I think the dip is relative to who we played.

I think Sandercock has inherited a squad which is full of crap tacklers, watch the rugby on Sky and its very rare you'll see the top sides make a 1 on 1 tackle, where as we get left in those situations far too often. Teams seem to be able to get outside of us to easily too.

Hopefully we will keep improving though.

Netherton must surely play to shore up some gaps in the middle then?

If only it were that simple. The problem is with 9 'suspect' tacklers in the 17 it is a nightmare scenario for Sandercock.



If the decision were mine I would live with Welham, Dobbo and Paea's frailties and drop 3 of the remaining 6 - that would be Mika, Murrell and Withers. Each of these players have other individual qualities but they are front-line players who the opposition target.



I really hope O'hara makes an immediate impact - Galea has - and maybe Netherton could work in tandem with these players.



Sandercock has some big decisions to make.

Murrell could change the game by putting Hock into next week with one of his hits.



Withers, who would you have in the squad instead?

I think the way to improve our missed tackles isn't so much about personal, but our defensive techniques, we have to stop 1 on 1 tackles, get 2 or 3 in every time like the top sides do.

I've also mentioned this before, people bang on about Nethertons tackling, but when he does play he doesn't even do that many tackles, maybe we could play him the full 80, sacrifice his running and just let him tackle lol.

Isn't that what we have Lovegrove for?

Re Murrell; emphasis on COULD! Up to now he hasn't been consistent in defence - he made a quarter of the missed tackles against London!



I'm not convinced by Withers. He came to Rovers with a big reputation but for me for every good play he makes he returns it with 2 bad ones, and for good measure throws in indiscipline and missed tackles!



Give Carlile a chance to impress - this kid can tackle if nowt else.

Murrell ain't big hit anyone for a while now unfortunately.

Dangerous game playing with stats.

Withers has missed 7.2% of his tackles compared to



[list

[*Kris Welham, 14.5%[/*:m

[*Con Mika, 14.4%[/*:m

[*Scott Murrell, 12%[/*:m

[*Graeme Horne, 8.1%[/*:m

[*Micky Paea, 9.7%[/*:m

[*Michael Dobson, 10.3%[/*:m

[*Jason Netherton, 2%[/*:m

[*Josh Hodgeson, 7.2%[/*:m[/list:u



Withers is also 22nd in the try assists table too.

I'm glad you've said this.

Truly shocking defence from 2 1st team regulars. Welham is an easy target for any opposition coach.