The only thing that worries me slightly about Richardson coming in is this: I can only think of one way in which Halifax can beat us, and that’s if we overplay and gift them loads of territory and possession. That’s something we’re much more prone to when he’s running the plays.
But it still seems the best choice - we should have enough to still comfortably beat Fax even if we’re not quite on it, and without Coote or Richardson we don’t have much of a kicking game.
Continuity of our style of play, yes. I think Richardson at 6 and Lomax at 1 causes far less disruption to our game plan and our style of play than Makinson at 1, for the reasons stated previously. We would have to change our style of play with Makinson at 1 but we wouldn’t with Lomax there.
I understand your point about keeping the Fages/Lomax partnership together in an ideal world but seeing as there is such fluidity between 6 and 1 nowadays I don’t think it’s a particularly big leap for Lomax. It’s a position he’s played in many many times before. Also Richardson has played half back with Fages many times before too. They are all being asked to play in positions that will come naturally. That isn’t the case with Makinson at 1.
To put it simply, I think Richardson is far more suited to playing at half back in this team than Makinson is to playing at 1 in this team, if that makes sense.
The least disruptive move is Welsby to fullback as it’s just a straight swap for Coote but I think that’s the riskiest move given his performances against London this season. Putting Richardson in is by far the most disruptive move as it means Lomax and Fages move positions to accommodate it. It’s a difficult one as there has to be doubts as to whether Welsby can handle the pressure but I’m not sure Richardson should be anywhere near a semi final given his performances in them last season. Not to mention, Fages and Richardson is a terrible partnership. Richardson did put a post on social media saying big week coming up, so from that I’d assume he’s starting. Given the level of opposition it shouldn’t make any difference either way.
Richardson this season - once he'd shook the rust off in his first game - has played very well. He was central to our best performance of the year, beating Wire at home.
Richardson is a capable half. Plus he can kick goals. Can't go into a semi final with no decent goalkicker, regardless of who you're up against
I’d stick with the continuity in the halves & with us playing a Championship side would love to see us throw Welsby in at full back. The exposure in such a massive game will bring him on massively. I think he is the best young kid we’ve got waiting to step up. He’s an elegant runner, he must have broke the line against Cas in the Wigan curtain raiser everytime he touched the ball. If Richardson is likely to be leaving with Theo signing a new deal then I would look at Welsby getting some
experience. He will be a massive star at Saints in the future, not that I am writing Danny off but in all likelihood it looks like he will depart at the end of the season. Feels like a Briers scenario but Danny is too good to sit in the stands for the next 2-3 years.
10/12/1989 12-12 v Dewsbury (H) Regal Trophy.
Att:5,847 (Loyal supporter ever since).
Makinson cannot pass the ball. In the plays Saints pivots are Lomax and Coote alongside Theo. Lomax and Theo can still do the same from FB and SO and Danny knows the plays and has experience in big games. Makinson is a finisher not a creator. Leave him where he is our main threat to the opposition try line. I don’t think we should take Halifax lightly. After all, this is their cup final! Why risk Welsby in a game as important as this? I know Danny has his faults but we need a proven goal kicker on Sat. Go with tried and tested as opposed to giving a young lad a chance to either be a star or have a mare. Too risky for me.