We didn’t play particularly well VL. We looked lethargic in both attack and defence. I think the previous two games have taken a lot out of the squad both physically and mentally and it showed today. Fax are a decent side but we made them look better than they are. We had the opportunity to build some confidence and help our points differences today and nearly blew it. I suppose it’s a sign of a good side when they can play poorly and still win.

If the last two games have taken a lot out of them, then today won't exactly energise them for next week. Thought Gregson did well, I think it's time for another forward or two to come in from the fringes next week

On the subject of new recruits, shame we couldn't go in for Moss when he was available. A new fb would all Owens to go back to the wing which will give the option of playing Hall at half back

You won and well done for that, but you seriously think you made us look better than we are just because you had a couple of tough games (we had a momentous one against Fev in Blackpool). You didn't play poorly, it was a cracking game of rugby league which you edged at the end.

HRJ wrote
“For how long we are going to persevere with both Reynolds and Hutchison at 6 & 7 is anyone's guess. There is more pace in front row forwards Greg Richards and James Green than Leigh's halves.”

I obviously didn’t see the game but listening I heard Murrels name more than Reynolds and Hutchy put together, but I’m betting they both put in way more tackles than the Fax halves with all the dropped balls and penalties we gave away. I see this on LCTV week in, week out and it must take away from their energy levels in every game.
I’m not saying I disagree with you HRJ but is this now too late to make a change if we are to make the 8s ?
And that is an honest question that I am very interested to see your opinion on as I gather you see many training sessions from your valued and informatively posts.
Do we stay as we are until the easier last 3 games before the 8s and then try it, or do we roll the dice and do it now.

We did play poorly, that is probably the worst we’ve played since KP took over. It was a good game for the neutral but having watched this team grow since Kieron got to grips with them,this wasn’t the same team we have seen in recent weeks. No disrespect to Halifax but we should be beating them by 30. Hopefully Derek will bring a couple of fresh faces in over the next couple of weeks and Kieron gets that defence back to how it was.

Not sure why, but our best two performances of the season have been against Leigh. One we won and one we lost. You're a little delusional to think that you "should" be beating us by 30. If so, you'd be on 32 points already and already plotting the downfall of 4 SL teams along with a top 4 SL campaign next season.

You played "poorly" because Fax made it so.

All the best, and I hope we're both in the M8's.

I have said it all season VL, Reynolds and Hutchison are two very similar halves, both in stature and style, both their games rely heavilly on runners. Very easy for the opposition to nullify IMHO.

We are badly lacking creativity in that department to unlock defences. In answer to your question, yes I would move Hall into 6 now to at least to try and ignite a spark.

I take your work ethic point,but who signs defensive half backs first and foremost ?

We would need to bring a full back or a 3/4 in to move Hall into the halves. Unless the coach has any confidence in Bergal.

Don't subscribe to the idea that we should be winning by 30, but for as good as Fax were, Leigh should've done a better job of keeping hold of the ball. Every set seemed to end with either a try or a knock on! But fair play to fax for forcing the majority of those errors.

Look mate, my comments are not made to be disrespectful to Halifax or try to get a rise from the Fax fans. I have watched every game these lads have played and I can honestly say that this is the best group of players we have put together for years. It could comfortably compete in Super League but we have had a lot of crap going on off the field that has disrupted what has been going on on the field. That team today were not at the races based on what they can do. You have seen the worst of Leigh on two occasions this season, they are a lot better than that.

I think we have to. Bailey Crooks Evans and Bergal. Until Pete is back.

But we won't.

Question is are we all busting a gut to make top 4 just to make the middle 8 numbers up or do we want to get top 4 and have a serious crack at unlocking SL teams.

Ok. I hope we get the chance to cross swords again in the M8's.

We should give Sammut what he wants.

This.

I tend to agree but not sure the next game is the one to make the change. However if we did go with Hall at 6 and Reynolds at fullback, with the back line you suggest, we would have the ability to switch it up at half time if it’s not working. And Toulouse will not be preparing for Hall at 6.

Don’t remember bailey being onside once yesterday was just strutting about doing nothing he was not the only one either

That back line with Owens at full back would be very vulnerable imo. Hall is the best full back out of players available, and Owens has done well on the wing. Would go Hall, Bailey, Crooks, Evans, Owens as the back line.

If Mortimer and Higham are both fit to play, then would put Mortimer at 7.

It felt too much like we had gone back to our old bad ways yesterday, especially at 6 and 7. I have been saying for a while now how predictable Leigh are to play against because out half backs always want to pass and not take on the defensive line enough, and this goes back to the days of Riddy. A few weeks ago Reynolds and Hutchison started to go at the line more and it was working. Defenses were getting unlocked and tries came. Yesterday that hardly ever happened, so even when Fax went a man down for ten minutes they still read all our plays and gobbled us up when we tried to attack. It is possibly a confidence thing but our halves need to become unpredictable to the opposition by taking the line on more.
Now Fax are a good side and worked hard, but they didn't half show some of the frailties in our game. We got hammered around the ruck time after time by Johnston and Moore. They were a at least a yard quicker than us at times.
Also they respected possession better than us. We put down too much ball and make life hard for ourselves. Jamie is a repeat offender and needs to hold that ball for dear life.
I too would also like to see more leadership, a clear and obvious organiser. Yesterday, the wheels fell off a few times and we almost imploded. Credit to the boys for hanging in there but any more rugby of that standard over the next two weeks may prove fatal to our top 4 chances.

Been told that if we make it into Top 4 there will be some new signings to come in

Shame. I think with one or two new signings we would make the 4. But will struggle without. Would've hoped for at least a loan signing till the end of the season.

Make no bones, this is the worst Leigh team we have seen for at least 3 or 4 seasons. Reminds me a bit of the team Fax put together after our relegation full of players who had done decent at SL but in no way could handle how tough it actually is at this level. Theres a massive soft underbelly in your pack and until that is sorted you will always struggle against a decent team.

I don’t understand all this negativity after yesterday’s game. Especially towards Ben and drew, they have improve so dramatically as a half back pairing since the tripe the whole team was showing at the start of the season. I can recall a few key kicks from Ben yesterday that were crucial and great under pressure and how many times in recent weeks have we seen drew take on the line and play a key pass into a forward to break through and score, not to mention they never fail in defence. I also can’t understand the hype around summat (controversial on here I know....) I’ve seen him play twice now and he’s been no more than average on either occasion, I wouldn’t swap drew or Ben for anyone (within reason). As for us supposedly having a poor attack.... we scored 36 points yesterday with some great tries. And great play from drew for at least two of those tries that I can recall. We can all agree we where well below par yesterday but we got the job done and scored a more than healthy number of points in the process. When our attack clicks and we complete high we seem to be able to score at will and have done for more than a number of weeks!
The defence has taken a slight wobble but I’m confident that will be resolved.

This team for me has the potential to be better than last years for me, just needs a few tweaks and maybe a bit more grunt in the forwards for me acton seems to have lost a little go forward and bailey I don’t think is up to standard, out standout performers are mason and J Thompson, very consistent, and based on yesterday’s performance gregson deserves another shot. But our back line for me when fully available is quality and there’s no denying that.

Massive game next week against tolouse with little rest. Win that and I believe we’ll get the top 4..... loose and we need to beat tonroto in the garden shed!! Keep the faith, we know the lads can match SL sides if we make the 8s!!!

Like Salford you mean, we legitimately bullied them off the park.

We certainly haven't been at our best against you guys, and possibly you need respect for that. But if we complete our sets and cut out the niggly penalties I reckon we have the individuals and structures to match the lower level SL teams

Of course we have to get there first, and we only have ourselves to blame if we don't - should be pushing top spot and we aren't.

I don't think anybody would disagree with your opinion on Reynolds and Hutchison's improvement. But for every pro you saw, there was more cons.

They lack a leader at 6 and 7. That one player who can dictate a game. The one that marshall's them all over the park. Its not just a case of taking the line on, it's knowing the reason for taking the line on, they fail at.

That is a massive rose tinted specs post, I would take issue with’ never fail in defence’ , the defence didn’t have a slight wobble, it is a mess. I agree with your assessments of Acton and Bailey, neither are currently up to what is required of them. I would have Sammut in a flash.