Deacon should have been rested since the cup final up until last week but he wasn't and he looked shot against Saints.

Doubtful he'll make it back in now.

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum and this is my first post so go easy on me!

I think Deacon would have struggled in a game like yesterday, some of the tackling was unreal and some big guys struggled to get back up (I know most of it was from us but he still would have had to have joined in defensively). I don't think Deacs can take many more knocks to the head tbh, but it will be interesting to see whether he comes back in, or we stick with the same side that won yesterday.

Big fan of Deacs and what he has brought, and I don't think it would be a surprise if we went back to him with Finch and Tommy at hooker

He had one very poor game last week. I wouldn't write him off yet, and wouldn't be surprised to see him on the bench on Saturday.

If he plays on sat saints will run everything at him

We looked a far better side without him yesterday IMO. For starters Joel and Charnley's side was a lot more sound defensively because they weren't having to compensate for Deacon's inefficiencies. I also thought we looked better in attack. All Deacon brings to the table is a kicking and passing game, something Finch also provides but at a better level IMO. Also Brett does offer some threat with ball in hand that Paul doesn't.

I like the fact yesterday that we mixed it up a bit with Lockers at 6 on occasions. For me Deacon wouldn't get in the side again this year barring injury. I feel father time has court up with him big style.

Bang on

With Deacon out and Mic Mac starting we had him and Tommy on and they are two of the most hard hitting tacklers in the squad. Some of the hits going in for that first 20 mins were shuddering!
They should both start again v Saints and in the same tackling style. Saints were stopped in the tracks in the Widnes game and that needs to be done again.
A defensive display like yesterday and OT could be beckoning.

i loved it....when micky had a rest and tommy went 9, we started mixing it up.

different positions for attack and defence.

im sure Faz was switching betwen 12, 13, and 6 in attack....and playing 9 in defence, with lockers going 13.
indeed, im sure Faz was playing 6 when he scored..was backing up like a 6 ??

You don't change a side that's won 44-0.

Well, you do, but only to add a 4th prop for Tuson

Wee Tam on the park is vital to us for the rest of the season. If mickey M can put in 80 min like yesterday (class) , leave Wee Tam at 7. Lockers at 6 is a non starter (IMO) he is never a no 6 in a million years. Why play a world class player (loose forward) out of position. I felt the hits he put in yesterday up un the stands .

paul deacon,people have short memories the lad has helped us win many games we would not have without him even our superstars have an off day check it out.

my initial thought was worry when i saw the team without deacon, i understand the role hes played for us most of the season, but i guess my feelings are, having seen the performance yesterday, we more than managed without him.

He was great in 2010 because he was the old head among the young ones taking the pressure of Sam and Tommy while they did their own thing. Now we have Finch who does the same as Deacs was doing last year and we dont need the two old heads. Deacon is far less effective when there is already someone out there doing his job.

He has had a dream end to his career winning both British trophys with his home town club. His RL career is far from over though, time to get his coaching head on

I wouldnt be surprised to see Deacon back in this week...