Ellis has made a huge difference, nobody can deny that.

I agree that having Kelly and Westerman back is also a massive plus and for me Westerman in intergral to our progress moving forward.
My point is though that the leadership Ellis brings is a big factor as we lack that in the team regardless.

I don’t think they have the attitude we can’t win without Ellis but at a time when we were down on players and Taylor banned it can not be under estimated the impact Ellis’ leadership will have had in a team with a horrendous losing run.

It’s not so much his ability as a player that we miss but we have no one who seems to have the same leadership quality or commands the respect. As I said he seems to get players to play that extra percentage and those make the difference.

Well I am.

Just to be clear, I think he has contributed well and has more than justified the decision to bring him back. But he is only a small part of the reason we have won 3 on the spin. Lots of other things have happened as well. You could argue that his presence has inspired more from the other players and that is what has turned us around, but that is completely subjective.

Well surely if that's the case, then hes a massive reason for the turn around. I think your right by the way, in terms of him inspiring everyone around him

I think we're all agreed, we need to keep doing whatever it takes to keep winning!

Ellis, like a lot of great players, does seem to have a knack of getting others around him to up their game. But as I said, it's subjective. Effort isn't everything, I thought the effort against KR and Cas was good, but it got us nowhere. The difference now imo is that we are executing better and playing a more positive brand of rugby. Ellis isn't the reason for that.

I almost feel like I am being critical of Ellis, that really isn't my intention at all. I just feel that too much is being made of the difference he has made. Other people have been more influential.

Who, in your view, are these "other people"?

I agree. In a highly physical sport like rugby league it can be easy to underestimate the impact of a psychological boost to the team's performance. Whilst Ellis can still contribute in small doses to the physical side, I think he adds enormously to the 'head' aspect of the players around him from warm-up to final whistle.

I don't disagree in the most part but think Ellis' leadership has been more than a little influential and can not be understated. I do think that Westerman's return is also a big part more so than Kelly.

ATEOTD 'The whole is greater than the sum of its parts'

long night here.We have done nothing but give away penalties

How are we still in this?? Pretty poor half. Houghton a mile offside for his try too

Jez Litten is speeding up the play the ball for us and its paying off.
Sneyd starting to vary his kicks rather than hopeful last tackle kicks to the corner.
Keep pressure on their line and turn them around with in goal kicks

Wakey were kept tryless at home last week by a bang average Rovers side
We have to win and bloody hope we do

Wakey win the 10 mins when Kirmond sin binned
Come on lads - tighten up D and cut out all penalties

Penalties killing us again
We just dont learn