Atomic we have Smith on loan from Saints ,a very good 9 , and Ipape is a 9 as well and very fast , I’m not sure when he arrives though .

Our spine is poor. We don't have a general, or creator, or anyone to guide us around the park. We have a small squad, and all this (we have a better team than last year in SL) is nothing short of BS. Iv'e been banging the same drum for the last 3 years but, lessons don't seem to be learnt. The club seem to think, if you spend plenty of money on players, then that's the answer.

Sure, you're not missing anything mate, we just need to recruit the right players.

Be interesting to see if Danny Craven runs the show in the challenge cup. BTW - Who can actually run the show for us?

Lack of numbers in squad exposed this early in the season is worrying. Two matches played and three top players missed games already and another one injured today. Bringing kids in is not the answer! We have said on this board for months that the squad lacks numbers, now it is clear that the squad not only lacks numbers but also the required quality in depth to cover the inevitable players missing games through knocks and injury. We now need to add two experienced, big aggressive quality middles, two big, quality back rowers and a big, fast quality centre. If we want promotion bringing kids in is not the answer.

Ian, the conditions apply to both teams. We need a leader who can create, and make things happen, and control the game. Reynolds was one of our first signings with a 2 year contract. The mind boggles.

I know we are short on numbers but, when did we last have a good spine?

McNally
Riddy
Drinkwater
Higham
Hanson

We are miles away from that.

Early days. We will improve need to get our spine working together better. Not sure about the one half back going left and one going right. No oops for run around plays and harder to make up the extra man. Lots of work to do long way to go.The guys dug in in bad conditions after everything pretty much went wrong. Need to bounce back next week.

I think Gelling will be a great signing at centre if Derek can persuade him to return , I know something he is a loose cannon , but him and Nene as our centres with Hitchcox and Dixon on the wings , get Sidlow back we will be ok .

Stating the obvious there. We've 21 players in the squad, of course we lack numbers. It's clear to everyone here. It'll be clear to Chester, Lam and Beaumont too.

The thing is, it takes time and it's slim pickings at the moment. Players will become available as the season wears on, they always do. Bear in mind that Superleague hasn't even started yet.

Derek has confirmed that we are in talks with Gelling so that shows that the intent is there. Its not a case of us just "bringing kids in" it just so happens that they're readily available for loan deals etc. Would not be surprised in the slightest to see more come in now, especially with Sidlow missing with injury and now Green too. Not ideal, but that's the way it is at the moment.

Sorry Ian but , our spine is poor. I'm just not happy with it. They are lacking smart, clever,and creativity.

Agreed, however, with a poor spine, and 2 or 3 injuries next week, and we are in the smelly stuff.

Can anyone give me any positives from tonight's game?

I cannot take any positives from tonight. Very depressed, I expected a win. Can’t understand how things panned out so badly in the first half. We certainly missed Sidlow.
Without the required quality additions to the squad it is now clear that we will struggle to beat Fev away in the Million Pound Game. It beggars belief why once again we have left it so late to complete the squad putting ourselves under unnecessary pressure right from the off. Now we must win the next two games and at least one of the remaining two against Fev to even reach second in the table. Reynolds needs to be replaced as a 6 but he is worthy of a place in the best 17.

Yup! Bongser didn't get pished upon watching Leigh lose in a tanner's pit in a Third World county.