I agree with everything you have posted here.

Having been supporting the club for over 35 years, there were a fair few of those years I would have happily accepted mid table mediocraty. I can also accept being beaten by the better team, provided the players don't give in.

Fonua, IMO was replaced, with Faraimo. It may only be my opinion, but with ball in hand, he is equal if not better then Fonua.

Ellis! We knew he was retiring yet don't appear to have planned very well around that, which is a huge cause of concern given the retention of the back rowers of 2019. It needs to be freshened up. Granted Westerman is a good addition and I appreciate that replacing Ellis' presence on the field was going to be tough, but we are in need of new, younger and hungrier faces in the back row.

What we have noto really recovered from, compounded by injuries, its the departure of Watts. Irrespective of personal opinions (and I do not profess to know the real reason for his release) he was our most effective front rower. That is yet to be replaced.


Our attack is in desparate need of help. We have not really put a team away for a few years now. Bigger picture is, there are many fans who have not been around the block as long as others and are a little used to us being in SL and competing for trophies. Its those I fear may need some convincing of our ambitions with a signing (player or back room) or two.

Agree with pretty much the 2 posts.

Ellis is a massive loss and his presence is a huge loss on the field and is pretty much irreplaceable as he was a freak in terms of being pretty much the complete all rounder for a RL player. The disappointing thing as MMJ has alluded to is the fact that as a club we knew he was retiring and not found a suitable replacement. For me Faraimo is pretty much a straight replacement for Fonua as he is just a strong going forward and as capable as Fonua was, and slightly less error prone and defensively not a lot between them.

The loss of Watts and non replacement has hit us hard as his go forward was a match for Taylor but Watts had the edge with his ability to off load etc. That on top of losing Bowden for the season hurt us as we were just too weak in the forwards to play the power game and dominate the middle as Paea has not been consistent enough and Green has been in and out with injuries.

Kelly has not been the same since his bell was well and truly rung at Cas and losing Sneyd for the most of the season has again cost us, even though Connor stepped up and lessened the loss. Again losing Connor for the rest of the season has been a big loss due to his ability to create and spark something from nothing.

The loss of Carlos, Griffin and Talanoa again has been difficult to continue to get around due to the length of time they were all out pretty much all at a similar time.

Again I'm disappointed in the fact we have resigned all of Mini, Manu & Washy were in fairness I think 2 of resignings would have been more than enough but all 3 I think is either poor foresight/recruitment or the fact we are not able to get anyone else in in that role that is an improvement on what we have or to fit into to cap.

The lack of attacking options and pace is yet again an issue that has yet to be addressed/resolved as even when we make a break we lack any real support play and lack any real attacking threat unless a maverick play by Kelly or Connor etc which isnt good enough at this level to rely on a maverick play or a kick to the corner on the last. Its not something new and really Radford needs to look at this and bring someone in to help. I would say its fair to say our attack has looked worse since Horne left for Donny.

Lastly the discipline has to improve but this seasons penalty count may in the most part be down to fatigue as some players have played far more than they should have and when not even 75% fit due to this seasons injury list.

As Karen said the past few seasons have seen the likes of Leeds twice and Warrington in the middle 8's so even with all the issues faced this season we were safe from that.

Next season with a fully fit squad will be the acid test as to whether we are still good enough and the right blend to be consistent and competitive throughout the full season.

If by Easter we are no better and struggling then changes would need to be made to avoid falling back behind the top 4/5 again.

I don't know how you can see this year as transition. yes we have lost Fonua and Ellis but replaced Mahe with Faraimo. Ellis is a loss but not to the extent you're making out. Injuries in important positions are what is doing for us plus Radford's style of play is catching up with us as wel. Selling watts hasn't done us any favours either.

if we are looking for a leader on the pitch next season, only one player atm could bring the same as ellis did before his retirement

taylor!

go with him as captain next season and we can build from there

yea think taylor would be a good choice, for my I like Houghton but hes no captain imo,

Dont think it makes the blindest bit of difference who the captain is tbh.

Unless it was Gaz Ellis.
We'll all be thinking that if we don't win a trophy for another twenty years.

I think a good captain does make a difference tbh,

Houghton too quiet as a captain for me, and unlikely to come up with an inspiring run or big shot to motivate the team to follow his example

Houghton is being over played for me. Just because a player CAN play the full 80 minutes, doesn't mean he SHOULD play for the full 80 minutes.

agree, his speed at the ptb has slowed down, not helped by our forwards being dominated but flogging him for 80 minutes wont do us any good, i know he hasnt been named for this game but got to give litten a chance!

I used to like the impact Azza gave when he spelled Houghton, no idea why we stopped doing that!

think only radford knows that answer!

I cannot agree with that at all. Fonua was exceptional, playng in the tough right centre position. How many tries did he set Michaels up for. Farimo has been a let down for me. Fonua was a two time super league dream team centre, Farimo will be absolutely no where near. I genuinely think we miss his X factor more than we miss the Ellis leadership, we don't look like scoring, Fonua looked capable of scoring everytime he got the ball near the opposition line.

Thats fair enough, as I said, its my opnion, and this is yours.


Bear in mind that Fonua was signed as a winger, theat he filled in at Centre was great. Neither Fonua or Faraimo are blessed with blistering pace and based their game on strength. To say Faraimo has been a let down is harsh to say the least. He has not been utilised close to the line like Fonua was (not sure why). I think he did himself no favours with being out of the side on a few occasions (specifically the red card in the last min against Fev). But IMO he gains more yards out of back field, has created a fair few with inside kicks off his wing and giving his has missed a few games his try return in a faltering team has been good. Granted he does not have the bellringer defensive his which Fonua had (without getting red carded anyway)