Roger York

Started really well today but I felt after that played a little nervously. I don’t know what Kirby got sin binned for but it’s extremely stupid to get sin binned when we have the ball and we got punished straight away. The second half we looked more composed Ata was lacking match fitness but showed some class and when he gets up to speed again is going to cause some problems. Our kicking was good causing I think 3 drop outs. We are getting there plus injured players to come back things are looking promising.

Great win tonight, I thought our defence was really good driving there forwards back time and time again. I know we were not fluent in attack or played expansive rugby but what can you expect when we keep losing halfbacks but I thought Jessie Dee stepped up well and took some of the pressure of Liam Harris. We look well coached and with a settled half back pairing we will go alright.

I think Clint mentioned it when he did his radio York interview also.

Fantastic signing he has pace power a real threat. It was not too long ago he was in the England knights squad I hope he can realise his potential here. I was reading a rhinos forum and the fans did not seem too pleased that he had gone.

I think too many mistakes cost us today silly dropped balls led to our own downfall. I think there was lots of positives, we had a lot of injuries a disjointed side and losing Cunningham early was unlucky too. Connor Fitzsimmons looks a very good signing and showed up well and Bailey looks to have kicked on from last season too he looks a class act. With the players coming back hopefully soon I think we will be ok.

Was it Peter Fitzgerald Aussie fullback I think he signed for Rochdale after leaving us but may be wrong.

I thought we competed well first half tackled well but we just ran out of gas I did think the game was for the taking at half-time. Mellor kicked us to death in the second half he ran the show and was a class act and there superior fitness and size told in the end. From our point of view the positives were both wings again looked safe as houses something we could not say last year, our half back pairing will get better and once again Thompson looked super league class. Next week at home to Newcastle will be a truer marker where we are as others have said Fev and Leigh ar streets ahead and we should be looking at them to where we want to be performance wise. I would like to see Stock and Warren get a run out next week and hopefully we can get a win and a return ticket to the sun decks final.

I remember years ago I think we won when Basil Ake scored under the posts near the end I may be wrong but more often than not we get beat there. Great ground hoping to go this weekend just hope it’s warmer than last week.

To be fair the conditions were dire early first half not really rugby weather a lot of games today were close at half time it is a leveller. We showed glimpses what we can do Brendan played well first game back from injury Thompson again outstanding. Pauli Pauli played better a bit more involved would love to see him run from deep more often he is a handful. Our kicking game close to the line looked good it is early season and we will get better. On a final note I hope it’s warmer next week at Batley.

Looking forward to Sunday, looking back on Mondays game we did defend superbly stuck in against a very good Fev side which I believe will be head and shoulders above others this season. Our forwards did struggle to gain ground against Fev but they put a massive stint in defence which takes it out of you and hopefully we can have more ball and be on the front foot rather than the back like last Monday. Hoping Brendan is fit to start and move Matty to full back which will give us more options going forward and give our backs more chance to see the ball. Dewsbury will be looking to bounce back after a bad loss to Bradford and we struggled to break them down last season at there’s so it won’t be easy and should not be taken for granted. Regarding squad size and injuries how big a squad can we have do we go for a bigger squad but less class or push the boat out I think the squad is about spot on the only weakness is the back row maybe not enough cover but where do you get decent back rows now that have not been signed already? Yes would have liked Macdonell here but he’s gone to Leigh which will be closer for him I’m sure we are looking but got to make the right choice.

I think the score flattered us Fev were much stronger I thought there 13 was outstanding and Thompson for us was outstanding too. Disappointed with Pauli Pauli I dont think he offered a great deal I don’t know if he’s injured but expecting more from him he looked unfit. Things to work on for Dewsbury there were glimpses I thought Joe Brown played well. As for Fev it’s frightening they played with probably there second choice half’s they have lots of players to come in they are the side to beat this season I think they will win the league they have strength in depth too plus there dual reg with Leeds which I doubt they will use.

Can’t wait for this now should be a cracking game I have talked 3 lads from work to come and watch let’s hope we get a great game. Fev looked good last week but losing koppy will be a blow and Chisholm is not in the squad so probably best time to play them. Shame about Harris stupid thing to do in friendly although the punishment was very harsh will be interesting to see how we line up in the half’s will Matty play in the half’s? I imagine he would and put Harrison at full back but whatever should be a cracking game and a cracking atmosphere.

I think Cuthbo will do a good job for you the problem at York was we were always down to the bare bones with injuries so he was maybe playing when he shouldn’t have been and not getting the chance to recuperate. With the squad you have got I’m sure you will get the best out of him and able to rest him when needed unlike us last season. You have some squad there now hardest thing will be to keep them all happy but a nice problem to have and great to see players of that calibre in the championship I will be looking forward to seeing them on Monday especially leilua obviously hoping you start the season slow. You should be favourites to win promotion now and if you do get promoted and build on the squad again you should have no problem staying in super league best of luck after Monday obviously

Clare got 3 games as well seems very harsh on both players.

The worrying thing is it says that the Hull SMC has a 50 year lease with the council I hope it’s not the same at York.