Yes.
That 4 round ko comp is one of only two major trophies available to win each and every season.

Hi Wilde 3, it was late in the game we were beat, Wakey five yards from our line, big Fafita drives in Tag flies in drives him out, then for a few minutes it all kicked off, not excuses the best team won, but the referee was dire.

Yes, but that doesnt change the fact that its still only 4 games and winning it isnt on its own the mark of a great team.

I dont care about these middle 8s and I am willing to give Radford botd, but injuries or no injuries this has been a pretty dismal season. My concern is that Radford doesn't seem to see the obvious glaring problems, and just thinks if everyone just tries a bit harder everything will be ok. If we start the season poorly and our style hasnt evolved and we aren't top 4 come Easter then its time to thank him for what he has done and bring in someone a bit more forward thinking.

Certainly don't think Radford is indispensable.
We need to mend up and get back amongst it come 2019.
Do I think he's capable of achieving that?
Yes, he's already proven that to an extent, and he needs to again.

Agreed, but he is going to have to adapt. We dont have Watts, Ellis, Pritchard and Fonua anymore. We still have lots of quality but doing what worked in 2016 and 17 wont work anymore. But I'm not convinced he knows another way.

A committed happy clapper here, accussed as such for not critiscing the club at every turn for the sake of it but even I get fed up. We’ve been dire for most of the season, and yes, injuries have caused most of the inconsistencies but teams have changed style radically this season, emulating Cas from last. We’re still playing “batter the opposition down the middle” but no longer have the players capable to carry it off. I left last night thinking “it’s going to be another long trophyless season 2019, because we’re going with the same squad and playing style”. Changes are needed but not sure Pearson can or will do it. Manu, Mini and Washy’s resinging is a big mistake, Washy was out of sentiment and giving him a testimonial which he deserves but he could have moved on and still be granted it from RFL. A change of coaching style and staff are required urgently, not Radford’s head as some want but definitely an experienced attacking coach but who’s available? Radford hinted on radio that he’s considering changes in playing staff and was critical of Manu for hunting instead of tackling but can contracts be changed once signed, we must be upto the cap again. The addition of Connor and Kelly last night wouldn’t have made a haypeth of difference IMO. So, I’ll ask all you experts and keyboard coaches, what seriously can be done?
I tried to post this 3 times but the site wouldn’t load it, porobably because of my sympathies.

Handbags. Both players should be cited for throwing punches....and missing. Both had more chance of getting pneumonia from the draft off the missed punches.

But retaliation is the worst offence so why did Wakey get the pen?

Quote: Hi Wilde 3, it was late in the game we were beat, Wakey five yards from our line, big Fafita drives in Tag flies in drives him out, then for a few minutes it all kicked off, not excuses the best team won, but the referee was dire. Quote: Not exactly how it happens. Fifita makes the yards again with players on his back and certainly not pushed back as suggested. Taylor stupidly probably in frustration not being able to dominate concedes a penalty by grappling with fifita head while he’s on his knees. Act of frustration in being dominated by an opposition forward it would seem. Things like that put your team under pressure no matter how long in the match is gone. Link is on totalrl thread or sky sports for you Wilde so you can see for yourself. http://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/h ... ield/49776 There were no punches I could see. Grappling a players head on his knees defenceless and pulling is not a smart thing to do. It was handbags as a result of that foul. Not sure how you could get a pen for hull from that.

Quote: Hi Wilde 3, it was late in the game we were beat, Wakey five yards from our line, big Fafita drives in Tag flies in drives him out, then for a few minutes it all kicked off, not excuses the best team won, but the referee was dire. Quote: Not exactly how it happens. Fifita makes the yards again with players on his back and certainly not pushed back as suggested. Taylor stupidly probably in frustration not being able to dominate concedes a penalty by grappling with fifita head while he’s on his knees. Act of frustration in being dominated by an opposition forward it would seem. Things like that put your team under pressure no matter how long in the match is gone. Link is on totalrl thread or sky sports for you Wilde so you can see for yourself. http://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/h ... ield/49776 There were no punches I could see. Grappling a players head on his knees defenceless and pulling is not a smart thing to do. It was handbags as a result of that foul. Not sure how you could get a pen for hull from that.

It's hard to judge IMO.
Last couple of years we've had a stronger squad and very limited injuries.
This year the squad is weaker, we've had on average, at a guess, 6 first teamers out and when we've brought them back they are not fit. At a guess last night in addition to missing Connor, Kelly, Bowden, Mini, Hadley & Westerman I'd say Talanoa, Carlos, Griffin, Sneyd, Taylor and Manu are simply not fit. The consequence is putting the likes of Downs up against Fifita and Pauli Pauli - it won't end well.

If we get closer to full strength we do better, and let's face it our SL status is more secure than that of Leeds and we were very unlucky to go out of the cup.

The number 1 issue for me is the pack. Taylor is putting in ridiculous shifts but is simply carrying the forwards. The other props are either absent or less effective than they need to be at this level. It makes the release of Watts even more disappointing than it was at the time because regardless of bell-endery he is a quality forward in a pack already downgraded through the loss of Ellis and Pritchard. Manu was outstanding last year but hasn't been fit this, and Westerman's cameo was nice but he has off field previous so not that confident he will deliver in the medium term. Unless the current group remain fit for the whole season in 2019 and rediscover the team grit of the last 2 years we will struggle. We need a Casty and a BMM. But my guess is that we're contracted up to the cap and don't have the cash to pay contracts out so we go with what we've got unless there are clubs wanting swap deals, but I can't see it.

More positively I'm pretty happy with our 1-7, Kelly and Connor are so talented and great to watch, plus Carlos is great when fit and we have a double Lance Todd winner at 7. Behind a beaten pack though, they won't give of their best.