I agree also. Hopefully Matt Calland will have learnt some vital lessons during 2009. Firstly, to put players where they are most effective and, secondly, to engage brain before opening mouth.

You are too kind

Absolutely, we will be back stronger next season. I don't believe Barrow will*

* - Just to make clear AT THIS CURRENT POINT IN TIME

We'll have to see about that. But we have signed all our GF winning team except Ellis and should also have Ostler and Campbell back for the start of 2010. We really only had rooney for 1/3rd of the season and the OLdham 5 for 1/4 of it, so we will on paper be MUCH stronger at the start of 2010 than we were 2009.

No doubt Rooney will break his leg per usual or come up with some new condition

. So that'll be you guys screwed, never known a more '1 man' team ever.

What a complete load of rubbish..........It's no coincedence that Fax's poor run of form coincided with Ben Blacks poor form is it ?

I put it more down to the loss of Matt James.

Be interesting to see how Sparra get on without Rooney, as he's bound to miss some games.

For once I agree with you about us coping. I hope we have the strength in depth come the start of the season to cope with injuries. At last seasons mid point we didn't and it cost us the treble.

Oooo.... you bit!

And him going off injured after our first try probably cost us the grand final. had we been able to bring him back on would have made all the difference imo.

or even Ben Blacks poor form, Penky's poor form, the loss of Matt James, the loss of Greenwood. That, as I see it is at least 4.....

As to how Barrow cope without Rooney. Err... why not look at the first two thirds of last season, NR Cup final and challenging for top spot.

As for the reasons for Halifax' run of poor performance, I wouldn't put it down to losing one or two players as all teams have to cope with that situation. That would suggest Fax are something of a one man team, an accusation levelled at Barrow by your forum comedian Swell. I would say it was similar to the reason Barrow had a drop in form, relatively young inexperienced coach's running out of ideas to motivate the team.