it would be nice to play fast open rugby , but against some teams you just have to grind out ,what they say are ugly wins ,i would be quite happy for us to play bad and win ,than play fast free flowing rugby and lose, the proof will be there next season , we have now a squad capable of the top six , i know it will take a bit of time for them to gell ,but when they do you have got to fancy our chances against anybody ,

We haven't played free flowing rugby under McRae at all and look where that has got us? When we beat Saints at home we did it by throwing the ball about, I'd rather see us play expansive rugby and lose than go on playing the same stuff we do now and still keep getting beat.

At the Wakefield Game pre-match Steve Simms was giving a pre match build up talk in the sponsors lounge, going into tactics with lots of buzz words 'respecting the opposition' building a platform ' etc

someone asked Dan Holdsworth what his tactics would be if he were playing ),

" Score more points than they do ...."

Fair play to you Dan if that would be your attitude. Unfortunately, these forums would become almost unbearable with the fair-weather fans (And John from Salford) calling for regime change, booing, insulting, personal digs etc etc because the team loses.

Besides, saying that you'd rather watch a team of middle-range players attempt to throw the ball around like the Harlem Globetrotters (TM), all the time knocking-on and making poor tactical decisions, than watch a side get 2 points in a grafted, tactical match. Is a bit like saying you'd rather watch 'male interest films' where the facial is missed.

lmao Butcher

I'm not calling for a regime change, just a change in the style of play. If we have been unsing the 'build a platform ect' style of play this season then what have we got to lose by throwing the ball around? Like against St. Helens.

But I would suggest that we did build a platform against St Helens. The Saints forwards were dominated that day and failed to control us. Not because our pack is better than that of Saints, but a case of being better on that particular day. (Most probably because Saints weren't completely up for it and we were.)
As a result of being dominant, you not only cause havoc with the opposition defence, you earn the right to throw the ball around on the back of the momentum physical dominance creates.

I think that potentially the most important player for us this season will be Smith at 7, we have all seen what he can do when he has a qaulity pack and players around him in the play offs for Saints and then in the final what happens when the same players go missing for vast tracts of the game.
With the quality we have brought in I get a sneaky feeling Smith will up the quality and make a few eat their words and turn into the on field fulcrumb for our team not as many think Reg.

i agree with most of what you are saying ,but from next season onwards ,we will have a few good game breakers in our team , smith ,holdsworth , pattern , and anderson , i cannot wait for the new season to begin ,



keep the faith

I agree with Michigan red that more is going to be expected of Matty Simth next season. His passes need to find their target considerably more than they were last season. To say he'll be more of a fulcrum than Holdsworth is a big call. Holdsworth has the rugby brain and temperament to go with his ability, and this alone means he should be the man to take us round the park. Especially, as when he was out injured towards the end of last season we looked a little lost in attack. Like I said, though, more is expected of him and they need to forge a partnership, similar to what they were starting to do last season.

As for Smithy's theory statement on game breakers, you left out Feka and Jodie Broughton. Feka can destroy an opposition's defence and Jodie has got to be the quickest winger in super league.

Don't forget Kevin Sinfie...oh wait

Smithy thats pretty mild considering all the abuse you should be getting