There is difference even between it not really mattering and not believing they can win a match. All Jiimy is saying is that although they're turning up to get a win, the result isn't all that important in the grand scheme of things. I'm sure what he is looking for is a big improvement in recent performances from his players.

JIMMY LOWES HAS NEVER BEEN A PLAYER OR COACH WHO DIDN'T WANT TO WIN. IT IS NOT IN HIS NATURE. WE HAVE ONLY BEEN GOING FOR 7 MONTHS MIRACLES WILL TAKE A LITTLE LONGER.

I think that's absolutely correct, the 17 on view will want desperately to win and I've no doubt will bust a gut to do so.

What happens when the coach has higher priorities though, is that the preparation and training done is tailored to the ultimate goal [ie. doing well in the eights]l, rather than the winning of this particular match. So, as there is no demand for a 'peak' performance this weekend, the team might well have not done much resting in between the hard work and may possibly be a bit jaded [ring any bells?] and the benefit from the hard work won't be seen in the Leigh game but will be felt later.

To be honest, I wouldn't be shocked to find they have been in full pre-season mode since second spot was tied up. Whatever happens though, we desperately need the the halves back in the fold or we won't have any chance.

To be honest, speaking for myself, I don't think it's the quality of teams which has been a surprise, neither the decent sides at the top nor those, errm, somewhat less so at the bottom. For me it's the officials.

Now, I don't want to knock unduly, since our officials are clearly nowhere as experienced as the ones we were used to in SL [mind, we moaned at them too..] and some of them look to be barely out of school [or is that just my age..?] it's more to do with how the games run.

Leigh are a pretty quick side so you must have noticed how, whilst in SL the PTBs seem to be played at the speed of the quicker side, in our division it seems that they run at the speed of the slowest. There also seems to be much more 'getting away with things' in our division, virtually the whole gamut from forward passes to standing square, getting back the ten, I could go on. I try to be fair, these younger officials do have to learn and gain experience [and they don't have the 'in-goal' judges either],though I've not seen one who looks ready for 'higher things' as yet, but that has been the biggest difference, imo.

Agree totally. Ruck speed especially is a disgrace most weeks. Leatherbarrow and Bloem seem to have been the best this season. They at least talk to the players and keep more control. Merrick the worst of a bad bunch IMO.

Matt Thomason was the best but I think he got promoted to SL then fell out with the men in charge and quit.

Warren Turley has been injured as has Ginger George Stokes so I think we have had a few officials bumped up from lower down the usual 'pecking order' to the Championship this season... and you can tell!

Your in second place in the championship after only 7 months.I don't see the Broncos in contention,why would you need a miracle?
It's happening now..WHY WAIT!

This is taken from the Graniud

Unfortunately there is a lot more than the ability of the coach that militates against us getting promotion. There are 8 coaches Involved and 4 will fail. As it's not a level playing field the failure of aSL club to retain their spot would be a sad indictment of the coach...or is it not that simple. I didn't expect promotion this year but next year we need to show progress and we need to know how to identify that progress.

That said, this year could be an excellent opportunity for you, (and us at Leigh) the way things are at Wakefield and Salford, at the moment. Of course, we then have to see off 'Fax, who are in form, and Sheffield!

Realistically, promotion this year, particularly under this new system, was always going to be a long odds bet. Even for Leigh, who with time to prepare were always the obvious candidates, are definitely on the outer when it comes to taking on the SL clubs - even if many of their fans are a bit on the gung-ho side!

Do we have a chance? Well, yes - of course we do, where there's life there is always hope, but it's a pretty slim one, and even slimmer with no half-backs.

Team:

Shaw
Williams
Blythe
Henry
Caro
Purtell
Addy
Clough
AoB
Sidlow
Olbison
Pitts
Walker

Lauaki
Crossley
Walshaw
Mendeika


Purtell at 6
Adam doing another 80 minute stint at hooker too it seems

If we had a kicking game and one of Gaskell/Mullaney we would be streets ahead.

Hope Leigh carry this mentality into the 8s

More interested in settling scores and going in high than playing rugby - it was expected though. Not sure how there hasn't been a sin binning.

Still not confident we will win this one with no halfbacks but good first half and we did our best to not get dragged into a brawl again.

Only a matter of time till there's a brawl IMO. Childs not strong his authority on game at all. Pleased with effort were putting in so far.