Speaking to another fan. Your not on your own with that sentiment :-/

On the refs, I've no idea if its been mentioned in our 44 page bitch fest about the first game but isnt Mr Cobb from last weekend both based in Leigh and a Leigh fan? If so Im not sure he was the wisest choice for such an opening game.

I've no intention of reading all that thread to find out if thats been mentioned, a thread which can be summed up by;
Two good teams, both fired up by passionate fans, went at it, both sets of players and staff had people who should have behaved more professionally, and the more settled team at home got the win with some excellent rugby, but both teams showed why they'll be the two teams to beat this year and whoever drops into the middle 8 from SL will be given a right test by either team.

I am looking forward to the return game and an equally large Leigh following at Odsal later in the year for our two points

Just hope the Whitehaven game has half the talking points, but tbf I'd settle for a quieter game and the 2 points first to get us off the mark.

On reflection I have to agree with that, but if I were Lowes then my first job this week would have been a chat with that idiot Siejka, who the more I have thought about it, I think ultimately cost us the match. He isn't to blame for being a shoite goalkicker, I'm sure he did his best, but still, had he kicked his goals; and he can only do the job he is told to do; but that job does not include setting the worst example, and getting himself totally needlessly sent off the field of play, that was ludicrous and I would be sorely tempted to publicly drop him for his behaviour. I couldn't believe my eyes, if I'm honest. And there's a chance come Thursday the disciplinary may give the idiot a short break anyway.

I think the first thing Lowes needs to do is rapidly sort out the goalkicking, we have a big squad and unless Siejka can rapidly show an ability to become a kicker, then there must be someone who can do it at least passably. Hopefully he will get a lot of practice next weekend and before. But as things stand, he is a seven day camel ride off being a reliable kicker of pressure goals.

If it wasn't for the complete lack of cover in the halves, I'd agree wholeheartedly. Siejka's idiocy on Sunday was a big factor IMO and he should at the very least have his 'arris well and truly kicked. But dropping him would be an issue for us in that it would mean Mullaney or Brook likely having to play in the halves, where there will be a big question on their ability there, and it's another game that the combination wouldn't get experience. It's a shame the person having the brainf*rts on Sunday wasn't one in a more interchangeable position than our only real scrum half.

As far as goal kicking goes, Jake Mullaney started last season as Salford's main goalkicker, so it's bemusing to everyone except Lowes why Siejka seems to have the responsibility.

I remember Mullaney kicking one from the touchline to beat Hull away last year, need to give someone else a go or see if Shaw can fit in somewhere...must be room available in the threequarters if Walker can get a start at .

On the HB options, I really wish we'd have picked up Sammut, he's still nowhere near the first choice at Wakey and Sammut, Gaskell and Seijka would give us more cover and options. Might even be able to get Sammut on loan if he continues getting no game time at Wakey but I've lost track of our quota position tbh and it might not be an option?

Isn't disciplinary for championship still held Tuesday week after the game ie next Tuesday and any bans served starting the game after , fev away?

I know they look at the incidents on the Thursday (ie tomorrow), but wondered if he is charged with something and if it is an EGP matter and if he takes an EGP then that could be this weekend?

I wondered the same thing FA. I can see us being without Siejka and Williams.

I agree with all the points raised above. I think he can shoulder a lot of the blame for the loss given that Leigh got alot of joy shifting the ball wide when he was off for commiting his stupid foul in the 2nd half. The 6 points he failed to kick are a moot point. The conversion he missed in the second half was so kickable I could've done it myself which is saying something.

I'd also like us to sign Sammut but I wonder if he's burnt his bridges with us given the way he left. We are lacking halfback cover and I can see this biting us in the behind at some stage.

Yeah there doesn't seem to be quite enough time to get everything done disciplinary wise before the games at the weekend, especially if some teams play on a Friday night (like Dewsbury last week).
Perhaps the games are reviewed on Thursday and any charges are issued, players have 24 hours to respond as usual, and then the review panel is held early next week ie Tuesday as originally mentioned?

Seems an odd way to do it but that's quickly becoming a common feature of the Championship!

Given the 3 games he's played for us, I don't think Siejka is a first choice goal kicker. I'm not sure of the exact stats but I'm pretty sure he's currently less than 50% successful. Given that every point could matter come the end of the season, I think we need to find someone with better aim

For me it's not even his success ratio, it's his current kicking style, most good kickers, when the ball's been kicked, it looks convincing but his just sort of peedle about. You [iexpect[/i him to miss. If he is akicker then I cling to the hope that a kicking coach can sort him out, but somebody reminded us Mullaney was kicker for Salford so for me I'd give him that job right now. Siejka has enough on his plate trying to stay on the field.

If I understand it correctly that's how it happens. charge panel is held on Tuesday afternoon then same charge panel does SL charges Tuesday evening. So any charges earned against leigh wont kick in until next week. it would actually be better for us if any charges from last weekend were dealt with this week and any suspensions served against Whitehaven, which in all likelihood will be a less tough fixture than Featherstone, no disrespect to haven.

Hopefully mullaney or gaskell will kick goals Sunday i would bring herny into the centre for chev and move him to loose or we might even she him given the weekend off

Sammut actually is a very good goal kicker, close rival to Gale if I remember correctly.
Never remember Siejka as a notable kicker.

According to the T&A, disciplinary charges are to be announced tomorrow

From what we have been told it seems Addy, Davies and Blythe will definitely be out. It seems Lauaki will not be fit. I'm assuming there's a possibility all the other 26 might be available. So subject to bans :

Mullaney
Uaisele
Purtell
Baille
Shaw
Gaskell
Seijka
Sidlow
O'Brien
Clough
Olbison
Ferguson
Pitts

Tahraoui
Fleming
Conroy
Walshaw

Shaw is highly rated as a kicker so I'd start with him . I agree his defence as a winger was suspect at Headingley -- but he was facing Hall and Moon. I've chosen Conroy as he impresses me and I think he can be an emergency half back if needed.

I don't think it was so much his defence against opposite numbers that was questioned, but more his confidence under high kicks.

Would seem a good game to bring Shaw in for, boost his confidence, let him kicks some goals etc

I've just looked and it says

I agree. He just seemed to struggle under the high ball. At Cas he looked alright in the centres.

Has anybody heard Ferguson's name mentioned as available? I'd be happily surprised if he is.

I've hardly heard him mentioned all off-season, almost like they were avoiding talking about his back injury.

It would be a welcomed return for me as I rate him and think he could really stand out in the Championship.

Unfortunately, Ferguson is our O'Loughlin. Superb player when on the field, but spends more time in the treatment room than the physio.

Article from 15/1/15

[urlhttp://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/11726055.Fit_again_Ferguson_eager_to_shake_off_nightmare_season_at_Bradford_Bulls/[/url

It was the pressure from Hall Moon and Ablett - 2 internationals and a top class Aussie.One on one tackling did not seem to pose a problem.
I think this game against a team not expected to feature in the middle 8 is a perfect opportunity for his debut.

That's the problem, one month on when he was supposed to be fit to feature ina friendly, but no word. As I assume if he is now fit he'd certainly feature in the squad, that suggests he's had another setback. Anybody heard anything? If fully fit, he would surely be a stellar addition to any Championship squad, he's not a Championship level player.