[quote="Smithers99"]Frustrating result. Sheffield just the better team but London got themselves in a strong position and remained competitive. No Bienek today which I think left us one inside presence short, which became a big issue with Albert's early injury. Natoli and Basset showed a bit more today; I was a bit underwhelmed against Batley, but looked good today.
Kick-off to London. Turned it over. Sheffield attack our left. Macani out of position. Try. Not the greatest start!
Was impressed by Lovell, Stock and Silva today.
Raiwalui (or similar). Desperately needed. The team needs an x-factor in that position. Parata playing as a half back looks so wrong to me. Looked excellent last season. Maybe it's me but seeing little from him today. But he's in the wrong position surely.
Leading by two with lots of time to go, do you kick a penalty to lead by four? Then do you follow it by another to lead by six? Surely the odds starting inside the opposition's 22 twice are you'd expect a try. Even if you don't a converted try later would call and beat conceding a converted try. Instead our two penalties were only enough for a tie when Sheffield converted a try and we'd lost the imitative. Very defensive in my opinion.
In the first half Leyland's conversion hit the near post square on when he was kicking from about 10 yards off centre to his right. We wondered if that would bite us in the bum later. And it did.
With Albert likely injured. Bienek presumably injured. Waine yet to arrive. The three Wigan lads presumably an the end of their initial loan. Raiwalui who knows. Grant still out. I'd suggest this is "Recruitment Week" about four months too late. Whilst this team shouldn't be relegation level, they are falling straight into another relegation battle.
Crowd way down which is a shame. Will confidently start at 500+, but not hugely more. I can go a bit higher, but not threatening four figures.[/quote
I thought Parata was more a force this week but agree he is in no way as influential as last year. Yes no. More excuses this week we need to sign people. Next 3 games are winnable and we need to pick up points. As is we may not be able to name a 21 without dipping into the academy. That is inexcusable. On crowd size I would have said sub 500 10 minutes before kick off but I think another 200 or so turned up. I should also say that Sheffield brought some fans along which I don’t remember from years past. Reasonable atmosphere but we desperately need to win the next game against Swinton.
