Of course it was a loss not having Lima available and having him in could well have made some difference. History has shown that we're better off having 4 props in wherever possible and given the fact that Fielden was injured it would have been absolutely stupid not to pick Lima had he been available. You don't win titles by being sentimental.

As for Hoffman, despite some of the comments I've read about him tonight I think he works very hard in defence, takes a lot to take him down and his performances so far have imm justified his signing and selection. I have no doubt that if enough players were outperforming him or Lima then they would have to improve to keep their places. When new signings are made if you're going to go down the line of always sticking with established players regardless of ability or form there'd be less of an incentive for fringe players to improve and it'd be pointless making any signings in the first place. Madge has shown that he is willing to drop players if they don't perform.

Dont understand the criticism of Hoffman myself, thought he got through alot of work!

Me neither he was like a machine, I'd love to see the stats for him he got through tonnes of work and seemed to play virtually the full 80.

Hoff was really good AGAIN for me. Summed him up when he got clattered, was in cloud cuckoo land for a few seconds and could hardly stand up, the trainer came on and he just waved him (her?) away. Legend.

Pretty simple. Had he been available he would and should have played especially with Fielden out injured.

Squads inevitably change at the end of each season and so we could not field our GF winning team even if we had wanted to. By your logic Hoffman should not of played and for that matter neither should Mossop or Tuson.

And to add to that by the same philosophy several of the SGI players should not have played as they have only joined the squad in the off-season.