The Lad

We were second best vs Oldham. They were faster, bigger and better with the ball and seemed to have a better gameplan. We had a lot of injuries and seem to have picked up more during the game which is always unfortunate, just hope they are not all serious. Next week vs Workington is an important game and one both teams will want to win to get their season going.

Thought the first 20 minutes we were all over them, we used the ball well and made good yards up the middle. Unfortunately we let Hunslet drag us into a fight in the later stages of the first half and we didn't stick to the game plan. I don't know why we didn't take the two. Second half we squandered some chances but showed determination in getting back and defending our line when Hunslet looked like they were clear. Hunslet are going to be in a similer position as Hornets at the end of the season and with the game up for grabs I can't help feel an opportunity was missed.

I hope common sense will prevail. Context matters, a high tackle doesn't always mean a red/yellow card. When two players come into contact with each other more upright than the average tackle, it doesn't always mean there was foul play.

Given the recent withdrawal of London and Newcastle is there any hope for expansion? London Skolars, Gloucestershire, Hemel Stags, Oxford, Midlands Hurricanes, Toronto Wolfpack, Newcastle Thunder, PSG, London Broncos. All failed to deliver, most folding. Is it time we give up on growing our sport out of the heartlands or is there still a type of expansion out there that will work?.

We need to expand the game but all attempts have fallen short or failed. There seems to be a desire to take our sport to the next level, braking free from the heartland and becoming a big sport nationally. From a fans perspective there looks to be no long term plan, the RFL set up a team but give no thought to how it will work.

League 1 is an afterthought, if proposals come up as to the restructuring of rugby or it's future it's never thought of or considered. League 1 is sadly probably going to be cut 5 years from now, I only worry for the clubs affected.

We need some old heads in the squad next season, we have some young players who want to win and don't give up and that's great but we need some players who can control a game and have a little bit of smarts. We started the season pretty aggressive in defense but seemed to lose that edge towards the end and losing the last two games with late tries is disappointing. Next year will be tough, we didn't really trouble teams that finished above us and it looks like Newcastle, Swinton, Keighley, Barrow or Whitehaven RLFC will be joining us next season so we need to improve if we want to get into the playoffs.

Unlucky today, i thought the best team lost. We put them under pressure in the second half and should have walked away with the win. This week and last week results could have easily gone the other way and that is a positive going into next season, a strong end to the season is what we are looking for. What hurt us this year is that we are lacking a few old heads in the squad and we need to fill those positions before next season. One thing that hasn't been lacking is our want to win and if we can get some more experienced players to run the game we will be in a good position next year.

Congratulations, when the Rams played us (Rochdale) they were head and shoulders above anything else we faced. Hope they will do well in the championship next year.

Thought we where the better team in the second half and probably deserved the win, they had a great first 15 minutes but after that i thought we where pretty level in the first half. Good to see the fight back by the lads today and again proving that while we lack a little skill when finishing and our kicking can improve we do have a very good fighting spirit.

The fact that people are calling for banning ex players for seemingly pursuing their rights is at best over reaction and at worst looks like an attempt to silence, bully and stop anyone else from even thinking of doing the same. Reacting negatively to an inquiry into the leagues duty of care when it comes to player welfare does't makes sense, The RFL needs to be held accountable especially to its players and if ex players are proven to be suffering from things that they possibly should have been made aware of or could have got more help for then that will only serve to protect the current players more. I think when it comes to sport of any kind fans and players worry about change, that their sport won't look like it once did or will lose what made it great. Maybe that is one of the reasons of the outrage. The other reason of course is money. The worry is if the inquiry finds in favor of the players, everyone will suddenly have health problems and the RFL will be forced to pay out money it doesn't have to people who may or may not have legitimate injuries. While these points are understandable, banning ex players who have given their best years to the sport and may or may not have serious injuries because of it is not the right course of action.

Wakefield got momentum winning three out of four and while they haven't won an away game yet, they will beat a Huddersfield Giants team that have only won two in the last nine. A close game, Wakefield by 8.

Offside: How eagerness often ends with disappointment.

Even less than i expect lol.

Looks like we are in a fight for 6th, we have shown real ability at times this season but lacked the instinct to make that ability count. The games we've got left mostly feature teams we should beat, only Crusaders and Oldham should be challenging. Crusaders still have Hunslet, us and Doncaster, all dificult games. The plan is simple win all our games and again vs Crusaders is season defining.