@pascal Now we have been training for a few weeks, I wondered if anyone had seen any sessions and If Ant looks like he has made a real effort on the fitness front.
The lad has obviously got some talent and ability , so I hope he has the dedication to bring out the best in himself as a player.
Well Kear mentioned Fozzard coming back early for training and having dedication, but it is Walker that needs to be back early. Unbelievable we all know Fozzard is fit and that lard arse Walker I have no faith in. If trained hard and had dedication he would not get the pudding insults.
Physical shape is not as important as fitness and ability plus how he fits into the team. His shape reminded me of Pitchford of Leigh, quite a difficult handful in his day.
Iirc when Billy Boston went to Blackpool, on his way to retirement, a special shirt was purchased to reach his 56 inch chest! I doubt that anyone called him 'fat'!!!
Major test is how Ant performs after Bob Beswick has signed him off!
I've said before, I think we need to reign in our expectations regarding Mr Walker's shape and size. Kear was presumably happy with him at Bradford (even if Bradford fans were not!) and with Wales. Kear must have a way he intends to play him and hopefully we can get him fit enough for that role. Our best hope is that he is effective in whatever sort of minutes he gets. He can seemingly break the line and he can offload, whether he can do that enough and when we need it most remains to be seen!
I may have to eat my words over Mr Amor! Decent interview showing an appetite for training, so far, at least, if he can retain that appetite for the games then he will go well for us. Never in doubt that he is a personable guy, with bags of experience, just wasn't sure if he reaally wanted to keep playing!
I’m fitter than Mr Walker, after 2 heart ops. For a semi ‘professional athlete’ his shape and appearance is nothing short of disgraceful. Let this sink in, we’ve replaced Doro with this duck egg. I’m hoping that I’m proved wrong, but I cannot recall an amateur RL player in such bad shape!
I’m fitter than Mr Walker, after 2 heart ops. For a semi ‘professional athlete’ his shape and appearance is nothing short of disgraceful. Let this sink in, we’ve replaced Doro with this duck egg. I’m hoping that I’m proved wrong, but I cannot recall an amateur RL player in such bad shape!
At last someone realises he is a fatty. Bradford fans moaned about him and I am sure we will too. 🎂🎂🍻🍻
I think all this mainly negativity about Walker is disrespectful to the lad. We have all been wanting a big prop for years & now we have one people are blasting him before he has even played for us. I see him as a replacement for Levy so if he plays in just one game that is an improvement as Levy did not even make it onto the pitch!
I see Kear using him as a replacement impact prop in short bursts. I think he will surprise a few. I hope so. After all Johnson has not exactly set the world slight since he came but surprisingly has not attracted anywhere near this criticism.
I think his physical appearance had been noted once or twice previously.At last someone realises he is a fatty.
Thought this thread might be worth revisiting now that many of his detractors have seen him play to see if any of those opinions have changed - assuming that his critics went to the game?
@steve I myself never criticised him, never seen him play so not qualified enough to say anything. However after seeing him Sunday I thought he had a very sound game and drove the ball in strongly. He never missed a tackle or took a step backwards in fact as a forward I think he will make a decent impact player. Looking forward to seeing him later in the season when he is much fitter👍👍
Looks in better shape already with months ahead of him.Not yet played a proper game but things look more promising.I wish him well but one or two wish him failure,just to say "told you so".
I think he deserves a clean slate with us. I was impressed with him on Sunday although he did get caught out in defence a couple of times because of fatigue. Better teams will spot this and expose him. He reminds me of Derick Pyke and I hope he gets fitter as the season progresses.
I’ll tell you what I think has Gone unnoticed , is ants improovement in his change of pace. Clear to see this is something he has focussed on this pre season. Hats of to him
I am sure that I recall a commentator referring to his deceptive footwork tbh, but if he can produce some decent offloads in a game he'll do!!!
Listening to Fleming there has been some work on that during pre-season!
Two very good pieces of play from him Sunday, an early offload out of a 3-man tackle and his charge from his own line and pass to put Fleming in the clear. He may get targeted in defence if we try to use him to too long a spell but the talent is clearly there.