Thought we had a decent chance of beating an underwhelming Saints team at half time.
We went soft defensively for 10 minutes and the game was gone.

Some things I took from the game:

Alby needs to be in. A game breaker.
Griffin needs to be at centre.
Johnstone is a decent player, but can’t be on the field the same time as Houghton
Ligi is a machine

I am not bashing Houghton never have,only like some others on here have questioned his distribution at times which is why i cant understand why he should be considered a ball handling loose forward.
All i have said about Johnstone is that at Leeds he never put a foot wrong and our play the ball that day was faster and his passing crisp.Thats hardly gushing about his future at the club or that he should replace Danny Houghton in the team.
I agree Houghton is still one of the best nines in Super league but my point was that in my opinion Radford made a mistake in playing both Houghton and Johnstone given the conditions and whist it would have been harsh dropping Johnstone that was what should have happened to accommodate an additional forward.
The fact that we had Houghton,Johnstone and Lane all on the field at the same time when Masi was still on the bench doesnt make any sense playing against Saints big pack.
Who knows what would have happened if Connor hadnt kicked out on the full to start Saints roll because our first half display was encouraging although most of our kicks from hand were poor.
Soa was again immense,Gaz Ellis a workhorse and i though Josh Griffin had a decent game but Josh Jones was below his usual high standard.
I just hope Radford doesnt run Jones,Mau and Sao into the ground like he did with Manu and Minichello.I know they can do big minutes but these guys need to be interchanged otherwise they lose their effectiveness as we saw last season with Taylor

Whilst it is not ideal, I (think I) can understand why Radford is playing Houghton and Johnstone at this stage of the season.

I think we need to know just how good or bad Johnstone is at this level. What are his strengths and what are his weaknesses, what do we need to work on.
Danny is not getting any younger and is going to need to be rested much more to get the best out of him.

sao only made 62 metres according to the SL website which I find hard to believe

I can't see bowden playing many games which really leaves us 2 props short as sao should be playing 13 not 10

Does LR need another coach alongside Purtill ?

It's always going to be difficult against a team that finished 16 points clear last year and with a virtually full strength pack to compete for 80 minutes with one missing Ma'u, Bowden, Satae, Savelio and carrying injuries to Houghton and Lane. The critical thing now is getting bodies back post the Wigan game (can't see us getting much there with so many out) - do we know timescales on any of these plus Tuimavave, Faraimo, Naulago? Kelly back is one thing but little use if the rest aren't.

One loss in three games, with a depleted team through injury and suspension and you've got the wagon ready to roll, as usual.

What was wrong with Houghton going into the match?

I’ll miss the Wigan match as out socialising

Have The Smyths in Melbourne Friday and then
Rick Astley and A Ha Sat at the local winery
Then Sunday I’ll sleep for 24 hours !

Gusty performance with players missing, the main point is we do have some who says Ratu cannot defend well and he does look out of position a few times but we went to pieces after he went off so he must bring something to the right side.

Really hope the injuries are not too bad as I still think we have the makings of a good team.

You can’t win them all Punos, although we did one year, Ratu brings that pace, which we do lack in our three quarters, we were under strength on Sunday, nothing won or lost in February. apart from two points.

I’d sleep during all those concerts, we get better bands at the bonus arena

Yes,but AP reluctant to pay for one

Masi played despite a shoulder injury, apparently.

Might explain his lack of minutes on the field.

The way our forwards are dropping Bienek will get a recall