We have a conservative approach the game. Rovers have come a long way in the last few years, so I'm not going to knock it too much, as we've seen it can be effective. And I don't expect us to do what Saints did today - even Saints don't do that every week.

However, most other teams on our level offer different types of threat. They have livewire little players or big ones who can offload, they can play expansively and offer a threat out wide. They maybe have more than one pivot. We get into decent position and have no penetration. Our only play seems to be hitting Newton on a flat pass, which results in a knock-on as often as a try. That's if we exclude I'anson taking a second to look around for options that have by then vanished, then driving it in. When the kicking game was working, we might at least win repeat sets and score against a tiring team, but now that is stuttering, we've got nowt.
Also if you start conservatively, it is very hard to move up a gear, if you fall behind.

Morgan has worked wonders, passing every test he's faced. I think he understands that we're too limited to progress even further and things like Webster to stand-off were attempts to address that. What we need is an overhaul of the entire attacking structure and philosophy in the offseason and a player or two who can cut or smash through a defensive line.

couldnt agree more, another 'experiment' that imo hasnt worked is murrell at hooker. he can play there as a backup if and when ijuries dictate but wouldnt have him ther by choice. body language today was awful. has justin lost the dressing room? was it all cookie as was suggested?

I know this is primarily about Rovers, but we have the same problem. You hit Newton on a flat pass, we shift it to Manu and expect him to drag 13 defenders over the line.
The really sad thing is that, even if you pooled our squads together it would be no better.

have to agree, both hull sides could not provide a 17 man team capable of challenging

Here is what I'd like to see, looking forward:

All of this...


Personnel wise Galea and Webster are not part of the problem, but unfortunately they are taking up valuable quota spots. We need a top stand-off (Chaz I'anson is a decent utility squad member, but isn't looking like he is going to kick on from that) and the only place I think we'll find one is the NRL. Bell from the academy seems highly rated, so a veteran to knock us into shape for a couple of years would be fine. Mills is effectively gone already and it wouldn't be a surprise if Wheeldon moved on too. Colbon, Lovegrove, Watts and Walker (assuming he makes a successful return to playing) I'd keep for another year at least. With the money saved there and from Cooke's departure, we'd probably need a prop and a centre. The prop, I'd ideally like to be somebody who can offer something different - busting tackles or offloading - otherwise we may as well stick with Wheeldon. Centre is difficult, limited to UK-trained who'll be in high demand - we could use Walker there and look at 2nd rowers instead, if we couldn't get anybody better.
Murrell to return to loose forward, leaving hooker to Fisher and Hodgson.

And in all fairness,that is a bloody disgrace.