Brambani's kicking game and our inability to catch, (Worrincy & Fieldhouse), Henderson putting in an almighty performance, and Sheffield's line speed in defence were our downfall last night. It looked like a lack of 'heart' from some of our team, but I thought Thackeray played well. Tried damned hard to slow them down and certainly put in the tackles. There was too much shooting out of the line and leaving gaps big enough for a super-tanker to go through. I have no doubt that many players are competing with injuries, and it is unfortunate that our squad isn't big enough to cope with that.

Onwards and upwards.

As i said couldn't make the game.

How did our bench do, did it have any real impact or just stay the same?

We seem to be a bit light at the moment.

I am convinced that before we lost Robbo and later Adamson having that extra size kept us on top in the forwards for longer periods.

If we could get Morro, Robbo and Luke Adamson back and possibly Micky Nan in the centres the extra grunt could make a difference.

What do you guys think?

Agree, but two-points, whenever Bambini kicked high in the first half Rob had no cover and yet there were three men on him on both occasions same in the second half with Patterson. Point two yes Thackeray put in a lot of tackles but he also can be guilty of "shooting out of the line"
The biggest brain f"rt was when Scott kicked on the first tackle, even if Patterson had caught it he wouldn't have got far.
I still say take two points when offered, I think that would have put us in a different position, two more points and ball back.
As you say, onward and upward, hopefully.

Too often Rob is left without support on high balls and then everybody says he can't cope, help the lad out and see what he can do.

That was our big problem !! Last tackle, we watched the ball go to Brambini, let him kick and watched as 3 Sheff players competed against an isolated player.

Throughout Sheffield played with more passion and enthusiasm, looking like a team

Exactly NB and as said before we know certain teams will target him which doesn't take much thinking about.

That being the case to counteract it shouldn't take that much thinking about, he needs some support, by putting some real pressure on the kicker and get some of his team mates in the same area of the field.

It's not only Rob most players at most clubs when isolated like this would be under pressure.

It not neccessarily down to abilty either a lot of the times he does clean up well but the dynamics of it make it more favourable to the on rushing attacking players who are moving at speed against the more static defending guy who's trying to get set while watching a spirraling ball with the thunder of boots in his ears.

Who is going to get smashed, the defender.
Who is not going to be able to get off the ground as easily, the defender.
Who is going to get punished more if he knocks on, the defender.
Not very good odds on coming up with an advantage for Rob and Co in that type of play.

Does anyone remember the Cowboy series in the 50s and 60s called Rin Tin Tin ?What was the Dog called ?

Slightly off-topic but distantly related, Tubbs has obviously targeted Worrincey since he left Eagles. Now if he'd seen these so called weaknesses in the fella's play would he have signed him in the first place ? Hmmmm...
By comparison, Daryl Powell targeted his last season signing yesterday, Ben Cockayne & with some decent return !
Aren't we all experts sometimes ? But hey, these blokes get paid for doing business their way, now then, are there any ex-Fax players knocking around that rhino can target when we play them

A good coach should be aware of a players strengths and weaknesses when he signs him, to stop his weaknesses he has to give him some support. Aston targets Rob but our coach is not giving him the right support.
Make your own judgement.

Its an impossible task. Last tackle the defence will be pretty compressed ready to slide with the wingers usually ready for the kick. If you can get a low curving quick kick which Brambani seems to have perfected, it makes it nearly impossible for the centre to get accross to be in any position to protect the winger.

If all we can do is leave a three on one against him on the last play Rob may have to be left out against the Eagles whenever Brambani is playing or just hope he doesn't have such a bad game he has to be taken off after 25 mins.

He came back on, though.