Re: Castleford away Thursday : Mon Apr 03, 2023 9:15 am  

altofts wildcat wrote:

This game has to be poop or bust for Applegarth, lose it and he has to go, win it and then who knows we may go on a bit of a run as we have in the past but I just cant see us winning.

I really understand the logic in saying that but the way the club is being managed at the top can you really see them spending on a decent coach. Plus you need to find someone who is prepared to take over this mess.

However if he is sacked the only real replacement I can see is Fordy stepping up , this being the cheapest option.

Re: Castleford away Thursday : Mon Apr 03, 2023 9:16 am  

altofts wildcat wrote:

This game has to be poop or bust for Applegarth, lose it and he has to go, win it and then who knows we may go on a bit of a run as we have in the past but I just cant see us winning.

He should’ve gone after the Leeds game. So I can’t see him being sacked if we lose Thursday, the owners appointed
him because as always he was the cheap option.

Re: Castleford away Thursday : Mon Apr 03, 2023 9:44 am  

Just thinking, anyone know what the record number of loan players are in a SL, we could possibly field 4 on Thursday

Re: Castleford away Thursday : Mon Apr 03, 2023 10:18 am  

Prince Buster wrote:

Just thinking, anyone know what the record number of loan players are in a SL, we could possibly field 4 on Thursday

Yes if you can get rid of a quota player, but thats hypothetical for now. There is no one available instantly as far as I can see.

As it happens I don't think Lino and Smith are the problem, we are beaten in the pack so they have nothing to work on.

Re: Castleford away Thursday : Mon Apr 03, 2023 11:36 am  

Yes I’m also not sure Lino and Smith are the main issue.

The forwards really need to step up big time and get us dominating teams. I also include edge forwards in this too I’m afraid.

I have a lot of respect for Ashurst and Pitts but they are very defensive edge forwards that offer little threat in attack and even less of a passing game drawing in players. They are solid performers every week and as I say defensively good but we are stunted somewhat in attack.

The forwards need to be the ones to really get the team firing and be putting us in good positions.

Eseh is going to be a very good prop forward and just needs another season or two under his belt that’s all. I’m happy for him to keep playing.

We need more from Atoni and for me he needs to be coming off the bench and focusing mostly on head down and driving that ball in as hard as possible and fighting for every meter. Forget the flashy stuff and link up plays. Good hard direct running and build from there.

With Mason joining I think my 4 props would be.

Whitbread
Bowden (Butler if Bowden isn’t fit)

Mason
Eseh

My comment re: edge forwards. I honestly would love to see this. Forward line up: it would change the whole dynamic of the team.

8. Whitbread
9. Hood
10. Bowden
11. Tanginoa
12. Proctor
13. Crowther

Let me make it clear though. I’m not slaying any of the trinity players. I want every one of the players to succeed.

We really just need to muscle up, dominate and fight though. The players must be hurting and the coach but it’s them alone that can fight to change the course of the season.

Re: Castleford away Thursday : Mon Apr 03, 2023 11:53 am  

To be fair to Pitts he apparently had his best game of the season against Saints and his stats seem to back that up, it would be harsh to drop him after that. Really not sure on Proctor though. He's put the effort in defensively without a doubt but he looks spent after 15 minutes and has offered nothing with the ball. Putting him in his natural position might help but to be honest i think he's past it i'm afraid. As my old grandad used to say, 'he's been a good 'un that lad but his legs have gone'. As for Mason i'm not convinced ability wise he's any better or worse than those already here to be honest. He's does though have some size about him which offeres a point of difference and will be useful but for me more importantly it gives the chance to take Eseh out of the firing line if needed. He's gone well and the kid is going to be a very good prop forward but we need to remember he is still only 19 and over exposure too soon could be detrimental to his development, especially playing in a struggling side. We still need to be careful with him for his own good as much as our own.

Re: Castleford away Thursday : Mon Apr 03, 2023 11:55 am  

Could have Munster and clearly at 6 and 7 for us, but if our forwards are only doing only 50 odd metres a game what chance would they stand.

Re: Castleford away Thursday : Mon Apr 03, 2023 12:16 pm  

Think Pitts and Ashurst have really got stuck in this season and done well considering the stage their careers are at. Think they are both older than Proctor too.

Re: Castleford away Thursday : Mon Apr 03, 2023 12:31 pm  

Sacred Cow wrote:

To be fair to Pitts he apparently had his best game of the season against Saints and his stats seem to back that up, it would be harsh to drop him after that. Really not sure on Proctor though. He's put the effort in defensively without a doubt but he looks spent after 15 minutes and has offered nothing with the ball. Putting him in his natural position might help but to be honest i think he's past it i'm afraid. As my old grandad used to say, 'he's been a good 'un that lad but his legs have gone'. As for Mason i'm not convinced ability wise he's any better or worse than those already here to be honest. He's does though have some size about him which offeres a point of difference and will be useful but for me more importantly it gives the chance to take Eseh out of the firing line if needed. He's gone well and the kid is going to be a very good prop forward but we need to remember he is still only 19 and over exposure too soon could be detrimental to his development, especially playing in a struggling side. We still need to be careful with him for his own good as much as our own.

Could probably spell Proctor with Pitts/Hewitt. Just trying to think how we can improve our attacking threat and go forward.

Good job by Pitts. If that’s the case then hopefully it can be backed up. Rotation on a short turn around isn’t a bad option though and their is options.

Re: Castleford away Thursday : Mon Apr 03, 2023 1:35 pm  

Trojan Horse wrote:

Could probably spell Proctor with Pitts/Hewitt. Just trying to think how we can improve our attacking threat and go forward.

Good job by Pitts. If that’s the case then hopefully it can be backed up. Rotation on a short turn around isn’t a bad option though and their is options.

For me if fit i'd probably aim to keep it tight early doors with a back row of Ashurst, Pitts & Crowther and go with Tanginoa off the bench for some impact. Applegarth didn't sound too sure Kelepi would be ready this week though and with hamstring injuries you don't really want to risk it if not 100%. If he doesn't make then i guess Proctor (if back) plays that role, short spells might get more out of him with the ball. Mash was the same with Bowden, back within the next couple of weeks i think it was. As big a game as it is them breaking down midway through it and then being out another 6 weeks would be curtains so only play them if fully fit.