.

bonaire wrote:How can he have a decent run and prove himself if he doesnt get selected.
Thats what fans are saying

bonaire wrote:he didnt play nine at Newcastle

WIZEB wrote:Do they have a better one?