First time we've kept the opposition scoreless by half time in successive games for five years.

Good stat, one negative I think of, is that in both game the opposition have been down 12 men for 10 minutes, in that period we haven't scored a try.



Overall you have to be happy, I still think there is improvement in us as a team and individuals, which I still think we need to challenge for trophies this year.



Still a lot rides on injuries.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/r ... in-3189286 Josh Griffin's thoughts so far..

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/r ... in-3189286 Josh Griffin's thoughts so far..

Injuries affect every squad but we saw against Salford the ability to stick to the system and game plan regardless of the personnel.



Pundits and fans alike can see the difference the players also speak of and although we didn't score when the opposition were down to 12 that could again be seen as a positive. The fact we remained calm and patient instead of forcing plays expecting to score could be part of the process.

I think the appointment of Hodgson has been an astute signing by AP and hopefully will improve the club culture going forward in regards to the development of players and staff.

Carlos in an interview said pretty much the same thing in regards to defence and culture.

It's great all the staff have bought into it and instead of groups pulling in different directions we now have a collective working together.

In regards to playing against 12 men previously we would not doubt have tried forcing the plays to score which we’ve seen us do before then start to panic. This time the structures and plays were still in place and there’s a patience that we haven’t seen for so long. I think at the start of the game against Salford we were a little too eager in the first 10 mins then settled down.



What pleased me about both times we played against 12 men’s was that we didn’t go all out to get a score. We were patient waiting for and creating opportunities but more than happy to take gas out of Salford’s tank by making them work by moving them about and having to do a lot of defensive efforts. It’s more about staying in the game and then being clinical when we get or create the opportunity to score.



Let’s be honest how many of us if things had stayed the same as last season coaching wise could honestly say after the first two rounds we’d be leading in terms of pts scored and 2nd in least pts against?

Nicely written article Mrs B enjoyed reading it, we seem a much happier team under BH, it shows on the field as well, a band of brothers almost.



I know a lot of posters are thinking mix the team up for Fev, but personally I would play the strongest available side, it’s knock out, and the obvious is, be in the next round. A possible cup final later, would be a welcoming financial reward for AP.



We’ve started great against two teams who for whatever reasons, didn’t offer much threat or intensity, if that was due to our progression, or their failings, I’m sure upcoming games against the wire for example, will be an indicator of our form, when we are really pressured, can we keep our composure, without losing our heads and system, can we be consistent, up to now we have been excellent.

I'd agree with this. When the opposition have a man in the sin bin, you dont have to score during that period. What is important is that you remember the opposition are having to work harder during that period, so as long as you keep them honest, the rewards will come later in the game. Don't give them cheap possession or give away daft penalties. Kick deep and turn them around. Make their big men do a lot of work. If you score in that period then it's a bonus, but its not the be all and end all.

Turning teams around with a kick in to the in goal and forcing a drop out is something we hardly did previously.We have seen this a lot in the first two matches and long may it continue as draining teams of energy and lack of possession leads to points

This would have been an ideal game to make a couple of changes like bringing in Faraimo and Brown but due to injuries its likely we will see more.

be interesting to see if Hodgson goes with experience at half back or brings in McNamara.

Fev are a good side and have a big pack who will be looking to knock us around a bit so i would go with Carlos and Danny Houghton who are good defenders and bring in Johnstone so we keep Connor at full back.

Think Faraimo will play and Adam Swift given a rest,Scott to centre,Satae and Bowden to start with Taylor,Brown,Fash and Cator on the bench

Makes one wonder what things were like under Radford given that we’ve started playing such smarter rugby already. Even the Radford trademark bash-and-crash stuff is better eg Cam Scott’s try.

Several of us on here took a lot of stick when we criticised Radford and saying we needed change