For me it was Myler who made the difference against Wakefield - Gale was poor in that game too. He maybe on his own but that doesn't stop him executing - something he hasn't done in the first two games - his kicking yesterday was appalling - it took him 60 minutes to hit the ground with a kick

I thought gale had a hand in most of the good things we did against wakey and is more important that anyone else when it comes to making us tick.His kicking was undoubtedly off yesterday but he will get fitter,stronger and better.

Think we need a sense of perspective and take stock of current position.Everybody said that our priority was to sort out the pack. On the evidence of the first couple of games the forwards generally have gone well and in terms of field position have given a platform that with the right 1-6 on the field would have seen relatively comfortable wins. The next few weeks are going to be tough but when we get bodies back we will be competitive. I have a few observations on the general discussion.
Throwing more kids into an already depleted backing won't solve anything and potentially harm their development.
Until Myler back I would either go with the 2 Sutcliffe in the centres and Cam Smith at 6 or move Mellor to Centre. We have no pace anyway so might as well strengthen physically. Give King or walters a go then from the bench.
Gale had a poor game vs Cas but lay off the guy he's coming off a long term injury and trying to do everything himself. Also would question potentially the coaching as for 60 minutes we went with the same last tackle kick dropping it on the wingers so presumably this was a coached play!
100% agree about our wingers and would give Tindall ago when Eastmond Newman Hurrell Myler back but not now. Mellor seems to be the new whipping boy but for me although he needs to develop I think Martin is the weaker link he has the odd eye catching game but generally for a 2nd row his overall workrate is low.Expect to lose the next couple but hopefully things settle after that as players return

Stats from the game https://www.superleague.co.uk/match-centre/report/3417

Stats from the game https://www.superleague.co.uk/match-centre/report/3417

Good post, i think we look exactly where we are, a bit under prepared, playing with one halfback whose 70% fit and had no pre season and decimated back line, im still confident we can make a good go of this season

Missing Newman's ability to beat players one on one but a lot of our players are missing Hurrell's sheer precense. Gale is missing him as both a crash ball option and a bluff, the second rowers are missing his huge contribution to meterage, and Briscoe looks so so average without him.

Agree with both of you.

The dust has settled now, we’re not in as bad a shap as some think.
9 injured (mostly key) players and we still held on.
I wish Oli Holmes was in our back row, always puts a shift in, and not just against us. I think Mellor lacks that bit of aggression if he could get that he’d be much better. I think Martin’s mind is either already on the plane home or worried about a new contract.
Broardbent is growing by the game! Alex Sutcliffe also, he’s solid without been flash. I can see him playing in the back row soon with Ablett’s old role.
We need a half alongside Gale to function fully.
The big lads are going well, but will need some support as it will take its toll if used for big minutes every week.

Thought Corey Hall bounced back well in the second half, settled down and done ok, his first half hour was as bad as it gets defesivley, to put things into perspective, he's 1 month too old from being in Coby Nichol and Andrew Stewarts age group, really young and shed loads of development in him yet. He'l be better for the experience and was good to see his head didnt drop.

Tom Briscoe, my god, he's made some silly decisions in the 2 games, as our only 'First choice' three quarter available, id hope for better, Lukes probably a better bet at this stage.

Hate this new ball steal rule, its horrible, offers nothing but negatives, players arnt focusing on yards after contact or promoting the ball because theyr too busy focusing on not getting it took off them, absolutely hate it.

While il always be gutted with a loss, whatever the circumstances, i think the lads have done well to be so competitive yesterday, our pack looks strong and Broadbents showing what many of us have thought for years, he's going to be a good one.

In terms of squad, I agree we're not in that bad a shape. Of more concern is the length of time it's likely to be before our absentees return. In the meantime we need to find a way. Slowing the ptb is an unattractive but necessary evil right now and it's not something we're doing especially well. Martin, Mellor and others need to turn or roll players more. Not simply about tackles made, how those tackles are made is also important right now until scoring becomes less of a struggle

Powell looked absolutely gutted as he skipped down the terraces at the end.

He'll be breaking into song as his leaving date gets nearer. I've never seen him look so happy