Singleton was statistically very similar at the back end of last season. He is going to need to keep his aggression high in defence and keep his work rate up or else he’ll be questioned, no two ways about it. Joe Bullock needs a rocket on the back of Friday for me. He was going down so easy in collision. The guy needs to realise he can be what he wants to be. At that size and with the pace he’s got he should be smashing holes in teams. He had a good season last season but he’s got so much more to give IMO.

I think teams tend to target Joe and get stuck into him - not convinced he has that element of grit or toughness to respond and give a bit back.

He does seem a bit too nice and in terms of props it’s been something I’ve put at a lot of the ones we’ve brought through and brought in. I just wish we could find a player with the natural attributes of Bullock but the attitude of Partington. I hope we get to see Kilner pretty soon because he looks to have a bit of mongrel about him, whilst being physically quite imposing.

Interesting to see Hankinson was named in London's squad earlier in the week but he's not made the match day squad.

Has he suffered an injury, or have we called him back?

It's mainly just me being critical of Hanley to be fair. Bit of a reaction to people saying a player who made 5 errors (2 unforced whilst playing the ball in our own 20m) had a solid game. We all want him to do well but saying he was solid or carried safely just isn't accurate when he kept giving up possession and gifting Leigh try-scoring opportunities. A better team scores 4 tries off his errors IMO (2 sets on our line for the knock on at the ptb and the ptb into the man, 1 for when they beat him in the air and threw a forward pass for what would have been a try, 1 for when he threw the loose ball backwards and the Leigh player ran clear for it but knocked on the pick up). Tom Johnstone, Reece Lynne & Co won't fluff all those chances.

I think it's a little harsh to drop Hanley on his second game especially his first out of position on the wing, in a team without any first choice starters in their positions in our back line. That also effects massively the go forward gains. Off the first three hit ups, after any kick, it's normally a combination of full back, wings and centres taking us towards the 40. We was lucky to get over the 20 before any forward took the ball up. We miss Marshal from play the ball scooting early in the set he often gains ground, gets a quick play or earns a penalty, Hastings helps in that department lack of yards from half is one of Powell less impressive stats, though I find it very hard to criticise him 60 tackles. Gildart and Zak also make us plenty yards and the threat of French also creates space for others. Hanley coming into a full strength team would be a much kinder passage into SL to be judged on than the less than ideal games he's faced upto now. Having watched him from juniors I imagine he's the best option under the high ball we have out wide at the moment to drop him would do more harm than good at this stage.

Hanley was also incredibly lucky not to have conceded a penalty try for the grab on Tierney. But I think he deserves a go again.
Given the way things have started, I think I'd get short odds on at least 1 more player going down injured this week....

The lad is being asked to do a job to which he is unaccustomed. He did some things well and made some mistakes which he will learn from as he is a clever rugby player. The reality is that we should not be relying on the likes of Hanley and Field to play on the wing.

It is amazing how we all see games differently; I thought Bullock was great and although he could do with a bit of mongrel, he was excellent in the go forward. It is frightening for us watching to think of the pace and talent you can recall at some point, my team started okay (Hull), we always do but I think , given your injuries, to get past a spirited and very well coached Leigh side, was a better result than you give credit for. Also think Hardaker was exceptional at full back and you have an embarrassment of riches there; he would be my pick though as I don't think there is a better numver 1 in SL. Serious question- What has happened to Hankinson? I liked him on the few occasions I saw him, nowhere near the finished article but sizeable and great potential.

He only made 40 odd metres mate. That’s really unusual for Bullock and he did play at a time when Leigh were going at 200mph. I always bang on about us getting more from Bullock but that’s not done from a POV of not rating him, It’s the complete opposite, I think he’s brilliant but probably doesn’t have the belief in himself that he can kick on and be one of the best in the comp. He should be aiming for an England place IMO but he needs to push himself to his limits.

Field out for 5 months press conference https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... y-20278868 BF for thursday ??

Field out for 5 months press conference https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk ... y-20278868 BF for thursday ??

Devastating. It looked a bad one.

Absolutely gutting and a huge blow in more ways than one.

Not only was this Field's year to bed into life at the club, it was also a period where the club got to review the lad and make some big decisions for 2022 i.e could/should he be replacing French, or Hastings.

That's Marshall and Field, both out with long term injuries. Gildart and Dom are a few weeks off too. It's madness that Lam will only make a call on Hankinson, over the next week or two.

Gutted for him

Gutted for Field. Can't get my head round not recalling Hankinson, especially if Gildart isn't back and French isn't an option.