We've not played open, expansive, exciting, attacking rugby league since about 2004, even the back end of Millwards reign had started to turn into a forward dominated game. What we did have was a speedy winger, a classy centre with pace and Long, Scully and Cunningham near their prime to supplement that.

Anderson replaced our speedy winger with a blockbuster in Meli, lost Lyon, and turned us into an even more forward dominated game.

Potter had to deal with the squad Anderson had left, without the money to sign anyone bar Puletua. It's interesting to see the difference in us this year to last. We've removed Long and Cunningham has been sidelined more this season due to various factors. A season of coaching under Potter has improved Pryce's half back play immensely. The addition of pace to the squad, in the youngsters we've brought in, have made us look far better. We've started to play with far more width this season, last night showed that for me.

I see what your saying but i just like to win by any means

We weren't as expansive under Anderson as under Millward but we were 100% more expansive under Anderson than what we turned into last season, that's for sure! Anderson tightened up our defence, which is exactly what was needed (and what is needed again but not to the same degree) and instilled a will to win work ethic regardless of who we were playing, which I liked and I'd like to see return, I have to admit.


I think the removal of Long has set Pryce free, personally. I think he is simply now able to show us exactly what most people have suspected he has been able to do all along, had he not been in Long's shadow. The introduction of young players with a bit more pace, a lot more enthusiasm (as is the case with young players) and some real talent has definitely added something new and fresh to the team and McManus et al are to be commended for their policy of giving youth a chance. I think the fact that most of the young players are also local really helps, especially in the derbies.

We only had one move under Anderson (Wello or Leon looping around) and as soon as other teams found that out he left.

You literally can't bring yourself to give Potter a single word of praise.

He's coached most of these young lads in the fist team squad for nearly two years. He did a similarly good job with inexperienced players at Catalans - do you not think he's played his part in the strong performances of our young players recently?

It's true though, why is it McManus' policy rather than the coaches?

It was McManus' policy - or rather, the club's policy - to replace our old stagers with young, locally grown players rather than recruit from elsewhere. We have only recruited one player this season, who has been injured all season, and we only recruited one player last season (Tony Puletua). McManus clearly stated that this was the club's policy. I've always been in support of it. It's a great policy. It's now paying dividends. Mick Potter had nothing to do with that at all. He came in as part of the policy: to integrate our talented young guys into the first team, which is what he has been doing.

When Millward arrived, he had an embarresment of riches in his squad, as the salary cap came into affect, Millward struggled. Potter's had exactly the other situation, far few big name players and a tightly run ship.

The only time i've really doubted potter as a coach was the period toward the end of last season were we looked very disorganised, the principal example of which was when when could never find a proper kicker on the last play of the set.

I doubted Anderson at times. He wasn't perfect.

I think the boreathon that a lot of people complain is symptomatic of the british game becoming more forward dominated generally.

I was impressed with Magennis' offload game last night. On a few occasions he turned out of the tackle and layed the ball back to Roby.

It doesn't make sense to me that you support the policy from club so strongly, yet you are so negetive about potter himself, who was essentially the individual (that more than any other) made said policy actually work for the club.

That's simply because you are perceiving my comments as being negative about Potter, in which you are joined by some others. I don't think I'm being negative about Potter. I'm just not giving him credit where it isn't deserved. He isn't a one-man development machine. He's slotted in, done the job asked of him - integrated some of our talented young players - and I credit him for that. But an awful lot of work by many other people was invested in those young players before Potter even turned up. And I include the young players themselves in that. Ashurst, Dixon, Foster, Wheeler, Lomax ... they all have great attitudes and real determination. So I'm simply crediting more people for the job that has been done. I don't see what is wrong with that but others do and they interpret what I am saying according to their perspective.

Through the medium of the keyboard, you've generally seemed to be on the anti potter side of the fence on this forum. It seems like you'll give credit to everyone [ibut[/i the head coach.

The old cliche is that players win games and coaches lose them, but this is taking it a little too far

Best team won. I shudder to think how good you'll be with everybody back. What a great set of tits Paul Cloughs got. I'm guessing he'll be front row soon?

PMSL
Cloughie's a smasher. He's been one of our most consitant performers this season.

I like the look of Emmet. If you seen how we threw Wigan's pack around the other week, I think it was fairly even Saturday, your young lads stood up well.

Whatever

I wondered whether Emmit had missed the boat a little - he's a year older than Frodsham (another young prop) who was initially rated higher, but has struggled with injuries.
However, Emmitt's run a Leigh seems to have given him a real boost. He had a good game when we played Leeds last as well.

I think emmitt is starting to look like he might make a good prop, frodsham got no chance IMO.

Bit harsh on frodsham that mate, look how magennis has come back after 18months out

But he looked decidedly dodgy of the knees towards the end of the match against Warrington. I'm not convinced he's going to make it, fitness-wise. He definitely has the potential ability-wise though.

Magennis looks really good to me. You've got to remember it's his 1st year in the first team. He'll be better next season when hehad a proper pre-season with the first team and becomes more integrated in the squad.

Emmitt has done a bit of a Clough and come out of nowhere, done his time, and developing nicely.

Clough is an out and out monster. Works his Iestyn off, and seems to make more yards in reverse than going forward. His defence is excellent too.

Magennis looks like he could be a top top player. If he keeps on working hard, he appears to have a natural flair and is quite a unit.

I love you Paul Clough!

I love his beard. He looks all manly and rugged. Like he'd come home and treat you all rough like, but in a good way.