BullyXL

Morton - great goal kicking and tireless coming out from the back field Leak - sped things up after the initial war of attrition Meadows - couple of tries, so got to be included Overall though a better performance from all, better attitude and body language from the off

I'm not a pessimistic person, just a realist. Haven have more to play for, although unlikely I think that they still are mathematically in the relegation zone. Our lads have only a potential of a play-off spot which will likely only be one more game after an already long and heavy season. Do they need that extra game, what is in it for them and Batley as a club? So psychologically, Haven may well have the upper hand. All to play for on the day but Havens reward is greater than the reward for Batley and that alone could be the difference on Sunday, regardless of which team we put out.

I don't know why he's allegedly leaving? Has something happened?

Yes, he left the field due to injury, what's your point? The problem with a lot of people on here is that they base their estimations on players contributions to a big hit or a try or a hard run. What is often not discussed are the 'unseen' efforts and work that players put in along with work rate, even though they might not have made a big play. Without these the fan's favourites would not be able to make that big hit or score that try or have that hard run. Reilly and a couple of others are players that make these unseen efforts and have a very high work rate. Fortunately, coaches review games and look at the technical perspective of the game rather than the fan pleasing efforts. So, I for one will welcome the re-signing of Reilly and hope he has not signed for Widnes - or any other team. On that theme, I'm sure the players that Moxy wants for next season will have already been approached and signed, so some on here may well be disappointed, as I believe that Woods initially signed for 2 years?

100%. One of the issues is that Woods role in the team is as the 'dominant' halfback and can and does have the priority of overcalling any of the plays in goodball. Unfortunately, that often leads to a breakdown in play or worse! Another issue is that the 'spine' of the team has been disrupted this season and is not as efficient as the last 2 seasons, combined with probably the best ball handler/decision maker being utilised in a differing role and then spending 30mins+on the sidelines, when having that extra ball player on the park would lead to extra width and hence points.

I agree. When Meadows comes on then move White to ball playing 13, as per last year. Also, Woods dip in form not helped us and keeping White on the sidelines for 30mins. We weren't winning it up the middle so the extra ball player could have got us width to get on the outside.

The lads just need a rest. Played, trained and travelled every week against teams that have had weekends off. A victim of our own success you could say. That coupled with a limited squad availability due to injury, squad depth etc can lead us to understand this dip in performance in the latter stages of this season. We'll also have a couple players that have played every game this season (and trained every night in between). I do think though that our form is better away this season, so providing we can keep the main men quiet for Widnes, then I am hopeful of a win, so long as we have learnt from our blatant repeated mistakes over the past 2 games.

I spoke with one player after the game and he was gutted. Looked well and truly deflated and even apologised! No need to apologise, his face and body language said it all.

Just because the media report that he has been offered a contract doesn't mean that he has, or even if he has that he will take the offer. Hopefully not, as he has been the best front rower for us this season.

And my XYZs......

If McGowan not fit and Hooley unavailable, then JM to fullback (he used to play there for Broncos) and BW back into the halves with JW. This would allow BK or LB to start at hooker with AL coming off the bench. DM on one wing with hopefully JC on the other. If EK is fit then he needs to be in at centre. However, EK could go to wing leaving KB in at centre.

As a neutral last night, what a great derby game, it had everything to make it a nailbiter right up to the end. Could have gone either way. The difference - J Doran one minute a hero for that ludicrous offload for the J Carter try. The next a villain for attempting the chip over, only to be intercepted by R Johnson, to then get the winning DG. Perhaps a draw should have been the right result but you takes your chances when you get them, and Barrow had more chances at DGs. Both sets of lads gave it everything and nothing was left out there, so credit to all of them.

I agree we are in a slump right now. Not ideal but we are where we are. The lads have performed great again this season, some might say overperformed! I remember certain parties stating that we would struggle this season after losing LH and TG. Well guess what, we're right in the mix at the top end of the table and I am 100% certain that we will make the play-offs, maybe not as high placed as we would have hoped but nevertheless still there. Who would have thought that at the front of the season after our heavy defeat at Sheffield. Lets put that right on Fri night and get back to winning ways. Lads just need some confidence and the win will give them - and us - that.

Kibula - for his big shots and defensive effort, especially when he got back to save a certain try McGowan - for his tries and bravely playing through an injury Morton - for his consistent workrate coming out of yardage

I'll remind everyone of my thoughts before the game, as quoted. Yes, we were poor yesterday. Yes, Keighley played better than us, probably the best this season without their lost big names. Yes, our lads were disappointed with the result and by their collective performance. No-one goes out there to lose, but again penalties, unforced and forced errors were our downfall. However, and this is not sour grapes, but Reilly's disallowed try decision was incorrect. I was stood in that corner and he clearly got the ball down on the line and then rolled over it, both TJ and Ref were unsighted and got it wrong. These things happen and maybe could have changed the result, but not the performance!

Also depends on recovery with the emotional stress from Wembley. That said, traditionally losers at Wembley tend to have a big win the next league game. Remember though that Cougars are fighting for Championship survival so will put up a fight.

Some of these along with a few others not mentioned will have already signed

White - 80mins in the middle, easy top tackle counter and never gave up in attack Kibula - plenty of go forward and some ball skills Ward - added grunt and hard running, proved a handful for Bulls defence

Perfect storm for the Bulls today. Best they've played all season and a disappointing showing from our lads. No arguments with the result, just don't like the way their fans behave.

Remember who the assistant coach at Rhinos is, and who his brother is.

If true, then good for LH. He deserves his chance.

Bulls fans already making excuses on FB after ref appointment announced. It appears that they don't like Mr Vella as he 'clearly doesn't like the Bulls and is biased'. He's reffed us a few times this year also and I think that he is quite OK as far as the Championship standard goes. Then again I'm not one for blaming refs for a teams performance or the result. Every ref can have bad days but if so it will be the same for both teams. Looking forward to this, as my guess is that the Bulls fans will be giving it to him from the start and no doubt he has already seen FB comments about him from them!

Great result for you last night. Gave Bulls no respect, got under their skin and really upset their game plan. Really impressed with the half back combo of Johnston and Jackson, perhaps 6 & 7 for next season? Makin was outstanding, however 1 - 17 played well. Pity about Langtree, if it is a dislocated shoulder then he'll be a big miss for you in the run down to season end.

Bulls were shocking but Barrow played well. Great result for them, but I'm wondering what the backlash will be like for us?

White Manning Morton