The biggest positive I could see is that we're much better conditioned than we were this time last year which may (and I emphasise 'may') help us to hit the ground running - we don't exactly have an easy start.

Other than that I was disappointed with our performance. We let in some soft tries through sloppy defence and looked clueless in attack, which actually doesn't sound a lot different to last season. There don't seem to have been any improvements in discipline either which is a lesson we should've learned from last year.

The team selection was slightly confusing too. Our defence is much more organised with Richard Owen at fullback because McGoldrick simply doesn't ensure the gaps in the line are covered when he's there; plus Owen's a better tackler and is wasted out on the wing.

I still think we should go quite well this season, and the warm weather and away pitches will help us. I think we may struggle at home thought - our pack doesn't seem able to boss the game enough for us to dominate on the small pitch.

I couldnt make last night but the posts make worrying reading.

Why Matterson persists with Mcgoldrick at full back is beyond me. If Mcgoldrick was young & english would he still be getting
all these opportunities?.

We seem to be making the same plays in attack as last year,i cant work out if the players are ignoring the coach's game plans or T.M is keeping it basic because of the limitations of the players.

The conditioner at the club needs a boot up the backside.

By the posts about last night we still look short of fitness,and some still sound out of shape. Is the conditioner qualified?
If he is and knows his stuff are the players listening to him?.

I mean you could by a mens health magazine from a newsagent and it has advice on bulking up,losing fat and good diet!!!

Most of last nights team are only just back from operations so have not been training fully with the conditioner.

Poor performance last night. Huddersfield beat Cas in every department. Their forwards made more yards, they were a heck of a lot quicker around the ruck, and Robinson ran the show for them.

But was one game and it was a pre-season game. The postive out of the game was that the club now know exactly where they are at and that a lot of hard work is required.

I think showing for the heads of Matterson and McGoldrick is a little early.

It seems to happen every year though, regardless of our performances; and always by people who can't answer the question "So who would you realistically replace them with then?"

=#8000FFThornton & Owen both FAR better then Matterson & McGoldrick.

Yeah, but two weeks before the season even starts? Is this some sort of record?


As a sidenote, from 25 years in journalism I know that purple ink is a big sign that says "IGNORE THIS CORRESPONDENCE. IT'S FROM A LOON"

Are you really comparing someone who's been our coach for over 4 years (with relative success when put in perspective) and spent pretty much his entire career at the top level of the game; with someone who has no experience coaching in the top-flight?


Interesting fact.

I have no problems with Matterson and i believe he is a good coach, who as done alot of good for the club.

My problem is Ryan McGoldric keeping Owen out of full back, whenever Ryan was on the pitch last night (around 70mins) he was full back and Owen on the wing/bench.

I believe that Owen is alot better full back, and doesnt give away alot of daft penalties like McGoldric (like last night at Hodgson conversion attempt). Surely we have to look at the bigger picture here and see Owens are number one full back and put McGoldric maybe on the bench for the Leeds game.

I think you're pretty much preaching to the converted there and you're absolutely right in what you say IMO. There only seems to be one person who thinks playing McGoldrick at full-back is the way forward, and that's the one bloke who picks the team.

=#BF00FFHave you got my onions rings?