I think they were up for the game against Warrington. At this stage of the season I'd be willing to forgive some of the failings we saw because they are a new team, with a lot of new combinations and a new coach (cf. Warrington at the same point last season). And like it or not, I bet a few players were probably guilty of reverting to type when the chips were down in the first half... It might take a bit of time to get 2018 out of the system.

I'm not sure what kind of response we can expect. At the least they need a different approach to being competitive around the ruck and being less passive in the collision, on top of the things you mention. I think we should be able to expect these things to be better with the players at our disposal, never mind these two extra rawboned props everyone keeps going on about us missing. The issue should be whether we can be competitive around the ruck [iconsistently [/i over 80 minutes against the bigger teams with the weaker pack at our disposal, not whether we can do it at all... Let's see.

There were a few players who can do better than last week so let’s hope we put up a better fight at least.

If Hurrell doesn't play then we could put Handley at centre Luke Briscoe on the wing or give my mate Golding a place on the wing!!

Or just play Newman at centre.

I'd love to see Newman playing Centre. Let him show us what he can do in his natural position.

According to Furner Koni will play.

I'm interested in whether he makes changes to the pack, he seemed to indicate there won't be many changes if any. Well, I don't reckon that pack has much more to give, with the exception of Oledzki.
Cuthbo, Parcell, Ward, Merrin, Sutcliffe, Donaldson, Dwyer all played pretty well and we were still dominated.
Fascinated to see how we match up tonight.
Honestly I think Leeds desperately needs a "tough" win; Wigan away on a cold Friday winter's night fits that bill. The squad needs to dig a result out against the odds and start to build confidence again.

Not sure he is ready yet but I hope to be proved wrong in the very near future.

Guys, keep the faith, I expect after the first three games to have played 3 games and lost all 3, if we win or draw a game that will be great, all I am looking for is a marked improvement on the last game. Last week (irrespective of that bully Westwood) Warrington had a fantastic pack especially the front three, you cant take away the speed from their pack around the ruck and that is something that we have to learn. Most people on here sing the praises of Parcel, well its time he started to earn his money and if he did not learn from last week then he should not be in the team and Dywer should start. Wigan's pack is not as good as Wires pack this year, so keep away from the big men in Wigan's pack and play the ball out wide, Saints beat them this way. While I expect Rhinos to Lose I hope deep down for a win, but as long as we play better than last week I will be satisfied. We will get a lot better during the season as Furner's coaching starts to take effect.
KEEP THE FAITH

Disagree mate; Saints were punching holes against Wigan through Walmsley and Thompson with Roby terrorising off the back of great go-forward. They were going wide after they’d earned the right; you can’t just avoid the middle battle altogether and wang the ball about.
Hurrell got battered last week because we hadn’t softened the opposition up first and he ends up being a cart horse with a target on his head.
It’s certainly not the end of the world if we lose agains tonight, nor does it mean all our problems are solved if we win. What I want to see is whether we have a pack available in this year’s squad which can lay a platform.
We have the ammunition to trouble sides but we need to compete in the energy battle and physicality first.

Harry Newman has NOT been named in the Featherstone 19 for Sunday (nor has Handley), though of course late changes do sometimes happen.

Cameron Smith and Brad Singleton have been maed in the Fev squad alongside Luke Briscoe.

Oh goody, does that mean we are going another prop short this week. As poop as Singleton was last week.

So Singleton has been named in two separate 19 man squads for this weekend?
I'm assuming the Leeds squad will be updated at some point. Got to love dual reg.

Hmm does seem odd. Peteru straight swap for Singo?
Soon find out, can’t wait for the game tonight.

I hope this gives Singleton the kick up the arris he needs. He's barely improved since he became a regular IMO. Not enough power in attack or defence.