Out for 8 Weeks! the team will be lucky to be in the top 3 this year

In the balance now I think. A lot of home games to come but we'll have to improve quickly. Miski and Walters will help in q few weeks.

I really think Miski is so very underrated with what he brings to the table. We are so much better as a team with him returning the ball. 


His ability to win contact tie up defenders find his front and get a quick play the ball makes it so much easier for our forwards to progress down the pitch after his carry. 

Farrimond is not the answer, Keighran to 6, Eckersly to centre, Wade on the wing

Leigh's left edge would murder us with Eckersley and Wade there.

Our back row is one of the problems. Farrell plays so much better on the left side than the right. Nsemba plays so much better on the left than the right. Do we have a back rower who can well on the right side? 
Walters did ok on the right but he's out for weeks. When he returns no doubt back in at prop where he's royally missed.
I think Hirst, the guy on loan at Oldham is a right sided back row. That's one long shot though!


Farrell or Nsemba playing right side with Eckersly and Wade would probably how Lam would select our squad.

Agree with all of that, FT. Eckersley needs to improve his defence quickly. And these days, the NRL seems to have big, rangy, try-scoring young back-rowers coming out of their ears! I wish we could find one, cos it's sorely needed.

Does Nsemba play that much better on the left than the right? He was pretty effective on the right side as well last year - I think the switch was made mainly to plug some gaps defensively. Looks like there's a chance they'll be switching back.

To be fair, we developed and lost Pearce-Paul and Nicholson, both of whom would have been great for us right now.

James McDonnell as well.

I can't help wonder what the deal is with McDonnell at the minute. He's signed a one year deal at Leeds, which makes me wonder why? he's playing really well and is going to be named in the England squad later today from the reports I've just read. That isn't a player you only offer a year to, so it makes me wonder if he has his eyes on a move for 2027, be that to Oz or maybe a move back around these parts. I'd take him back as a replacement for Faz, although he discipline and error rate needs a bit of work. 

I think McDonnell is on the small side. He does seem to get overpowered quite a bit when defending. 

Really hoping that Farrimond can find his feet over these next few weeks. Lord knows we need a bit of something. 

If we can get Marshall back, then we're only really missing Miski, French and Walters.  As good as they are, the team should be experienced enough to cover for them (especially Walters, who couldn't get a game 12 months ago). 

Strangely, I'm looking at Saints and they've also got their most important player out, but seem to be playing with renewed confidence? Is it the addition of a bit of youth that's done it? Perhaps the new blood in Cross?  Is it Feldt doing those tough carries early in the set? 



If we aren't going to bring anyone new in, then let's give Wade a shot. For me,  having watched a lot of him in RU he'd, have scored a couple on Friday. Douglas wasn't bad, he carried relatively well for his age - but he's not a finisher like Wade is.