If we go with Lovodua and Macnamara in the halves someone is actually pulling our collective legs. Rather stick some forwards there as it’ll be one up rugby anyways.

Where’s Rich Whiting when you need him?

Do we actually know the terms of the loans to Newcastle?
It might be that we can't recall them at short notice. The only time any of them have been in the squad has been during CC when they can't play for Newcastle.

Absolutely confident TS putting out what he sees as his best option every week.
Do agree there are elements of assessing which players are capable of improving, protecting/developing the youngsters in a sensible manner. It was always the case that youngsters contracts were automatically upgraded on number of appearances so there MAY be salary cap implications with the likes of Litten, Barron & Gardner. Sure they are the future (if they stick around ) but club has to juggle constantly.
Really aren’t getting the Jack Brown fan club on here, he is okay but no better than any of the current crop - only plays limited minutes, is lightweight with average defence - he does have good hands but would need runners to benefit.

We're pretty much snookered until we can bring in some fresh faces . Its just a revolving door of drop and bring back in the same poor players which are yielding the same results .I do agree with protecting the youngsters especially in our current climate but at the moment their only TS option to shake things up a little.
I doubt we will trouble the scoreboard again this week . I just cant believe all facets of our game has become so diabolical in just 8 games in .

Really thought it was a new dawn first half V Castleford, drop off is frankly incredible !!

After that first 40 I thought we had turned a corner but apparently not.

What irks me a little bit is that smith says he’ll drop players who underperform. But every week he drops 3 players and replaces them with the 3 players he dropped the week previous.

Davy Litten is the only youth he’s really blooded.

If that cas game had gone on 5 mins longer and Leeds didn't bomb so many easy tries in their game v us in round 2, we could be sat joint bottom with Wakey

The dropped players probably see it as a good thing, nice week off for them and knowing theyre not going to be the scapegoats in our latest poor showing

Smith talks the talk to Hull live but doesn’t follow up his words.
The vast majority of the first team want dropping.
Replacing them with Youths is a double edged sword firstly it would send a message to the underperforming players in the team, however it is a difficult call to throw young lads into a big game the last thing you want is to demoralise the young lads however Smith could add more youth to the first team.
At the moment you have underperforming players playing week in week out.
Most of them look like they don’t even want to be there, they are lethargic and disinterested and that is disrespectful to the fans .

I just don’t get any of it really, like when we signed evans I thought he would be a dominant forward in SL but would struggle with his discipline.

What we got is a big pudding who doesn’t want to carry and struggles with his discipline.

Why is it players forget the basics of rugby when they come into our first team. We have players who defend like U8’s and show no sign of improvement.

Sat there, watching that first half, I thought 'wow, the Tony Smith effect already'!

Even by our standards, especially recent years, for our season to come to a shuddering halt 45 minutes in is a record even for us!!

I'm going to put my flimsy reputation on the line here and say that we will score Friday night.
Just the one, obviously, (we don't want to be getting too carried away, do we!).

Of course, we will still ship our, seemingly weekly, 30+ points at the other end, the players will walk off the Headingly pitch with the merest shrug of their shoulders, as they get ready for another 'extra' training session to 'put things right for next week' (because they're hurting don't you know!).

But, they will do so safe in the knowledge that one of them crashed over in the 77th minute for a consolation 4-pointer.

Onwards, but not particularly upwards, we go!!!

yes but in the wrong position
I see little point naming some of the younger players in the 21 man squad then just reverting to yo yoing underperformers in and out of the team.

Do we have any team news yet?