Yes, we can win the GF, but that's a sad indictment of where the level of SL has fallen, in recent years.

When I said I agree with Lefty's last sentence, it was this one!

I'm not angry nor advocating anger, it's more a resigned acceptance tinged with frustration. There are better halfbacks in the league than we have that have been signed by other clubs since Briers retired. I just dont understand why we dont have them in the PnB.

Totally agree on your last paragraph. Even a perfunctory half back with the basics of game control, organisation and a kicking game would do. Right now we dont have one.

So lot's of moaning and groaning and even one I told you so etc. but what would you do until the end of this season. You can't bring someone in so what would you do?

Drop Roberts
Go with Brown Patton as halves
Promote Smith to bench.

Not sure if this is possible anymore, in relation to the Johns Appo affair, but
De-register Roberts
Bring in Matty Smith as a short term solution

The transfer deadline was end of July so forget the Matty Smith idea.

You call that a solution or do you mean reckoning?

I'd much rather we make the grand final and lose than not get there to be honest. I don't think we can win if we get there at the minute as we don't have the halves for it, but its a one off game and anything can happen so its surely better to have the chance.

Yes, I call it a solution.
If you can't see Matty Smith's qualities as a RL player, I suggest you start watching BBC4's music documentaries on a Friday night, or Songs of Praise on a Sunday, to fill your RL void.

Yes, he's out of favour at Saints, due to their favouring young Richardson and Barba.
He's been in 4 consecutive GF's winning 2 , and losing very narrowly 2 (one of which, his side played a man down for nearly the whole game), in a pivotal position. Add to this, a Challenge Cup, it's not too shabby a cV.

As Smiffy27 has alluded to, he's out of the question, as transfer deadline has passed, so that's that. I just don't get the downer people have for the fella. He's a good RL player.
Same goes with Danny Brough. Yes, he's a gobpooh, but he's a gobpooh that's took the pee out of us, many a time. Some on here think he's "not all that"....REALLY? He's quality, just a to55er.

What we are basically seeing this year is the remnants of panic buying caused by the premature departure of Sandow who, despite his off field woes, would at least have been better than his successor who wants to go home after one season too. Brown's best days were in the centre but he became another panic buy halfback. I would love to know just what scouting system we have in place that delivers us these uncommitted clowns as top players.I remember early in 2017 against Catalans where T King had a great game at half back. Get Atkins back in the centre & give Roberts a get out of jail free card for the next plane to Oz.

Getting to the Grand Final will likely mean we have to beat Saints away, at Saints.

Given the hype around Saints as favourites, if we go there and beat them in the playoffs I can GUARANTEE that there will be a feeling of "It's Coming Home" ahead of going to OT.

What is our record in elimination semi finals against St Helens away? How many times have we been favourites against them?

Played one won one, at the Totally Wicked Stadium"

We were not favourites having being beaten them in an earlier round at the HJ, which was not an elimination game.