I don't think there was much wrong with effort, some like Manning were superb, but at times the "team unit" was a shambles. A strong word but we looked like we had seventeen players all doing things as well as they could, but only remembering that there were other players around too late and no idea of what each other was going to do.

Why....well they are chopped and changed and can't work out or remember (most aren't that bright) what the other guys gonna do. Playing together not only builds team spirit it builds recognition of playing styles. When the Tinkerman, stopped tinkering he won the Premiership, our coach could do with sticking to a team and style....and he could get a number 9 who can move after ten minutes faster than a snail with hemroids.

Onwards to next week, but a season of inconsistency from an what his season is inconstant and indecisive coach.

The first half was shambolic. What was the game plan for playing down the hill? The Batley players must have been in themselves going in at half time in front after such an easy first half. Second half was a little better but still basic errors and lack of idea on the Batley line left us chasing the game. Once again we get beat by a workman like team when we probably have the 4th biggest budget in the league, its like watching Haven beat us year after year all over again.

As for team selection Im not sure there is much to say that hasnt already been said. We sit our best running half back in the stand for half the season, he really might as well leave because Marshall does not fancy him and will not give him any run in the team in his natural position. We bring in a lad who has not played for weeks straight in to the first team, what message does that send out to the players who got dropped from last week. Im neither a big fan of Smeaton or Connor Robinson but both had decent games last week and both missed out today along with Jonno.

We need to beat Fev twice to give us a chance of the top 4 and that at the moment is laughable. As Fax fans though we really should be used to the disappointment after the hype from last season, its what we do best.

Edit: I really should mention our fantastic marker defence on our own line.

Fax4life. re: The Grix situation. I thought he is back coaching the 2nd Team. Could he not put them.commitments aside to play in the 1st Team? as we could do with some Super League quality out there at the moment.

The guy was our marquee signing, and I would like some value for money for my season ticket at the moment.
(Widnes game doesn't count as it was pay on the gate)

Honeymoon period well and truly over for RM now and we are now in the reality phase of our season.
He will stand or fall by his decisons and selection etc .
Learning curve for him as well don't forget as Head Coach.
Time to make some tough selection decisions for the good of the team and the club.We can't please everybody in the squad so select your best that gell and get on with it. Stop tinkering-season is over half way through now.
Need to work a lot on goal line D and last tackle plays options on attack. We can all see that who go, week in and week out.
With Fev coming into form and Batley grinding out wins against those around them we are probably looking at a season of realising we are not as good as we thought we were.
Nose to the grindstone and lots of hardwork from RM and the players and suppport needed from us as fans to get us through it.

The main thing for me is we gift the ball back far too often, either by forward passes when in possession or penalties when defending.
We don't build pressure but invite it on ourselves because of the above.

League position is about right for the level we are playing at the moment.

Manning, Richard Moore stood out with a few others trying hard but we didn't pose enough of a threat as a team, throw in a couple more soft tries conceded and we didn't do enough at either end of the field to get the result today.

Marshall appears to lack the leadership to manage the larger squad and keep the team spirit we had last year. I hear that many of the players are very unhappy with the chopping and changing, and the way team selections are made. Seems to be a lot a favouritism with some players selected week in week out despite poor performances and others dropped at the first mistake. I suspect a lot of the quality players who took us into the top four last year will be leaving. Marshall need to get a grip quickly or we haven't a hope of regaining the season. Some of this is lack of experience but he needs to learn to manage the team better.
I personally would like to see the team that worked so well for us last year back on the pitch

Do you lads want Rangi? Free to a good home!

Bye Bye Rangi

I doubt that posting on an open forum that you've heard the players may not be happy is going to help. Especially if not true!

As fans we do feel we should be beating Batley, especially after last season. We won't be the last team who feels they should beat them but still end up getting turned over.

I'm sure Richard and the boys are as frustrated as we are but give them a chance - last season we didn't kick on until after the summer bash. Also, remember there is a bigger picture - the club is being rebuilt to be more of a SL prospect - hard I know when you miss out on the capital from the top 4. Look what happened to Sheffield when they went full time!

There's a lot of rugby to play yet

I hope there is a contingency plan in place for next season because at the moment we do not look like we have a hope in hell of making the top 4.

You are only 2pts off Fev and Bradford.

What is your run in like? I know you still have to visit the mighty Fortress that is the LSV but surely if you can get a win against Fev at the Summer Bash it is game on again for 4th spot?

In theory we could be third in two weeks time. But we don't look anywhere near our form of last year. How many times did Tangata break the like last year compared to this? As great as he looks now, he is not being used as effectively as last season.

The body language of the players does not show the confidence of last year. Yesterday every one of those Batley players wanted the ball. Last week against Widnes - every Fax player went looking for involvement. I didn't sense that yesterday.

Perhaps the inconsistency reflects the tactics of The Tinkerman? Are we trying to play too technical? Too much like a SL side with a big squad? This is a more simpler league than SL, perhaps the simple, tested tactics of a coach like John Kear is necessary for this level?

its no fun losing and less so to Batley. However, I know this wont bring much comfort, but if we had beaten Swinton and Batley at home which I feel we should have we would be sitting 3rd league and we would all be crowing how great we are.
Its a tougher league this year, yes we have our own opinions on who should be playing where and when in the team but we are in the mix for a top 4 spot and I am confident we will get there again. UTFAX!

we looked a little jaded yesterday and a cup hangover was to be expected imo ( we went to sheffield and lost after wakey in the cup last year)

reading some of the posts on here you'd think that defeat had put us into the bottom 2

a lot of rugby still to be played yet