That's a fair assessment of our 2015 vs 2016 sides. Though I think our side last year evolved as the year went on. Chase and Brierley out and Drinkwater in gave us that extra direction from half back. That and Ridyard showing enough form to keep Burns out the team is what ultimately got us through.

Personally I don't think we're as strong this year as last. Maitua or Worthington haven't been effectively replaced down our left edge, and we seem light in the front row with Weston's retirement and Acton's "enforced break".

You're also going into it with a slightly different set of pressures on you. it'll be interesting to see how it plays out , I personally think Leigh look stronger both physically and mentally than Widnes.

Except when we play Widnes, they've beaten us easily twice this year.

yes, entirely different pressures this year. Though one point I've not seen made much, is we were garbage for large parts of last season. Was only when we beat Salford that there started to be some belief we could do anything. I'd say your first game against Super League opposition is vital.

The problem been, is unless the team performance starts to improve quickly, the mood among the fans is low and they will turn against the team instead of supporting them.
People will have someone p155 up their back and be told it's raining once to often.
We pay to be entertained and expect 100% commitment from the players, if they don't want to play, tell TS and jog on. There's no room now for passengers and sulks.

I suspect the OP never saw us play under Gary Wilkinson.

Oh yes dear chap, many times, the wage bill for that entire team was less than some individual players (and coaches) are getting now...

And that team had no pretensions , had little top line experience aside from Whetu and Fletch and Gary wasn't an ex Aussie test coach...yet there was an enjoyment in watching kids doing their best for not a lot...as opposed to not doing their best for quite a lot...

Rose tinted glasses ask anyone what they'd prefer winning the league at a canter as boring as it was or getting beat 1-0 at home to barrow

....and the Tarquin Feugo Award for Biggest Hissey Fit and Over Reaction Award goes to....

"absolute season of boredom"...

Agreed.

The last two years we threw the ball about all over the place and relied on "high percentage plays" to win games. Which is inherently inconsistent and look where it got us. We play a simpler style with Sheens that is more consistent in my opinion and when we get a bit of roll on we have played with speed and skill. Hopefully more to come in the middle 8's. If that is boring, so be it.

Winning the 2nd division against mostly part timers with an uneven advantage in terms of finance and salary cap spend is hardly an achievement that today's supporters will be telling their grandchildren...

Like I have said before if you do not like it go watch some thing else like cricket or darts you do not have to watch rovers I in my 50 0d yrs of watching rovers have seen a bloody lot worse then this lot and a bloody lot better to nobody is forcing you to watch

I like this peter mannion character

I think you've got a point, however, if Rover's are winning, I don't really care how.

This season HAS been dull, but I'd argue that's been more about the opposition's game plan most of the time.

Look on Bradford's board about Swinton yet again turning up with a completely negative attitude.

Against London we had a thirty minute spell where we got a great roll on and they just couldn't contain us, we would have scored serious points against any side we'll play in the Rubbish Eight's.

We play a percentage game, yesterday we were terrible. Sheens' game plan needs us up in the eighties for completion rate, if we can achieve that, we'll give Leigh and Widnes a game.

We certainly will not beat either of those teams with flair and pizzazz.

Definite cock recognises possible cock.