Having a plan B would help. Seems that if we don’t get a roll on and are allowed to steam roll through with our second row, then we have no other ideas.

The 2nd half yesterday, even with 12 men, demanded the half backs to get hold of the game. Even if your pack isn’t dominating, with that slope it should have been back to basics and kick deep into the corners and force the opposition to start for way down the hill. Chance is you will forces a mistake. But our kicks were poor, Batley making it back to at least the 40 line after the first tackle.

In fairness to some of the other posts, whilst they may be a bit over the top, it is tough games like these where you expect your senior half back to take control, especially when he knows the pitch so well.

One good thing, at least the sending off will solve the selection problem (not that it should be) over the wingers for a few weeks, not that I’d pick anyone before White and Worrincy anyway.

1st time this season we have had a selection issue for me.

In the centres/wing we have gone from been strong to weak.

We have Nanyn, Tyrer, Heaton, Reittie all out.

i see it as Rob with Patto, and White with .... James Haley to make a comeback to 1st team?

Other than Haley we'd be playing 2nd rowers out of position.

Is Tyrer's injury even that bad, saw him limping off at half time but wasn't sure how serious it was?

Anyway, concerning Friday I would definitely give Bowman a chance at 6 and have Handforth on the bench.

I remember Harrison saying at the start of the season that the squad has plenty of competition in every position and will pick players on form. Apart from Fev and Sheffield away and according to those I spoke to Dewsbury at home (I couldn't go), Handforth hasn't been anywhere near good form. Bowman should have his chance.

Our pack might not have laid the platform down the slope but Handforth is good enough and experienced enough to compensate for this, especially on a pitch he knows so well.

Tyres has said on twitter its looking like his medial knee ligament and could be out upto 3months but needs a scan to confirm it.fingers crossed for him

Even Stevo said that halfbacks can't play behind a beaten pack - tonight during Mondaaaay Niiiight Fooooooootbaaaall.

So there, and he's an expert.

So [ithat's[/i his momentum rule!

I have given it a couple of days to come around from Sunday so that I can be slightly more objective than I probably would have been. It will take me a bit longer to forgive Rettie though because his actions hurt the team.

Handforth didnt have his best game like probably 50% of the team ; thats why Batley beat us.
What I could see watching Handforth is that he desperately wanted the team to win and like us was becoming very frustrated with people not stickling to a gameplan and doing plain dumb plays. He is there to execute the coaches plans and then people kick the ball dead on the oposition line at 16 each rather than passing to him.

He got loads of stick from Batley with the "went for the money" chants , then probably looked on here and got more stick. We felt a bit down, I wonder what he felt like on Monday morning?

He is our player and I think we ought to treat our players with a bit more respect. He isnt a quicksilver half back, we all know that but given half a chance behind a pack doing their business can control a game.

On to Swinton and if he plays I am sure the Hx supporters can give the guy some encouragement to play well. If he does I am sure our very short memories will erase last week and we can all move on.
Up the Fax!

Well said intercepter, couldn't agree more. I too have held back while the dust settled on a disappointing loss that we could and should have won.

The thing is, batley deserved to win, blacky was destined to have a say in it and our ex batley lads were going to get stick from them. Why they then get it from us is hopefully driven out of frustration and nothing else. Handforth wasn't the reason We lost, he was part of a team beaten by a side that were more determined to win.

That said, we have no god given right to beat anyone. The posts stating how inconsistent we are maybe need to remember twelve months ago. We were certainly consistent then when we couldn't buy a win and were bottom of the league early on.

This season we have lost two games and are top, got seven points from the three hardest away games and apart from the Leigh game have done pretty well, handforth and all!

Those calling for blacky, however much in jest or frustration, need to think back to why rhino wanted someone like handforth. I loved watching Ben but we are top of the league because of this set of players and not in spite of them.

Give the lads a break, the sending off cost us but in the heat of a game things happen, thats sport so get over it, go on Friday and back the team.

God knows why I stuck a blah in there, ignore that please!

Was frustrated by Handforth again tonight in the first half and was lucky to stay on the pitch after his stray arm. After Rhino's half time roasting of the team, he was a changed player in the second half.

I thought he was instrumental in driving the team on to a hard earned and very close fought victory. His attacking play and running was much more noticeable and when Penky went off injured, he stepped into that role and tore into the Swinton line in just the same way Penky does.

He has taken a lot of stick so far this season, but if he can consistently play like he did in the second half tonight, I am sure the criticism will turn to praise.

Well done Handforth on tonight's effort.

he looked very dangerous from AHB after Penly pulled up.

Yep i think penky getting injured will bring the best out of handforth, all the plays will npw go through him, he needs to be the main man and was very good in the second half. Not quite sure what he was playing at with the cheap shot in the first half though.

Tiger is proving a big disappoinment I must admit I thought he would go better for us BUT I think he is trying too hard and having to cover for the hit and miss Thackeray who is just too lightweight at this level, he will come good we have to give the guy a chance me included!
Whats going on with Penky? He is playing very poor for him he has always had that blast pass failing when he throws it at the runner to hard like the pass to Aizue, he is a forward they don't do passes like that Penky!