Where would you like me to start ?

Our front row is decidedly weak. It's all well and good signing young props but props don't come into their own till they are approaching and past 30. No Andy Platts there !

With George gone apart from Goulding (sp?) we are weak in the centres. No Dean Bells or Gene Miles.

Our second row is weaker with Hock gone. Hansen is reported to be out for a long while, so his tackling will be missed.

Yet another change at half back partnership with this unproven new pair.

Is that enough ?

All we need is Sam and Pat out and we are 'up the creek' mate.

You sond like the voice of doom, i dont think we need to worry too much, il agree we are not as strong on paper as Warrington but you only have to look at when wane put our youngsters to the test against leeds during the season last year we hammered them, i think sam powell is a shoe in if any of our halfbacks get injured and i would have no qualms about him delivering the goods should he be called upon he' s a class act, lts get the season started before you criticise our great club, theirs alternative sites for posting tripe like that www.cockneylatics.co.uk

You sond like the voice of doom, i dont think we need to worry too much, il agree we are not as strong on paper as Warrington but you only have to look at when wane put our youngsters to the test against leeds during the season last year we hammered them, i think sam powell is a shoe in if any of our halfbacks get injured and i would have no qualms about him delivering the goods should he be called upon he' s a class act, lts get the season started before you criticise our great club, theirs alternative sites for posting tripe like that www.cockneylatics.co.uk

Losing Lima is a blow but not as bad as some make out. I remember a lot of gripes during his tenure that have now been forgotten. Hock is a big dent but we've more second rowers than sense and all it takes is for one (Farrell for me) to step up to the mark. Carmont was always phenomenal but at centre where going forward solid/decent will do...

That leaves the halves. As good as they were Tommy got crocked we had no partnership for the rest of the season. Finch shouldn't have played at all in the playoffs. If Smith/Green can come close to SW's billing ("I luurve me some fast strong half backs I dooo"icon_wink.gif and stay fit we are- on paper- in a better position than last year. On the other hand if one gets injured we're in the same position but with worse players. If you enjoy doom and gloom.

A rather depressing slant on the Tomkins situation in this evenings MEN, it goes on to say that Tomkins is expected to play against Salford on Friday. It goes on to say that Sam hasn't played in any of the pre-season games after suffering a knee injury which forced him out of their final play off game last season . Tomkins was also used sparingly by England in the Autumn Internationals.
Does this mean that he has been carrying a long term injury which has been treated with rest, or is it more?.

It would be depressing to see him run out on the Friday, which is the first day of the season to see him all strapped up.

James Graham, Sam Burgess, Stuart Fielden.

Surely Sam will start with Murphy going to Salford, I think Wanes been clever and not overworked him knowing how much we need him to fit for us to stand a chance of silverware.

Would like to see Gelling and Taylor in the 17, I feel they can offer that X factor that we might miss.

Looking forward to seeing Green, heard that he's been going well and looks in decent shape

Sam
Charnley
Goulding
Thornley
Richards
Green
Smith
Mossop
McIlorum
Prescott
Hughes
Farrell
O'Loughlin

Dudson
Taylor
Burke
L Tomkins

I'd like to see this team. Only reason Powell doesn't make it is I think Green and Smith need as much time as we can to get them gelling together.