Obviously the result doesn't matter hugely. Indeed, strangely, it probably benefits us a bit.

But it's not good at all from a confidence and momentum perspective. Also Sheens, who is better to listen to than our other recent coaches, repeatedly made the point early in the year that we'd improve as the season progressed. Not convinced that has happened. This league seems to taken a toll on our focus. And we've struggled for continuity. Some owing to injuries, some not.

Any knock, and there were bound to be some, was always going to bring back memories of 2016's failings. That soft underbelly that plagued us seems to be making an unwelcome return at just the wrong time. Still time to fix it for when it matters more - just about.

I've never been confident about us getting up, exactly. We've given ourselves a chance, but it was always a big task, and also bit of a lottery. Not sure today really changes how I feel, but to get no sort of reaction to losing to Toulouse is certainly not heartening.

Anyway... Business end.

We saved probably our best performance for the last game of the season for when it really mattered (to Fax). Both sets of players looked out on their feet at the end of the game, and I'll never be convinced that any team would play for a "tactical loss" in RL. It just mattered more to the Fax players (including them all getting a 10% salary cut from the start of the season back in their pockets) and our lack of mistakes and penalties was unrecognisable from most of our previous games.

The result has made a couple of thousand folk in Halifax very happy today. Not just for the extra funding for next season, but having played in the Championship Shield (bottom 8's) last year, it wasn't something we wanted to repeat (dwindling crowds in a pretty meaningless competition - unless you're at the relegation end of the table of course).

The ref seemed to let a lot go today (particularly holding down), although he was certainly on the ball with forward passes! A couple of strange decisions, but that's usual and tbh they do know the rules of the game better than most supporters.

All the best for the middle 8's. I obviously want Fax to do well, but I can't see us being able to raise our game every week. If it's not Fax, then I hope to see Hull KR in the MPG. From what I've seen this year, I can't really see any Championship team doing what Leigh did last time out and going straight up.

I take it Quinlan wasn't injured when Marsh came on? Did he come back on they didn't mention if he did on the radio?
Atkin sounded like he had a stinker.

I don't think so, looked like we were just giving Marsh game time, which might have been a good thing because hopefully he's played himself out of a shirt.

Atkin was absolutely terrible, I can cut a half back some slack for not knowing the playbook but I can't forgive kicking out on the full twice (got away with one because of a poor call from then referee) wanting the ball anywhere and throwing interception passes that you then can't be bothered to chase.

Once again, neither half back controlled or created anything. The only spark was Dockar-Clay when we eventually bothered to bring him on.

Intensity is hard to just generate after 2 flat performances.Will be interesting to see fixtures.Still tinkering still doesn't know first choice 17 (or so it seems).Atkins isn't a viable option yet.When does Mose arrive? When's Abdull due back? Is Sheens keeping us and the opposition guessing? Again more questions than answers and not the momentum we wanted to carry into 8s

Calm everyone....
He did the same away at Toulouse before Leigh away. These games are training sessions. It gives the opposition nothing which is a positive. These play off games are going to be quick,tense and brutal. He is getting the squad fit in these games. Still wants to win though.
Our huge worry is without Abdull we have no halves.
We will see.
He didn't play Lunt, Quinlan 25 mins no Carney etc says it all. Disappointing on some fronts though.
How did Clark go?

This is going to be tense. The fun begins now.

Mitch looked pretty good, easily our best prop.

Johnson looked ok-ish.

I'm never calm, always one per cent off utter fury.

looks like sheens has been drinking with the wrong people, states marsh is big and strong enough to play centre then gets run over by a 12 stone centre.cockayne at centre,addy at hooker, jesus ,,these performances have been brewing for a few weeks now, since sraping a win at blackpool,half of them are found out or getting found out,it was embarrassing to the point of you were wondering wether they had thrown the game or not,just hope the 4 or 5 to come in can really make a difference, but fear not as we haven't got a halfback other than Abdul whos injured, minns, moss, zdc aside it was comical,

Sounded to me today that we were a team of strangers new to the game. Is Sheens doing too much tinkering?

That's the only way to be on game day.

We had one game of meaning in the last 6 weeks against London. The game was over after 20 minutes. We blew them away and cemented top spot the next week away at Bratfud...comfortably. Since then is experimenting and resting.

I'm away for 2 weeks of these play offs....amateurish. They are all going to be close games.

I do hope your right. but you cannot be successful at that level without a playmaker/ halfback we are not good enough to do that,

Possibly. Looks like he is planning for all eventualities while he can, keeping people fit, protecting others and giving the opposition nothing to me though.

after the shock and horror of todays game, not taking anything away from Halifax who were quicker, more organised, and defended miles better than us,but we are a full time team on good contracts, we should be better whatever team he puts out

Today we looked like a team who hadn't play together before and I suppose positionally we were.
Sheens removed the spine, hooker, half and fullback and replaced with deputantes, returning players and people out of position.
I know he likes to tinker, but in 2015 Leigh sleepwalked into the 8's with dire consequence, I just hope the wizard isn't spellbound from the easy league campaign.

It will I hope all come right in the end, Just feel sorry for the fans today If I had gone I would have been Pissed of has well