We had players making tackles on one side of the pitch having to run to the other side of the pitch to get back into their assigned position, hospital balls being lobbed with gay abandon and fluffing up into the air harmless kickoffs instead of using the conditions to at least make Warrington work hard.

A very bad day at the office. I wonder what was said in the impromptu huddle at the end?

I agree on all counts. There are things that are easily capable of being fixed.

Ward looks ready. It's time to show some faith in him. It's time to put Burrow at 7 and it's time for Sinfield to defend where a 13 would normally defend.

These are not the only issues but they would be a damn good start.

I agree with the idea of your post, if not the actual implementation. I think there are lots of small things which are currently wrong, such as
Puzzling coach tactics
Players playing in positions not suited to them
Players playing an unsuitable amount of game time
Lack of attacking structure
Lack of defensive structure

A small improvement in some of them will see a dramatic improvement. Wholesale changes are not required, but there does need to be some changes

if sinny can't play/can't be accommodated at LF, would Hooker be a good place to play him? Produced his best form for england playing at 9, and, as I recall, had a spell there during both 2007 and 2008 when Diskin was needing spelling.

The big question now is-whither McGuire? If Burrow returns to starting scrum-half, and Ward at starting stand-off, then Danny doesn't seem to have a place in the side. Given his loss of pace, his natural game no longer works at the very top level, though he is nearly our only player currently running good support lines.

Moving Sinfield would obviate the need for signing Lunt, and give McShane a chance to rotate the first choice berth next year, as well as taking the pressure off kev to play the full 80. This would, however, require a new captain, or at least vice captain, ready and able to take over. My money's on Burrow.

When Webb goes then the way we attack will need a significant revamp unless you can get a similar player to Webb. Hardaker or BJB will be Slater type FB's where they come into the line and run through gaps as neither have a passing game.

That got me thinking about a replacement given that you cannot teach old dogs new tricks - what about Burrow as FB? He is a destructive runner at the line and can pass as well as most in the team giving him a more than one string to his bow.

I can see what you're saying but isn't he just too small?

What about Danny? Been tried in year's past. Has worked a treat for Tomkins.

I'd try McGuire at full back. Burrow at 7 and Ward at 6, Sinfield back to 13. Give Webb a rest and a chance to think about controlling his game better.
I'd stick Hardaker on the wing and let him get a feel for how frustrating it might be for Hall at the moment.

1. McGuire.
2. Hardaker
3. Smith
4. Ablett
5. Hall
6. Ward
7. Burrow

Another option might be to keep Webb and let Mags play 4 with Ablett at 3. Mags defends at 4 anyway, Hardaker is all over the shop.

1. Hardaker
2. Chislom
3. Ablett
4. Senior
5. Hall

6. Ward
7. McGuire

13. Sinfield

14. Burrow

Don't know about the attack, but I can't stand halfbacks defending in the centres. A lot of centres now are as big as second rows and much quicker. A small guy is still going to face bigger guys running at him, and if anything is made an easier target for the attack. A slow halfback like Sinfield is just going to get skinned against a quick centre. Souths tried to hide Sandow there last season and opposing teams aimed attacks at him all day, often to good effect. Playing your halfbacks one in from the centre at least means they have cover both inside and outside.

It's a point I've made a few times since Friday but Tony Smith sent Atkins at Sinfield all night long and they got lots of joy from it. We didn't appear to adjust.

We sent Delaney at Briers once and got a try.

Does anyone know the latest on Webb's injury? I don't see McDermott dropping him unless he's injured but if he misses a few games it will be interesting to see how we go selection-wise.
When Webb went off against Warrington, McDermott could of easily moved Hardaker over to the right wing with BJB going to full-back so that might show that BJB isn't going to be the number 1 next year.
Would like to see Hardaker starting there with Keinhorst given a chance in centre but i think we might well end up playing Smith at full-back in Webb's potential absence.

Hardaker to Fullback and should be Number 1 as of next Season.

Lee Smith should be shipped out!

Millard should be signed to fill the Left Centre Position if Big Keith goes to Hull KR or Castleford.

We need our Forwards to play as Forwards and our Backs to play as Backs.

That what makes these next few games quite interesting for the club if Webb is absent, they could have a big say in the way we go personnel-wise for 2013.
A, If Hardaker is picked at Fullback how will he go and will he show he should be wearing the number 1 shirt next year? If he plays poor though it requires another rethink.
B, If Keinhorst then fills the left centre role how will he perform, a good showing (all be it against bottom half of the table teams) followed by continued selection thereafter and he might secure the number 4 shirt next year without having to sign anyone. Hardaker did that last year with only a couple of games at centre to his name so it is possible.
C, If Smith gets a start at fullback or centre then it could really be his last good shot at Leeds, fail and he might well be gone.

Not quick enough and doesn't have the ability to easily beat a man since the injury. If I were a forward chasing a kick the last thing I would want is Burrow running at me.

Imo Burrow is too small for fb just from the point of taking the high kicks. Surely he would get outjumped too often.
Some of the other qualities needed he could be a great success. His kick returns could be outstanding, his one on one defence is good and he could provide better ball to the wings than Hardaker even though thats not the strongest part of his game.

True....but I don't fancy a leaping Burrow under a well executed high bomb with the same said forwards chasing it down.

Hardaker to FB for me with Keinhorst given a run in the LC position. (or maybe a Hall/Chisholm combination).

If Hardaker can't pass, why does everyone want to move him to what's the prime pivot position in the modern game?

Because if he did go to FB he would not play as a pivot he would a runner ala Slater.

Maybe, but his effectiveness wherever he plays would be far greater if opponents thought there was a chance he might pass the ball. If he doesn't get that - very basic skill - sorted out, he'll never be a great player wherever he plays.

Agreed but if he went to FB then he would not play the same type of role i.e. an extra half back, that Webb plays, he would be more of a Wellens type running into the line to create the extra man

Wellens is an ex scrum half with great passing ability. Slater's got a good passing game too.

All fullbacks need to be able to pass like a halfback these days.

Not sure it's quite that simplistic Richie. I think that either of your Loose Forward or Fullback need to be able to play an extra pivot role. Usually its the Fullback because this means you can go with an extra prop in the 13 jersey, but for me that's probably down to a lack of really good props in SL (Peacock is still considered good enough to Captain England as an example) and also the structure of attack.

Just because Wigan do it with Tomkins, doesn't mean it's compulsary. It's about getting the best out of the players you have on the roster, and giving them a structure that they understand and can implement.

Can you think of many top level fullbacks that aren't good ball players? I thought Radlinski was the last of the "support player" breed of FBs.

In Australia - most are line runners, Ben Barba jumps to mind, Molzten at Wests is another in the SL Greg Eden at the Giants.

Hardaker can pass he just doesn't have an instinct to use the pass as a means of creating an opportunity.

I was about to say Greg Eden too. He looks a great prospect yet he doesn't play the playmaker sort of role. Ideally a FB should be able to do both very well, that's what makes Slater and Tomkins so good.