If Burrow couldn't cope with Gidley, which he couldn't at times I agree but he's not unique in that, why didn't Senior take Gidley?
He has done this in the past to nullify or at least reduce that threat & also to the likes of Gleeson etc.
Was that failure down to Senior or the coach?
It seems to me that whoever Saints put in their team, when they are on the attack they always look threatening with dummy runners and excellent running lines something that certainly close to any opponent's line we seem to lack.
Far too often we rely on the individual brilliance of one or two players, Burrow, McGguire or Webb to create space near our opponent's line.
This is not new, it happened under Smith and now under McLennan.
I wonder if it is the supporting coaching team, I have said in the past that GH's loyalty to past players may be laudable but is it always in the best interest of the team?

Don't be dragging me into your sordid little squabbles.

I have never written Lee Smith off.

You've made it up.

I have posted that I hope he stays, that he's an important part of our threequarter line. I have posted a balanced opinion of where he fits within the pecking order.

I've never used derogatory and knee jerk comments like "has the heart of a pea".

Cause you haven't Gareth. I dont need to dig up the posts, as plenty on here will be pishing their pants at the back track, knowing the truth. So I will let it go.

One moment in the game summed up Gibson as a centre for me. He received the ball and both gilmour and Meli commited themselves. He had enough time to get the ball out to the winger for a certain try, but for whatever reason, he didnt.

If you are going to make a statement at least back it up rather than slurking off with that cop out.

i won't let it go though. You have made a completely unsubstantiated and innacurate claim about something I have supposedly.

You can't substantiate it so you should withdraw it.

I even clarified my stance on Smith for you earlier in the thread FFS.

Eh? You were slating Donald and made some wild comments about him. I asked if you were writing him off. You then made stuff up I'd never said about Smith.

You've been a distant relative of reality in the past but I think you and it and getting further and further away.

For mine, I think we do not look organised enough in attack.

There seems to be little structure, and pattern. Also, the forwards didn't seem to make the yards that Saints did yesterday. Again, this could be down to pattern of play rather than ability.

If you look at the angles and lines that the saints players ran at, they always seemed to be dangerous, bar the odd break, I don't think we looked as dangerous as they did.

I do believe that this will come, and its no point starting the season like we did last year, only to crumble in July/August. I would rather keep picking up results and build towards a great finish.

I hope Hethrington is looking at options to add to the squad. Now that the cup is out of the way, unless a big injury strikes there is less pressure on him, so he may be able to pull a great signing out of the fire. If not, our players will be suitably primed for the end of the season.

Gibson or Watkins?

A bit like being asked: "Who would you rather wake up with, Dawn French or Ray French?"

More seriously, Senior & Donald should be reunited on the left. This would at least create some attacking potency on that side. The downside is that the defence down the opposite wing would be weakened, but at present neither side looks watertight in any case. Back to Gibson and Watkins, my preference would be the latter, were no alternative available as I think he's the better prospect.

Deffo go with Watkins - he has pace and size - unfortunately Ashley Gibson has neither. Gibson has been unlucky and his injuries have definately had an impact on him.

Sometimes hard decisions have to be made with players, i haven't seen anything in Gibson to suggest that he will become a top class centre much needed by the Rhinos. Same kind of scenario as Tansey - IMO not good enough for the Rhinos - will be a solid NL1 or lower SL performer.

I would look to play Watkins when required and offload Gibson at the end of the season or in a part ex to get Shenton from Cas.

We appear to be taking our eyes off the ball a bit at present and i beleive that we need recruit (i.e. pay a transfer fee).

I agree with you on Donald being on the wrong wing but i think Hall has pace. I personaly think its the centres we are having the problems with