I can't understand why our forwards went into contact and never sought to get the ball away. Even when we had to score we never deviated from barge barge barge. I found it pretty concerning on the whole.

Apart from Doro hardly anyone looks to offload.

We look very limited and that's a big worry. Under Kear and Dunning it was very similar without much as mentioned deviation in our play. You need to ask alot more questions of defences. If when Gaskell is out we only have the back up we do were in trouble as he will miss more games throughout the season. Its the genuine lack of speed and strike for me. Looking at the signings we look like that 5 tries and a kick team and barge over from 10-20 metres out. We don't look fit either and I don't believe some of the signings were right for us. We lost Bodene Thompson early last year but started the season, Jason Batieri, Fenton Rogers, Jack Walker left early and was injured almost immediately. Tom Holmes obviously going through what he is. So those players mentioned are for me of better quality than what we've brought in for me heard all sorts about Dan Smith just being big and lazy, Sam Hallas brings little for me, John Davies has and will be good. Just feel we have gone a bit backwards. Just hope EO can put is Mark on the team and hopefully its a style alot better than we've seen. It's mad to say as well. I still think we need wingers, half back cover, hooker cover, and fullback, and a LF in the modern game a good mobile ball playing Loose forward who can mix it up physically as well is crucial.

It's early days but the warning signs are there for all to see. I'm getting the vibe that the club are holding out for some loan players from SL, let's hope those deals are agreed in principle because we need an injection of quality before Wakefield stick 60 past us in a few weeks time.

Before that we also have the return of Dec Patton in Swinton colours who you would expect to have an absolute stormer against us - that'll be fun.

He is absolutely nailed on to have a blinder against us. I watched their game against Oldham last night and they were very good. Another big challenge for the Bulls. If we lose against Swinton next week that opening game against Wakefield looks ominous.

The Swinton match is an opportunity to stop the rot. We know enough about Patton to be able to nullify him but that relies on the whole team turning up and putting an 80min performance in - a bit like those in the latter part of last season.

Hopefully the game yesterday is the last we see of the complacency and lethargy that's been creeping in over the past 3-4 weeks. EOC needs to nip this in the bud now. I'm sure Noble and Greenwood will be able to advise. The frustrating thing is that this half assed approach must have been noticed even if it hasn't been acknowledged publicly.

If I see us ending sets with the same ineffective kicking game over and over again vs Swinton I'll be making my voice heard at the fans forum.

I don't think it's fitness. We've dominated field position in every game so far, that's including being without Blackmore, Scurr, Baldwinson and Doro for a large part of yesterday. But we need to be better.

Credit to widnes I thought they played well, as disappointing as we were.

This has to be a game we learn from and address the issues before Wakey. We have a hard start so can't afford to be realising, Hallas discipline is poor, Flanagan not good enough to be second Hooker, Jowitts not a half etc

If we can get Corey Johnson he would be good cover at half back and on the bench to interchange with Souter at hooker.

Has Aiden McGowan every played halfback?

Just watching the post-match reaction from EOC and the running theme was 'execution' and the lack of support. He has also stated that Doro has a 'significant' ankle injury

.

We'll see what effect EOC's words have on the players at the Swinton match. We need a massive increase in intensity.

Not only is Doro out but it didn't sound hopeful that Gaskell will be back either. Not sure how far off Scurr is but we could do with him back. It'd be good to get Johnson on loan if at all possible since Flanagan doing 60mins with possibly Barraclough doing 20mins isn't going to help us win the ruck. Also looks as if we'll be down to 3 bona fide props in Smith, Lawrence and Okoro.

Not sure how long Peposhi is out for but we could use an injection of enthusiasm.

At halfback if Gaskell is out then it's Jowitt and Lilley again. As far as I know McGowan has only played fullback and wing. Did we let Moss go?

Shame we didn't give Myles Lawford more games last season - he may have been more likely to stay if he'd been given more chances to start - we could've done with him now - hey ho.

We're going to see a hooking partnership of Hallas/Flanagan aren't we :(