I personally do not think our squad is strong enough. In my opinion i don't think we have replaced players like Penky with suitable replacements. I am also still scratching my head as to why we let Aizue go!

Again, i hope im wrong but i think this is going to be a long season for Halifax RLFC

In my humble opinion Aizue did nothing more than our forwards yesterday, but you are right about Penky. We nead someone who can create chances, make a break with pace, perhaps that's Murrell?

Can't blame Penky for wanting to join a bigger club.

Aizue is devastating when he's in the right mood, but that only ever appeared to be for a ten minute spell every three games so I'm sure there are plenty of able replacements?

I did think we missed Murrell yesterday. From what I saw of him at Keighley, in his first game for us, he showed real promise and could well be an able replacement for Penky.

As for Aizue, he is nowhere near as devastating as he was and, with all due respect to him, I think it was probably the right time to let him go.

We shouldn't be placing all our eggs in one basket, re Murrell;

IMO we should bench some of the existing half backs (or move them to FB), and get someone in, who is hungry and has some pace and obvious talent, I am thinking about taking a punt on some young aussie, who wont cost us big bucks, but is looking for a break through.

If only we could get Branighan back. I know alot of people will disagree but Ben Black was a match winner and tore us to shreds at times when we last played Batley at home

Aizue was probably released with the future in mind and young Davies will get more game time and become better because of it.

No one could have replaced Penky but it is a good point.
Apart from Penky what I thought of as our X factor players from the Calland era such as him, Blacky,Shad Royston, Miles Greenwood who could make a break at anytime in the game and get us on a roll have all gone now.

Our style of play is not based around that attacking winner takes all approach.

There will be more games like yesterdays where we have to slug it out and as KH mentioned we will have to run harder and tackle harder than the opposition or we won't get the result.

one of the youngsters coming through may be the one to light up the halfback position.
as faxcar says the previous stand out players have all gone so time for a new set to come through.

My brother is sure he spotted Branighan in town earlier which i find strange as he's supposed to be coaching Young Cherrypickers over in Aus.

he is here, was at the game yesterday with ben black, he is here on holiday till the 15th when he goes home,,

Can not comment on your friendly but that is exactly what it was. Friendlies are for players to get a run out and for the coach to see how the pre season is going I know one thing your team looks a very strong one and your pack looks great which is the way KH will like it You will be there at the end of the season challenging for silverware again people who went to Keighley seemed happy enough when it counts the players won't let you down not long now

Im not sure who though. I did think Davies went well yesterday and he looks like a big unit so will be interesting to see if he does get any game time once the season starts. Back to our halfs again I honestly think KH`s downfall may be that he signed both Thackery and Handforth on 2 year deals which is all well and good if they settle and play well together but they have played together for a full season now and its obvious to anyone with half a clue that it isnt working which is a problem because there is no competition for their places and no chance of bringing someone in early to replace them.

I hope they prove me wrong because our season probably hinges a lot on how they perform. Im usually a pretty good judge of a player though.

Our half backs are going to get roasted on here all season. Basically whenever we lose it'll be them that get the flak because they aren't up to the standard of Black and Brannighan and in no way at all make up for the loss of Penky.

Those players were exceptional. What can you do? Who WOULD be good enough to replace them and are readily available?

KH has already admitted Thackray isn't the real deal by touting him as the next big thing at FB.

This tells me he has a number 7 lined up.