The half-backs don't set the platform, the forwards do. For all the toughness we supposedly show in defence, for me, the forwards just don't work hard enough when in possession of the ball. When we're on the oppo line there are rarely any dummy runners asking questions. It's way too easy for the oppo defence to read what's happening and shut Williams et al down. I also don't think having two hookers with similar skill sets is ideal. There's just no variation to our play from dummy half.

I genuinely forgot about Shorrocks, I thought he was brilliant in the games last year. I would quite happily have Williams/Shorrocks, Williams,Woods for next year and spend some cap space building a go-forward, mobile, attacking unit around them...SOL, Farrell, Bateman, Wells, Tautai, Sutton + one or two quality additions should be more than capable...

With Dom & Escare fully fit next year, we are spoilt for choice in the back-line. It really is all about keeping them fit and giving them enough time to all bond/gel together.

I for one am scared to death come Feb we will start well with a great looking side, but come early March 4-5 will be crocked and we will be in exactly the same position again, patching up and playing with a different side each week.

This. Especially our "props".

As a collective our props seems to have regressed at an alarming rate this season, Earlier this season only Tautai looked like he could break the line, win a collision and get back on his feet for a quick play the ball. However since his new contract he seems to have gone back into his comfort zone. Clubb carried the rest of the front row on Thursday win only one kidney. FNP and Sutton seem to be having a competition to see who can drop the ball the most.

We need two big 6 foot 3 poophouse props for next season before we look at anything else.

NO PROPS, NO POTS.

When was the last time we had an absolute barnstorming prop forward who made hard yards, broke a line and made the defence work hard to bring him down?

I'm struggling to be honest! Certainly none I can think of under IL.

Was Paleaaesina not an IL signing? Or was that before he took over?

Anyway, it's not been for the want of trying. I think IL would've hoped for better from the likes of Lauaki and FPN, and Scott Taylor would've been that very prop you describe if he hadn't got "homesick".

Feka was the closest I could think of, but even he didn't do it enough. Impact prop, fifteen minutes per half and I can only remember two incidents where he smashed through.

Hull KR away on Sky Sports 'crash, bang wallop try'.

Home against Hull FC (IIRC).

Edit - it was Hull FC at home, 60 metres break.

Both clips on YouTube!!

We're not that bad that we'd want a player like Feka back surely?! The props we have are fine in talent terms but there's clearly been a lack of application. FPN hasn't broken sweat all year and Tautai has retired on the back of his new deal. We've got Sutton who I think is a brilliant young player but his errors hurt him and he's looked jaded these past couple of weeks(in need of a rest I'd imagine which is understandable at 21 years old) and then there's 'One kidney' Clubb who's embarrassing them all!

We need more from the ones we've got imo. I'd like to see us bring Bousquet in for 2018 to add some size but I mainly just want more from what we currently have. One player who could add a lot at prop is Joel Tomkins. He had a couple of cracking games at prop in the cup game at Wire and then at Huddersfield but then he sadly picked up an injury. He could really fill a gap if he can stay fit.

Wane in his press conference said he's confident of top 4..............

I am even worried about Wells who has got progressively slower the more bulk he has put on. He was dominated in every collision and did not look able to make anyone's shoulder to receive the ball.

Considering the success we've enjoyed during IL's tenure, doesn't that show that such a prop is, at best, a luxury we can manage without? Also, I would add "plays at least 40 mins per game" to the desired talents, ruling out the likes of Feka.

I would say that is a minimum requirement. Having to use 6 interchanges rotating the props robs us of giving other players a spell on the sidelines. I would expect the starting props to give a good 25 mins, the interchanges 15 mins and then another 15-20 mins after half time, leaving the two starters to come back after almost an hour's rest for the final 20 mins.

He looked huge on Thursday versus Wire but as you say it was his most ineffective game so far.
Earlier in the season he looked like a lad with some potential for the second row and at last add some bulk in the role that we have missed for sometime.

Wells has always seen as a prospective prop since signing at about 15 years of age.

Wells is very young and it may just take some time for him to get to a weight he feels comfortable with. He's huge at the minute but if he feels he's struggling carrying it then they may get him to shed some size for next year.

I don't think his size is anything that can be held against the coaching and conditioning staff though. We can't complain we lack size in one breath and then complain about players bulking up too much in the other. I really like the look of Wells and once he gets to grips with everything o think we'll have a fine player on our hands.

The team has had hardly any time to train together this year and people expect them to play like the Globetrotters.

So many players whose careers were nearly ended and fans expect them to be Billy Slaters terminator cousin in a month.

Williams has a few poor games and despite dragging the team through half the season he needs to be dropped.. oh but wane is naff for dropping other young players and ruining their confidence.

We have had nearly 2 years of constant disruptions and in that time have won the final and the wcc yet the coach responsible for bringing through 3/4 of the team and getting them to run through walls for him needs to go as we have had a bad run. Though nothing to do with half the squad being out as he managed that miracle last year... but doesn't get credit for it.

Dom, Gilly, Burgess, Willliams, Sutton, Powell, Davies, Shorrocks, Marshall. All thanks to Wane.

Yes I miss seeing the length of the field tries and yes current performances are frustrating but some perspective is needed. Someone even suggested getting rid of Powell! Where would be without him last year?

If after a full season with the normal amount of injuries we are 7th then yes, questions must be asked but for now please have some perspective.