It's a fair point re Rankin's ability to defend in the middle because he's not carried out that role before but I think he has that mongrel and enthusiasm in him that would see him to good effect there. He's also got what we lack at acting half which is speed of thought and the skill and pace to go with it. The problem with being a great defensive 9 is that you're too knackered to think let alone apply anything remotely creative. I think Houghton and Rankin [icould[/i compliment each other pretty well used properly. I'd like to see him given a go there.

He makes a lot of tackles, mainly because the opposition target him. He rarely ever dominates a tackle, and the other team get a quick ptb because of it.



His workrate is excellent, but I have always felt we would be a better team defensively if he didn't get involved so often.

Not sure where all this Houghton bashing has come from??



2 seasons ago he was SL top tackler over the course of the full season. He consistently puts in 40+ tackles a game and often puts in an 80 minute stint. His work rate is top drawer! His attacking prowess is not of the same ilk as say James Roby but he does contribute with yards going forward from dummy half and the odd grubber or kick over the top.



As for mixing it in the middle of the park, isn't that what the big guys who surround the hooker are for???!!!

Is it really a hookers job to win collision? I'm not sure it is. What Houghton does really well is prevent a forward from finding the floor quickly by keeping him upright, allowing us to get men in the tackle and win the floor. I doubt there's video of the likes of Roby & Clark winning one on one collision.



Plenty of areas for improvement in Houghton's game, not sure defence is one.

I'm not getting at Houghton. He's not a big guy so he does okay considering. But it's not his job to be first man in trying to win the collision against big forwards. He needs to take a step back and let his forwards do that.



His workrate and enthusiasm is to be applauded. But it's not necessarily good for the team.

You might not think it's his job to be first man in the tackle but not a lot you can do if they come straight at you/target you. Last time I checked, a hooker is a forward!

To be fair, Houghton is mostly the 2nd man in the tackle..

To be fair, anybody slagging houghtons defence off is a moron! Wears is heart on is sleeve , could make better decisions in attack, but he's everything you want from a local lad , 100% every week , no matter how e the rest of the te are playing

the criticism is that he hasn't really progressed over the last 2/3 years, and still has big issues with his distribution and attacking play.



No one can fault his effort, but at the same time I am disappointed that he hasn't progressed enough to be in the England squad right now, which is missing its first and second choice hookers.

I've been told this morning that Miller is heading to Wakefield - apologies if posted previously.

Houghton's attacking has improved and the stats back this up, despite this being our poorest season in a few years, his attacking stats are the best in his career, this year he scored 9 trys and had 11 assists (combined 20) which is double any previous season, his average gain was also more than any of the previous 5 seasons also. His distribution isn't perfect, but since the criticism of him this year, I watched Clarke and his isn't any better. Our halfs don't help as they often stand too far back, hopefully this will change with Sneyd and Pryce and they will help Houghton out. I really don't understand the the Houghton bashing, watch the one game he missed this season (Catalans away) and see how much he was missed, our acting half play that game was so slow and we really missed him, had he played we would have won that game IMO.



He isn't perfect, but which hooker is, there isn't many I would swap him for in SL and if he became available I would bet plenty of top sides would try and sign him.



Back on topic I reckon Rovers will try and sign Tahu now that Nev has jumped ship.

Spot on dave

They've just announced that Ryan Bailey is joining them from 2015 for two seasons. That should make the derby matches a little bit more interesting!

Agreed.



My concern at hooker is that Cunningham can't fill Hazza's boots. I like Houghton a lot. Staying off topic, does anyone have an opinion on Brad Parker? He was picked for England this year so I assume he is in with a chance of making it.

Splendid

They are welcome to him,over-rated cheap shot merchant and windy get

we will see just how much of an average player he is being carried by the rest of the leeds forwards!

He'll fit in well with Cockaine, shame Edens gone mind

Radders may come out of retirement and give him another pasting

Unlikely given Wakefield don't have any non-fed trained places remaining.

Your infatuation with both players is well documented, do you keep in touch with Greg now he's down under?

No need to now

So Rovers finally replaced Clint Newton. About time and a perfect match, windy, cheap-shot, niggly.



I think that's Chester's "new playing style" he mooted.

Unreal, honestly!



Radford talks about bringing in another new player and all we get is talk of Rovers new star recruit!!!

Yet here you are looking on a thread about a possible signing for us.......star signing....he is 5hit