The Voodooguru

A lot of those players had a lot of other good players playing with them in really good teams. The point of the post was players who were a league above the rest of the team and they carried the team.

I was having a discussion with some football mates about players in football teams that basically carried their teams and were head and shoulders above everyone else. So, which players have we had that were clearly the gem in the team that were a stand out in an otherwise ordinary team? Off the top of my head I'd say Sammut on his first stint, Shaun Lunt, possibly Mick Jenkins. Also the difference Darren Holt made seemed to lift the whole team. It's difficult because a lot of times there are more than one stand out player in the team eg Sione & Limmer were also a couple of gems. I can seemingly only remember hookers and half backs. Any others? If anyone mentions Richard Henare I'm calling the drug squad round to have you searched

I'd me amazed if SIS weren't the partners for the pitch. One of our players could hardly walk the day after an away game this season that was on an artificial pitch due to bad grazes on his knees. So not all pitches are created equally for Rugby League.

Bit of a mixed performance, but good to get back winning and nilling the opposition. Newcastle have improved from last year, I thought they competed throughout the game and were probably at least as good as us for the last 20 mins. Donaghy is a really good player ( and very fast) he gets them ticking along. For us I thought were slow and static in patches with the ball. But the referee allowed a lot of slow plays and messing in the ruck which didn't help. Our halves were good and I'd like to see more of Andy on the wing as he looks like he could catch pigeons. We are missing Caine & Jake, but I thought Cooper came on with a point to prove. Good to see Cole & Beano get a try each. But although not perfect we didn't drop quite as much ball as lately. Goole beating Midlands was a good result, and the Jambos gave Dewsbury a scare. Let's hope we get some lads back from injury for the next game and we can get a bit of form back. UTT

Well that little secret isn't on the website. Is that standing room only as doubling the capacity is Olympic standard rearranging if everyone is still seated as there doesn't seem that much spare room in the diagram? If that's correct then yes I think that would be exactly what is required and changes my opinion slightly again as it has to be a major source of the stadium income sustainability. Fair play.

I've settled myself down and tried to look again objectively. After doing this my main observations are. It still looks uninspiring, very grey and boxy. Our climate is grey enough and it looks very industrial warehouse imo. Presuming it because of costs, but a 3g pitch is not great for a rugby team because of the skin abrasion. A semi synthetic one would have been much more suitable. Surely a deal can be done when we have a world leader in semi synthetic pitches on our doorstep. I still think a 120 seat function room is too small. There is hardly any competition for a quality modern venue in West Cumbria. Whitehaven golf club has cornered the market for a larger venue. It speaks volumes that Netherhall school prom is at Wigton and Workingtons is at Whitehaven. If it was 25% more capacity it would be the premiere venue for the whole area. An opportunity that would pay for itself tenfold in my opinion especially if it doubled up as a conference facility ( which im sure it will). Having made all the negative comments it isn't just a new stand on BP which is good, the layout looks well thought out. It's good there are 3 covered areas with the option to expand. The east stand is very narrow but i realise the costs dictate this. It's also good the orientation of the pitch stays largely north to south but it is moving east to allow the west stand to have a bigger footprint. So my worst fears have not been realised and I understand that the club has to try and move forward. Did anyone from CSV explain the radio silence for over a year and the missed promises and deadlines? I am just deciding on how trustworthy they can be given their performance since this was first mooted in the carneigie, as let's face it they talked a real good game back then but its a completely different reality now. What will this look like in 12 months time? It looks like it will happen, so we just have to put our faith in them and see what the future brings UTT

The Cumberland sports village website has been updated. My first impression is that it is very underwhelming, boxy and basic. The main "west" stand looks tiny, with to me the most shocking part is that the function room only has room for 120 people. Surely to make money all year round the function room has to be rented out every weekend. Imo it is quite a small venue to accommodate live music, weddings, conferences etc. I know the sports bar looks like it will hold half as many again but they are on different levels. I am struggling to even comment on the South and East bus shelters. I know money is tight but there isn't much aesthetic design going on is there? No doubt the reds fans will be chuffed. I was very in favour of the shared stadium to begin with but I'm afraid I can't get excited about this

I think it's clear from the last few weeks that we desperately need some players back and a hooker that will allow Jamie to slot back in at half. I'm not calling Dom out, but imo you have to play your best two halves and that is Jake & Jamie. Callum will be out after his HIA so unless we sign someone Jamie & Cole could be at hooker next week. Can we go cap in hand to Matty as he's been doing iron man's so will still be fit? Our injuries are no doubt hurting us but that doesn't excuse how we have been playing lately. It's up to Jonty to fix it and he sounded as frustrated as anyone in his post match interview. I'm sure he'll sort them out. UTT

Wasn't there today so can't comment , but the radio commentary seemed to swing one way and then the other. Sounded like we defended a lot in our own half. Giving cheap yards away with turn overs and pens, and a pen for a late hit give them the try that put their noses in front didn't sound good at all. But it is one of them things where we are still 3rd and it is much more important that we hit our peak at the end of the season and we get into the play offs. Jonty obviously has got more work to do when we have the ball, one of todays tries was a turn over when they dropped the ball and we have struggled for a few weeks creating and ending sets well. No game for NWC next week, we have the ideal game to work on what we do with the ball and get some good points difference racked up. Keep the faith UTT.

Craic at work is that Jake B has gone for a scan as he's struggling, Levi not ready so the Cas lads are the cover I guess. On a positive note Jake C has a chance if those darn nasty Jambos are to believed. UTT

There must be a major change in the plans if it is only being presented to shareholders first that will need their buy in. I don't know why but I have a feeling of dread. Unfortunately I'm not a shareholder but let's hope plenty of challenges are given to the stadium team, as they haven't exactly been forthcoming in the last 18 months. I have a feeling the grand vision that was sold to us many moons ago is not going to be fulfilled. Let's hope its not a single stand on BP with hopes and dreams of something else.

They are carrying on because he is their best player IMO and will be a big miss for them. Watching the footage of it I'd be gutted if a Town player got a 7 game ban for that when Shaul got 6 for punching in the head. If the player was injured then yeah you can understand the big ban, but he got right up. I suppose it is the intent. I'd be doubtful that an SL star like French would get the same ban, but who can ever make sense of the good old RFL.

Well that was effin awful. Back to clueless with the ball in hand, almost every play was up the middle with a terrible end of set option. It just highlights how good Jamie is, it can't be a coincidence we play our best stuff when he's at half. Dewsbury out enthused us and wanted to win, and we only had plan A. Apart from Doms off the cuff chip as it was half time, it was left up to Zarrin to make some magic and he was watched carefully. I was sure that after half time we would be better after a talking to but we were worse. I think they scored two tries off the exact same pass. I know we had a few missing and had a couple of in game injuries but that doesn't excuse how poor we were. What do they practice for end of set plays as it really winds me up how consistently poor they are? CWT put a couple of bombs up from acting half that weren't high enough to give the line chance to get up because he was kicking from the PTB so he may have well just passed them it. I'd better stop until I have time to settle down. Well done Dewsbury as they were the better team. Its not the end of the world but we should be winning these at home. UTT

Awesome commitment from Jonty, I'd heard he had delayed the start for the Goole game but to travel back early as well is something else. As it was booked before signing he could easily have stuck by it and I'm sure the coaches would have managed no problem.

Zarrin is easily the best FB in the league of what i have seen. I'd love to get him signed up for another couple of years as there are bound to be a load of clubs in divisions above taking notice. Jammer has been outstanding back in the halves, and has to be first pick in there with Dom & Jake fighting it out for the other.

Is Jonty back? He's been on holiday too

Great to get the win but nearly threw it away. Back to mistakes with the ball, and some surprisingly weak defence in patches. Goole have some good players in their team, and maybe just missing that key player that can run the game for them. But they tried to play to their strengths, but surprised to see an experienced player like Shaul throwing punches. Thought Fulton was outstanding against Tali as unlike Ferres Tali is still a big threat. But he got absolutely nothing out of Spencer who's technique was flawless. Jamie was also really good again at halfback. Zarrins try was superb, and I laughed at Ferres pretending to chase back. The try made it immaterial but why didn't we take two points a couple of times when we had pens right in front? The red card finished them off but boy did we make it hard for ourselves. But we can't be too critical when we won the game. NWC scored 3 tries in the last ten mins but were only leading 12-6 at Keighley, and Midlands smashed the Jambos so it's going to be a close thing all season, but good we are in the fight. UTT

Watched the game back this morning and it was a great watch against a big side. I thought we were miles better with ball in hand and scored some brilliant tries, and defense was once again outstanding. I can't believe the difference between last season and this in the line defense. I think their groundsman was trying their best to injure the players with how dry the pitch was, I'll bet there were a few sore bodies and a bit of bark knocked off knees & elbows still at training tonight. Could it not have been given a bit of water? I know Dom is a really good player but Jammer looks a much better player at half back, and CWT does not look out of place at hooker. Jammer has got to stay there for me. I replayed the incident that got put on report a few times and I cant see where the alleged eye gouge is. The Keighley player reacts to Jake after he plays the ball then reports something to the TJ, but you can't even see Jakes hands near his face. Strange, but there should be no way he gets cited for that. Gutted there is a week off now after the momentum we have built up, but it gives a few knocks time to heal I suppose. UTT

With no Dom this week and if the craic is right that Caine is going for a specialist opinion on what might be a long term injury it should be an interesting starting 13. Guessing it will be JD in the halves again with CWT spelling at hooker with Cooper & Jake in the second row. I still see a strong line up that should be too strong for Keighley. Let's hope they cut out the mistakes of last week's first half and don't try and score off every play. Score prediction of 10 - 28 UTT

I really hope Thunder can turn a corner and properly establish themselves in what seems like a great ground at Blaydon. From the comments our chairman had made on the radio interview was that the Thunder chairman (Jordan was it??) has accepted that they wont make money for a while but he has a plan to turn it around. Fingers crossed he make a go of it long term.

Couldn't make it to the game yesterday but I listened to the commentary and Jontys interview post match. It sounds like the game changed a lot when Jammer moved into the halves. Maybe it's time to stop putting square pegs in round holes and let him play in his natural position, while he doesn't particularly do anything wrong at 9 it takes the bit that makes him a special player away imo. Both Carter & Weir again don't do anything wrong in the halves but maybe the 2 halves position needs shared between 3. We definitely miss not having Matty in the team this season. Was good to listen to the interview with Levi where he says how much he's enjoying being here in a short space of time. From a comment on Walker, the Jambos say we won't release him to Seaton to stop Haven signing him. No idea if that's just speculation though. Up to 2nd now, and a winnable game at Keighley next week, let's hope the injuries clear up to Caine, Callum & Dom and we can keep the pedal down. UTT

Great win today and good to see a few nice tries, it was good to see Zarrin backing himself this week for a sublime try. Levi deserved his mom and an excellent hat trick. Haven't heard any interviews with Jonty as despite the scoreline I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't a little disappointed as it got a bit frustrating in the final quarter of the game. We really let them off the hook, and our end of set options continue to be very average a lot of the time. Our defence really is our strength this season, the lads snuffed out Swinton who had plenty of lively attacking moves and some nice shapes. But we defended very well on the whole which won us the game. The ref made a couple of real head scratcher calls but luckily it wasn't a tight game. Very pleased with the result though. UTT

Fulton at centre and Howlett in the back row. Let's hope they both grab their chances and have solid games.

It will be a very tough game on Sunday, Jake has been banned for a head contact and Caine has been really struggling with a bad back. I really don't get the disciplinary process. On the RFL site it states that a grade C is 5 penalty points ( which Jake got) not up to 5 points, just a straight 5 points. Yet Jayden Dayes from Rochdale only got 4 points for a grade C head contact. Can anyone explain why? Also how can they decide a head clash is head contact yet other penalties were given for both teams for high tackles that haven't been sanctioned? It's also rhubarb that this season they give an extra 5 points if you dare to appeal and fail. It gives an opportunity for some lads to get some game time but it would have been better if it been against Newcastle. Anyway we have to win these home games so no excuses. I'm sure the lads will be right up for it. UTT.

Mr Butterbean is blaming the Town or the players and was about to go to war until it was returned before his deadline.