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.

Corrected your typing errors

Best game from Bowden for ages. I've been Thompsons biggest critic but he played well last night. Kelly is just class. All in all a good 2 points. 3 rd in table and I believe we can get better in attack. COYH

Anyone except wakefield and leigh presumably?

I also was nervous about Kelly's signing (and still am) but I have never doubted his playing ability, only the personal baggage he brings. He is a genuine NRL class half back in terms of ability and that type of player is rarer than rocking horse jobbies in today's Super League. In last night's game where two tough packs and strong defences battered each other to a stand still he provided that extra threat and bit of class to turn the game.

Please keep it up Albert, you are a pleasure to watch as a player and the joy your good stuff brings is only heightened by thinking of all the envy and resentment it generates amongst the Poorhouse Lane apes.

bowden had a decent game but his 12 tackles, 10 carries and 89 metres gained pales a little against taylor's 21 tackles, 19 carries and 138 metres. He carried the front row last night, particularly his 2nd spell.

Agree about thompson, and maybe we should rotate him and washbrook at 13 with ellis, mini and manu rotating in the 2nd row although that would mean leaving connor out

I thibnk we'd have beaten catalans if kelly had played. He's only played 3 games with sneyd so we can't expect miracles but the work between them for teh 2nd try last night was encouraging. Hopefully kelly has exorcised some of his demons and will stay fit and knuckle down

I said months ago that Shaul was under threat. Don't see it being many more weeks till connor lines up at 1. I just can't see Radders watching a link man that dies with the ball in the corners or after nearly running himself into touch time after time
Shaul can score tries not many can. But opportunist tries are once every now and again. Structured attack and an ability to perform as a part of it happens multiple times every game
Not long ago I'd of had escare and Shaul as similar playes. Escare has adapted and improved himself in just 5 months. Looks a different player. Hardaker has adapted himself to suit cas's game in the same timescale. So much so he's asssited as many tries already as Shaul did last whole year. It's a problem for me. And it grows bigger by the week

Certainly needs to up his game. He was excellent in the first half of last season, a regular threat in attack and scoring tries for fun but his last try was at Wembley and he's only scored two since last June.

For his attributes 14 was a poor try return. Especially in a team that was top for a large portion of yr. Old man dorn managed 20 odd
If you're a runner and try scorer but nothing else you need to be pretty good in that Dept
Connor would add a passing game..A kicking game..stronger in D and has an eye for the try line himself. All factors considered Shaul needs some form on board quickly imo

Needs to improve his attach, but was very solid last night, took all high balls and saved two try's.

Pity we ruined the pitch for city this afternoon.

I agree with you and see Connor to full back sooner than later as Radford clearly wants to keep Connor happy and we are better using four forwards on the bench so Connors immediate playing time will be limited.
I am not a Connor fan as his lack of pace will always be his nemesis and what stops him becoming a great player just like Jamie Shaul will never be a great player because of his inability to create that link in attack and find the clinical pass.
In defence of Jamie i dont see Connor having a stronger defence as he seems to have worked a lot on this part of his game.
Maybe Radford should try Connor to full back whilst the grounds are wet and soft and use Jamie when the grounds start to firm and make better use of his pace.
Jordan Rankin would have been ideal in this team.

let them whinge, they insisted on watering the pitch before our game last night

Rankin had the hands but his basic full back skills were poor.

Connor played at 6 today in a 60-30 reserve defeat at Saints, at that level he should be tearing it up, be interesting to see how he got on.

It's really wound me up. Why should we move our game if they've got the issue with it?

McMeeken, Moors, Millington ?

i think he is referring to saints

Especially the back rowers, Manu, Mini, and Ellis.

Very good set of back rowers Cas have, but still not in par with Hulls imo

Just watching the game back and Jon Wells pre match analysis on some changes Radford's made in off season, including changing up Minichiello's role to be less battering ram more ball handler - could also increase his longevity.