Totally agree.

So when the season proper starts who would you play in the threequarters ?

Nothing wrong with pack' halfbacks and fullback position options imo.

Would anyone play Kay and Govin in the centres for eg ?

I would start with Maden, Higson, Armstrong & Brown but we are still a good centre short.

What's wrong with Gardner?

Well we have had criticisms of our threequarters defence and in some cases lack of pace.

Glad I am not coach but I am playing devils advocate' it is PR who will have to find the best options.

Another agree
Madens been a great servant but is a weak link now as first choice, handy to have in the squad
Tom Armstrong played right centre at Sheffield, and that's were Wigan and Wire hit us at the start of the second half. Gardner played left centre last year but I assume he isn't fit yet, but Armstrong needs to play right imho or can Sarsfield do a job as left centre?
Seen some brilliant try's in the friendlies, and the work off the ball in attack is so much better. Higson and Brown will score a pan full this season, as will Kaye and Kes

Nothing wrong with Gardner but I didn't pick him, is it a problem for you?

I too feel its perhaps a season too far for Maden also....as long as we have a replacement for him

Why would that be a problem for me? You said we're a good centre short and I asked what's wrong with Gardner as IMO he's a good centre & he wasn't mentioned. I know Fred Parky said in pre season training Mado's looked good & despite his lack of pace he's been reliable but he hasn't looked great in the friendlies. Brown's new to the club so he needs to be given time to get his game right that said if he performs like he has done again on sunday at Fax (shocking defending) I'd drop him for the Batley game.

It's a pitty Pownall's injured as I wouldn't mind seeing him & Gardner paired up again.



It's definately a option as they are both excellent utilty players but I would prefer Sarsfield at centre as Thornley can play in't back row for 80 mins no problems although Andy could do a good job at centre effectively too.

There is definitely a vacancy for a centre who is capable of doing what a centre does, as well as having positional awareness and good tackling skills he should be capable of feeding his winger when appropriate and taking on the line when it is the better option. Pace is a given.
A fullback or winger shouldn't be used at centre and a half back should only play at centre when there is no other option available.

Well we could go with Armstrong Kay Higson and Brown.

Some pace there.

With the size of Brown you'd think he'd be a good centre but juydging by his 3 games for us defensively he's liability but hopefully both Rowls & Brown address this before the 16th & he plays to his full potential.

Put Armstrong wing and brown centre? really worried at times when brown is on the wing, as good as he is in attack, at times in defence it's like he's never played rugby before

McNally
Higson
Armstrong
Gardner
Brown
Ridyard
Brieley..
With Kaye and Pownall Maden that's our best option this season for a decent backline in my opinion

He won the MOM yesterday.

Was gonna say no he didn't then I realised you meant higgy..

So you are only changing Littler for Armstrong. From what I have observed it is debatable if that would give us any advantage. I agree with you though about being a good centre short.

Charlie wasn't to concerned about yesterdays performance or result , we gave away to many penalties , and didn't see much of the ball in second half , still not a bad performance , maybe lacking a bit of urgency in Defence , but I feel the Batley game will see us at our real best , hopefully fielding a first choice 17 , the future is bright , Charlie knows .

Think Armstrong has been suffering from a foot injury for the last four weeks, which has affected speed and mobility.
A number of players have been struggling with some injury problems, or are still on post op recoveries. Brown made the left side look vulnerable yesterday, not Sarsfield and Armstrong. He flies out of the line at the moment, causing lots of space for centres and wings to run into, creating overlaps that shouldn't be there.
The season doesn't start for two weeks yet, so more time for injury niggles to clear up, line ups to be decided and tactics to be worked on. We'll be alright when the Championship begins for real.

My team for Batley:

1 McNally
2 Maden
3 Littler
4 Higson
5 Brown
6 Ridyard
7 Brierley
8 Spencer
9 Kay
10 Wilkes
11 Barlow
12 Goulden
13 Beswick

14 Acton
15 Emmitt
16 Haggerty
17 Bate

Thinking longer term: Brown would have until Pownall's fit to gel with the defence on that side. Armstrong to be phased in at #2, but Maden is still stronger defensively when the big games come round. A fully fit Penky would take one of the bench spots.

No Mick Govin or Bob Beswick in there. If they are injured then young Josh Lewis should be in with Kaye. I don't think Jamie Acton is fit either yet. Oh forgot. Spoke to Bob after final whistle and he just had a dead leg so should be fit fit in two weeks time.

My 17 for the Batley game would be .

1.Brierley .
2.Higson .
3.Littler .
4.Armstrong.
5. Brown .
6.Ridyard .
7.Kay .
8.Spencer .
9.Beswick.
10.Emmit .
11.Goulden.
12.Haggerty.
13.Aspinwall.

14.Govin.
15.Acton.
16.Wilkes.
17.Barlow .

I realise Penky more than likely wont be fit , otherwise he would make my 17 , after the announcement about money from the RFL , it is imperative we finish in the top 2 , no room for sentiment , PR knows what has to be done as im sure do the BOM .

Beswick was at 13. With Gov, Penky, Kay & the young lad from Saints we have plenty hooker options but I wouldn't want to drop Beswick so I'd use him at 13 rather than keep playing a prop there. For me it also enables us to play Kay & Ryan together in the same team. Wouldn't have minded dropping one of them to the bench in the short term, but long term I wouldn't want more than 1 non-grunt-type forward on the bench and I was mindful of Penky. Didn't think Gov did enough in his first game back on Sunday, no drama there after such a long layoff, would expect him to put strong pressure on the starters going forwards.

Agreed, wouldn't drop Riddy, but Liam Kay is too good to be on the bench.
Where to play him though ?