That was hard to watch today. I had a really bad feeling going into it… so kind of relieved we managed to come away with the points. Adam Henry seems to be back to his ball-dropping ways and I was surprised to see him back on the pitch for the second half. Dewsbury were offside almost as much as Doncaster last week. Ref as bad as last week, too. If this is how we play without Gaskell, let's hope it's not a broken jaw and we won't be without him for too long. The good thing is, I kind of had faith that we would pull a win out of the bag as it went down to the wire. We have some tenacity when the chips are down.
Agree on Brook but we have 8 props 3 hookers and how many full backs which I'm not knocking for minute - I love the big squad which as we all know can change in a minute, but ...... Danny Addy as back up scrum half alongside a full back who hasn't played in 3 months? Sorry, but this is a legitimate concern.
I’m sure Lowes and co share your concern. When we lost Gareth O’Brien on the eve of the season we had to recruit at the last minute after everyone was signed up already. Halfbacks are a scarce resource as it is. I suspect what we have is as good as we can get without paying vastly more than what someone is worth.
I think Mullaney is our best option at scrum half when paired with Gaskell. When those two were together we looked very dangerous. I think Mullaney and Addy is far from ideal but it’s a bit harsh to judge a pairing on one showing. I think they will improve. We just need to get more people running off Mullaney as he creates gaps with his style of running.
I agree it is a [ilegitimate[/i concern, I disagree that it's "[imajor[/i". It is what it is, but there's nothing we can do except use existing players to cover the positions, and even if there was another top halfback available, and we were flush, it makes no sense to replace Gaskell at huge expense for a month - then what? Sell? Drop Gaskell once he's fit? I don't see it.
From what little I've seen of Mendeika, maybe he could be given a run-out at halfback, he seems more than a bit useful.
If we continue to play as badly as against the Rams in Gaskell's absence then I will admit I am wrong and it is "major". But IMHO the standard of play wasn't as much to do with Gaskell being missing as just one of those lacksadaisical days when seemingly hardly anybody in the team, for some mysterious reason, can get going. Like they all have a virus and a migraine or something. They weren't as bad as they were solely - or even mainly - because of the absence of one player.
It was a blow to get backword on GOB but what a player we have in AOB. So if we have to recruit temporary cover then I propose DOB (Dara O'Briain)
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