I've been fairly negative on here over the last few weeks but having reflected on things I think we are in a strong position.

Excellent Ground and training facilities
Excellent youth set up
Excellent commercial set up and sponsorship
Experienced coach
Excellent chairman

Our season is over so let's be positive and prepare for next year. 2/3 big hitters and another half back please

she`s a dog compared to beccy meehan who reads bbc north west news

I think the injuries we've had have been a major factor in the team's struggles this season, more so than perhaps people realise. It must surely screw up the plans for the season when you have so many long term injuries. Grix (all season), Russell (practically all season), B Evans (ditto), R Evans (all but last few weeks), Laithwaite (since end of June) and Bridge (since June). A few more in there too. Higham's sudden mid-season departure can't have helped either. Provided we have better luck with injuries next season, I'm feeling quite optimistic. Our 17 might look something like this:

1. Russell
2. Lineham
3. Ratchford
4. Monaghan
5. Penny
6. Gidley
7. Sandow
8. Hill
9. Clark
10. Simms
11. Grix
12. Westwood
13. Harrison

14. Dwyer
15. Currie
16. B Evans
17. Hughes

With Laithwaite, Atkins, Ormsby, R Evans, England, Wilde, Philbin et al to choose from aswell. Seems to be a little more depth in there than this season. Quality in every position and a bit more size too.

I think last night's losses of our nearest & dearest at Saints & Wigan must be a massive shot in the arm for us. At least we know they can be just as bad as us.

Wigan lost to leeds through mainly not converting their try's, and some dubious calls against them.
If you combine the total of points scored by both pies and leeds, it's still less than the near England v Aus cricket score they put up on us a week earlier. Pies wasn't even close to being as bad as us v Leeds.

Even so,with this new format ,both Saints & Wigan lost 2 valuable league points.