Bi11

I felt a tad sorry for the Rams. At 8-2 they had looked the better side. Like me, they thought it was all over when Rettie was sent off and Ward sin binned. The Batley players thought otherwise and fought like dervishes whilst the home side just could not raise their game and whatever they tried seemed to go wrong. It happens to most teams from time to time. Incidentally, did anyone think that this looked more like a John Kear side in the second half. Less lateral and more hard running up the middle.

I thought the pack looked a lot more solid when Brown joined the fray. He is a tough minded individual.

1 Ward 2 Brown 3 Taira and it would be unfair not to mention Manning and Smeaton (amongst others)

Only if it was a warm enough day for butterflies BSJ

I didn't go PM. What was the problem? Was it a lack of effort, players not good enough or just misdirected ? Would another hooker or half back on the bench have made the difference? Or did it need Brown to add a bit of steel?

This may be a totally unfair comment on my part given that I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, but, as all three Widnes tries were one on one with Smeaton it seems a tad inconsistent of MD, considering how quickly he has dropped some players, that Smeaton is in the 19 this week. I will add, just for balance, that Sam Smeaton has been playing well lately and it is difficult to stop a man near the line without support.

Brierley Scott Tempted by all the props and the half backs but going with Leak.

I'm just wondering what team forum members would put out? I usually have a fair idea but not this season. So, without being rude about any of the squad, what team would you pick against Widnes (assuming all are available).

as above Brierley Ward Joufret

https://www.rugby-league.com/championship__league_1/article/54597/stephen-ball-and-clare-morrow-added-to-rfl-roll-of-honour

Even I'm not that daft.........yet. Now there is a case of do you blame the team leader, the previous leader, the team, the opposition or the spectators. Let's not go there!

Normally I would say give some of the squad a run out; but as things stand this year I would look to improve cohesion by sticking fairly closely to the side that played the last couple of games. Incidentally, the YPs headline for last Saturday's game was "Bulldogs impress in Tolouse defeat". I dare hardly say it, but perhaps the team is gelling a little.

I was very impressed with the way that Toulouse threw the ball about. The best I have seen for a while tbh, and very entertaining. I also thought that we were a lot better compared to a few weeks ago. It may be that a semi pro side like ours needs a more structured approach and I absolutely understand the criticism of the coach. I do't think that there has been a lack of motivation, more a lack of cohesion and confidence. However, if he can resist the urge to swap three and four players at a time, then we might just get a bit more understanding between the players and start to win a few games.

Joufret Scott Wood

Only whilst they get him match fit of course.

Can't we lend them someone!

I must admit that I had wondered if Yates would be effective at hooker. He has a lot of running in him and would perhaps be handy coming off the bench against a tiring defence.

It was certainly a winnable game but there was no rhythm to the play at all. The conditions didn't help but they played like strangers. It was understandable that he gave some other players a chance after last week's drubbing, but too many changes for me.

Campbell Brown Dickinson

I thought that Rettie played well against Rochdale but I didn't go to Sheffield. Thanks for the insight, anyway. And Sam Wood?

And no Rettie. Injuries or chopping and changing?

Thanks for the reply Silverback. Some fair points there. I notice that the players that you list are all players that were on our books last year. The MOM results tell a similar tale with just Yates and Dickinson of the new players picking up points. I would add Wood to that duo as having played well for us. Like Roger, I am not convinced that we have adequately replaced all of those that we have lost.

I have read that according to MD we had released Davey, Farrell, Crookes and Walker. I had assumed that it was a simple case of the Eagles being in a position to offer more money. All four are excellent players but I can understand Walker being released given his age and that we still have Brambani in the fold. However, Davey would have been very much towards the top of my "retain" list, whilst the go forward of Crookes and Farrell would have served us well. Have we lost players because we can no longer afford to retain them, or because the coach thought that he could improve the squad by letting some go?

I don't know if this is just ambiguous or a genuine mistake but I don't recall Peter Fox ever being our first team coach. Possible confusion with his brother Don?

He played in the famous victory over second favourites Hull KR in the Challenge Cup back in the mid 1960s. He had just rejoined us from Hull KR. He was blind in one eye which probably accounts for his goal kicks and long passes sometimes going awry. But a shrewd Rugby League brain which saw him have a long coaching career at club level, unbeaten as Yorkshire coach despite Lancashire supposedly having the better players, and a famous victory in charge of GB against what was said to be one of the all time great Australian sides. Really sad news. RIP