I’d be tempted to start Lockers at hooker next week to help solidify that middle area of the field in defence. It’s going to be one hell of a job to try and contain their front row getting on a roll, as I felt we struggled to even stop Dudson and Mossop doing that tonight. We can’t afford to be blown away early and if we play Williams at 9 and French in the halves, the game could be over in the first twenty mins.
I’d go-
Hardaker Marshall Sarginson Gildart Burgess Williams Leuluai Flower Lockers Partington Isa Farrell Smithies
Subs Byrne Clubb Greenwood French
I'm sure sky said that Sarge is done for the season.
I'm sure sky said that Sarge is done for the season.
Really? That would be a blow, I felt we missed his energy tonight in both attack and defence. He was 50/50 for tonight earlier in the week so hopefully they’ve got it wrong.
Really? That would be a blow, I felt we missed his energy tonight in both attack and defence. He was 50/50 for tonight earlier in the week so hopefully they’ve got it wrong.
Fingers crossed, as like you said he was a massive loss tonight.
Massively underrated player imo and we'll miss him next year.
Marshall with his leg strapped looked a yard slower than usual tonight. Let's hope he can get to full fitness by next Friday.
So did Burgess, but then, he does, these days. But that said, Burgess was OK tonight and pretty solid defensively. I can't imagine we'll see too much champagne rugby this season, so if we defend as we can, and can takes our chances in attack, we have every chance. But Sam Powell is a big loss. And surely, it's a bit early to be making definitive decisions about French in the halves on the basis of half a game? Although I agree he did look a bit out of synch.
Solid performance against a very well drilled and disciplined Salford side. (certainly the best in my lifetime) (i am 34 btw) I said in the week that people were under estimating the opposition and to be honest i think the best side lost. A couple of pieces of individual skill won us that match. Other than that it was rather scattergun. I completely agree with other posters about French. A HB he certainly isn't. I know it is too early to judge but he was about 3% as effective in the middle (and that is being kind) Play him where he is best. Let Marshall and Burgess fight for the other spot.
Give French at least a few training sessions and games with Hastings before writing him off, although I wouldn’t be confident if we start with him at half back next Friday. I actually think the defensive efforts the last 2 weeks have been great, if we can click in attack we have a chance of beating saints if they are not firing on all cylinders. I will add that the Salford performance was immense, it really had the feel of a play off game between 2 good sides and their intensity was high until the end. They were probably unlucky not to win.
I know it's early days and he's only played half a game at HB, but I'm not convinced about French in that role.
The guys exciting and absolutely electric, but is he too off the cuff? He was certainly a live wire when he came on but the team shape seemed to suffer.
If we signed Lam for next year then, apart from on the wing, I'm struggling to fit French in my side.
French isn’t a half back he just isn’t for me at least,it’s beginning to look like a luxury signing and one that really the club didn’t need when the wing players are fit.
I can’t see Lam junior coming either,I know he would cost much but unless players are shifted on or he’s prepared to play for a satsuma and a cup bovril each week there can’t be room on the cap surely?
Christ. A couple of weeks ago he was the best thing since JR. This week he’s a luxury signing we should never have made. The lads a talent who’s been in and out of the side, without a settled position. Last night he played 40 behind a pack who where second best (and that’s credit to Salford, more than criticism of our pack) in a team who had very, very little field position. Can we allow him a shot before we make him the scapegoat?
