17 replies to this topic

[GLENNGARY]

Another good performance from the boys,but we should have had over ninty.We lost six points when Foxen sprinted 75 yards down the wing leaving the Gateshead backs floundering in his wake only for him to cross the line and bounce the ball when trying to put it down with one hand.We also missed about ten goal kicks asw well, we are going to have to sort this kicking out or it could cost us later in the season. The team as a whole played very well but the two who stood out for me were Gallagher who was used in bursts and took some stopping near the line. He scored two tries and looked to have his hat trick, when he burst throuh from a Watson pass,only for it to be given forward by the linesman.My motm was young Ashall who when he came on towards the end of the first half, split the Gateshead defence time and again. He made at least four of the second half tries and scored a belter as well, what a find that lad his.Well done lads keep it up.

[Barnie]

I really think a goal kicker is needed, the Oldham game was closer than it should have been. I hope this gets sorted, soon.

[mark richardson]

We have loads of goal kickers and good ones too but they all seem to be off form.

Ashall is a star and I hope we keep using as a "super sub."

[PhillH]

Interesting quote from Gateshead coach Richard Pell in the League Express this week where he says "Next weekend's game with Milford is a big one for the club, so anyone who we felt was 50/50 we have rested as we want them raring to go next week"! It definitely doesn't say a lot about the Thunder's level of ambition for the 2011 Championship One campaign for him to openly admit targetting a match against amateurs as a "big game". I'd imagine Batley might have had something to say about this in the event they hadn't beaten Halifax and lost out on a place in the quarter finals to the Lions by points difference.

From a Lions perspective you can only beat what is put in front of you and a professional job done. Such a pity not to have made the quarter finals. It looks a realistic prospect to go through the league season unbeaten.

Gavin Dodd has been given a fair chance to cement the position as first choice kicker and not grasped it as yet, but at least he seems to be in the side every week as things stand. The problem for a couple of other options is that they don't seem to be in Steve McCormack's idea of the best starting 13 at the moment - Carl Forber and Ian Mort. Ian Watson probably has enough on his plate without burdening him with the goal kicking.

[duffymoon]

Interesting quote from Gateshead coach Richard Pell in the League Express this week where he says "Next weekend's game with Milford is a big one for the club, so anyone who we felt was 50/50 we have rested as we want them raring to go next week"! It definitely doesn't say a lot about the Thunder's level of ambition for the 2011 Championship One campaign for him to openly admit targetting a match against amateurs as a "big game". I'd imagine Batley might have had something to say about this in the event they hadn't beaten Halifax and lost out on a place in the quarter finals to the Lions by points difference.

From a Lions perspective you can only beat what is put in front of you and a professional job done. Such a pity not to have made the quarter finals. It looks a realistic prospect to go through the league season unbeaten.

Gavin Dodd has been given a fair chance to cement the position as first choice kicker and not grasped it as yet, but at least he seems to be in the side every week as things stand. The problem for a couple of other options is that they don't seem to be in Steve McCormack's idea of the best starting 13 at the moment - Carl Forber and Ian Mort. Ian Watson probably has enough on his plate without burdening him with the goal kicking.

I agree about not making the quarter finals,I think we would have been extremely competitive whoever we were paired with.

As regards winning every league game I think what we must remember is that it looks increasingly likely that the bookies will now have us as overwhelming favourites to win Championship One and every side we meet will raise their game.It would be a monumental achievement if we could do it.

[Furryenzo]

Think were getting a bit carried away here, I think we have a great squad, and a very realistic chance of winning the league, however ALL teams have bad games, all it takes is a penalty to not go our way, or to miss a few goal kicks and we could easily slip up and probably will on a couple of occasions, and we do have a few quality sides in our league we need to show respect.

[snapperc]

Guy's,

A really poor showing from our lads and I know the analysis has started in earnest as this weekend and the Challenge Cup 3rd Round approaches. Still I'd like to say well done to Swinton, Steve Mc is a top bloke and will take you onwards and indeed upwards. All the best for the rest of the season and we'll see you all soon in Gateshead for the League Game.

My photographs from Sunday's game are all now online HERE - I hope you all enjoy them.

Cheers

Paul

[RIGGY]

Nice pictures Paul

All the best

Ian Rigg

[PhillH]

I agree about not making the quarter finals,I think we would have been extremely competitive whoever we were paired with.

As regards winning every league game I think what we must remember is that it looks increasingly likely that the bookies will now have us as overwhelming favourites to win Championship One and every side we meet will raise their game.It would be a monumental achievement if we could do it.

One of the issues with having a small number of teams in the division is that it leaves very little margin for error, particularly with the bonus point system which means teams don't lose too much ground even if they suffer a narrow defeat. To finish top of the table you can only afford to lose about 3 games.

There can be no doubt that the Lions have easily the strongest starting 13, greatest strength in depth and most proven coach in Championship One this season. Nice balance of youth and experience. Competition for every position (although I wish the squad had a decent specialist centre to compliment Dean Thompson). Lack of a reserve side is the only real achilles heel.

Hopefully Steve McCormack can find ways to keep the players who aren't selected happy and retain their services and we won't have players dissapearing in the way that has become the norm at roughly this stage of the last few seasons.

Provided the team applies itself properly week by week I don't see any other side that should seriously trouble the Lions in Championship One this season. The away trips to Cumbria being the only real worry. I just hope the off field situation improves rapidly, as we don't want to get to the end of this season and have success on the field tarnished by not knowing what is going to happen in 2012.

[wayne_r]

I also think the hardest task will be retaining all the squad for the whole season as players that are not getting regular games will no doubt leave or go out on loan - I do also believe we do have the best chance this season of getting promotion with a good squad and a good coach.........

[snapperc]

Interesting quote from Gateshead coach Richard Pell in the League Express this week where he says "Next weekend's game with Milford is a big one for the club, so anyone who we felt was 50/50 we have rested as we want them raring to go next week"! It definitely doesn't say a lot about the Thunder's level of ambition for the 2011 Championship One campaign for him to openly admit targetting a match against amateurs as a "big game". I'd imagine Batley might have had something to say about this in the event they hadn't beaten Halifax and lost out on a place in the quarter finals to the Lions by points difference.

I think that the quote from Richard may have been taken out of context, essentially as far as Thunder were concerned Sunday was a dead rubber. We weren't going to progress, so we gave a few of the younger lads and some potential fringe players a chance in the squad mixed up with a core backbone. It made no sense in putting out our strongest squad, so Richard rested a few players, as we do want to progress in the Challenge Cup as we could earn a decent trip to a SL side in the 4th Round (who knows). A few of the lads that were rested were carrying some minor knocks, so why risk them for a game that from our perspective was never a win, win situation, as we were out win, lose or draw.

I honestly don't think Richard or his Assistant Tim expected such an error strewn game, our defence was woeful at best, our forward line was ineffective, ultimately we may have paid the price for those decisions. But progression in the Challenge Cup is a must against Amateur opposition and make no bones about it Milford will have taken one look at our result and will be sharpening their axes for Saturday's game. We could still be out of the Cup come 4:30 on Saturday....

[PhillH]

As regards winning every league game I think what we must remember is that it looks increasingly likely that the bookies will now have us as overwhelming favourites to win Championship One and every side we meet will raise their game.It would be a monumental achievement if we could do it.

According to the Workington forum, the odds available for Championship One winners (at an unspecified bookmaker!) are as follows:

Oldham 11/8
Keighley 11/4
Swinton 10/3
Workington 10/1
Rochdale 12/1
Doncaster 16/1
Whitehaven 20/1
South Wales 33/1
London 50/1
Gateshead 100/1

Surely 11/8 Oldham is too short based on what they have shown so far.

[duffymoon]

I think those odds have changed since earlier in the week.Most of the leading bookies now have us at 11/4 favourites with Keighley close behind.

[eclecticsheep]

Yes PhillH the Oldham Odds are indeed way too short, From what I have seen so far top 4 would be good, however your own uncharacteristic statement of sheer full on (almost Country Mile`ish in its brevity)optimism...Quote...

"It looks a realistic prospect to go through the league season unbeaten"

You made me smile!

I was at the NR Cup game at Salford, you were good very good...but we can improve

The clock after all is now Ticking on NL1 is it not!

[PhillH]

Yes PhillH the Oldham Odds are indeed way too short, From what I have seen so far top 4 would be good, however your own uncharacteristic statement of sheer full on (almost Country Mile`ish in its brevity)optimism...Quote...

"It looks a realistic prospect to go through the league season unbeaten"

You made me smile!

I was at the NR Cup game at Salford, you were good very good...but we can improve

The clock after all is now Ticking on NL1 is it not!

Plenty of improvement to come from the Lions too - I would hope the first half at the Willows was the truest reflection of the 2 team's relative ability. I am always wary of teams that apparently show good form when already behind. Well done to Oldham for staging something of a fight back, Wood looked a strong runner, but ultimately the Lions pulled out a bit more when needed.

True that based on the last few seasons the Lions should expect to get a nose bleed anywhere above 6th or 7th in the table, but for once I am properly convinced it will be different this time! Main reason being Steve McCormack, but backed by the most talented squad in the division - just need to apply themselves properly week by week - easier said than done admittedly.

"If only" our two proud and long established clubs could sort themselves out properly off the field! Perhaps the Latics need to rethink the viability of ground sharing now the Failsworth pipedream appears to have bitten the dust, apparently leaving them in a financial mess. And I see Whitebank is not progressing as the formalities of ownership still haven't been bottomed out. Heads need seriously banging together!

[eclecticsheep]

The phrase..."Bitten off more than he can chew" is one that is often in my thoughts were we are concerned PhillH ( The irony,which will not be missed by you is there really is only one set of teeth involved at "Our" club,and "Our" is used by me in the loosest possible term of reference).
Swinton are going for it this year no expense spared, maybe with a view that sucess with promotion could bring to birth a ground solution perhaps?
Latics are in a meltdown and I suspect insolvency and windup are a distinct possibility, with the three amigos becoming the three asset realisers hence...bye bye boundary park is a distinct possibility?
WE have both got to get out of NL1 this year,I mean two extra random fixtures?? give me a break, the RFL aren`t bothered and this "Fag packet" botch shows it wouldnt you agree!
Swinton NL1 Champs is my prediction, Oldham playoffs 4th key descriptive word...Shoestring!!!
ps I would run a book on how long it will take before even the floodlight bulbs are replaced at Whitebank...and dont even mention the showers!!!!
The drinks license was speedily sorted out mind!

[PhillH]

WE have both got to get out of NL1 this year,I mean two extra random fixtures?? give me a break, the RFL aren`t bothered and this "Fag packet" botch shows it wouldnt you agree!

The RFL asking for bids to start new Championship clubs does make me wonder about the treatment of Blackpool and whether there will be consistency should any interest be shown by "sexier" areas..... We all know the answer to that one!

[PhillH]

Yes PhillH the Oldham Odds are indeed way too short, From what I have seen so far top 4 would be good, however your own uncharacteristic statement of sheer full on (almost Country Mile`ish in its brevity)optimism...Quote...

"It looks a realistic prospect to go through the league season unbeaten"

You made me smile!

I was at the NR Cup game at Salford, you were good very good...but we can improve

The clock after all is now Ticking on NL1 is it not!

"I bet" you're not smiling now, sir! 24 - 68, blimey.

Long way to go still of course, but no other side in Championship One has the level of ability and strength in depth of the Lions this year, topped off with a proven coach.