Kirmonds pouch

We will see

Normally I wouldn’t bother pulling LE up for lazy journalism but this one I will. His first try was ok but owed much to a Rodwell slip. The second came off a blatant obstruction and would never had stood on a VR decision. It’s not the fact that it was given that bothers me, refs make errors. But the reporter had all the time in the world to see what happened. What happened allowed Connor to score a try almost any player could score. Yet somehow Connor was the star of the game even though he did sod all after that. There were some great performers for both Leeds and Wakey on the day and all did better than Connor. Yet the reporter clearly couldn’t see beyond the reputation. Does it matter, well not so much in this game which was a friendly. But it does matter overall because it’s typical of the clickbait journalism we get in RL these days. Compare to the NRL or the Premier League. There you get deep and expert analysis and that’s what we deserve. If you’re a RL writer I expect you to know the game and the obstruction should have been mentioned and it should have relegated Connor to reasonable performance and nothing more. I’m sure I’ll get shot down but it matters to me. I want LE to thrive as a publication, as it’s the only genuine one we have that is not purely a click bait web site. However they are free and LE/TRL is not. If you want punters cash you need to up your game imho where match reports are concerned - I want the negatives as well as the positive. Promoting the game is fine but sanitising it is not. Players cheat, coaches cheat, some refs have ###### games and some rules are clearly stupid. I want the LE/TRL to sharpen its teeth and stop pandering to big club and worse still, reputations. I want you to point out the wrong as well as the rights. This is fair criticism imho. Rant over

But you are the silly one. Please tell me exactly what impact a midlands club would have on the game. An area that has even less appetite for the game than London. What planet are you on? I bet you couldn’t find a single businessman in the world who’d think the idea of setting up a franchise in the West Midlands was remotely viable and at SL level it is a business. Just because you have a pipe dream doesn’t mean the rest of the game has to fund it or even want it. Despite what many seem to believe this forum does not represent the majority of RL fans and never has. It just a virtual echo chamber for the eternally deluded at times. As for London’s impact, again, a handful of half decent players in forty years. That doesn’t account to anywhere near enough to warrant the time, effort and hype invested. As for MM, if he didn’t exist do you not think Trinity couldn’t find another marquee signing. The only reason they went for MM was availability and that Powell was the coach who made him. Isn’t it obvious what a failure London are when literally none of the lean pickings actually played there careers in London. Take the rose tinted specs off.

Yes he is and imo it will be the making of him. Injuries permitting he should play every game, hopefully at centre. He’s a talent I can assure you. Remembering that he still trains full time at Trinity.

My point exactly, there was nothing special by Conner. Yet for some reason Leeds fans in particular get seduced by names. Siva (not sure on spelling), got cheered every time he got the ball. Yet given a clear break he ran out of steam and was easily run down by the Trinity defence. The bloke is shot, that’s why the NRL let him go. Maybe Johnstone is past his best, we will have to wait and see, but I’d still put my house on him scoring that try, ditto Walmesley, Pratt and of course Booth who actually did. It’s not an I hate Leeds issue, because I don’t. But unless some of those kids break through big style that’s yet another season of Leeds fielding a truly underwhelming team. This imo is not good for the game. Realistically Trin are 1-2 seasons away from being truly competitive assuming the investment continues. That’s why I’m more happy as a Trin fan than I would be as a Leeds fan. We will lose our opening game against Leeds, but I reckon we will learn quickly.

Again I agree it’s just a friendly, but I’m just commenting on the match.

Yes because half a dozen players produced over the last forty years from non heartland clubs has made all the difference to the game, come off it. Are you seriously suggesting MM rise through the ranks of RL has been worth the million spent on RL in London. Great player, happy to have him on board, but seriously get a grip.

It absolutely is in the U.K., I never mentioned the world other than a brief mention of NRL methodology, but please feel free to carry on with your silly delusions. Funny how people seem incapable of accepting what is clearly obvious.

I’ve come to the conclusion that some people will moan about anything.

Oh don’t be ridiculous. The north in the case of RL is geographically obvious, the M62 corridor. I think it’s hard to be more ‘Northern’ than that. As for northern culture, if you don’t think there is one then you need to get in your car and head up the M6 onto the M62. Though not as unique as it once was it’s still strong and distinct. The homogenisation of British culture is far from complete. I also find your attitude somewhat pedant. I doubt you’d question the existence of a Scottish culture or a Cornish one, yet you can’t accept a Northern one, odd. A club from the midlands would make the same impact on the northern game as London did, and that is zero. Like it or not the power of the game lies in the heartland. I know RL revisionists hate that but most people hate the truth. All the SL clubs bar one are heartland clubs and the reason they take up all 11 places is because they are the only viable options. Even the 12th club is a in its own way a heartland club. I don’t care who plays RL, the game belongs to all. But it’s leading edge and it’s power base is northern and there is no arguing with that. I want northern RL fans to stop clinging onto this ludicrous expansion nonsense that in forty years has yielded zero results. I want them instead to turn their energies inwards and rebuild what we already have. Make that work and then we can expand, because people are always attracted to success. If that happens, then your little West Midlands club might stand a chance because it would be in a strong sport. I wouldn’t mind but the role model is already there, it’s called the NRL. A competition that only forty years ago was far more parochial than the RFL ever was.

Again I was responding to a specify comment from one poster. You don’t have to be a northerner, I never said you did. However the bulk of the support is northern and with that comes a northern bias. I see no reason why that needs removing as if it were some silver bullet to greater national recognition. Quite the opposite imho, as I believe the more homely nature of RL will become its major selling point. Whenever the nation goes through a genuine slump and it really is now, flash becomes less attractive.

I agree and that was my point. Wakefield defence was clunky to start with but as a recently promoted team with lots of new faces you’d expect that. However that can soon be put right as Trinity get up to speed. Leeds are a far more settled side and we’re in SL last season. They should have done far better imho. They were after all the daddies in the first half. Connor I’m afraid always flatters to deceive. If your lucky you’ll get three good games in a season, I wouldn’t give him bus fare. Croft will do better I’m sure but I can’t help but think Salford got the best of him.

Although I don’t agree with the notion, January and February were always well attended games in the winter era. Odsal was always vulnerable due to lack of cover but most SL grounds could cope.

I was replying to the posters, hence the quote, you do know this works? You’re more than welcome to our sport, new support always is. However that doesn’t mean the bulk of Northerners have to change there culture in order to gain more fans.

I’d be worried if I were Leeds. Not one Leeds player stood out. Neither Connor tries were special. I don’t think Croft was better than anyone else, I don’t know what player some were claiming to watch. Trinity looked good and never had more than half a first team on show. They certainly created the best try by Sinfield. Whilst the move of the match saw Booth slightly overrun a pass. Easily the best move of the game. Think Powell will have the better nights sleep.