Strange game. Good defensive rearguard action. Unfortunately we had no creative players out there to pose any threat. Gale's kicking wasnt used properly imo. Not one repeat set until the 70th minute?
Seemed to have more energy this week compared to the Hudds game, maybe due to the youngsters coming in. Lots of effort and determination prevented a worse defeat.

Never good for the team to lose but we have to hope the youngsters learned a lot from this

I've got a lot of admiration for your team. Today they just didn't give up even with the odds stacked against them given all your playmakers were injured. It was a shame that Catalans decided to go out wide in the second half as that was where you were vulnerable (presumably why they went out wide) but even so, your lads still didn't give up. I don't think the final scoreline reflected just how hard the Dragons had to work for that win and in scorching temps as well.

Although I don't want you to beat us next week (if you defend like that again and take your chances like that again then the chances are that you will), I hope you can hold on to a play off spot as you deserve it.

Well said.

For a depleted team, playing in hot conditions and having to tackle their hearts out, I thought it was an inspired performance.

An inspired performance? Honestly? Taking things a little too far IMO. We tackled our hearts out because we frequently dropped the ball and were under pressure for the whole game because our inability to pose a threat in attack. I would hardly say we were inspirational. Grafted, but didn't do anything particularly impressive, but we were never going to do so. Just fingers crossed we have a few bodies back for the Saints game otherwise it'll be a complete humiliation.

We looked like a team coached by a prop forward. Still nobody supporting the ball carrier and no second phase rugby. We didnt try and play any football at all in the first 40 minutes. Good effort but you cant win a game like that.

I agree with most of this. The overall tone seemed to be limiting the size of defeat rather than trying to win the game. We should have thrown on proper halfbacks and given them an opportunity.

Whilst we can hide behind injuries as an excuse for lacking attacking flair, the truth is we've lacked attacking flair at times when we've had a close to full strength squad.

The effort in defence was certainly admirable, no matter how it came about.

[ihide behind injuries[/i ffs



we didn't have purdham, orr, dorn or randall. you tell me what side can stand the loss of all of its important players in one week.

you lot want to remember what supporting your side is about, rather than slating those who turned up and did us proud.

Please note I said it was an "inspired performance" by a depleted team.

I didn't say "we were inspirational." These are your words, not mine.

I stand by my original assessment.

It would be great, Dave, if you felt able to give our team some credit in the circumstances.

Thought we played with a lot of heart, but the fact is, we just weren't good enough. Without the spine of our team we look pretty rudderless and I fear for our top 8 aspirations now. Bradford games will be the deciding factor and personally, if we are playing with a few walking wounded at the moment, I would rest them against St Helens.

Agreed .We probably won't beat Saints whatever so if anyone has taken a knock better to rest them til the Bradford games.

Couldn't agree more. The way we plugged away to the end shows that there's not much wrong with our team spirit, although no doubt our very own little Victor Meldrew (aka Dave Lister) will have an apoplectic fit at me posting that

Kwality........

Do you realise where the phrase "inspired" comes from? Look it up.



Ah yes, credit to the team that have lost 5 games in a row, magnificent, McDermott is doing a spiffing job and we might as well book our Grand Final tickets now.

I cant believe people are happy/satisfied with the state of our team atm. Its pathetic. Dare to be critical occasionally instead of living in lala land where everything is just fine. Our woeful run of form has far wider implications than us slipping down the table slightly too.

I thought the forwards stood up very well last night(that is a big French pack) Where I think we got caught out was 2 tries through right centre(Wells, Gafa) one through left centre, when Clubb ran out of the line and missed a shot he had to make, added to a piece of brilliance from Bosc.

Listy I understand where you are coming from, 5 losses in a row isnt good when the finish line is right in front of us, but the injury situation is killing us. (9, 6 , 7 ,13) all missing, Howell top scorer and Cougar top tackler missing too. No team could sustain that. Saints have injuries ad look what happened to them on Fri

5 losses in a row is unacceptable, regardless of injuries. Yes, 4 of these were to teams above us in the table, but it is a hard habit to break. Even worse, St's up next and regardless of their injury list, I have no confidence looking forward. 4 wins from the last 7 may see us squeeze in, 5 will assure us of getting another game.

(But we tried hard so its OK).

Devils advocate here Listy. I think that everyone is worried that we have lost 5 on the trot, but we are all encouraged by the level of commitment shown by the players, some of whom aren't up to SL standard. Most of the match reports I have seen refer to us as a "tough" team and that is a positive...........if only a small one.

I don't think everyone is worried we have lost 5 in a row at all. Excuses have been made after every defeat and people will continue to desperately try and find excuses to cover up for the team and the coach.

It is indeed a very small positive and clutching at straws IMO. I don't think the level of commitment shown by the players is any different from any other team.

Maybe, but at least their heads aren't dropping.

There have been times in the past when I remember watching the team at Griffin Park and they didn't look like they cared. This lot, regardless of how below average they are playing, do not give up...ever and that is a sign of a good team spirit. As for the coach, he has to accept that the buck stops with him and I imagine he is as hard on himself as he is on the players.

The main area for concern, IMO, is when we get to the opposition 20 yard line. We seem bereft of ideas. I thought Latham Tawhai was brought in to work on this part of the game plan, but whoever is responsible for this area needs to buck up their ideas.
Defence in the Centres seems to be a problem when Howells or Gafa are missing too.

I, for one, never said I was happy with our falling position in the league.

I merely remarked that our team did well in the circumstances yesterday.

As this was obvious to the Sky Sports commentators - and to several of us fans who watched the game too – I wonder why you're seemingly reluctant to say, "Well done, guys." It surely can't do any harm.

Given that you're so critical of the current team, albeit in its depleted state, presumably you must have some recommendations in mind about what should be done differently. Hence it would be good to know what your prescription would be.

It would also be good to know whether you think, as fans, we can have any beneficial influence whatsoever, and, if so, how.

Seeing as our current coach apparently doesn't even know the answers (which was a very worrying comment IMO), I'm not sure that I do either. I'm very critical of our end product yes which has resulted in some dire rugby. Other teams play very good rugby. Why can we not play good rugby? I don't think its up to me and I certainally don't have sufficient knowledge to make us play good rugby but I would have hoped that our coaching staff does. One thing I do know is that the club are carrying a lot of deadwood at the moment and another clearout is needed.

Another thing is the need for a decent stand off who can organise our team in attack. We really lack this at the moment and it is one of the reasons that as GF points out, we struggle so much when in half decent attacking positions. I don't see a major problem in our forwards - we drive the ball up well, our back row tackle their hearts out and are usually very effective. But our half backs and certain backs are woeful.



Interesting one. I'm not sure really - probably not. The influence needs to come from the coaching staff and people will some power at the club. All we can do is continue promoting the game to friends and familiy in the hope that it finally turns around and watching Harlequins RL becomes an attractive proposition.

You are David Hughes and I claim my £5

It just seems whenever we are on TV we never come up with the goods, that is never going to help in attracting new fans/supporters however much marketing we do.

From being in a comfortable position for the Top 8 we not have a real struggle on our hands.

I am fully for the licencing system but I do worry if it takes away concerns about losing, to think back when it is was the difference between losing and Winning pay!

I doubt the fear of relegation would bother us this year. We will finish comfortably above at least 2 teams.