BP1 wrote:We did what was needed, and in the end, after a scratchy first half, we won fairly comfortably, although that was as much to do with Cas being poor as it was with ourselves. Certainly, Castleford's self-belief seemed to evaporate fairly smartly after those two quick tries early after the restart, although their score to bring it back to within six was arguably the best of the game!
Overall, I quite enjoyed the afternoon's entertainment. Yes, we will need to play better in the remaining games, and we are capable of playing better as we have shown in recent weeks, but amazingly, after looking so directionless in March/April, we are in the mix for a play-off spot with eight games to go, a pretty amazing turnaround from where we were back then.
We undoubtedly have weaknesses to work on, but then so do the other sides in that mid-table group, there's no-one in the cluster just above us that we need to be that fearful of. There is at least one, possibly two, play-off spots up for grabs. If we can replicate in the next eight games what we have achieved in the last eight then we won't be too far off. Qualifying for the top-six would represent a successful season for this squad as we lack enough true quality to be serious challengers at the very top.
What that would say about the standard of SL 2023 I'm unsure, but I'll take being in there come September!
Fair assessment. We won without playing great, which is a good sign. The standard of SL this year, is probably the lowest we have seen. Leeds are so inconsistent, Warrington seem to want their coach gone, Salford looked to have peaked already and Rovers, after a dismal run, might just have turned a corner, with the new man Schneider steering them around , they have found a way to win again. As for the relegation battle, Wakefield's recent resurgence has been halted, but I cannot see a win from Castleford in any remaining fixtures, including the Wakefield match, which may well decide who goes down, points difference may prove to be the deciding factor for that battle, as will our's for a play off spot, effectively we are two points further adrift because of it.
I'm going to say something quite controversial about Satae....but that run for the Swift try in the 2nd half, although outstanding to watch, it equally annoyed me.
At half time, I had mentioned that he had been on the pitch around 17/18 minutes, and had only taken 2 or 3 drives in that time - which isn't enough for a front rower. He then scored the barge over try, and went on the rampaging run for Swift - but when you look that his stats for the weekend were 125 metres, 50 of those came in one run! Would you rather have a prop do that once every 4 or 5 games, or someone who offers more consistently. He was also at fault IMO, for the Broadbent try - Watts and Westerman ran at Satae.
Joined: Jan 30 2004 Posts: 8185 Location: Never never land away with the fairies
Irregs#16 wrote:I'm going to say something quite controversial about Satae....but that run for the Swift try in the 2nd half, although outstanding to watch, it equally annoyed me.
At half time, I had mentioned that he had been on the pitch around 17/18 minutes, and had only taken 2 or 3 drives in that time - which isn't enough for a front rower. He then scored the barge over try, and went on the rampaging run for Swift - but when you look that his stats for the weekend were 125 metres, 50 of those came in one run! Would you rather have a prop do that once every 4 or 5 games, or someone who offers more consistently. He was also at fault IMO, for the Broadbent try - Watts and Westerman ran at Satae.
Not sure what you're saying is necessarily controversial as its been said many times that for a player of Sataes size and ability he doesn't carry the ball often enough and is often well below the number of carries of other forwards in SL per game. Think that's why many of here have said whilst its disappointing to lose him he isn't irreplaceable.
As for the Broadbent try it wasn't just Satae at fault as it was also another awful missed tackle by Lane.
In regards to Satae for me he is far better the more carries he takes but as you say its just not often enough, whether that's just down to how we play or not I'm not sure.
I really enjoy long walks especially when they are taken by people I don't like!
Chris71 wrote:In regards to Satae for me he is far better the more carries he takes but as you say its just not often enough, whether that's just down to how we play or not I'm not sure.
The less he is able to be targeted in defence is the big thing too, he is always high for marker tackles because teams turn the ball back on the inside to try and fatigue him. I think his performances have improved a lot since he started coming off the bench too.
Hard Work Beats Talent, When Talent Doesn't Work Hard
Chris71 wrote:Not sure what you're saying is necessarily controversial as its been said many times that for a player of Sataes size and ability he doesn't carry the ball often enough and is often well below the number of carries of other forwards in SL per game. Think that's why many of here have said whilst its disappointing to lose him he isn't irreplaceable.
Quote:As for the Broadbent try it wasn't just Satae at fault as it was also another awful missed tackle by Lane.
In regards to Satae for me he is far better the more carries he takes but as you say its just not often enough, whether that's just down to how we play or not I'm not sure.
bonaire wrote:i would play Lane in the reserves on Saturday
If we didn't already have so many players leaving, Lane is probably one we should also be looking at moving on. He's probably one of the only players that looked better under Hodgson than they do under Smith.
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