No competition for his place and at 50% is still better than any of our other forwards with the ball.

We need 3 more Vaughans.

I think we need an ese'ese someone with some bulk and an offload. Rather than another 6ft3 16.5 stoner

It will be interesting to see what Burgess does next. Hopefully, Fitzgibbon and Crowther will be back which will stiffen up the pack. However, we have quality wingers but our centres don’t seem able to create any space for them and are just not creating chances. Added to that, Drinkwater doesn’t dominate in any way which adds to pressure for Williams. The contrast with how Salford set up is obvious.

Ese’ese was great and seems to be having a good year. I know we were linked with him - I’d take him above Musgrove if that was the choice…

We can theorise, yes he’s not at the point where he was last year, but there are a number of variables in that. There’s no doubt that the backs are being given more work this year than last. We regularly see Dufty break 20 carries and 200 meters. 7 times in SL games alone, with the fewest meters being in round 1 and 2 where you could argue he was bedding into his new instruction. His average is double that of round one and two. Ashton and Thewlis are up at 150 and 100 meters respectively most weeks, along with King. So the backs are taking up more of those carries, as they should in my opinion, plus the now almost ritual-like 4th tackle carry for Duffy taking away another chance for the forwards. We have to take that into account, it’s 1/5 of the set unavailable to the pack, likely 3/5 if we receive the ball from a kick.

There’s also less dependency on him. Harrison, good as he was last year, has been much better this year. Philbin had been better too, pre-injury.

We've made the most meters in the competition, so there’s no void to be filled as such generally speaking. But there are games that we struggle for meters and to create momentum. He's not that bowling ball player, never has been, so I don’t see any drop off as such, more of an adjustment to how we operate.

There are vulnerabilities in our team, but Vaughan isn’t one of them. There’s no story here, still.

A bloody good kicking game would solve a lot of our problems….woeful again yesterday.

Our centres are awful. That should be the priority when it comes to making signings.

I think we need to strengthen at Centre too. We need a running threat.

It's amazing how much we miss Leon Hayes

It IS amazing, great defence and a real running threat regularly taking the line on which in turn creates that bit of uncertainty that space on the edge.

When available above Drinkwater IMO

I think it was a good win.
I think there a more wins to follow again.
I’m not slagging anyone off.
I’ll even make an excuse for Vaughan.
He must be carrying a knock.

That game was just another frustrating watch. Thewlis was my MoM, he should be playing fullback and I'd throw the dice and play Dufty at scrum half.

Safe to say I'm one of Duftys biggest advocates but the thought of him playing 7 and having to make 20-40 tackles is not the way to go. Also his kicking isnt good enough consistently. I dont think the role left footed good controlling half decent defender with a bit of arunning game is wrong i think the execution sometimes is.

I get what you say, and that's why I stated "throw the dice" because Drinkwater kicking isn't good enough, and as for his tackling........

You are Gareth Southgate and I claim my £5

Didn't Dufty play in the halves once or twice under 'Powelly'?

He did, once I think, & I don't think it was successful. It's a shame cos it helps when players are flexible. You'd think players who are very quick of the mark & can handle ought to be able to adapt to playing half back. Probably best to move players about a bit when young.

Peanut played more than once in the halves for Powelly doesnt make it right.

Round 17 vs. Leeds (loss)

I can't see Burgess ever playing Dufty there unless we were absolutely desperate due to injuries.

Drinkwater may not be setting the world alight at the moment (I thought that he was doing ok when he came back into the side following Hayes' injury), but he's the best option that we have to partner Williams for the remainder of the season. The coaches need to get the best out of him that they can.

I agree. He was playing OK whilst the team was playing well but not many have played well v Wigan (Cup), Salford & Hull. Williams & Ratchford have also struggled as his half-back partner.

I'll get my (waist)coat!

Someone in aus(think it was Peter Tunks)said dufty was a brilliant 6 when first coming through as a youngster. Next time we have an injury problem at half back i'd put him in there and have taylor-wray at full back. Also, when we are struggling at centre then lindop should be in. We need to keep ratchford away from the first team these days, its painful watching him and the 1 year extension is mind boggling.

Peanut "played", that one passed me by!

so you want to see dufty defending in the line?

If it keeps ratchford out of the team, yes.