How did we have Ward, Sinfield, Maguire, Burrow and Lunt on the pitch at the same time?

Looks like we've found our level and entered the whipping boys mini league

There have been a lot of 34-32 style results between mediocre teams this year, which the SL boosters will tell you is great excitement and a sign of competitive rugby. But when I see one of those scorelines, all I know is that both teams must have been rubbish.

Must be serious if you're joining the 'sack the coach' brigade

Aye, I'm sure it was part of the coaches plan to have Bailey avoiding the ball until it got into the opposition half. Likewise to have the captain flap like a demented seagull every time someone ran at him. McDermott went with a smaller, quicker bench and in the second half it caused Wakefield problems. Unfortunately it meant Ward, Lunt and Sinfield defending in the middle channel which left us lightweight. It was like watching Newcastle under Keegan.

It took me a while until I broke last year. And then I ended up looking silly!

This year I am now well and truly in the "McDermott out" club

had time to think about that and offer a reasoned argument after the journey home.....pooplops!

Did any players emerge with any credit ? (and I don't mean Amor or Ali

)

It does appear Hardaker is more dangerous in attack (as everybody expected) at FB....and that BJB might just be a [itouch more worthy[/i than his nemesis for the RW spot



Hopefully we've seen the last of Smith and Kirke......who else should join them ? Bailey must be on borrowed time it appears. Singleton and Daniel Smith must be wondering what they need to do to get a shot of first team rugby.

Sorry Andy but I don't understand the highlighted bit above. Were Newcastle crap under Keegan?

From what I saw tonight I would swap Amor for Griffin in a heartbeat.

I'm not saying that Griff was crap, just that Amor was much better.

Hardaker, Ablett, Hall and Jones-Bishop went ok. Of the forwards, nobody particularly covered themselves in glory. Tim Smith gave Sinfield and McGuire a lesson in half back play.