Is There Light At The End Of The Tunnel?

[Wirralviking]

Perhaps the intention was to get through the last 3 games as best we could, given the number of absentees, try to pick up 3 wins if possible, knowing we have a bit of a break before our next game against Sheffield when hopefully several of those absentees are available (perhaps Mr Cullen is also going to use the time to strengthen, if he can).

The plan didn't quite come off, with the unexpected defeat to Leigh (picking up another injury to Duffy to make matters worse!), but then the same 17 players won the two other games, with signs of improvement (but with plenty of frustrating moments thrown in).

If this does give us the opportunity to get some of our more experienced personnel back on the park then maybe we can put current frustrations behind us. TKL has been badly missed at centre and I hope that not playing him in the last two games, has been to ensure he is fully sorted and not because he has picked up another knock.  It is perhaps no surprise that Flynn has not run too many tries in in TKL's absence.

Fletcher was also in excellent form prior to his injury (although rather worryingly all seems quiet about his return). Bannister I thought would at least get a bench spot in one of the last two games, so again hopefully we were taking no chances with him.

Paterson is there or there abouts, but presumably will need a run out in the reserves to prove his fitness (not sure if he is getting a chance this weekend or not).

Duffy had also been in good form, but it would be nice to rotate him with the halfbacks and also Mark Smith.  Mark has had a bit of criticism for recent performances, but he must be one of the few hookers not to get spelled, playing the full 80 in all 3 games, making a forwards share of the tackles, I bet the lad was knackered, certainly by the end of Friday's game.

Sadly Morrison still seems a long way off, which is a great shame, Hartley I see as a bonus player, if we get a game out of him its a bonus! Sad for such a young lad to be so injury prone, but it dosent look like we can count on him.

Then there is the prospect of strengthening the squad.  Unfortunately it seems that only us fans are talking about it as there is silence from the club, (it would be nice to think this is because they are working behind the scenes and not wanting to say anything until something is sorted!).  The one comment has related to already being at our salary cap level, which would seem to rule out any strengthening. The big prop we all so desperately want may not be out there, which will put more pressure on our pack, they have done relatively well against the bigger packs so far but it is no surprise that they are often exhausted by the effort to contain them in the final 15 mins.

Being optimistic my 17 for Sheffield would be 1. Wildbore, 2. Gaskell, 3. Varkulis, 4. TKL, 5. Flynn, 6. Thackeray, 7. Webster, 8. Ostick, 9. Smith, 10. Gannon, 11. Doran, 12. Fletcher, 13. Paterson, 14. Duffy, 15. Kavanagh, 16. Bannister, 17. Dodd

[BEANO]

I think the next four games will answer your question. Three away games at Sheffield, Whitehaven and Leigh, and a home game against Barrow.

Don't agree with with your 17 for Sheffield.  Wouldn't start with Paterson. Wouldn't have Doran on the park at the moment.

[Neil]

I think the next four games will answer your question. Three away games at Sheffield, Whitehaven and Leigh, and a home game against Barrow.

Don't agree with with your 17 for Sheffield.  Wouldn't start with Paterson. Wouldn't have Doran on the park at the moment.

Totally agree. We need players with pace...

Fly

[King Viking]

Not too dissimilar to the starting 13 I discussed with a mate yesterday. Only change in mine would be Bannister for Doran.

I definitely think we need to start Duffy on the bench and then rotate him with Smith/Webster to get the best out of all three players. Paterson is a solid enough 13, and he is good enough to fit in to a system where the other 3 playmakers can dictate the pattern. Too often it's looked like we've had too many chiefs and not enough indians when Duffy's been at loose forward.

[wildej]

How on earth can you have a starting 13 without Yacca in at fullback.   He has proved in the last few games that he can be a rock behind the weak pack.   He can kick goals from anywhere on the park and is the best player we have got at baccking up a player making a break or looking to off-load the ball.   I wouldn't mind betting that over 40 metres he is as fast as any player we have got.   On current form the best Wildbore an expect is on the bench.

[Sandgroper]

Paterson's biggest plus is his long pass.  If you watched Doran at loose forward he was telling Thackeray to come closer because Doran's pass wouldn't reach. one of our best attributes against Toulouse was our ability to shift the ball across the field very quickly - three passes.

[rufustanner]

How on earth can you have a starting 13 without Yacca in at fullback.   He has proved in the last few games that he can be a rock behind the weak pack.   He can kick goals from anywhere on the park and is the best player we have got at baccking up a player making a break or looking to off-load the ball.   I wouldn't mind betting that over 40 metres he is as fast as any player we have got.   On current form the best Wildbore an expect is on the bench.

He jumped like a rock for Doncaster's last try. Yates has many fine attributes but describing him as a rock is way off the mark.

[TheGoldenBoot]

Totally agree. We need players with pace...

Fly

What a about his distribution, defence or his ability to put players through gaps and away for tries?

No you're right, we don't need players like Paterson in the side.

[rufustanner]

Totally agree. We need players with pace...

Fly

You must have loved Misili Manu.

[Sooty]

I thought I saw a light at the end of the tunnel, but it was just the boss wiv a torch brining me more work

[Wirralviking]

Well after today's reserve game it looks like Bannister and Paterson could be in contention for the Sheffield game.  Still a worrying silence regarding Fletcher and no real info as to the extent of Duffy's injury.  Presumably TKL is OK to play, so a little bit of light shining through!

Still nothing regarding bringing any players in , only speculaton and wish lists from us fans!

[LULUWOLF]

maybe we will see the light some time this week??

[Sandgroper]

Fletch was there with his nipper. Looked OK but you can't tell.

[manxviking]

I think the next four games will answer your question. Three away games at Sheffield, Whitehaven and Leigh, and a home game against Barrow.

Don't agree with with your 17 for Sheffield.  Wouldn't start with Paterson. Wouldn't have Doran on the park at the moment.

After the Leigh game, I could have strangled Doran (metaphorically speaking). I was a fan of his, but the number of idiotic penalties he gives away is unacceptable.

[MT]

Did any of the folk who want to drop Doran go to Doncaster?