fair comment...

I thought we gave a very good account of ourselves against what will be a top 4 super league side come the end of the season. Thought Armistead, Hill and Taylor were excellent in the pack and will be as good as anyone in NL (Championship). Stanton looked dangerous today as did Reay when he came on. Our defence was excellent at times and showed lots of commitment and determination. I thought our short kincking game was good and that many repeat sets in NL will lead to tries, although i did think we tried a couple too many kicks near their line.

Alot of people knock Watson on here, but against Salford and Oldham we looked a far worse side when he wasn't on the pitch. On the negative side, Morrison and Cookson were put on their backs far too often and our long kicking game wasn't the best. Having said that we won't be facing SL opposition every Sunday.

Sorry to say Watto is NOT the answer too one dimensional, lots of hospital balls, players don't seem to know who's getting it, holds onto the ball for far too long, and those kicks today on tackles 2 & 3 let the ball get to the wingers , u might be surprised and score occasionally

I'm glad it's not only me who thinks this. On the plus side today I think our pack will walk tall in NL1 after yesterdays experience. I can see them really coming together this year. I think Cookie needs to watch his weight though. He looks to be putting a bit to much on. Sam Rea looked usefull and Durbin looks to have something even though yesterday wasn't a good outing for him he looks to be sharp. Jamie Smith needs a good centre inside him and a confidence boost. He also didn't really have a good game but some of his mistakes were caused by being left with three blokes to mark. I would bring Stuart Donlan in at centre and put Morty back to full back. Stuart will always make yards going past opponents. Someone with his experience will see holes in defences.

i thought we played quite well.....

made good yards up the field, defended well on our line for periods of time, got repeated sets off kicking the ball into the deadball area.
What we do when we are in sight of the oppposition try line seems a bit of a mystery to us still, but against other teams in our league, we will score points.

mostly, wigan scored from our daft penalties putting us on our own try line.

Leulai and Paleessina (sp?) were the big difference yesterday - we too need a big fat forward to batter the oppostion.

mort at f /b, and donlan at centre would be preferable

half backs a BIG problem

i'd be tempted to go with marsh at stand off on sunday at fev, cos if ridyard plays there, his confidence might get shot to bits, as he'll be up against a real class act.

Definitely a growing opinion that Donlan at centre would be the preferred option, and I'd agree with that; would certainly help Smith come on leaps and bounds who, it would seem, is likely to put up a good challenge to Alstead for that spot.

Grubber kicks are a reasonable tactic but many were poor at it got to the stage they were even being blocked and going nowhere. There is a lack of thought to them. You saw how profitable kicks in Mathers direction were yet you never bombed him. You should have. Likwise when Pryce came on he was a perfect target oddly for bombs (he has had a nightmare with them v Hudds and Wire) and grubbers.

Ultimately though you desparately need a left sided playmaker.

I am only guessing but Ridyard I think prefers the right side BUT has to try to play left because Watson is so right sided.

you will find thats a problem with most NL clubs as if a player can play to both sidea he's usually in a SL tam as they are few and far between down here.

kelly says he is keeping an eye on the aussie market, re a half back, but is unsure if to try and bring somebody in at this stage of the season, if there is somebody bring them in i say, however don't just buy for the sake of it, marsh at stand off, don't think so, kelly has already said he is going to be in the pack. i will throw a name into the mix, dewsbury are reported in todays's le that they may make a move for martin ainscough, what would people think about us going for him as our stand off.