Also russell and grix, both excellent players, Russell would make a big difference as rachford could yhen play 6 and move monghan back to hooker.

I thought both teams were a bit scratchy in the first half. Our intensity was good and we gave as good as we got. Unfortunately, our intensity dropped off alarmingly in comparison to the first half and Leeds ran riot somewhat in the latter part of the second half. In some areas we were key to our own downfall, but I was a bit disappointed in the manner in which we crumbled into submission by the end.

Left side were easily exposed and more or less had no answer to their classier counterparts. Although, individual errors aside, I did think they were exposed too easily and as a team, we could've/should've helped more. But, by this time, our resistance/fire/will appeared to have gone. That said, it was equal numbers half the time, just a full speed Watkins vs Welham was a bit of a mismatch.

We looked a little rudderless in possession what with almost a new side. I personally thought Keating did ok, but as combo with Burns it just never gelled or came close. Having not prior played a competitive game together, this was probably to be expected. Especially when you consider the boots/role Keating is replacing, with Dobson commanding 90% or more of our play. I thought Hodgson stood up well to 80 minutes, but with Horne playing a limited role from the bench with longer minutes in the second row this year - would his spot/role be better served with Carlile? Carlile can spell Hodgson and if necessary Hodgson can cover second row if and when in the latter stages.

A good crowd/weather – just a bad day at the sky blue office.

Just quickly looked at the tries on HullKRTV.

Welham did have a bit of a mare, I'm sorry to say. Maybe he needs to play himself back into form after his injury lay-offs, but he needs to do it pretty soon - even with Gleeson and Hodgson out. Like Sandra (who mentioned it earlier or maybe on a different thread), I've stuck up for him on his jumping out the line etc, and it is a team sport - but If I were Paul Anderson, I'd certainly be targetting that area.

I also thought we looked disheartened and a bit lethargic, disappointingly early. At 28-6 or so, you know it is gone. We looked a bit like we knew it even for their 3rd and 4th tries, when due to missed conversions it was, on paper at least, still salvageable.

The pitch sapped our stamina and enthusiasm, more than it blunted Leeds threat maybe?

early days for you guys, must admit was suprised lovegove not getting in the squad, always liked the guy,

Two patchy friendlies? And i meant they were making their debuts at home.There not gonna gel instantly are they?

I must admit I was disappointed at the amount of heads dropping fairly early in the second half, I'd have hoped for an improvement in this area, taking into account the experienced players we've signed.
Having said that I won't criticise too much just yet. Lets at least give the coach and players chance to put things right. I'll be more concerned if one or two backsides aren't kicked, maybe even places lost, in the wake of this showing.

At best we matched a decent Leeds side for the best part of nearly 50 mins. Hopefully in the weeks to come, Keating/Burns partnership we'll grow and we'll control games more and build from there.

At worst we conceded 6 unanswered trys in 30 mins, in an otherwise tight game for 50 mins. The latter part of Sunday could've been any of the previous Rovers sides under CS, with similar deficiencies on show once the opposition shift the ball.

If we're being proper negative (and selective!), we've lost 9 out of the last 10 games we've played, obviously this is juking the stats, but a losing run is a losing run etc.

Like Dudley says, let's see how we go from here. One poor result - yes, but we're only one good result from being ace again.

Yeah, similar to last season off the back of a very poor run at the end of 2012. 2012 and 2013 were both rescued by decent runs roughly mid-season. Winning 5 on the bounce off the back of Gansongate II last year, immediately prior to the bad run you mention.

Or maybe they were ruined by tailing off late in the year, depending on which perspective you prefer.

Perhaps the theory is that if we go in slightly under cooked this time, we won't be spent at the business end of the year? Though players often refer to preseason as creating a well of fitness to draw on all year.

With 3 more of the 'Big 5' to come in the next 4 weeks (and not taking Cas for granted by any stretch), the danger is it'll get worse before it gets better. Hopefully there's enough in the well of optimism, to get us through it.

Like I said, juking the stats. Included in the 'run' is two pointless friendlies and a game with loads of juniors making debuts etc (albeit against a v poor London side). Ironically the win in the sequence was an against all odds win at Leeds.

I wouldn't buy into the theory that if we're short at the start of the year, we'll be alright by the end. Obviously you don't want to be peaking in February but competitive sporting logic would dictate you wouldn't purposefully start off the pace.

I do think we all may be a tad guilty of being a bit OTT, on the back of just one game ... but, IMO in comparison to the top sides, in the fitness department we always seem off the pace. We can go toe to toe with them for short periods, but after a while - you sense we're at our very limit and cave. Maybe I'm guilty of bigging us up and it's as simple as, we're just not up there with these top sides. Superior skill and application also allow the top sides to perform at the top level for longer.