Well, that was a 'breath-taking' game, yesterday!!

I have to say that, despite what we may think of our defence, Sheffield are to be applauded for their style of play, and inventiveness. In Anthony Thackeray, they must have one of the best half backs in the Championship - he was brilliant.

Fortunately, Sheffield's defence was just as vulnerable as ours and, in the end, our team spirit, Riddy's immaculate goal kicking, and the crowd, just pulled us through.

Once again, an excellent value-for-money game, at the LSV. Full marks to all involved.

Excellent last 10 minutes, and first 5 mins of second half, the rest was largely awful.

Not a fan of the idea of having one player line up at full back when we defend, while someone else does it while we attack. Particularly when we have McNally playing on the wing. Either Marsh, Cox and Holroyd are injured (starting to wonder if the latter, along with Simms, were token signings to make numbers up), or Duffy is selecting a team to accommodate McNally, Brierley, Ridyard and Woods in the starting 13. An outside back or two is desperately needed.

Also, while I'm a fan of Higham, Hood and Eaves, having all 3 in the 17 leaves us effectively an interchange short. There were times in the second half we looked like we could've used some fresh legs in the middle. Final point, Hood was a tremendous signing, we look a far better team when he's on.

Agreed - we seem unbalanced. Mind you, it was just as well that Eaves and Hood were on the pitch in the last ten minutes! That said, we aren't getting full value from our hookers - 20/30 minutes each, seems to be a bit of a waste.

As for outside backs, we've had two or three from Saints, who did so well, they got on Saints first team! (although none of them played at HKR yesterday)

All in all though, I feel a bit guilty criticising. Who would have thought, in November, that we would have a team lying equal third in the Championship? That's way better than our highly priced squad managed last season!

A great last 10 minutes and first 5 or 10 to start the second half, but our defence was poor, Josh Woods should learn to tackle, Sheff scored about 4or 5 breakaway tries,and passed the ball very quickly.
Thackeray had a blinder, they keep saying he’s a one trick pony,I love Duffs though came to the touchline for the last 15 minutes and wasn’t happy till we started playing ,again I agree about McNally being on the wing , and Andy Thorniley at centre, I like Hood very good player but can we accommodate Higham and Eaves.?
Still an important win , the next 4 matches will be crucial ,a great climax to the season.As a RB fan I think his defence has improved ,and he looks a more solid player now.Points difference could be important at the end so our defence must improve.
A great advert for the game though,I know the few Sheff fans near me were gutted.

No idea how we managed to win that one, 10 Mins left and we looked dead and buried - well done to the lads for not giving up and the North Stand in full voice, we wont get many exiting ends to a game like that one for a while.

Still amazed how they did it - Well done Leythers

It was not disimilar the odds were stacked against us

Good prediction by the way on the prediction thread - well done !!!

Ive seen the highlights and cant wait to see the full game. Riddy and Ryan looked to be involved in lots from the highlights. Great win and the boys looked to believe it possible from the way they quickly ran the ball back for conversions for those last tries. Great spirt shown !

The one howler in selection was Cox, he was available but not selected - and he can play wing/centre. We played the game with 4 half backs and 3 hookers due to a lack of bodies. Great win in the circumstances but we must build around McNally at FB with Brierley/Ridyard at halves, and hope we find a centre/wing soon - that's if we don't play Laithwaite who played centre in SL more than once

We noticeably ran a lot harder when we came out in the second half and Sheffield couldn't live with us but it fizzled out quickly.

Hood is class but looks like he's carrying a few extra pound at the minute and looks slightly unfit.

We need 3 or 4 specialist signings, A strong middle, a centre and 2 wingers.

Minikin at Castleford seems surplus, Sarginson at Wigan isn't getting a game (loan), even Worthington back from Toronto?

I agree about our shortcomings 'Binosh'. I guess the key question though, is how is our budget? The commitment initially was, to acquire players within a strict budget. I'm not sure how our income meets up to expectations, or whether our owner has the appetite to push the boat out this season, given that there is a red hot favourite to take the promotion place.

I agree on all you say Binosh but i believe those shortcomings are best addressed for next season from a business/finacial point of view. This current group of players have not been found wanting for effort and spirit (take a bow JD) and I think we have a top 5 team right now if we can keep hold of Ryan B (who can be used at 7, 6, 1, or wing) but im not sure if that is possible. A couple of injures could be problematic though with our small numbers.

Forgot to mention it before, but why did the ref order Sam Brooks off the field, in the final few minutes, as a scrum was being formed? He stood on the touchline trying to get back on, and we played with 12 men for 3 minutes. If it was blood, he didn't seem to get any attention while he was waiting on the touchline, and if it was a head assessment, he didn't have one!!

We are getting fantastic crowds at the moment Alan. We need to maintain or even build on that. In order to do that we need to play competitive,, attractive rugby. We can't just write this season off because Toronto will be promoted.