Mental toughness wasn't too bad last year in all. We had something like the 2nd best defence whilst in 10th spot at 1 time. I just think the addition of the new boys and those out has ramped it up a notch. With Taylor been a hull boy and Washy and the Kiwis a real tight bunch it's more togetherness than being a great deal tougher. If we have a little more mental toughness about us I'd say that mostly down to Sika manu and Taylor. But I think all in all its as much about confidence in each other. Think we fancy ourselves to do something in attack and trust each other in defence. Take out last 20 v salford we've barely conceded v good attacking teams. Have we conceded under the posts? Nearly all out really wide

Agree with that

For me both games (infact the 3 including the Rovers friendly) have all been very even up until the 20-25 minute mark when both ourselves and the opposition are making the interchanges. This is where we have been vastly stronger in both league games (again all 3) and that is where we are reaping the rewards and doing the most damage in the games. Last year when Paea & Watts went off we lost ground and forward momentum which in turn stifled Sneyd etc.
This season so far when Taylor & Watts go off not only have we seen improvement in both Bowden & Green as replacements we have the likes of Pritchard, Manu, Ellis & Minichello to call upon to carry on the forward battle. Which has just worn the opposition down and stopped them getting any kind of momentum or cohesion themselves.

Its almost as if we get a second wind after 20 minutes. The lads coming off the bench are really making a difference.

I've criticised Radford in the past for his use of the bench but he seems to be getting it right this season. That said we are at pretty much full strength so our interchange players are excellent. It will be interesting to see how we are when we have a few lads out.

So......I think we can safely say that we were tested to the limits over Easter, mentally. Aside from the second 40 against Widnes, we have shown real character this year and a strong mental resolve, even when we are not playing well we are grinding wins out. Imagine what we could do if we actually play to our potential for 80 minutes!!!!!