I think it was unlikely to be a matter of funds, but player contracts that kept roughly the same squad intact. Virtually all of the players retained were under contract (and if this forum is right, 15 are still on contract for next year).

Agreed. Most coaches go down this route. The idea that the coach should come out and tell it as it really is is somewhat naive, same as fans expect the club to make public details of injuries which will help the opposition target players.

Fine.....don`t name or berate players, I am not wanting or expecting that but perhaps he could just shut the F up and stop coming out with such a load of cobblers and going all mystic about the way forward etc.......saying nothing at all would be preferable to the current nonsense. You read his programme notes and come to the conclusion at the end that he has said nothing at all, same with the after match stuff.

Colly2.

Do you think Tony Rea would be 100% happy with the squad that he has and the line ups that he has to put out there?

I think you've set me up with a straw man to knock down!

I doubt very much that these are the 20-odd players Rea would pick from scratch but that would be the same for every coach in the world, wouldn't it?

Rea should be getting something different from this squad to what was delivered by Powell. Sadly, his record is little different to Powell's because he's selecting the same players, *in the same roles*. That makes no sense to me.

Equally frustratingly, he seems to be making precisely the same error as Powell by running his better forwards into the ground - Lee, Rodney and Bailey can't play these minutes every round and, like last year, we're starting to see the effects of physical and mental fatigue.

Honestly, RB, it is very difficult to watch the same season twice! I fully expect us to draw Dewsbury at home in the Cup ...

or Leeds or Wigan away!