Matt Banahan looks back on 2011/12

Seems to be a fair assessment but I do have one problem with it.

Banahan believes he had a good RWC?

Can some of you help me out with this one as I'm having trouble remembering the non event, I can't recall Banahan doing anything?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18440208

This coming on the back of him saying he is aiming for a Lions place. The guy needs to remove his head from his own back passage and go back to working on his pace and his body position in contact.

Banahan didn't do anything. He didn't throw dwarves, he didn't hook up with an old flame, he didn't wear sponsored equipment, he didn't abuse any hotel staff and he didn't jump of any ferries. SI he had a better world cup than a fair number of his squad.

I always knew you were a secret Bath fan or maybe you just love the rag doll!

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Banahan didn't do anything. He didn't throw dwarves, he didn't hook up with an old flame, he didn't wear sponsored equipment, he didn't abuse any hotel staff and he didn't jump of any ferries. SI he had a better world cup than a fair number of his squad.

Yet all the players that did go swimming, chuck dwarves, etc played better on the pitch than Banners. Maybe in reflection he should have got stuck into these activities

HKC we all know it's only a matter of time before yet another Bath reject makes it into the Glaws starting line up!

Do you want to take Banners now or in a couple of seasons?

HERSH wrote:HKC we all know it's only a matter of time before yet another Bath reject makes it into the Glaws starting line up!

Do you want to take Banners now or in a couple of seasons?

I know we have a club rivalry, but that suggestion goes beyond the realm of rugby banter to down right thuggery. Please God no, I'd even rather have Stephen Donald than Banners!

With Vainikolo gone you have room for a big winger HKC...

I was a fan initially...and really thought he could be a serious prospect...but alas i think that experiement has gone now.

formerly known as Sam wrote:With Vainikolo gone you have room for a big winger HKC...

Give me Big Les any day! We have just signed Shane Monahan from Rotherham who is rather sizeable so definitely need for Banners, repeat definitely no need for Banners!!

On Shane Monahan HKC, he is being discussed as a winger by Glaws, but his Rotherham Titans squad profile has his preferred position as OC, with wing and alternate position. Wonder which it'll be. He does look good physically, it'll be interesting to see if he can make the step up.

jeffwinger wrote:On Shane Monahan HKC, he is being discussed as a winger by Glaws, but his Rotherham Titans squad profile has his preferred position as OC, with wing and alternate position. Wonder which it'll be. He does look good physically, it'll be interesting to see if he can make the step up.

I'm not expecting huge amounts to be honest. He'll be battling it out with Clarke for 4th choice is my guess - it all depends upon how ND uses the likes of May, Thomas and Locke who can all play wing too. The guy clearly showed early promise, it's just a question of is that all it was?

He does add something different to the rest of the wing options, given his size, which is a useful addition. From what I've read about him he should be a solid (and cheap) squad player but not much more, same with Locke. However recent recruitment from the lower leagues has been relatively successful so hopefully Monahan, Locke and Sione can contribute more than is expected of them. I fully expect Sione to have quite an impact.

Nigel Davies has been fond of solid wingers at the Scarlets in Lamont and North, and quite often will play a centre out there if there are injuries. So if this lad is an outside centre by choice, I would not be suprised to see him getting a run out on the wing.

I actually quite like Banahan. He's a bit dopey but in an England shirt I still believe he's yet to have his fair share of chances. I know his missed try against Shane Williams was unforgivable but the point remains he has shown more in an England jersey in his few caps than most 30 caps+ have.

I do think he needs a positional change though. He was good against the BAaBaas last season at 12, though I personally think he should move to lock. Or at least trained there by Bath, and if he's capable give him a go.

I think he started out in the second row before having a go on the wing due to having a bit of pace. He could convert back but he'd need to sort out his body positioning in the tight and man up a bit. For a man of his size he strikes me as being a bit soft. Wouldn't say it to his face though...

Looseheaded wrote: the point remains he has shown more in an England jersey in his few caps than most 30 caps+ have.

You must be his Mum, as only a mother could be that one-eyed in the face of the truth! The guy is decent enough at club level, but unless he starts taking skill pills he will never be an international class player. His technqiue in too many areas is poor.

HongKongCherry wrote:

Looseheaded wrote: the point remains he has shown more in an England jersey in his few caps than most 30 caps+ have.

You must be his Mum, as only a mother could be that one-eyed in the face of the truth! The guy is decent enough at club level, but unless he starts taking skill pills he will never be an international class player. His technqiue in too many areas is poor.

I don't think he's yet International class. I do think that there are many players with more England caps who are also not international class, and are less skilled/effective than he is.

I don't think that makes him worth a punt though.

He just seems to only be able to run slowly at a player and then fall over! Tbf though with the kind of passes that Donald fires behind him i'm amazed he ever got the ball last season!

His big strengths are his size and ability to pick good lines off of the shoulder of then. If he can do that with more pace so the covering defence are always scrambling. Then sort his body positioning so that he isn't so upright and all that weight and momentum can be transferred into power in contact Manu style. If he does that he'll be a real handful.

If my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle!

Manu's biggest strength is that he's short but hench.

Banahan is lanky with silly tats.

I don't think he'll ever be an international player but if bath stop messing him about he'd be a good winger OR center(no passing though leave that to ducky).

And HKC if you're aunt had balls she'd be your auncle

Yappy being from Glaws my aunt probably does have balls!

Seems he has an attack of the "Dallaglios", i.e. trying to talk his way into an England shirt....