Close encounter

[glemiln]

Any news of the reported injuries to Ridyard and Whittel?

Now to refocus on mainly home fixtures and in particular Midlands, Oldham and Keighley, to secure 3rd or 4th spot.

[ornit4ever]

I don’t think the loss of Ridyard and no Else helped our cause as most teams would struggle without the recognised half backs.

Finally back home next weekend to Midland Hurricanes.

[Anita Bath]

Workington often been a bit of a ‘graveyard’ for us no matter how well we have been playing. Unfortunate we had to go there ( and lose) twice in this unbalanced fixture list.

[Hate the rec]

We heard at the match it's a possible broken ankle, shame if true.

[Anita Bath]

What was the problem with Else? Named in squad but then not in line up.

We desperately need both half backs to be back for the start of our home games.

[homeandawayer]

14 hours ago, ornit4ever said:

I don’t think the loss of Ridyard and no Else helped our cause as most teams would struggle without the recognised half backs.

Finally back home next weekend to Midland Hurricanes.

That was your trouble last time you were up here. You're a different side when your halves are firing. 

[Athleticgrounds]

Poor Second half from Hornets..  Brad Brennan deemed not good enough for Hornets had a stormer. Injury to Ridyard and Else missing clearly didn't help. Bottom line is we should be beating sides like Workington to have any chance of promotion 

[HornyHornyHorneeet]

9 hours ago, Athleticgrounds said:

Poor Second half from Hornets..  Brad Brennan deemed not good enough for Hornets had a stormer. Injury to Ridyard and Else missing clearly didn't help. Bottom line is we should be beating sides like Workington to have any chance of promotion 

I wouldn't say poor, a disrupted second half performance yes with the mitigation of having no half backs. Dan Nixon was clearly carrying an injury and struggling badly and the loose forward Whittel was forced off the field injured also. Despite such adversity a never say die attitude and the team fought to the end coming up just two points short in Workington a place we haven't won in over a decade.

As for Brad Brennan, he can have an impact thats clear, but he wasn't getting in a strong Hornets pack this year and at his age needs to be playing as i think i read its his last year. While he made a few powerful carries and probably wanted to prove a point, the reality is he carries too much weight and is unfit,  as a result his minutes are short and defensively he is a spot player that teams with a quick nine and cleaver half backs will target. The club has brought in Spencer Tonks and Dean Roberts since his release both from Championship clubs, big athletic forwards so lets recognise the strength in depth we have in that area, and the great work thats been done to assemble this squad this year by Gary and Andy, a squad which against the odds and most bookies predictions is challenging for top four in just the second year of a complete reset and rebuild with a vastly reduced budget.

If you take any clubs half back pairing away, let alone Martyn Ridyard and Else one of the best combinations in the league, its undoubtably going to have an impact. Hopefully one or both are back soon as some tough games ahead starting against a strong Midlands outfit who comfortably beat Wales last time out.

As for the comment of should be beating Workington, again disagree. We have no god given right to be beating Workington's who's player spend and predicted finish by bookies is / was top three / four. They are in a false position in my opinion due to injuries this year but certainly Workington away is not a game you look at and say should win or a given and its never anything than a hard day at the office.

 

Edited July 16, 2024 by HornyHornyHorneeet

[HornyHornyHorneeet]

On 15/07/2024 at 04:43, Anita Bath said:

What was the problem with Else? Named in squad but then not in line up.

We desperately need both half backs to be back for the start of our home games.

I think coaches often name players in a 21 man squad that aren't fit just to keep opposition coaches guessing.

Else seemed to be struggling at Keighley, just hope its nothing too serious.

[HornyHornyHorneeet]

On 14/07/2024 at 17:58, glemiln said:

Any news of the reported injuries to Ridyard and Whittel?

Now to refocus on mainly home fixtures and in particular Midlands, Oldham and Keighley, to secure 3rd or 4th spot.

Injuries seem to be mounting again. Nelmes didn't play Sunday after the head injury sustained at Keighley.

Both half backs injured and Nixon looked to be struggling badly. Whitel left the park injured also who is a real workhorse for us in the middle.

Fingers crossed we can get a side out Sunday to beat Midlands and keep the fantastic recent run going. 

Bar coming up two points short Sunday its been a hell of a run away from home and the coach and players deserve a-lot of credit. Hope a crowd worthy of such effort turns up Sunday to welcome them back.

[Joe 90]

10 hours ago, Athleticgrounds said:

Poor Second half from Hornets..  Brad Brennan deemed not good enough for Hornets had a stormer. Injury to Ridyard and Else missing clearly didn't help. Bottom line is we should be beating sides like Workington to have any chance of promotion 

A good competitive game which this league keeps providing. In spite  of the frustrations caused by erratic fixture lists and travel times etc I am enjoying the competitivenes that the top six in league one are providing. In reality promotion was a big ask for Hornets this year. Retaing Brad Brennan ( Who did a good job in his stint at Hornets) would have been a backward step. The club seems to be on a stable upward path, with an improved management and coaching team backed by an astute business team. Long term injuries to Riddy, Elsy, Nixon etc would I think derail our promotion push. But the bigger picture is coming together well.  Time will tell if the clubs efforts are recognised by the town, but its a time for support and not pessimism. 

[Joe 90]

1 minute ago, Joe 90 said:

A good competitive game which this league keeps providing. In spite  of the frustrations caused by erratic fixture lists and travel times etc I am enjoying the competitivenes that the top six in league one are providing. In reality promotion was a big ask for Hornets this year. Retaing Brad Brennan ( Who did a good job in his stint at Hornets) would have been a backward step. The club seems to be on a stable upward path, with an improved management and coaching team backed by an astute business team. Long term injuries to Riddy, Elsy, Nixon etc would I think derail our promotion push. But the bigger picture is coming together well.  Time will tell if the clubs efforts are recognised by the town, but its a time for support and not pessimism. 

Hunslet beat Keighley, Hornets beat Hunslet, Keighley beat Oldham, Hornets draw at Keighley, Worky beat Hornets. At the moment non of the other leagues are providing  interest like Division one (In my opinion)

[Athleticgrounds]

3 hours ago, HornyHornyHorneeet said:

I wouldn't say poor, a disrupted second half performance yes with the mitigation of having no half backs. Dan Nixon was clearly carrying an injury and struggling badly and the loose forward Whittel was forced off the field injured also. Despite such adversity a never say die attitude and the team fought to the end coming up just two points short in Workington a place we haven't won in over a decade.

As for Brad Brennan, he can have an impact thats clear, but he wasn't getting in a strong Hornets pack this year and at his age needs to be playing as i think i read its his last year. While he made a few powerful carries and probably wanted to prove a point, the reality is he carries too much weight and is unfit,  as a result his minutes are short and defensively he is a spot player that teams with a quick nine and cleaver half backs will target. The club has brought in Spencer Tonks and Dean Roberts since his release both from Championship clubs, big athletic forwards so lets recognise the strength in depth we have in that area, and the great work thats been done to assemble this squad this year by Gary and Andy, a squad which against the odds and most bookies predictions is challenging for top four in just the second year of a complete reset and rebuild with a vastly reduced budget.

If you take any clubs half back pairing away, let alone Martyn Ridyard and Else one of the best combinations in the league, its undoubtably going to have an impact. Hopefully one or both are back soon as some tough games ahead starting against a strong Midlands outfit who comfortably beat Wales last time out.

As for the comment of should be beating Workington, again disagree. We have no god given right to be beating Workington's who's player spend and predicted finish by bookies is / was top three / four. They are in a false position in my opinion due to injuries this year but certainly Workington away is not a game you look at and say should win or a given and its never anything than a hard day at the office.

 

No devine right I agree, But we stuck 50 points up them weeks ago. My point is there is a tight pack of clubs behind Oldham and Keighley, results against those are the ones that will define our position in the league. Regarding your assessment of Brennan if he has weaknesses we didnt target them. 

Edited July 16, 2024 by Athleticgrounds

[HornyHornyHorneeet]

28 minutes ago, Athleticgrounds said:

No devine right I agree, But we stuck 50 points up them weeks ago. My point is there is a tight pack of clubs behind Oldham and Keighley, results against those are the ones that will define our position in the league. Regarding your assessment of Brennan if he has weaknesses we didnt target them. 

Big difference home are away in this league. We put big scores on Newcastle and Cornwall at home also but less so away as the logistics undoubtably create challenges for part time players and teams.

Also Workington had injuries at that time and we had a pretty much fully fit and firing squad.

Cumbrian clubs at home are a different animal to Cumbrian clubs away. Thats never been any different hence we've not won at Workington for 14 years or so. With all the adversity the team faced Sunday to have only come up 2pts short id suggest would bode well if they have to come to us in the play offs.

Hopefully we can ride the current injury situation, secure a top four spot, and have a decent crack at the play offs. In year two of a total rebuild in my view this would be a successful year and tangible progress in line with the clubs very transparent approach. 

With regards to Brennan i am pretty sure Else with his footwork and pace would have been looking for him but as we've established we played the majority of the game without a recognised half. Also worth noting he didn't do the damage that Andrade or Tonks did off the interchange bench and he never got over our line unlike our two interchange middles did.....

 

Edited July 16, 2024 by HornyHornyHorneeet

[homeandawayer]

4 hours ago, HornyHornyHorneeet said:

I wouldn't say poor, a disrupted second half performance yes with the mitigation of having no half backs. Dan Nixon was clearly carrying an injury and struggling badly and the loose forward Whittel was forced off the field injured also. Despite such adversity a never say die attitude and the team fought to the end coming up just two points short in Workington a place we haven't won in over a decade.

As for Brad Brennan, he can have an impact thats clear, but he wasn't getting in a strong Hornets pack this year and at his age needs to be playing as i think i read its his last year. While he made a few powerful carries and probably wanted to prove a point, the reality is he carries too much weight and is unfit,  as a result his minutes are short and defensively he is a spot player that teams with a quick nine and cleaver half backs will target. The club has brought in Spencer Tonks and Dean Roberts since his release both from Championship clubs, big athletic forwards so lets recognise the strength in depth we have in that area, and the great work thats been done to assemble this squad this year by Gary and Andy, a squad which against the odds and most bookies predictions is challenging for top four in just the second year of a complete reset and rebuild with a vastly reduced budget.

If you take any clubs half back pairing away, let alone Martyn Ridyard and Else one of the best combinations in the league, its undoubtably going to have an impact. Hopefully one or both are back soon as some tough games ahead starting against a strong Midlands outfit who comfortably beat Wales last time out.

As for the comment of should be beating Workington, again disagree. We have no god given right to be beating Workington's who's player spend and predicted finish by bookies is / was top three / four. They are in a false position in my opinion due to injuries this year but certainly Workington away is not a game you look at and say should win or a given and its never anything than a hard day at the office.

 

Yeah we've had injuries and Sammut went off to Dubai to earn some coin but to tbh we started well but got injuries before the Keighley and Oldham games took two tonkings and never got any form back even when some injured  players returned and we brought in overseas players. We've been very poor of late but Sunday was a better defensive effort and we showed more will to defend the line at all costs. 

Brennan has been superb , we lacked someone who could bounce a tackle and you know him better but he's also doing big minutes. Shame he's retiring, hopefully he'll fancy one more season.

[Excolt 1]

Perhaps need to recall a few loan players

[Excolt 1]

Mclellend and Hewitt could boss this Sundays game. Hopefully Gary Thorntons got something up his sleeve. Oldham v Keighley I reckon 4 sent off and maybe not all players.Hope they knock ten bells out of each other which I’m sure they will.

[HornyHornyHorneeet]

7 minutes ago, Excolt 1 said:

Mclellend and Hewitt could boss this Sundays game. Hopefully Gary Thorntons got something up his sleeve. Oldham v Keighley I reckon 4 sent off and maybe not all players.Hope they knock ten bells out of each other which I’m sure they will.

Id be confident GT with AM's networks, backing and support will have a plan. 

McClelland a definite threat, Hewitt a target.