SL R1 - Wigan

Matt

So then here we go again. New squad and coach ready to kick start the season.

Anything can happen in the first few rounds, I hope that we’re competitive and keep the score close - or go one better and pick up the two points. Either way it’ll be good to get back in to the stands.

mdean

I can’t back us, early rounds anything can happen but I will be happier with a decent game and a decent shift.

There is no reason we can’t win, I just think we might need some time and confidence before we pull any surprises.

RaoulDuke

Heavy pitch, loud crowd, might just have a chance.

Hepworth

The old girl is looking all the better for her spruce up,obviously a way to go but plaudits to all for their efforts so far,vast improvement in many areas,like the squad it will take time and patience but now more towards silk purse than sows ear.

RaoulDuke

I went yesterday to the shop and had a quick look around.

The ground certainly looks better and there’s lots of improvements like Mr Jepson said. By clearing out behind the main stand we have a big piece of land and should be much better each match day.

There’s clearly lots more to do but it’s all heading in the right direction.

yorky

i cant see us winning but we need to show promise & a big improvement on last year

Matt

We have a squad there. Very early days and we made a few too many mistakes however we look a lot better in defence and our attack has potential.

First half I thought we could do it, we lost our way in the second but that can be worked on.

RaoulDuke

I thought it 1-13 was very good. Held them, especially as they have a 1-13 that have played together for a couple of years now.

We were again clunky in stack but the combinations will get better with time.

Mapapalangi awesome defence and qereqere very good. In a dry pitch in summer we’ll have a right go.

I also thought Sam Hall did well and was the choice of the bench players.

stuey

vg for the first 30 minutes, especially in defence, then we got careless and gave them three tries from our mistakes and missed tackles. It was game over then, but came back well towards the end, against 12 men.

Hepworth

I’d agree our 1-13 held their own in the first 30 and some of our defence was outstanding,the Wigan bench changed the narrative,quite a luxury to have the likes of Partington and particularly Mago to come on. The timing in our back line wasn’t always there otherwise I think we could have kept the game tighter for longer but lots to like about this performance and while we do need to look after the ball better on exit sets i thought both attack and defence showed distinct improvement. Tolouse and Huddersfield up next could set the tone for the season.

pirate

We should have Ashworth in the mix next week to give us a bit of grunt up front, or is it the week after?
He got 7 games served 2 at hull, leeds , saints , donny and wigan, so its the week after if my maffs are rate
I’m rambling, ignore me 😂

CTID

RaoulDuke

pirate he’ll be the perfect impact sub with his size and thought atoni would also be that. But atoni played well from the start

Hepworth

I wondered if Atoni/Ashworth would be the rotation,bring one or the other off the bench. No doubt we lost impetus on Sunday with the interchanges. The loan signing could help that until we’re able put that in place. Even then I still think we’re short of an impact prop,we’ve plenty who can do the minutes but I wouldn’t say any of them could break a game up.

RaoulDuke

With Taafe or for the season, do we need another fullback or go with Cini/Macintosh/Rooney?

Matt

If we can find a FB for the season that would be better than swapping players in and out of positions each week.

David Nofoaluma might be available - has a good amount of experience and will be looking for a club after ’Fax collapsed.

mdean

That’s really unlucky all round.
There was enough on Sunday to show promise. But injuries are part of the game sadly.

Hepworth

Sad for the lad because he looked the part,we should get dispensation which gives us options. If Carr doesn’t think Rooney is ready for an extended run maybe look at a long term loan. Wouldn’t like to see us having to play someone out of position this early in the season though as we know Cini had an extended run at full back last season and Mcintosh has played there before. If not Rooney,Cini for me purely because I thought Mcintosh was decent it the centres against Wigan.