Letting fielden go was a bad move in my book , said it at the time

As far as I know we didn't let Fielden go. We were only willing to offer him a one year contract based on the fact he had been injured for the past two seasons, yet Huddersfield were able to offer him a two year contract on a much higher wage.

I don't blame Fielden for leaving for that reason.

God, what would this be like if we'd lost and confirmed BK and DaveO's prejudices? Taylor in particular looked exactly like the big enforcer we're looking for. We ground down and got on top of the strongest pack in SL, without 5 of our better forwards. As our team settles down, we'll be there or thereabouts.
As for Fielden, the club would have been insane to offer him a 2 year contact after he gave us nothing over 2 years when we needed him. Let's back the players who put their bodies on their line for the club, not some mythical 1500 pound a minute "hero".

Four forwards still to come back in, 3 are experienced so no need for any signings.
Just let this young squad develop and get better.

I'm not all that fussed about 'experience' ( nice, yes, but hard to find a good one who's not knackered ) but, yes, I think we're a little light in the front row for a full season, so would add another prop if cap allows. That said, its not keeping me awake at night - we look pretty solid.

Prejudices? Go look up the word in a dictionary.

We will only know what effect, dare I say "tackling above their weight" will have on the players come run in time.

It reminds me of 2001 where a very lightweight Wigan did exceptionally well to get to the GF, and turned up with nothing left in the tank. It really was Men vs Boys.


Last night was very entertaining, and there were a lot of positives, but we do need an battle hardened prop, if nothing else he would take the pressure off Mossop/Dudson, and that cannot be a bad thing.

After that performance I'm not convinced we NEED a big experienced prop. Yes it would be nice but there are non available and we are not desperate. Would you sign MORLEY or CARVELL after that? NO because our younger players were all over them. As for an explosive back rower - H is to come back and Flower is growing into that role, he has massive thighs and low centre of gravity so difficult to stop when at pace as last night.
These young players are really making their mark can't wait to see Gil,Scotty, Greg grow with every game and we still have Moose,Preccy and Luaki with more 'experience' and Dom who will I'm sure get some game time. Experience good BUT we do not NEED it desperatly as we have Lockers the machine to bind them al together.
Only H is a certainty to get back in the 17 in my view.

So what day are you doing this on then?
Tomorrow?

I agree with the OP. Think we have got quantity over quality in this position. All good players but no one I would class as great. They all stepped up last night but they're not gonna get written off every week and be able to use that as motivation.

To me that looked like our pack trying it's heart out and playing to their best which is all we can ask for. However I think Wire were below par and can step up a gear whereas I'm not sure we have more to offer. Time will tell as the season goes on but it's important not to get carried away with last night's performance. I still think we will fall short this year when it comes to trophies.

Last night showed that age shall not weary them may be no longer relevant in RL. Morley and Carvell both looked old, both were a far cry from their peak and seem to get injured more often too. Chris Hill was far better.

Stuart Fielden battered his body versus the best in the world. It takes it toll on anybody. 2 years out shows that. RL today is very much a young mans game. A young Stuart Fielden was an 80 minute indestructable kamikaze player. He has paid the price for that approach.

Taylor, Dudson, Burke will do for me.

I think we missed a great opportunity when Craig Kopczak became a free agent and Huudersfield picked him up. He certainly has the size and is still only young. When I've seen him play for Wales always looked good and aggressive.