I really respect your opinions, Paul, but do you think that Horne (way off the pace)/Long (34) is the HB partnership to take us to silverware when we're up against Burrow/McGuire, Monaghan/Briers, Pryce/Eastmond? We have no specialist FB at the club now (Tansey was arguable a utility anyway and another ball-handler lost). Don't deny that our pack is more than adequate at this level, very pleased with it subject to getting another prop, but think we'll struggle again in the backs next year unless some decent signings are forthcoming.

Your heart is ruling your head Paul.

Yeah, that should be easy. Practically guaranteed, really. They'll probably only miss 1 game between them.

Pretty much my thoughts. Although I think Long could still have a good year left and Tansey isn't confirmed as leaving.

Our backs and maybe halves will be our downfall again IMO. Not good enough for top 4 yet.

You mean Horne and Long who have been out for months, perhaps that's why they were off the pace. Agar said tonight we are looking at bringing in a halfback.

I just think people are overreacting to one defeat. An important game yes but it should not overshadow the positive season we have had.

No it's not just one defeat Paul, come on. We are going nowhere with the current set up. We are just making up the numbers like Cas, Wakey and Salford. No real chance of competeing for the honours. I expect and demand better.

completely agree

I agree it's positive relative to the last 2 seasons.
In absolute terms it's not good enough for the third biggest club in terms of support/finance/infrastructure/salary cap spend.
But the key thing is we'll need to improve to stand still in the context of the signings Bradford and arguably Rovers are making. I just don't see where this will come from unless we make some decent signings. Even then we need to completely get back to basics in attack and start getting runners running into holes. Manu for example is a fabulous player but more often than not gets the ball stood still and uses all his energy wrestling out of the tacklers. Wasted.

couldnt agree more....pis$$s me off to be fair, the guy takes it at walking pace and seems to want to run through players when he could easily go around them...and as you say, he wastes alot of time, effort and stamina wrestling 3 players on his back every play

Imo there are only four clubs currently who can win trophies, Saints, Wire, Leeds and Wigan. We are up there with Rovers and Hudds trying to close the gap.

In the lead up to this game you were supremely confident we would win, we had an off night. We need to improve and I think we will, we won't go from 12th to competing for silverware overnight.

We have far too many of these, and too often when the stakes are high.

thing is though, were closer to finishing 12th than we are to winning silverware and that is 1. not right and 2. not acceptable....

Bradford? You mean like Ian Sibbit.

We won;t have a huge recruitment this season but will next season, we are targetting huge names for next off season. Plus if we get Berro off quota then we could bring in an overseas half this year possibly.

I am as frustrated as you but it's not all doom and gloom.

I agree with you Paul. Yes, not where we want to be, but it's an improvement. That's all we could have asked for this season with such a turn around of players. Strengthen the backs and keep players on the field and I'm confident we can improve even more on next season.