Re: Pre-season. : Sun Jan 21, 2024 4:43 pm  

Some decent tries but lots of mistakes

Pele looked decent in his spells

Re: Pre-season. : Sun Jan 21, 2024 5:12 pm  

Steady first hit out, probably more dominant than score suggested but TS will know a lot more about the side from today. Felt Kendall tried to even up the contest a bit today.

Cator did look decent at hooker but I’m unsure he would against a SL opposition, was behind a pretty dominant pack. Hodgson looked good going forward but not there yet in defence.

Left edge needs a bit of work going in D but will be good going forward.

Second half we lacked the size to dominate Doncaster but think some of the fringes players stood up well in the arm wrestle.

Think ashworth went under the radar, worker hard and could be a good signing for us. Just need to watch the discipline and hope he doesn’t try to impress too much.

On to Wigan & hope Jordan Lane is alright

Re: Pre-season. : Sun Jan 21, 2024 5:37 pm  

Really hard to take much from the game. We didn't allow ourselves any periods of dominance giving relentless six-agains out like confetti..

Really pleased with some glimpses, though. I saw enough of Ese and Pele to think one thing "handful"

I really liked Tindall. Looks and runs to the gap every time and a great turn of pace off trb mark. I could see Nu Brown being a favourite and whilst it was a spluttering match it was good to see Tex - always scheming for something.

Saw nothing to suggest Cator can control the ruck or distribute. He didn't have a bad game, but he ain't a pivot.

Re: Pre-season. : Sun Jan 21, 2024 5:42 pm  

Morgan Smith any good?

Re: Pre-season. : Sun Jan 21, 2024 6:05 pm  

Steve0 wrote:

Morgan Smith any good?

Very good from what I've read on Twitter. Apparently really lively and vocal throughout

Re: Pre-season. : Sun Jan 21, 2024 6:25 pm  

I have to say that I've never bought into the conspiracy theories about refs not liking us, but from today's game (and I've read up on the new rules) can anybody explain to me how our tackling, and standing square, and hands in the ruck, etc. was so different from Doncaster's. We seem to be pinged relentlessly by Kendall and at one point in the first half we had either 4 or 5 six-agains given against us. I guess Tony Smith might be pleased with the tackling practice, but it did seem baffling at times.

On the match itself, as others have said, some encouraging stuff and also some typical early season fumbles. Thought Ese Ese, Pele and Tindall looked really promising and then in the second half was pleased to see the effort and intensity of our 'second string'. Think we've got a better depth of squad this season.

Re: Pre-season. : Sun Jan 21, 2024 7:08 pm  

Only listened to the game on FC Live. Discipline sounded awful. Seen plenty of people heaping praise on Pele, Ese'ese, Morgan Smith and Cator online.

I've booked my hotel for Manchester already to avoid the rush.

Pretty excited for the Wigan match, gunna be a long two weeks

Re: Pre-season. : Sun Jan 21, 2024 7:15 pm  

Could we see a difference in play with our new coaching set up?

Re: Pre-season. : Sun Jan 21, 2024 7:40 pm  

The games afoot wrote:

Could we see a difference in play with our new coaching set up?

Really hard to tell given the opposition..The score was more a reflection of our errors as opposed to Doncaster fairing well.

I did notice in the warm up and the game that we are seeking a much quicker PTB. I also thought the forwards were less predictable; certainly ran more varied ines, arcs and directions.

Always passing options on breaks, too.

Re: Pre-season. : Sun Jan 21, 2024 8:27 pm  

Great to see most of the First Team getting a run out today.

Thought Pele looked a great signing, a more agile Satae with better hands. Tindall looks quick. He finished both of his tries off well and linked up nicely with Sutcliffe. Nu Brown and Morgan Smith both made good jinking breaks to set up tries.

As you’d expect we looked rusty at times, however Donny were very spirited and never gave up. The strong wind contributed to errors for both teams.

We got pinged for two incorrect PTB which is inexcusable; and several 6 again including about 4 on the spin. Didn’t have a clue what they were for, but there would be some value in inviting a referee down to training one day to give us some insight into the rules because we are our own worst enemy with indiscipline.

I was however amazed about the lack of penalties for above armpit height. I was expecting a high number today. Interestingly last week former referee Ian Smith said online about Balmforth’s try at Bradford, that if he hadn’t scored there were three attempted tackles during his run that would have warranted a penalty under the new rules. I still expect this to be a major issue in the early games in SL, but no issues today.

Finally, hoping Jordan Lane is ok. He appeared to collide with Pele whilst going in for a tackle. As much as we all moan about Kendall, at least he had the common sense to call full time and allow Jordan all the time he needed for treatment.

Overall a good day out. Their stadium is a great venue. Wishing Horney and Donny all the best for their new season in the Championship!