We looked a lot better than we did against Warrington last week but still too many errors that a costly things such as one on one missed tackles and knock on's in opp 20, Hurrell, Peteru, Dwyer, Ferres and Sutcliffe and Donaldson went well one of best games I've seen Ferres have in a long time Hurrell will be class for us this year with ball in hand he's such a threat. Lolohea needs to try and find a way to get his pace back when he debuted for NZ Warriors he was miles quicker, Merrin showed glimpses of what he can offer but need to get him at loose forward asap he's wasted at prop imo, Walker had a shocker positioning wise and the errors he made we're awful but he's still young and rarely has games as bad as that( wonder if Golding had a game like that though what sort of stick he would be getting?). Thaler was a joke from start to finish constantly penalizing us and the Merrin forward pass he gave was a joke but allowed Wigan 2 or 3 tries with forward passes in build up to stand. I'm optimistic for the coming weeks and I believe we will come good and hopefully we can get of the mark with a win at Salford next week.MOT!!! ALAW!!!!!

I thought Merrin went well last night - bar the missed tackle for the try, but that can happen.

Sutcliffe as always is a strange one - he made some really strong and important tackles, but then missed the 7, and more worryingly for me, seemed to get sucked into the middle on a number of occasions, leaving us short of numbers out wide. There were a number of occasions where he'd floated too far in field, or had made a tackle mid-field and didn't get back to his position meaning we were out numbered and having to slide at pace, which left gaps all over. These instances won't show as missed tackles, but his actions had thrown out the structure. I'm pretty sure I recall people giving Walters plenty of stick for this - almost being too keen to get involved in a tackle, forgetting about his positional responsibility.

Yeah, that channel on the right has been an obvious weakness so far, but I suppose if Furner sees Sutcliffe as a 2nd rower then we have to be patient because that position is probably the hardest to play in. It also can't be easy having a returning Watkins there at the moment.

I really like that adds some pace to the pack, but I'd start Ward there with TM at LF, and Sutcliffe on the bench.

Pretty much agree though there needs to be standards. Cam Smith should not automatically be in the 17 every week, any more than should Brett Ferres, Liam Sutcliffe, Trent Merrin etc.

Agree with all of this.

hopefully those breaks last night will inspire Tui to do sumthing about his weight, he was rapid a couple of year ago and would of jogged in that first intercept , at 23 he should still have that pace if he can drop a stone +, surely the staff are on at him daily about it.

Merrin has to play 13, play your marquee player in his best position, especially when his best position allows him to play more minutes than he is currently .

Merrin absolutely has to be at 13 - he will play his best rugby playing off the back of a good drive and quick ptb from a proper front rower.
He can do the hard yards, but you don't want him taking those early set hit ups on every set . He should be the next play after the clearing drive, with the defence not quite as set, that way he can either hit the guys behind the ruck to continue getting a roll on through the set, or he can look to offload - he's so much more than just a battering ram.

Unthinkable but does Watkins need some more time to get fit and confident away from 1st team?
I guess we just give him more time and be patient but he’s quite off the pace right now.

Definitely well off it early doors although I thought he improved as the game went on. Call me an optimist but I don't think it'll take him that long now, couple more games maybe.

Better improved performance last night. We got shafted by ref first half good and proper. Second half we made just too many errors with ball in hand and you cannot beat anybody if you keep turning the ball over. Walker was awful he does not like putting his body on the line at all and his passing is atrocious.
Myler awfull first half but played better second half. Thought Merrin went well actually, glimpses of what he is capable off. Ferres excellent more of the same please, Peteru looked good needs an extended run and think he will be a big asset, Dinaldson plays well above his size. The whole side just not gelling yet but it's getting there, the squad seems a bit more together this year, which is good, keep improving week on week and we will start winning some games, hopefully get the first win at Salford next week, as cannot see us getting anything at saints.

It will not take him long to get back to best form I agree, players like Watkins are too good to play dual reg his rehabilitation as to be in the first team. Patience full stop is required with this team said it before we need to see where we are in 10-12 games then from 12-20 games not two or even first 4-6.

It’s probably as well that we’re getting these losable away fixtures to the top sides out of the way early on actually. These are games even a fully functional Leeds might lose later in the season, whereas we could have a chance at home on the return fixtures if we gel.
Snagging a win away at Salford would be useful, but I don’t think it will be an easy task at all.
I’m not sure Singleton gets back in next time unless there’s an injury or he has a blinder for Fev.
No point in blaming the referee - I don’t rate Thaler but after the forwards laid a platform, our skill level in the backs just wasn’t good enough to win the game. We’re just not good enough at the moment to control games and apply consistent pressure to opposition.

The overall performance against Wigan was a big improvement and we were on the wrong end of some dubious decisions that gifted them 12 points and the all important momentum. The scoreline flattered Wigan and we had a better metre per carry than they did.

We were also not helped by poor performances from our half backs (again) and a really terrible performance from Walker where nothing went right for him and he is unlikely to have such a poor match again. Having said that his flaws were exposed. He is not yet being physically robust enough for a full season of SL at fullback and he looks to me to be trying too hard to go for glory every time he has the ball. He now rarely passes (perhaps why his passing is poor) and is now more easily dealt with by the opposition who know he is not going to pass (a decease that Briscoe suffer from too)

Our back three all were not up to scratch and in a game where we let in 6 tries between them they only made 8 tackles with 6 missed tackles, 6 errors and only one clean break (Handley)

So what are our options?

I certainly would be looking to give McLelland a run soon. From what I have seen and heard he has the talent, toughness and attitude to make it and this should trump any lack of experience. All youngsters until their first game lack experience at this level eg Walker and our golden generation.

We could give young Walker a rest and move Lolohea to F/B giving McLelland a run at 6 or we could bring him in to replace Myler, who had been the least effect of the halfbacks.

However I favour putting McLelland on the bench in place of Parcell so he can cover both halves and hooker (he has played at hooker) and we give him a run in both positions from the bench.

As regards Merrin, I like the look of him and on another day his offloads would have led to victories. I think he is not fully fit which is perhaps why they are spelling him at prop. If he can regain full fitness he can move to the back row and play more minutes.