Part of the problem was that they looked like that from the moment they conceded the first try. It was like they gave up straight away.

Trouble is that after you get a few hidings you lose confidence. Things start to go downhill quickly. A losing culture starts to develop. We need experienced leaders in the pack. Without some go forward and protection for the kids we’ll be absolutely murdered in the next couple of games.

I saw someone on Twitter point out that after the second try was conceded, our captain Mr. Pryce rather than trying to keep heads up, motivating, or even giving them some hell, was stood with his hands on his knees and slumped over behind the sticks. Hardly the sort of thing a captain should be doing.

Sometimes I think criticism like that is unjust, but I'm starting to come round to agreeing with it. It's the captain's job to try and stop heads going down, and whilst it may be a nigh on impossible task at times, he could at least try.

Yesterday wasn't about our side being too young IMO I would only count Kirk & Hodgson from the line up yesterday as "kids" the rest of other lads had plenty of championship experience. 1-7 was arguably as strong as we could put out. We had 5 props. Many of
the tries we conceded yesterday were down to individual mistakes. The amount of tries Sheffield scored from a flat ball on our try line without a hand being laid on them was embarrassing. Players just completely out of position defensively. Our tackling techniques is worrying with no one seemingly able to bend their backs. Thomas's kick for their full lenghter was just abysmal. He chipped it nicely for their winger to run onto. Not once did we put in a grubber. We were obsessed with floating it up in the air. The kick-offs again, just aren't good enough. It might seem silly criticisng a kick off, but floating it up nicely for them to catch on their 15m to pass to a steaming forward lets them start their set on the 30m line.

From the side that demolished Sheffield at our place, we were missing Murrary, Larroryer & Bentley from the pack. I would only count Larroryer as experienced. I wouldn't be surprised if that side that won, was younger than the one yesterday. The team looks shot and they need to snap put of it. Not one player has come out and apologised for yesterday and promised to put it right. For me i'd have a week off. rest up and get their heads away from the game. They are in bad habits and more training will just result in them continuing bad habits. Have a week off. rest up physically and mentally. Come back next week not feeling sorry for ourselves, but with the spirit of those earlier in the season ready to roll their sleeves up, stand up, and rip in.

For me the number one issue is the mental state of the squad. Their heads just aren't in the fight at the moment.

It may seem a small thing, but even a Sheffield fan near me was laughing at it. Every time we did the same kick off, he laughed at how crap it was and how we weren't helping ourselves. One of those where you couldn't do anything but agree with him.

Confidence is clearly in short supply. Obviously due to the amount of stuffings we've had.

IIRC Murray and Bentley were two of our best when we played Sheffield at Odsal. Didn't we also have Lilley for that game?

We did indeed.

Wasn't it Keyes taking the kicks yesterday tho? Also if the tactic wasn't working, who's responsible for changing tactics mid-game?

I think now it is down to the ambition of the new owners to decide where we go from here, the young guys have done a good job in getting us where we are but heading towards the business end of the season it is obvious to all that we need some serious experience, in my own opinion if this doesn't happen before our next game then the wrong is on the wall, we the supporters are not going to be throwing anymore money away especially after yesterday, I can think of better things to do with £50 for 15 mins of so called entertainment

Also likely to need a hooker by June.

Well, it would certainly lift morale.

Unless it was that Wayne Rooney one, mind you

If Toovey is imputing anything at all, it seems to be ineffective or falling on deaf ears. Motivation, tackling technique and organisation etc.

I've said before that I'm not convinced too much by Toovey.

As I understand it, he was a great player who retired and took the coaching job at his former team. With that still pretty good team he won the championship and then slowly the team fell away and then he got sacked. Then he came here.

He's not got a visa, due to the poor administration levels of those running the show, but despite the club still not being in a position to offer any employment he's still here, which suggests he's not getting other offers. Our team is also slowly falling away.

Jimmy Lowes was a great player.

I think if he had a bit more in the way of resources we would see some better performances..

I don't think some of the guys we signed on as we needed to are good enough..
Include in this:

Mendeika = poor in defence offers nothing in attack, his heart is in the right place but poor.
Macani = as much of an RL player as my sister who is a nursery nurse, an athlete not an RL player.
Thomas = nowhere near good enough to start at 1 or halfback, if in a world beating team he could hide
Keyes = again with nurturing would maybe be a reserve grade halfback, certainly not a starting number 7
Leon = a top player 3 years ago, but he's had it, still lifts the team but can't be relied on physically,

Given that the rest of the team is made up of young kids who cant compete, and Loan players of average quality is there any great surprise we are getting hidings?

When we had Murray who is quality, as well as Lilley to link up with Leon and Big mik to add bite,
as well as Peltier in and more competition for places we were doing ok, soon as that dropped off so did the performances.

You can't blame Toovey for what is a problem in the depth and quality of squad.
Its not going to happen but if they signed 6 good championship / lower SL quality players and we got some back from injury we would be comping again...

This isn't going to happen, so unless the RFL move the goal posts in some way or Christ comes for the second coming and helps us we are in C1 next year!