Must disagree.

Ask yourself how many of this team would get into the Saints/Wire side?

The team we currently have are mid table at the very best. Last year Bateman and Tomkins added the X factor that won us many games and they were both born winners.

It's just a matter of opinion then. I see a team who went unbeaten in the playoffs and won the GF minus two players who were replaced with top talent. To suggest that time shouldn't be least competitive is beyond me.
I actually think your comment sadly reflects a defeatist attitude which reflects in performances, if you think you're a mid-table side and second best to another team you'll most likely lose. However if you back yourself, play with fight and a will be win then you'll push on, improve and be at least competitive.

It's never about individuals, so asking who'd get into the Wire or Saints side is irrelevant, it's a team sport and about how that team plays, it's about their desire, their fight and will to win, their mentality, which comes from the coach.

To think we''ve gone to pot just because we lost Bateman and Tomkins is complete rubbish. Almost justifying why we're poor.

Sorry, not for me. I don't buy it.

To be honest, who would...

Exactly. What is the point in passing to a player about to be tackled? If Williams does have a weakness its that he is not vocal enough nor demanding enough. Imagine this shower of duds running outside of Andy Gregory? He would give them hell if they didnt run where he wanted them to or if their timing was off. It seems to be happening every game though which tells me that the coaching is at fault.

I think you are under estimating the impact of losing Bateman and Tomkins. Both these players made things happen and their contribution to how we played was immense. This is not an excuse for Lams coaching ability (i made the original post) but to say that he wasnt dealt a bad hand when the team had lost its 2 best players that had such an impact the year before is crazy.

Aye. None of it is George’s fault.

Nope not at all. I rate both Tomkins and Bateman. How can anyone say the squad is a bad hand? It's crazy. Go back and watch the playoffs from last season and the GF. Watch how we were structured, how we played, our mentality in attack and more importantly in defence, then watch us this season. Are the saying the mass changes are down to 2 players? Seriously? Come on.

The game is far more complex to think 2 players missing has caused such a decline when the team is still littered with talent. Most teams across SL would be over the moon with the likes of Hardaker, Burgess, Gildart, Greenwood, Bullock, Tommy, Lockers Williams, all of which are Internationals!

Losing two players isn't the issue, its a poor excuse.

Lam's team selection leaves me worrying. A wide fast pitch where we need to be a fast as possible get get around their big pack. How can you not select Escare. We are predictable and Morgan can provide that unpredictability.
At a time where the team are slow we need pace from anywhere we can get it yet Escare is not in the 17 as an option.
Clubb starting at 13 with Lockers on the bench and no interchange back.
Lam has to get this sorted.

Williams is cr@p can we get shut early? Please

Williams looks like his head is in Australia already. Some of his passing and playing in silo killed many sets of play.

How many kicks did he bother to put up for Burgess against Tierney? Possibly zero? That should been number 1 game plan but we tried to step around them.

Thought most of our forwards were ok actually, especially Bullock who looked strong. Clubb however was done for after 10 minutes again and needs dropping for the next prop. TT also made barely any impact again.

But individual errors were the killer. 3 or 4 tries from dropped ball or mistakes in our own 20. Catalan were up for it behind a strong following and we lost the momentum battle.

Great occasion though, loved every minute of it and the result doesn’t spoil it, it’s only 2 points at the end of the day. The Leeds fans supporting Catalan was hilarious though. Hope they’re enjoying the relegation fight with London.

Also thought McIlorum was great in the first 30 for them. Really set the tempo and aggression. What we would give for a crafty, intelligent, hard hitting hooker now...

one who can create 3 vs 2 on the flanks of a a wide pitch should be of a top priority, it's basic stuff really

Another bloody masterstroke decision by IL & KR that one, wasn’t it...

For me the issue was nothing replacing Micky with class. If we'd have brought in a top 9 with a scoot, great distribution, I think must fans woukd have got over losing Micky.

Once in a life time opportunity to experience a game in one of the most Iconic Stadiums in the entire world In one of the most Vibrant Cities on the planet I've no doubt a Game at Huddersfield or Wakefield at the beginning of February is much more Your cup of Tea

One thing that baffles me is Lam's belief that Hankinson is somehow an acceptable option at second row. When I saw his name on the bench it worried me that he might end up on the pitch. Then Greenwood gets injured and we end up with Isa and Hankinson as our 2 back rowers. It's not like we don't have people to play there. Smithies had some cracking games there and Paisley, while hit or miss, did have a good game the last time he played Catalans and has the advantage of being a back row forward. Any possible threat we might possible have in that position completely disappears.

And it's no surprise that yet again when Greenwood goes off we don't have a clue what to do. He's pretty much our go to forward which probably puts a bit too much pressure on him as he can be managed out of the game if he doesn't get good enough service.

Williams was shocking. Even when we were being relatively competitive against the Catalans pack his decision making was utterly awful. Powell too was poor and completely outplayed by McIlorum. I hope Lam is giving some consideration to moving Leuluai back to 9 (it worked well last time) with Shorrocks on the bench once Sammut returns because there's not an ounce of creativity from Powell.

The only forward who had a good game was Flower, who seemed to be tasked with keeping Sam Moa quiet and he did that brilliantly. Everyone else though looked well below par, particularly O'Loughlin who had one of his worst games.

I really don't see how we can fix our problems without making signings. It's obvious our pack is weak right now and they are showing little signs of improvement. It was an obvious weakness at the start of the season. I think Lam even said he wanted to strengthen that area but the club weren't forthcoming with any signings. In that respect I do have some sympathy for Lam but I won't if he keeps picking Hankinson as a bloody second rower!