When I read the posts on here I despair I really do - especially the Brian Smith thread. I expected it but not some of the posters who joined in surprised me.

Anyway I left the game reasonably happy. I wanted them to at least play for 80 minutes and they did. Granted it wasn't great but do you all really think anybody even Jesus Christ could turn last year around in a close season that quickly - seriously.

So the negatives first.

Miller is gifted but he can't create either for himself or anyone else - he needs to let Finn do the thinking.
Lack of composure in attack caused mainly in my opinion by far to many players thinking they were running the game.
Kirmond has lost it which is sad but he shouldn't be Captain because IMHO he shouldn't be in the 17 for now.
Inability to back up and thus score.

OK's

We made a team that thumped us twice last season work hard and had it not been for two howlers we could have pinched it - we beat ourselves in many ways.
Our three tries were pretty good.
Defence was OK if not outstanding, couple of tries saved that would have been walk ins last season - stopped any chance of a thrashing.

Positives

Effort, in fact to much in some case - to many players trying to become legends on day one.
Fitness, vast improvement, we didn't seem to struggle all game. Truth is if you are fit the other issues are easier to fix.
Anthony Topou, pure class, we were better when he was on.

I think a lot of people on here need a reality check, we are favourites to finish bottom for a reason - we were crap last year and we couldn't afford to rectify it with a flurry of expensive signings.

Brian Smith has a huge task on his hands and those doubting him frankly annoy me - why not apply for the job yourselves, now that would be funny.

Give the team and the coach a chance and do what supporters do - support - or shall we call it a day right now?

Good post Vasty, don't post much now because of all the negativity and very surprised at some of the posts by certain people.

I will support!

good post, i also have almost given up on here, small margins yesterday was the difference, had BJB taken the pass then young Tom would have been amazing, wish people wouldn't have a go at someone that tries something different, if he just drove it back in all season people would say he is boring, and we only do 5 drives etc etc, i would always encourage players trying things.

I admit I felt a little deflated yesterday and in hindsight (I know a wonderful thing) I agree that the effort and playing for the full 80 minutes was very evident as was the vastly improved fitness levels.

Last year would have seen capitulation but I saw people playing with commitment and enthusiasm so if we cut out the simple errors we wont be far off.

Spot on,

I don't know whether last years traumatised some people but they don't seem to be able to see the wood for the trees.

Good post Vasty. Agree with just about everything you say. Much better but still need to improve - and I reckon we can. Still would like to know the reason for Kirmond being subbed. Can't think it was a planned move.

I agree with Vasty's assessment. I left thinking that it was a step in the right direction, and had Johnston's howler not happened, I think we could have had them in the second half. We probably gave ourselves too much to do at that point, and BJB's knock-on compounded it, but on the whole I thought we did okay.

Last year, we had two good games and then collapsed into a heap for the rest of the season. I'd rather build slowly and be a better machine come the middle 8's.

God post Vastman. Was disappointed yesterday to not get a win but you rack some sense. Particularly with regards fitness.

Lyne looked better yesterday than he had done fir the whole of last season. BJB had a howler but will hopefully learn.

Some players needed some longer studs for the winter. For too much falling over when not under pressure.

Brian Smith on Radio Leeds said it was due to a suspected shoulder injury. He said Kirmond is not the type of player to moan about injuries and Smith made the call after watching his performance.

Knowing DK he will want to play every week so the club need to assess if it is a short or long term injury in terms of time to heal. BS said he believes the injury came from the Cas friendly.

A very good unbiased and well balanced post, another positive is you've managed to put old bellyache on the back foot where he's had to retract most of those biased points he tried to put across on that odious opening post of his on the B S thread.

Agree, good post.

Excellent post Vasty! A lot of sense spoken there.

Kirkland took a high late shot from behind at Cas and had to leave the field. Smith said on radio that it has been troubling him and that's why he was taken off, but doesn't that beg the question as to why was he playing if not100%

Here's my take

Without the two mistakes by BJB and Johnstone we would have won or had a great shot at the 2points. Overall there was little between the two teams.

The effort and fitness was good and there but the Attack was a bit dis jointed. Finn did come into the game a little but Miller got caught many times ball in hand and sent a few hospital passes. Was quite dissapointed with our halfbacks more than anything.

some improvement in support play, Miller needs to do what handbury did and create that space and extra man out wide by using his speed and looking for a pass to the centre creating an overlap.

Overall though I was reasonably happy but just need to be smarter with the ball in hand.