The defence functioned. But let's not forget that Catalans played a [ivery conservative[/i game in the opening half. They didn't want to throw the ball about - as they clearly can - and run the risk of being burned and out of the game as they did when Wheeler fortunately intervened.



I don't think the pack wilted at all. Our problems came when they started moving the ball outside of ten metres either way of the centre spot. We couldn't cope with their speed and our defence was completely bamboozled by their dummy runners.



Give over - it's the start of the season. This is a very young side and they are mostly free of injuries.

The sooner Foster is axed the better.His drop of the kick turned the game and then the next try came form him being in no man's land.Makinson can ntake over kicking duties.

For me Wilkin would be an ideal captain. He has the head for it game wise and the head for it personel wise. He knows when to talk calmy and when to smash heads together.

Other than Wilkin, I'd probably look to an outsider like La Franki, but we have who we have, and that's not going to change. In the end the crumbling defence does need someone to take hold of this, but a change of captain would not stop this happening week on week.

We are not going bad and I'm sure it was a great game for the neutral. But why are we so good and so poor in the same game?

I know people say give Catalan credit, if it was a close game yes sure, but it was not, we where dominate even 10 mins into the 2nd half, but then fell away.

Full credit to them for not giving in but we have gifted them that game tonight. Foster has had an absolute nightmare, really bad. Our defence at times was amatuerish. LMS attempt for their 1st try - poor, Foster's positioning for Blanch's try poor, Foster's attempt at catching the bomb pathetic, Foster's positioning for Catalans next try terrible. Our defence for Sa's try shocking. Their last try was class, but everyone of their tries could've been stopped and it's a reflection of how bad we are defensively right now. Really, really poor 25 minutes in the 2nd half.

Wilkin, Roby and Soliola are the only consistent forwards we have. The others can be a bit hit and miss really, even Puletua.

Wilkin is a good communicator. But that alone doesn't make a good captain. I mean, I like Wilkin and think he's underrated. But Richard the Third he aint.

It's a massive worry, foster isn't a great defender but even by his standards that was a disaster

There isn't a team in the land that has an entire pack of consistent performers. In any case I don't see consistency as the issue. It's [icohesion[/i or lack thereof.

Totally agree, been saying something similar on all the games this season, no leadership and direction, running around like headless chickens at times. Not sure if this rotation of players is working either, our pack is very soft with no weight mass.

Well done to Catalans, taught us a lesson we use to be good at..........play for 80 mins.

But given the choice of players for Captain????

Wellens
Roby
Wilkin
?????

It has to be a player who will play most weeks most game and be able to have some impact on the game and verbalise that to the other players?

Role reversal of the Salford game with a decent first half and an awful second.

The defence has been well covered in other posts but what about the attack? We hardly got near the Cats line in the second half.

Well payed Catalan and can't argue that they desereved it.

Back to the drawing board lads.

I'll keep saying it - Lomax is NOT a scrum half.

Now, before I get the usual bunch of fanboys throwing their panties at me in disgust this does NOT mean I think he is a bad player. Far from it. I just think his undoubtedly valuable attributes are better suited to other positions.

You think it was bad tonight, just wait until you play them in France with a French ref, then you will know the definition of pain

I really don't see any obvious candidate on the pitch. Yeah, Wilkin could do a job. But it's a bit like picking Steve McClaren as the England manager.

Don't worry, about a thing.

I can see your point re. lack of cohesion. I think we're relying on individuals at the moment and the whole side isn't pulling their weight both offensively and defensively. Our defensive structure looks all over the place right now.

Given the negativity on here, I'm scared to check redvee......


I still think the team has enough in it and it's fixable. But the question is will it get fixed?

I would play Gaskell at scrum half and Lomax at stand off, keep Lance away from the half back positions and put him to full back. Lomax and Lance are mis fits in the side at the moment, Simmo is not doing any set plays with these two, he needs to make his mind up what his best back line should be.

I agree.

We have lazy forwards - they don't leg drive in attack and they don't work hard in defence. And Wello shouldn't be on the pitch. (I never thought I would say that)

Royce won't do it because I think he's soft, but I'd drop one or two of our forwards and stick some newbies in there who will be hungry to show the coach what they can do. It worked a treat for us last season; we should try it again this season, but on this occasion by choice rather than by necessity.

Not with the forwards and fullback we have, no.

There's just nobody dragging the team forward and backwards whilst bawling in their ears. Even top class players will look like amateurs if there isn't strong leadership on the pitch.

Now we're finding out precisely what James Graham's true worth was.

Just a thought I had mid week, bit from left field..


Wheeler and Gaskell at halfback???

Personally I think the half back combo of Gaskell and Lomax is fine, we were not short on points. It's the amount coming in not going out!

He's also missed around the ruck, where he would clean up with Robes.

But then we all knew what Jammer's true worth was. Or at least those of us with eyes in our head did anyway! He is a massive miss and there was a great big Jammer shaped hole on the pitch today with nobody able and/or willing to take on the mantle.

That's a hell of a lot of inexperience. Especially if Gaskell has an off day with his kicking like he did today. Wheeler would have to lead the team and I'm not sure he has it in him - yet.

I thought Wheeler was going to Wigan?