Rodwell got skinned three times - one of which led to Connor’s first try, another that cost us 40 metres and another which cost us 70 metres. Watch the highlights back, he didn’t have a good game, but that’s okay, it’s preseason and now he knows he has to play the likes of Croft and Connor each week. As for Pratt, I’d really like to see him play left centre. What he achieved last season wasn’t just good for a young lad, it was brilliant generally. 20 tries, some of those from nothing, and can’t remember him making many mistakes. Sure, it was Championship, but I’d prefer to see him over Hall, who’ll just do a steady job. And while he could be a cover option for wing, I’d always prefer a specialist winger like Russell. Totally agree on Uele - thought he was awesome. Not at all worried about getting beat down the middle this season. If our halves manage us well, I’m still confident we’ll be in the mix.

Yes. Sorry to say I agree about Rodwell. You can never tell with forwards though. Sometimes you get them on Boxing Day in the middle of their heavy weights prep which makes them look sluggish. I'm not worried about Rodwell. Whereas Caleb looked to have trimmed a little bit which worked for him.

[quote="Butcher":47jo5vm0]Rodwell got skinned three times - one of which led to Connor’s first try, another that cost us 40 metres and another which cost us 70 metres. Watch the highlights back, he didn’t have a good game, but that’s okay, it’s preseason and now he knows he has to play the likes of Croft and Connor each week. As for Pratt, I’d really like to see him play left centre. What he achieved last season wasn’t just good for a young lad, it was brilliant generally. 20 tries, some of those from nothing, and can’t remember him making many mistakes. Sure, it was Championship, but I’d prefer to see him over Hall, who’ll just do a steady job. And while he could be a cover option for wing, I’d always prefer a specialist winger like Russell. Totally agree on Uele - thought he was awesome. Not at all worried about getting beat down the middle this season. If our halves manage us well, I’m still confident we’ll be in the mix.[/quote:47jo5vm0] Can’t disagree with the majority of that tbf. Agree Rodwell was at fault alongside Cozza for the first try, but the second try wasn’t a try as Trueman was wiped out. Brodie Croft looked very slick and did step him. But by the by he hit hard and ran hard did Rodwell, Uele was great too. Agree also with playing Pratt on the wing, I’m sure I heard Powell say he’s unsure if he’s a centre or winger, i might be wrong like.

Supporters see what they want to see in a game based on their individual prejudices, it will never change.

[quote="Scarlet Pimpernell":1c73i77e]Supporters see what they want to see in a game based on their individual prejudices, it will never change.[/quote:1c73i77e] I wanted to see Rodwell do really well. And Russell dominate the game at 7

[quote="PopTart":13y4nglp]I wanted to see Rodwell do really well. And Russell dominate the game at 7[/quote:13y4nglp] Out of all our signings Russell was by far the quietest one. Only time I noticed him was when he flew out of the line to put a shot on and miss and doing a poor kick that either went down the FB’s throat or barely reached the half way line. It’s one game I suppose int it.

[quote="Pat Bateman":2xkw8v0a]Out of all our signings Russell was by far the quietest one. Only time I noticed him was when he flew out of the line to put a shot on and miss and doing a poor kick that either went down the FB’s throat or barely reached the half way line. It’s one game I suppose int it.[/quote:2xkw8v0a] Exactly. He had no field position to work with today. He'll have better days.

[quote="Pat Bateman":35ko99na]Out of all our signings Russell was by far the quietest one. Only time I noticed him was when he flew out of the line to put a shot on and miss and doing a poor kick that either went down the FB’s throat or barely reached the half way line. It’s one game I suppose int it.[/quote:35ko99na] Yeah I noticed Russell shot out twice on Oledzski. Not sure if that’s just a personal plot because he knows he’s passed the ball about three times in his career, but it’s an odd thing for a half to shoot that far in field and not quite connect. Only takes a smarter prop to tip it on and you’re buggered. As mentioned above, Russell might out a lot of pressure on Lino to improve and break back in though, so if he turns out to only be as good at he was at Huddersfield, it’s no disaster.

[quote="Butcher":iyww9w26]Yeah I noticed Russell shot out twice on Oledzski. Not sure if that’s just a personal plot because he knows he’s passed the ball about three times in his career, but it’s an odd thing for a half to shoot that far in field and not quite connect. Only takes a smarter prop to tip it on and you’re buggered. As mentioned above, Russell might out a lot of pressure on Lino to improve and break back in though, so if he turns out to only be as good at he was at Huddersfield, it’s no disaster.[/quote:iyww9w26] I can only imagine that Russell will be working with Gale behind the scenes. Miller was a solid player for us over the years but I’d rather Russell play in his dinner Jacket with the ball a bit like Gale last season. Sometimes it’s just as important to give your edges and the next player some early ball. There will be a lot more to come from Russell and Trueman and plenty of pre season to mould them into a good partnership. Lino will be in the mix.

I haven't given up on Lino at all. He definitely has a role to play.

[quote="PopTart":1ltlugt0]I haven't given up on Lino at all. He definitely has a role to play.[/quote:1ltlugt0] I was just about to post the same , in fact I'll stick my neck out and say Lino will win the shirt to start the season and he'll have his best season at Trinity since he signed . My reasoning is that he's got competition to keep him on his toes which is something he hasn't really had . It's consistency we haven't had with Mason but when he's firing he can be a quality SL half .

[quote="PopTart":1v3jok6p]I haven't given up on Lino at all. He definitely has a role to play.[/quote:1v3jok6p] Nice position to be in really. Sometimes lino needed a kick up the proverbial- maybe they will bring the best out of all of them!

I thought their line speed made it very difficult for our halves. They had no time on the ball, as we lost a lot of contacts and had a slow play of the ball. We only managed to get round them a couple of times. Once through some quick hands from Hall. Considering the amount of ball and territory they had, our defence was pretty good. They seemed to target our marker defence and got some joy. That needs tightening up. A decent hit out with 4 first team players missing. It will take a while for some players to step up (pace wise) and Trueman hasn't played for ages. Promising. Really looking forward to the season to begin.

[quote="Trinity_lurcher":1feof386]I thought their line speed made it very difficult for our halves. They had no time on the ball, as we lost a lot of contacts and had a slow play of the ball. We only managed to get round them a couple of times. Once through some quick hands from Hall. Considering the amount of ball and territory they had, our defence was pretty good. They seemed to target our marker defence and got some joy. That needs tightening up. A decent hit out with 4 first team players missing. It will take a while for some players to step up (pace wise) and Trueman hasn't played for ages. Promising. Really looking forward to the season to begin.[/quote:1feof386] I agree with the defence holding up well despite the territory and possession. Only two steps and one gap created by foul play shows the defence was good overall. More than 4 first teamers missing though from that 17. Jowitt Johnstone Mckmeeken Hood Storton Pitts Doyle Would be definite starters in the 17. So that’s more like 7 (almost half a team). When you add that in I’m sure we would win more contacts and the halves would have a bit more time and options.

[quote="Trojan Horse":1greq5b1]I agree with the defence holding up well despite the territory and possession. Only two steps and one gap created by foul play shows the defence was good overall. More than 4 first teamers missing though from that 17. Jowitt Johnstone Mckmeeken Hood Storton Pitts Doyle Would be definite starters in the 17. So that’s more like 7 (almost half a team). When you add that in I’m sure we would win more contacts and the halves would have a bit more time and options.[/quote:1greq5b1] + Atoni

I only thought about Jowitt, Johnstone, Mckmeeken and Atoni. I'd forgotten about the others! Be interesting to see the team in the next friendly

Griffin too.

[quote="Trojan Horse":1g3h7bf4]I can only imagine that Russell will be working with Gale behind the scenes. Miller was a solid player for us over the years but I’d rather Russell play in his dinner Jacket with the ball a bit like Gale last season. Sometimes it’s just as important to give your edges and the next player some early ball. There will be a lot more to come from Russell and Trueman and plenty of pre season to mould them into a good partnership. Lino will be in the mix.[/quote:1g3h7bf4] You can not compare Russell to Gale ,though he was here for just a short spell as a player.Gale could throw passes out that put players in to gaps, Russell was throwing out a lot of hospital passes at Leeds .

[quote="PopTart":3pde2oxa]+ Atoni[/quote:3pde2oxa] Correct, thanks. Missed him. Make that 8 then.

[quote="Pat Bateman":3nspktcr]Griffin too.[/quote:3nspktcr] I think he will be a back up, bench player for us this season. Be handy to step in but I can’t see him in 17 most weeks so didn’t include him tbh.

[quote="alegend":3il5mnwu]You can not compare Russell to Gale ,though he was here for just a short spell as a player.Gale could throw passes out that put players in to gaps, Russell was throwing out a lot of hospital passes at Leeds .[/quote:3il5mnwu] I am not comparing them. You’ll need to read again. I suggested that Russell be trying to take a few pointers from Gale and his style of play. I felt that Russell needed to be a touch deeper personally. I do think Jowitt returning will give both halves a lot more options.

[quote="Trojan Horse":3m8tsk7z]I am not comparing them. You’ll need to read again. I suggested that Russell be trying to take a few pointers from Gale and his style of play. I felt that Russell needed to be a touch deeper personally. I do think Jowitt returning will give both halves a lot more options.[/quote:3m8tsk7z] Sorry my mistake . Agree about a touch deeper ,Last year We were standing a lot deeper when we had the ball .Leeds moved up very fast, said at the time we should be standing deeper .

[quote="alegend":33pr0cf3]Sorry my mistake . Agree about a touch deeper ,Last year We were standing a lot deeper when we had the ball .Leeds moved up very fast, said at the time we should be standing deeper .[/quote:33pr0cf3] Of course it’s only works if they have players running lines and the full back creating opportunities for the receiving half to pass. I have confidence that throughout pre season a lot of work will be done on this and as the season progresses we will see our halfbacks bond well. There’s certainly not a lack of talent between the three.

[quote="Trojan Horse":snp1tr8d]I am not comparing them. You’ll need to read again. I suggested that Russell be trying to take a few pointers from Gale and his style of play. I felt that Russell needed to be a touch deeper personally. I do think Jowitt returning will give both halves a lot more options.[/quote:snp1tr8d] I think the issue in the first 25 was the lack of penetration from the middles... All three starting middles began the game at championship pace and intensity (particularly with ball in hand) ... I think Powell likes to play his halves quite flat, but that needs the defensive line to be in retreat... (disappointingly) the team didn't initially adjust well to that and Leeds intensity and line speed, and gave away field position and momentum. That said... There was some real positives in the performance and i think adding the likes of McMeeken, Atoni, Storton, and/ or Pitts into the starting line-up for the middle of the pitch will make a difference.

Some good points made on here regarding our Boxing Day friendly. Overall I was reasonably happy with our performance considering we have only been back since back end of November.. It takes time to weld a new half back partnership together and I feel we will have to be a little bit patient going into the new season before we start to see the fruits of Powells labour… The warm weather week training in Tenerife will enable our lads to get some combinations going .. As for our forwards.. I think they are in for a tough season and some will have had a taste of things to come with what I thought was a well drilled Leeds defence in the first half at Headingley. We had some experience missing up front though with Pitts , mc Meeken Hood and Atoni all who have played SL. Also unlike previous years when we tended to cobble a team together I actually think our team will be looking forward to testing themselves in what will undoubtedly be a much tougher competition. Patience will be key to the season..