The team I named at the start of this thread probably wouldnt be my pick, rather the one I think Radford will go for. I would like to see Abdul start at loose, with Minichiello on the bench and Washbrook out of the 17, although I think you are very harsh on Washbrook there, he is a useful guy to have in the team.

Also Houghton's biggest strength is that he can play 80 every week and take that workload away from the big guys and save on the interchanges. Litten is highly thought of at the club and his time will come. He is still very young.

Cant disagree enough about being mentally weak. We had too many games where we just didnt turn up with the right attitude, but that's not the same thing. We showed great mental toughness at times. The games against Cas and Wigan with 12 men were hugely courageous performances. The slog that was Wakefield away and the Cas cup game in possibly the hottest weather I have ever watched rugby in. They are not the performances of a mentally weak team.

I said far too often we were mentally weak and if you look at how we folded at times, panicked ridiculously, it was the complete reverse to those performances you mentioned, consistently inconsistent. At times we just fell to bits, had no gumption, no idea, the Saints tragic w/e game, Salford at home, Leigh and a few others (Hudds in the play-offs) are examples of mental weakness. Even that Wigan home game we blew it at the start of the second half, why Radford didn't instil in the players coming out after half time not to chuck it about like headless chickens is anyone's guess but that is exactly what they did, Wigan scored within a minute or two and even then we had chances but kept being our own worst enemy. That is yet another reflection of a team that isn't well drilled/mentally strong.

Our best and worst performances were the widest apart of any team in SL IMHO, that was something Radford said he was going to address two or more seasons back, last season was the worst in that sense, why are we so far apart when our injuries were not the biggest part of the results.

That seems to make sense (although I guess Grix would still be 1st choice FB). I prefer Arundel as he's the type of centre you need if you've got pace outside (England take note). Arona also seems to be making the LF position his own. Also, it is the norm to spell hookers (and life's easier if you agree with Vastman )

However, going on the squad numbers (which means nothing really), it would be interesting to see that 1-17 take the field.

1. Grix
2. Johnstone
3. Tupou
4. Lyne
5. Jones-Bishop
6. Miller
7. Finn
8. Fifita
9. Wood
10. England
11. Ashurst
12. Kirmond
13. Randell

14. Horo
15. Pauli
16. Arona
17. Huby

Keeping both 'hookers' on the field for 80 minutes and sharing acting half-back duties and just rotating the forwards off the bench. Having all the playmakers on the field all the time with a big pack and speed outside could be the way to go?

1st team quality backup outside that is pretty good too: Arundel, Batchelor, Hirst, Jowitt, Caton-Brown and possibly Annakin/Baldwinson.
Injury crisis permitting, that's a side that can challenge for top 4 again.

Could this be the first time that 2 teams go up from the middle 8's should the format not be changed ?

Salford and Widnes need to recruit quick, or they are certs in my opinion

Super League is likely to be 14 teams in 2018 IMO so Salford, Hull Kr and Widnes should be ok. This should be decided before the start of the season, so clubs know the likelihood of promotion and relegation, very poor if this is decided mid season.

Think your wrong there. Plenty in reserve in the forwards. When Hirst, Kirmond, Anakin and Baldwinson are your Back ups things are not to bad and I'm sure I missed one.

Halfbacks are thin on the ground but that's endemic in SL at present. Can Cas replace Gale long term? Same for most clubs.

Nope we are strong up until 25 - then its youngsters, just like most teams. Truth is a severe injury crisis would destroy every team in SL.

Bookmarked this page.

Ha ha...me too.

Wouldn’t be surprised if Warrington’s new coach doesn’t see the season out.

Looking at most of the squads there are far too many overseas players in there, it needs to get down to three or four at most if we are to develop our young players.
Also a lot of those overseas players are in pivotal positions.

Ellis ineffective? unbelievable statement.

The problem is the pool of players is so small SL has to rely on overseas players to boost the standard.

On what basis? He's making all the right noises since his arrival and definitely has a point to prove

Why do you bother? You know he is only trying to wind you up.

Correct, typical WUM.

I don't generally i just thought that one was funny. Is that ok with you?