Alternatively, we could have Jamie Ellis in our team.....

He's world class, what a loss to the FC cause he was.

Other than taylor, the forwards really struggled at times last night, particularly in that first half where saints seemed able to restrict our field position easily. We need an impact forward on the bench IMO, probably a big 2nd rower. We need more intensity after the interchanges IMO.

I though Bowden and Green played well, but agree lacking something, if we have no injuries then we are fine with Ellis and Watts, Masi has good defence, but struggles a bit with go forward at the moment.

I think next season we will address this and use Michaels quota spot for an impact forward.

The Scousers do have a strong set of forwards which fortunately they are unable to back up consistently with decent half backs and coaching. With Hull missing 2 of their strongest players in Ellis and Watts I thought they did well to stand up to them. Sts may lack the class to go all the way but they will be a tough opponent for anyone.

Agree with you about Carlos. He was signed as a centre but never really established himself due to injury and he had to cover Pryce.

Paul Cooke said he's a centre as he is to indecisive as a stand off. I can see what he means he looks more at home at centre and will continue to improve.

On another note I thought Green was excellent last night.

On paper I actually think Saints have the best pack in the league, their bench apart from Lee was very strong.

Worrying times for Hudderfield. If the unthinkable happens I would look to sign Ta'ai or Ikahihifo or someone of that ilk. No doubt Motu has someone in mind.

Carlos was very good last night, alert to opportunities and great feet. Bowden also went well IMO.

The 'same poop every week' comment was aimed at the officials rather than the side, although we are making many of the same mistakes every game at the moment. Interesting that Cunningham feels they were hard done to when they got away with murder for much of the game and certainly should have been down to 12 men at least once. Fed up of officiating making the sport a lottery.

As far as our performance went, I reckon 'mixed' would be appropriate. Some good individual performances but still not gelling into a solid team performance. And far too many mistakes! Not good for my blood pressure.

Don't quite agree with that regarding their pack. I'd say they have a better set of front rowers than us. But our pack as a whole I think we have the best. Especially the back rowers, no team comes close to Manu, Minichiello and Ellis.

Because we went down by such a narrow margin, you can pin the key difference on any number of things. Our revolving door approach to recruitment and retention, Chester's 'innovative' pre-season, appointing an interim head coach, Peacock's reluctance/inability to bolster the squad, Minns' moment of tired naivety, the 'mismanagement' of Kelly... and so on. It was relegation by a thousand cuts. All of those individuals, and others, bear a little of the blame but all of them have done creditable things for Rovers too.

While clearly a troubled individual, whose timing was atrocious from a Rovers POV, Kelly is indeed a class player. Him trying to play Leeds by himself on one leg at Wembley was admirable if forlorn. Behind a strong pack now, he could become a consistently excellent player for you. It's Albert Kelly, so that is a long way from saying 'will', but he might.

I've binned Sky sports, but looking at results so far maybe SL is finally seeing a changing of the guard. I know that gets put forward every season, and then it's always the same teams at the GF. Perhaps though that itself has fed a sense of complacency at places like Leeds and Saints.

Good performance last night, was worried after seeing both benches. Think our edges look very strong defensively, and carry the ball out off our end superbly, still think doing to much in our own half and would like to see more of our superb backs in the opposition half, hopefully will come as the season goes on. Most pleasing thing for me was putting in a really tough performance like that without ellis, taylor really stepping up to the mark. Thought thompson had an excellant first half last night. And kelly does look class, I was not to excited about the signing, but am now

Im normally Carlos's biggest critic but credit where credits due he playing well and shutting me up

Last night i thought Bowden did well but Green not so much. Turgut looked good and brought some enthusiasm apart from his silly moment

Bowden was outstanding, easily equal to Taylor IMHO.
THompson having a proper 13 role showed us glimpses of what he can do.
Turgut whilst lively can't have "brain farts" and should get an almighty bollocking for that sh ithouse move. If that's how he's going to react to a little hand to the face he clearly hasn't the temperamant to play big boys rugby.
Griffin needs to get more involved, CT on the other hand showing that centre IS his best position and had a great game.
Michhaels in for Talanoa surely?

2 attacks in first half yet again stopped at Shaul, it's a bit worrying he's off the boil somewhat.

my first game i managed to get down for, entertaining for sure and some spirit and great defence but we certainly need to improve.