That’s what I don’t get the entertainment factor week in week out has improved significantly under Lam and generally our defence is fantastic.

So these comments coming in a half where we actually played from a coaching point of view some very good structured attacking rugby, but individual errors failed to see us execute the play, are just bizarre.

We, had the balls stuck and were it not for player error could have put 3 or 4 tries on in the first half too.

In the second half we used the same structures and plays as we did in the first half, the difference was we were more composed and clinical. The way the team played in either the first or second half from a coaching point of view didn’t really change.

I agree with keeping Lam but you rate this team a lot higher than I do. I'd take any Maguire or Wane side since 2010 (with the exception of 2017) ahead of this one in terms of who would win, as our pack is far too weak. We are more exciting to than most Wane sides though which is ultimately what I pay for.

The actual 2017 side would beat this side IMO.

Some of the rugby we’ve played under Lam has been nothing shy of shocking. Equally some of the rugby we’ve played under Lam has been nothing shy of scintillating with a defence to boot (ala the first half yesterday and the second half).

Like NK I’m still not convinced by Lam. 2 seasons of inconsistent drivel with the occasional scattering of scintillation just didn’t cut it for me. However I can’t sit here and type this with a straight face and say we’ve not been up to task [iso far [/ithis season. We took the kitchen sink from Leigh and Wakefield in our respectful games in the first half and dominated completely in the second. I’ve still not seen the full Wakefield game owing to the hospital not having strong enough Wi-fi to stream the game (

) so I’ll steer clear of commenting on that too much but my over riding concern is this sitting back and letting the other team come at us and hitting them on the counter may not succeed versus the better teams such as - well the only better team currently in SL IMO - in Saints.

But the start has been promising. It’s shown us a few things in that we are dogged (still) and willing to do the tough stuff (still) and that we can play some incredible rugby, even with a few of our ‘star players’ still missing. I genuinely am looking forward to this season, it’s between us and St Helens for the lot IMHO and that’s not being big headed or over confident, I just don’t see a serious challenger from the rest of the pack (Hull FC maybe but I think they’ll drop off) to either of us.

Bullock isn’t a starting prop, he’s an impact prop. Will work great coming off the bench to tired defences.

You misunderstand me Grimmy. I'm not saying it's the best team we've had. I'm saying the effort and determination, along with the application in defence is as good as anything we've had in Superleague, regardless of personnel. In attack we have shown more flair and 'heads up' rugby than we have since 2012.

If you believe this team isn't as good, particularly in the forwards, as previous ones then that reinforces what I've been saying. Unless, of course, you don't agree that our attack is more exciting to watch or that our defence is as good as previously, in which case I can only, with respect, disagree.

Some of the rugby we've played under every coach we've ever had, including Monie and Lowe, has been shocking. It's not a new phenomenon.

I don't know whether Lam is the man to take us forward or not but I do know we have made significant strides in the latter half of last season and, given the circumstances, so far this, particularly in attack. This season will tell us much more. If we get an improvement again this year we are very likely to land a trophy.

Whatever happens this season we need to make a longer term call on Lam for me at some point this year. Is he good enough? If he is then give him a minimum two year deal to just give it a more settled feel. If they don’t think he is, then find somebody they do feel they can appoint on more than a year to year deal. It may be the case that Lam himself doesn’t want to commit to more than a year at a time due to family commitments but unfortunately for me that isn’t good enough. He’s far from being a proven first team coach and there are plenty of guys with good records who would love the job.

I think (sadly) the bigger question will (again) be... can we get anyone better?

It's very different a player coming from Australia during Covid vs. a coach. Players usually don't have families, kids etc. and coaching in NRL is hugely different. They have more resources, more staff, better facilities.

That decision is huge IMHO, the biggest IL will make. There are signs his style is starting being imprinted on the side and if he were offered a 2yr deal now I’d be content with it given the back end of last season and the 2 games so far this season. I think what helps him is that the league is so poor at the moment with only Wigan and St Helens realistically in with a shout of winning trophies. Given we [ishould [/ibe winning every other game (I know we won’t) and therefore be in the top 2 of SL, it may show he’s better than what he actually is. Any lower is unacceptable.

If we wish to not just compete for trophies but go out and win them we need to recruit at least one experienced prop that makes hard yards, to help those young lads. The first two games this season, as well as a number of games last season (grand final included) shows we struggled to get out of our own territory for large periods.

Win the territory and we are better than most teams 100% of the time.

Burgess was meant to be that player, it hasn't happened, he's gone. We need to replace and quickly in my opinion. If we don't we end up nearly men again, and Lam will be no doubt on his way out.

Lammy is Cherry & White to the core & I'd be happy for him to stay on as coach until Lockers is ready to take the big step.
And I definitely wasn't saying that during his first year in charge.
Loved him as a player -- Not so much as a coach.
He has won me over though tbf.
The only issue I have, is who he picks between Zak & Bev for FB?
My thoughts are pretty clear ... But that's maybe a different discussion, for another time.