Re: 21 man squad to face Leigh Sunday. : Sun Aug 01, 2021 5:10 pm  

I think I started every sentence at the game with “I know it’s Leigh but….” and added something positive on the end.

In a dominant team Harry Smith looked a million dollars and he needed that. His goal kicking was excellent and whilst I felt he lost confidence before he took the goal kicking this season, I don’t think it hurt his confidence today when he nailed that early one from the touch line. Him and Hastings were outstanding.

We really need to look at that decision to release Bourouh again. He might not be a world beater but he might be and for me, we’ve just not had enough of a look at him yet. He’s something different for us and I’d hate to see him go elsewhere and kick on.

As for the others, the whole back line were very good and there’s going to be an embarrassment of riches in the back row when everyone is fit. Guys like KPP and Shorrocks are going to make it so tough for Lam to pick who misses out. I’d say at the minute Morgan Smithies would do well to get back in. This really is the time where Lam needs to be ruthless with his selections and to drive competition. Him keep falling back in to picking Clubb to start, Powell to do 80 minutes and Tommy in the halves won’t push us on. He needs to make sure that people know of they play well they’ll get a place and if they don’t, they won’t, regardless of who they are.

Re: 21 man squad to face Leigh Sunday. : Sun Aug 01, 2021 5:10 pm  

Having seen the video of the brawl, Ollie Partington threw more punches than Ashworth & Singleton combined, and will get the longest ban,

Re: 21 man squad to face Leigh Sunday. : Sun Aug 01, 2021 5:13 pm  

I think we looked better without Leuluai. Just hope this injury isnt how he ‘bows out’ and retires

Re: 21 man squad to face Leigh Sunday. : Sun Aug 01, 2021 5:25 pm  

Kennedy wrote:

Having seen the video of the brawl, Ollie Partington threw more punches than Ashworth & Singleton combined, and will get the longest ban,

In fairness to Partington he was sticking up for Singleton who was being held whilst Rob Buttler punched him from behind 2 or 3 times. I wondered why the Wigan players seemed to be seething with Buttler. That was absolutely cowardly from him and I’d say he comes out of it all in the poorest light. Singleton, Ashworth and Partington can at least take their bans with their heads up.

Re: 21 man squad to face Leigh Sunday. : Sun Aug 01, 2021 5:38 pm  

Great to see a bit of biff, even if it was a one off.

Listen to the crowd come alive. Sky are showing highlights of it too. You can't tell me people don't want to see biff in the game.

I'm sure the g!mps at the judiciary will be rubbing their hands together tho. More money in the coffers for their Xmas slush fund and they can appease those middle class mums in London who don't approve of this kinda stuff.

Re: 21 man squad to face Leigh Sunday. : Sun Aug 01, 2021 5:40 pm  

My first game back since the Salford away game in March 2020. Pretty good game, despite quite a few players missing still I thought we looked sprightly again as we did against Wire (first half).

I thought the sendings off did us a favour to be honest as it left more gaps for our attacking players to stroll through.

Was it Borough who carved Leigh up from scoots a couple of times, some great play from him. Hanley took his hatrick of tries well, fair play to him.

If I had one gripe its the fact our players turn their backs in defence after the tackle (notably Shorrocks initially) almost cost us a 2nd Leigh try but we got away with it, schoolboy stuff yet its got to be something that's being coached into them.

9,200+ given (around 350-400 from Leigh) which is not too far away in numbers from where we would normally be.

Enjoyed it.

Re: 21 man squad to face Leigh Sunday. : Sun Aug 01, 2021 5:48 pm  

sergeant pepper wrote:

Great to see a bit of biff, even if it was a one off.

Listen to the crowd come alive. Sky are showing highlights of it too. You can't tell me people don't want to see biff in the game.

I'm sure the g!mps at the judiciary will be rubbing their hands together tho. More money in the coffers for their Xmas slush fund and they can appease those middle class mums in London who don't approve of this kinda stuff.

Singleton and Partington will get a couple of games each day I’d imagine. It was daft on Singleton’s case because he knows he can’t do it and he’s just found some good form but I do agree the bans being handed out for punching are ott.

Re: 21 man squad to face Leigh Sunday. : Sun Aug 01, 2021 5:48 pm  

MattyB wrote:

My first game back since the Salford away game in March 2020. Pretty good game, despite quite a few players missing still I thought we looked sprightly again as we did against Wire (first half).

I thought the sendings off did us a favour to be honest as it left more gaps for our attacking players to stroll through.

Was it Borough who carved Leigh up from scoots a couple of times, some great play from him. Hanley took his hatrick of tries well, fair play to him.

If I had one gripe its the fact our players turn their backs in defence after the tackle (notably Shorrocks initially) almost cost us a 2nd Leigh try but we got away with it, schoolboy stuff yet its got to be something that's being coached into them.

9,200+ given (around 350-400 from Leigh) which is not too far away in numbers from where we would normally be.

Enjoyed it.

KPP almost cost a try by turning away in the second half, but saying that his defence has been good, very strong lad. We do look short on pace outside. Halsall and Hanley solid but neither have shown pace over any distance,

Re: 21 man squad to face Leigh Sunday. : Sun Aug 01, 2021 5:59 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Singleton and Partington will get a couple of games each day I’d imagine. It was daft on Singleton’s case because he knows he can’t do it and he’s just found some good form but I do agree the bans being handed out for punching are ott.

Yeah they'll be facing lengthy bans.

It's such a shame tho. It's one of the top videos on sky & the engagement rates on social media are better than most rugby related content. I saw one post from a guy saying that's, whether the RFL like it or not, league is a niche sport and biff adds something to the game.

If the RFL tried to alienate their core demographics any harder, they might as well change thier name to Labour.

Re: 21 man squad to face Leigh Sunday. : Sun Aug 01, 2021 6:40 pm  

We were always going to win this one. Standard win against a poor side in Leigh. We looked decent enough in D and attack but I never got the feeling we ever really had to leave 1st gear. Other than the scrap (LOVED IT) it felt like a training game. It’s all well and good taking Leigh to the cleaners but we need to put in performances such as this in bigger games.

On Thornley, I saw nothing today which would make me think we should be signing him or his signing would benefit us.