All through the off season my prediction was we would finish 4th-6th in the league, make the playoffs and go out to the first top 4 side we play, and in the Challenge Cup we would go out to the first top 4 side we play. We are very much on for that forecast so the season is on par with what I expected although I am slightly disappointed because I hoped we would be closer to 4th than 6th and now I think we will be closer to 6th.

Some things which I grimly expected would happen, have happened:

- We don't have enough quality to compete with the top teams
- Our main problem would be the halves and front row
- I had a sinking feeling when we let Carvell go that Asotasi wasn't going to be up to replacing him

A few other things have disappointed me:

- Ratchford has not kicked on from last season. Last year I thought he was ahead of Briers at a comparable age and I thought he's the one of the players in our squad that could go on to be really special. I still think he can but he has been generally out of form with one or two better games.
- None of the players who have had opportunities opened up by the departure of players from last year have really stepped up. Glenn Riley and England don't look up to SL for me. GO'B I think is OK but he's a squad player not a halfback that can lead a top side. Russell has got some potential but I am not convinced. I think he's at best a fullback in the Mathers calibre rather than Hodgson.

Overall I think we are at a crossroads now and need to really step up the recruitment to show we are on an upward path. Otherwise guys like Hill, Grix will start to think that they have probably achieved as much as they are ever going to at Warrington and it's time to look for new challenges to a club on the up.

SC.
I would say Russell is more like Reardon than Mathers.

Ahem. This is all taken from whatever I can see or listen to on the internet.

Grix is and has been a very talented player. Hill has been solid since he signed. He seems to lack support from others though


This though seems to describe our team. We need forwards dominating to allow Higham and Monaghan (M) to speed it up.

This would change our HB pairing as well.

Your post China comes across like half a thought. I can't fathom what the point is.
It may be my understanding, if so I apologise.