We already look more solid. You’d think the likes of Asiata, Holmes and Jed Cartwright might help with that too. The coach isn’t a miracle worker but he seems to have a good reputation for fitness and defence so hopefully that alongside the solid journeymen we’ve brought in will put an end to the blowouts and have us competitive in games.

The investment happening and getting sorted will be key. If it’s still on track for the back end of the year like AP said then we could still do something. We are still 2-3 match winners away from most of our potential rivals. A ball running 6 or fullback and couple of backs with a bit of strike. Decent quality NRL players still become available late on in the year as the salary cap squeeze hits and clubs finalise business. If we are in a position to offer more money then our rivals by then and get some real quality in then we can be competitive. That’s the key though everyone wants these type of players, we have to compete financially or the likes of Huddersfield will just continue blow us out the water for players, never mind the real big spenders in the league.

We need an attack coach badly. This is what grix was brought in for and our attack has been woeful all season

Is that the best “moan” you can come up with?

Not sure how much influence he would have under Smith because presumably if Smith said I want us to play a certain way (eg off the cuff) then Grix had to carry out those instructions.

But the most important thing to sort out when taking over was the attitude in defence and that is heaps better. Stopped conceding 50 points for now.

As for attack? I know it is still clunky but last week we actually saw a couple of blindside moves when players seemed to know they were coming and got in position. Not seen that for years at FC?

Also, yesterday we actually scored a try from a scrum by creating a man overlap?

Signs of improvement for me.

Moan? It's an observation. We dominated possession and field position yesterday and failed to turn it into points and a win. I get it, you're happy that we probably won't finish bottom but some of us want more.

Whilst I think Grix has at times been a little overly cautious in his team selection overall I think he has improved us since he was appointed interim head coach.

For me he’s been given a somewhat poisoned chalice with a very poor and inadequate squad. Under Smith’s apparent lax tenure I imagine Grix carried out instructions given to him by Smith in regards to training, of which we seemingly had little or no structures in place.
He’s also had to deal with a number of exits and new players coming in since Smiths departure and without 4 quota players and a team with a lot of green and inexperienced young players.
Our defence was no existent so I can only imagine he and the coaching staff have made that the first priority to sort out. Hopefully now the defence is showing much more resolve and team effort they can now work on the attack.
I don’t think we can underestimate the job in hand in turning this team around.

Yes we are still making poor decisions, drop off in concentration at times but we are in truth years away from where we were and have been under Smith. We look to at last to be playing to some kind of defensive and attacking king structure which isn’t going to be a quick process.
I can only hope that Grix sees the benefit in playing Balmforth even in 20 min spells as he had been a revelation in his last two games and has been our only genuine game breaker.

We definitely need a Duffty/Williams type player, either a 1 or 6. Think Moy will be That type of player, once he fully develops.

Hope we haven't made a huge error with Balmforth, if he isn't signed, need to move fast will be plenty of sides interested after the last two games.

Agree, I fear another Josh Hodgson scenario

Bit different though, as we have 1 top hooker and one of the best young hookers. I'll be really annoyed if we lose Balmforth to sign a overseas hooker who has never player first grade.

My hope is that I think if he had signed for another club it would have been mentioned by the media by now

I doubt we'd be playing balmforth if he was going

I think he fancies himself as still having a shot in the NRL but Sailor would be absolutely ideal. Bring him in as the no1, but you’d imagine at some point he’d have to play at 6 and this would give Moy some game time at 1. If not him I’d hope someone similar in that mould is our top target.

Sutcliffe and Scott?

Most players who secure deals with other clubs still continue to play.

Yeah maybe but balmforth has been ignored for months and even sent out on loan. Seems strange suddenly playing him

Lack of options because of Houghton being out.

Balformth is this year's Dean Treister.

Got some talent, but still got things to work on. Recruitment still not finished so can't make a call on it
Wasn't at the Play The Ball a few times yesterday Have to keep things in perspective.

Not really when we had Treister, we had just signed Swain, next year we have signed an overseas hooker who no one had heard of and Salfords 3rd choice hooker who is now on loan at Barrow

He still has work to do, but he has loads of potential and we are the two hookers we have signed have played about 15 too level rugby games.