Disappointing game after that first match against Wakefield, we looked like schoolboys in size with the forwards, as others have said Castleford were far too fast at the play the ball for us, also it did not help that hardly did we ever move up as they played the ball, while Cas were on top of us before we even started to move after we played the ball

I was told Alex had damaged his fingers as he did in The Million Pound game, that was a big loss, we need to recruit if we are going to move on.

I’ve just got home from an enjoyable night away in Ealing. I think that ground has potential if you can stay in SL, which is going to be a big ask. You played the right game plan trying to move the ball as you will not compete with any other SL side down the middle. Your pack is just far too small and not physically strong enough to cope. The score line flattered us a little I think, but we did have several players out injured. If we put Gale, McMeeken, Foster, Olly Holmes, Roberts, Clarke, back into that side then yesterday would have looked very ugly I think. We are fairly lucky that we can put out as strong 17 as we did yesterday with the injury list we have. I don’t know how many you had out, but I think you need to recruit some size and strength in the middle. All that said, your lads never gave up and tried till the end. Fair play to them for coming across to acknowledge us Cas fans after the game, that showed some class amongst them in my opinion. I have a lot of time for Wardy, and I wish you all the best for the rest of the season. Look forward to seeing you at our place.

Squad is not good enough. Still baffles me why the club worked so hard to gain promotion, and then are not doing what they need to stay up. Its clear we are not strong enough, and that is without the inevitable injuries that will come our way. We have not recruited enough SL quality players, the squad lacks power and depth. It comes down to what do the club want. Do they want to be a SL club or are they happy to be a Champ club with the odd season in SL?? People are not going to flood back each week to see a team getting beaten. How true I do not know but, I have heard from two separate people the Ward wants/wanted to bring in more but DH has put the block on it.

Agree with the consensus that we're lightweight up front. Richards has been completely anonymous both times I've seen us play, and Mason not much better - Battye and Ioane are still our best props and they need help. Lovell doesn't run anywhere near his size (he stops moving his legs after making contact and just looks to go to ground) and I've no idea why Hindmarsh hasn't had a look yet after playing almost all of last season.

Cunningham at 7 is a waste of a damn good hooker, we'd be much better off with him at 9 and Fozzard (who I also like) coming off the bench to support him. Either give Smith a chance at 7 or see if we can get Richardson from Sts. Obviously missed Walker at FB, have to hope he's not out for too long.

Honkytonk.
What we need to do this season is survive the drop. We are going to be on the of a couple of hidings, we have to accept that, we will hopefully pick up enough wins to not finish bottom. The squad we have is light, nobody denies that, but the squad we do have can play some entertaining rugby.
The problem with spending big is if it does not work then we become the next Widnes!
2000 is nowhere near enough, but with the help of away supporters if we can slowly build the numbers and keep the interest going in the press, the much needed new investment might appear.
So what to do, keep faith with a bunch of lads who earned the promotion supplemented by the likes of Yates etc or spend money we don’t have and import a team?
I reckon easter into mid season we may see a couple come in.

On a positive, the stand under construction looked pretty decent.

I get that, and I am not knocking the effort of the players we have. We need to survive, so give yourself the best chance. In reality, is the squad that much stronger than last season??? If Hughes wants us to stay up, maybe this season we (he) needed to dig deep and fund a couple more SL quality players, maybe then next season some of the younger players will be in a better position to make an impact in the first team, the squad will be better established Will bringing players in mid season be too late, why not before the season started.

This sounds very much like my thoughts.
If there were one position where I feel Hughes NEEDED to spend was on a replacement for Sammut. Didn't make Saturday's game but Walker seemed a big loss. Sounds like a bit of square pegs into round holes is going on - would Dixon have been a better bet at FB, having played there earlier in his career? Why play a great hooker in Cunningham as a half back?
Our squad is small and little changed from last season - one thing I felt from last year's 8s was that we didn't look to have the speed with the ball or the speed of thought of some of the SL teams, although we did beat a couple of them.
I'm not advocating wholesale changes but surely Wardy has to change the 19 a bit for next weekend?

I haven't been to a game in ages due to family and personal reasons. so im not in a postion unlike others to comment here on changes to the team for the Wigan game.
But reading here on what others are saying and from what I have seen of the games played so far, those that go to the games know what they are looking at and can see what is working and what aint, (even the guys on the radio seen to feel some positional changes are needed).
I agree with everyone Cunningham is no SH and needs to get put back in the position that earned him an England Knights call up and lets be honest what other clubs were sniffing about for the back end of last season. Hes far more effective at Hooker and has more impact on our go forward from there, along with Fozard would work much better then Fozard/Pelisser combination is at the moment.
I'm no expert but maybe its best to try changes now early in the season rather then later when it might to late to do it. We brought Morgan Smith from Warrington who plays in this position and who's fans rated highly, so try him now why we can and have games to play with this early. The two new forwards don't seem to be working I saw that for myself on TV(may sound silly but I think you get an idea of how well they are doing by the times the commentators mention their names, all I heard was Battye's name all night). As for Lovell he needs some one on one lessons with Jamie Langley on how to go into a tackle or even hit a line at speed. Try Hindmarsh the guy was playing brilliant last season and he looks like hes bulked up a bit too. It was shame that Adebyi went off early it would have been nice to see what he could have added as the game went along.
If Walker is still out for the Wigan game is it worth giving Gideon Boafo a run out at Fb as this is his team position. Could it not hurt trying these guys out before we all stay asking the club to spend money on players.

Does anyone know what has happened to Butler and Hellewell, are they carrying injuries.

Btw on Danny Richardson, yes he would be brillant for us and as a SL player is going to waste at Leigh (no disrespect meant there.), i did read that Holbrook wasnt happy or prepared to allow him to go to another SL club.

I'm also surprised Hindmarsh has not played but perhaps he is injured.

I think Hindmarsh, Boafo and Meadows played for Coventry yesterday.

Its great saying changes for next week but in reality what do we do?? We are not exactly blessed with great depth. Cunningham to hooker is not a conversation we should be having, he should be playing there any way. Smith then replaces him in the backs. Hindmarsh comes in for ??

We have quite a few players on 1 year deals. We go down this season we lose a few players, need to rebuild a bit again and returned to playing in front of 800 odd people. Thats not progress. I was really excited about the prospect of SL this season, a real chance for the club to make a statement on and off the pitch. As it stands I am pretty underwhelmed with both. The "Marketing", well lets face it, this is the bare minimum that a SL club should be doing, we haven't exactly re invented the wheel.

Anyway, on to Wigan and lets hope the boys can pull a rabbit out

Actually, having had a look

Meadows, Butler and Davis played for Coventry
Hindmarsh and Boafo played for Skolars

Can you tell me who was available to sign as a halfback when Sammut said he was not staying with London. Most of the good players had been signed by the time we won the million pound.

There is always someone available. Behind the scenes players are always available, just because the fans do not know who they are does not mean they are not there.

And you would know because ?????