Gildart back is a big plus, though.

One step forward, two steps back IMO.

I have a feeling we may see all of Lockers, Powell, Bateman, Gelling and Tomkins return for the cup game. Would be a gamble but I can see it happening.

50/50 game this Thursday, if we can sneak it the outlook will suddenly look significantly brighter. If we can go into the Super 8s only four points behind we still have half a chance.

Clubb isn't far off.

I've re-adjusted my expectations I'm afraid. Following the Cronulla win I thought we were on for a clean sweep. Didn't think Cas would perform as well as they are, still think Salford are batting above themselves.

I'm now more realistic, whilst it's still mathematically possible to get to OT, each week it feels that much further away. I still think Leeds will win the GF again.

First thing above all others next season is the recruitment of a quality goal kicker.

Marshall or Davies to full back imo, Tierney isn't good enough and you fear every time a high bomb gets put up, attack is average but other two are miles better. Gildart and Burgess have to beon the left side because we need to start getting some combinations and we've seen how deadly that left side can be at the start of the season. Hopefully Gelling Bateman and Tomkins can make it for Warrington, imagine this team

Tomkins
Marshall
Gelling
Gildart
Burgess
Williams
Leuluai
Nuuasala
Mcilourm
Sutton
Bateman
Farrell
O'Loughlin

Tautai
Isa
Tomkins
Powell

That could be a realistic option for next week and even if Sam doesn't play we could put Davies there. I'm still confident we can get top 4 if we can reduce the injuries but this week is a must must win imo, lose that and top 4 gone imo

Or the intensive training of a couple, perhaps. Bilko posted some stats on twitter today showing we ( as a team) have the worst kick success % of all SL teams.

Exceptionally weak bench particularly with a front row that can't do decent minutes

Yes, because Flower and Clubb are missing. Give it a rest.

You got any better ideas? I'll give Shaun Wane a ring in the morning and tell him to sign Andrew Fifta and Kenny Bromwich to beef up the pack

By a distance as well. It doesn't feel as though its cost is too many of the losses we've had but it is hurting us and making games far more difficult.

We need to recruit a specialist IMO. If that means making a tough decision and letting somebody go then so be it. We've been scratching around for over three seasons now.

I'm not convinced that buying someone just for their kicking is the way to go, unless they're quality players as well, and there are few of those around. Plus, odds are with our luck they'd get injured! Rather bring in a specialist kicking coach to do a lot of work with a selected group of our players to bring them up to standard. I get the impression it's always been a very low priority up to now..."we'll have few lads try out the week before the season starts and see who's best"...

Someone persuade Andy Farrell to spend some time up here while it's their off season?

I agree,we haven't lost many games due to kicks and I don't think it's high on Wanes priority,Williams seems to have the best action and a decent length on his kicks,just make him practice and stick with him.
A goal kicking centre would be ideal but there is none around,the closest thing would be ratchford who isn't really a centre and wouldn't be a great improvement on the kicking side either.

Could we not fit in Jamie Ellis some where great kicker.

He's an even better eater though!

£5 someone suggests Barry Eaton soon.

Wonder if Barry Eaton is available...

Also, on goal-kicking, as we seem to have several candidates, all of them not great at the moment, why don't we use a left-footed kicker from the right touchline (Marshall?) and a right-footed kicker (Williams?) from the left? Never understood why this is not more widespread.

Isn't Marshall right footed?

How I long for the Days of Henderson Gill & David Stephenson!

One problem of having no kicker is our ability to control the scoreboard. Being unable to take shots at goal means that our scoring is restricted and it also means that we cannot influence the other teams game plan. By that I mean that we leave ourselves more open to drop goals whilst being forced to outscore the opponent in tries by 4 to 3. Last year or game plan was often based on pushing a lead past a converted score.
Sometimes I am nostalgic for three substitutions and a goal kicking prop forward.

Marshall is right footed and a couple of his kicks on Saturday looked awful technique wise,I was actually suprised they travelled the distance they did.
We don't have one component kicker at the moment so to have a right footed and left footed one to alternate that are equally as good is unlikely. Just give the responsibility to one of em and go with them,we did the same with Matty Smith,I'm sure Williams can reach a similar standard.

Where is Neil Cowie these days?

I just don't understand why Williams isn't kicking full stop. His technique looks ok and he isn't going to get better by getting taken off kicking duty after one miss.

Whoever is to kick for the rest of this year needs to be decided and they need to roll with it imo. If things got horrendously bad after 5 or 6 games then maybe have a rethink but we can't afford to keep swapping it about numerous times mid match.