Lee Radford has has more criticism on this board than most FC players, much of it justified IMO, but today it was a case of 'cometh the hour, cometh the man'.

From the first kick off return, whenever he was on the pitch, he was SUPERB

Did more talking today than he did in his 3 years as captain. Was excellent

Had a cracking game today. His game time was managed superbly to get the best out of him, but he drove it in with real intent and his try was a much needed and timely boost.

Thought he went really well today and you could tell it was a just go flat out performance, Gentle managed him superbly though.

Actually thought he looked like he has lost a hell of a lot of weight compared to the past 2 years.

That said will never be convinced that it was the right long term move to bring him back.

Wasn't it just, I think he got 27 mins with his second spell over half time.

If we'd have had faith in the youngsters over the past few seasons he could have been used alot more effectivley.

It's not a long-term move though is it. If he plays on Monday it'll probably be the last time with Moa supposedly back next week.

He said after his testimonial match that not many coaches get the chance to be in the middle of the park with the team, seeing everything that is going on. Valuable on more levels then one I think.

Clever ploy by Gentle playing Radford . If didn`t already have it , Radford now , as a Coach has the ultimate respect of the squad.

In what way will his playing yesterday and Monday have a significant affect on what happens to the club in the long term ? Genuine question as I can't see it. It is clearly a solution to a very short term problem ?

I will admit in the past I criticised him as a captain,but never criticised his comittment.

But you can see it happening, he's now registered for the season and salary counted, just hope that he's only used in extreme circumstances, like this week.

No I can't see it happening unless the conditions that caused it remain.

By long term I'm talking about this season. Everybody thought it was going to be a 1 time thing for Friday but now he is in the squad for Monday it really wouldn't surprise me if he kept on playing this season because we have took the salary cap hit for him playing anyway so there will always be him in the background IMO.

Not really seeing any evidence that will happen provided that props come back from being unavailable. We've already played 2 young players in front of him before we literally ran out of props. With regard to salary cap I doubt we would get anyone else in this season anyway so it doesn't really matter. We were already paying him as a coach - OK he's now using cap space but it isn't cap space we need for anything else and we're already getting his services as a coach for the money he's being paid.

Overall he seems keen to go back to what he was doing ASAP and I reckon Gentle would play Bowden and Green in front of him every day of the week provided they're fit and available. He already has. Time will tell I suppose.

Who else has suddenly become available since Friday? Especially against a pack like Huddersfield's

Radford was immense and he really put it about early on with the Rovers pack. I'm pretty sure he inspired our players too and Gentle managed his gametime superbly.

Top work Radders!

Did they? I certainly thought it was likely to include Monday as well, unless we got Moa back unexpectedly quickly. Nobody else was due back from injury in that time frame.

I also thought he'd be playing Monday. And if you was picking on form, he'd get picked in front of Pitts and Bowden anyway. It's hardly like picking him is stunting anyone's development with the amount of injuries we have anyway. Also, should we really be dropping people after man of the match performances? The club gave it to Radders and sky gave it to Turner, and there is no logic in dropping either of these for the next game!

The fans gave it to Radford. Out of gratitude as much as anything, I suspect.

Looks like I was correct.

Bowden is playing and Green is injured ? How is Gentle playing Radders in front of them ?
Did he play Radders in front of Green last week or are you just correct this week ?
Who would you play against Wigan instead of Radders ?

Green isnt injured

It may be because O'Meley AND O'Carroll are out that he feels we are inexperienced up front with both Bowden and Kent, I think he is probably right.

They haven't remained and he's still playing, and would have played last week if he wasn't injured.
Now he's registered, he'll play in front of Green.

Agree, playing too many youngsters against a side like Wigan can be detrimental to their development.