I just hope the injuries aren’t catching up with Daryl as we have flogged him pretty much in the Price era. I can’t recall a single darting run from dummy half when was on and his passing was a bit slow and laboured. One thing for sure though is that Danny Walker will be up for any challenge and his passing is faster and more accurate as has been said.

Leon Pyrce said pre match he thought Walker would be in the England team at the World Cup.

Yes I couldn't work out if I'd misheard that, since no one else mentioned it. Shaun Wane has obviously seen something he likes, since he got a late call-up after the Knights game.

Only seen the highlights, but Inman looked to pass quickly and accurately out of dummy half against Salford. This gets us on the front foot and makes the space out wide. Walker, who also possesses a smart kicking game, must start on Thursday, unless he's got a knock, with Davis filling in if required.

Of course he made mistakes. He has played 7(?) games, fairly irregularly, and it was the first game of the season. Surely we look at someone with that physique and the good touches he showed and think about giving him some game time rather than moan he isn't perfect straight away? I think he is a really exciting talent.

Defensive line speed is a big factor these days with the like of Saints & Leeds having players running in from behind the line so they are moving at speed but still onside when the ball is played. Perhaps a strategy of a chip over the top for our super aware players to hare after would be a good counter to this. It remains to be seen how our new lightweight pack will perform putting the ball through hands instead of trying to batter up the middle when the ball & pitches start to dry out.

I'm not writing him off, I'm not expecting him to be perfect, I'm just saying that in contrast to others, overall I didnt think he was that good yesterday, that also applies across the board though

I stayed until the end and have since re-watched on TV. The second coming of Ben Westwood he is not. I didn’t see anything, both live or on tv, to separate him and Hughes. Realistically, on yesterday’s performance, he is interchangeable with Hughes/Robson/Longstaff, which is why I questioned the signing in the first place.

I’m not being overly negative, but he was a particularly weak point outside of the middle area, which as a collective, was dominated. I hope he proves me wrong, I’d love a dynamic and exciting back rower, and I’m not writing him off. Just on yesterdays showing, needs to improve, particularly with momentum changing penalties.

Hi,
Not posted here for prob 10-15 years and have recently re registered.

I thought overall we were quite poor although when we had a sniff we looked dangerous with ball in hand. Definately struggled to make any metres. The only way round this was by chucking it out wide and making break which was fine on the day as Leeds were down to 12.
I thought Walker had a good game and Clarke was out of sorts. However i don't get the massive hype with Walker. Don't get me wrong, he's very solid and has good distribution but on his day Clarke is still far superior, espcially in attack. I haven't seen Walker make any dummy half runs that break the line as Clarke normally does. Perhaps this will come with time.
Drop Charnley for Thewlis? hmm. I like Thewlis but Charnley is a proven finisher.
I still think we've yet to find our best 17 on yesterdays showing. I'd prefer maybe Ashton at full back and Thewlis on the wing. Or vice versa. Move Stef to the bench and rotate with Walker if Clarke is injured for next week. I know people aren't keen on Ashton at full back but he scored some great tries from this position last year as his support play is excellent. I don't think he's reached those heights since playing on the wing.

Welcome back (even though I wasn't here when you took a break)!
Yesterday, there were more questions than answers. It'll be interesting to see how Thewlis, Wrench, Longstaff and others are integrated, over time, into regular first choice match day 17.

Welcome back also.
I have to say that Ratchford would be first on the team sheet for me (in both senses). He is an excellent pivot and playmaker when he comes forward and of course an excellent goal kicker and a decent defensive FB, so I would want him on the field for the full game. I don't think Thewlis is a winger and Ashton doesn't look a natural either tbh, it's simply a position where he gets some space and freedom to strike. Thewlis is already a very good FB but doesn't yet have the ability to probe the defence and conjure a gap in the same way that Ratchford can - hardly surprising considering the difference in experience. He can certainly come into the line though and convert an overlap opportunity into a try / try assist. So while my heart would say make room for Thewlis in the first 17 my head would say he has to wait and that Powell has made the correct call for these three players.
All that would probably mean Davis filling in at hooker whilst / if Walker has a rest. I have been pleasantly surprised by Walker as he seems to have really kicked on. I would say his distribution is flatter and faster than Clark in general, and of course he now has a bit of a kicking game. Like Clark he is quick off the mark when presented with a small defensive lapse but loses out in some areas because of his size. I think he will do a really good job in Clark's absence and it will be interesting to see how Powell gets him to develop further.

Did well to win but made exceptionally hard work of it. Defence looked unorganised at times and same old wire problems; too many penalties and unforced errors.
Definitely work to do, but good to get the win