we get it

They certainly weren't on their own for sure but it still doesn't take away from the fact they we're poor. In games like the Warrington one the most important battle is in that front row and ours lost big time. Some of the other performances from guys like Finch, McIlorum and Hansen stank the place out but I just can't get past that front row battle. I thought Hill was sublime but we didn't get in to him, Morley did what he always does to Wigan and rolled over us yet he seems incapable of doing that to many other teams anymore and Wood caused us all sorts of problems yet I believe hasn't had the best of seasons.

I say all that but after watching the highlights of the game i'm actually encouraged. We were so far off the mark it wasn't true yet the trys they scored were very avoidable. Daft knock on's and kick's leading to trys, a forward pass for another and a shocking one on one miss in the build up to the Harrison score.

There wasn't anything that couldn't be fixed up.

this about the props just reenforces my view that the young props will not cope next year without us replacing lima with a top older enforcer.

You can't exactly cant exactly call Precott "young" he's been around the first team for 8-9 years now and is 26 now.

Injuries may determine whether Fielden plays first team again.
Prescott only just back, Mossop, Lima and Lauaki fit with Flower now in contention. If one of them were to get a bad knock then SW could well play Fielden off the bench and give him 10 mins or so each half for his first game.

Props don't usually come into their own till they are about 28.

And he still isn't good enough for Wigan.

Prescott is a very good support act prop.

WHEN he's fit he's the 3rd choice guy who does a job and comes off.

He's good in the team dynamic but you need the right people around him.

Honestly, I can't see why people see him as good. When our starting props are firing in, ripping it up and taking it to the opposition, then come off for a break you expect your bench props to have an equal impact. With Prescott it doesn't happen, we seem to lose that dominance and fire, resulting in us starting to be dominated.

I honestly don't think he is good enough. Simple as that. However, I also realise that he is contracted until 2014 so he will not be leaving us. On that basis I sincerely hope he raises his game.

We must be watching different players because the Prescott I've been watching has been up there with Lima and Mossop when he's fully fit.

He consistently wins collisions and brings players to the ground when they tackle him, he's get the best hands of any of our props and when fully fit he also rarely misses a tackle. He's also a consistent metre maker.

The issue with Prescott has always been getting him fully fit for a good run of games.

It's also perhaps worth pointing out that the suggestion that we lose the dominance of our starting props when Prescott comes off the bench is definitely incorrect. 6 of his 8 appearances have been starting, the only two that he came off the bench were against Wire when he clearly wasn't fit and against Widnes when he had a very good game.

I think you always see a dip when your top props go off. You see dips when guys like Wood, Bailey, Mason, Perry etc come on but for the most part they've always been kept on by their sides as it's important to have the right make up. He's a good squad player who won't be on mega bucks and is still a better level than some of the youngsters like Spencer or Crosby. You'll struggle to find another player who would fit in at his level who is better than him imo.

What my major worry is that we won't be able to replace Lima with a truly top prop. There seems to be a massive gulf in the British game between the older legends and some very exciting youngsters.

On one end you've got guys like Morley, Kylie Leuluai, Peacock, Fielden, Carvel, Crabtree, Lynch, O'Meley etc who are looking at the twilight of their careers and on the other end there's the Burgess twins, Dudson, Hill, Patrick, Mossop & Taylor who look like they've got the world at their feet. Sadly in the middle of this there is just a heap of average players.

There are no 27/28 year old British players who we could sign that would have an instant impact on our side. Where are the players like Morley or Peacock who where signed in their prime and had a good run in their current sides?

Few and far between mate, I'm racking my brains trying to think of one but to no avail. Sadly, atm British props in thier prime are hard to come by. Players you listed who are at the beginning(ish) seem to be the way forward for the forseeable. Personally, I think we'll do OK with Dudson but we do need an enforcer prop who isn't afraid to rip it up and take it to the opposition in both attack and defence.

Good luck tonight Stu, give em hell.

Well said. Hope he goes well and earns a new contract.

yeah , good luck to the big lad

Yup, give em hell.

Hope all goes well for Stuart, top player and a good guy.

I really hope he comes back on fire and playing well - well enough to give Wane a selection headache. I know this is looking a bit too far forward but IF he did do well I personally would give him another year on his contract (reduced terms may I add). Could well prove to be a good renewal signing

But he won't be good enough.
You must still be smarting from the beating you got at the HJ

It looks like he'll get his chance in the first team fairly soon. With Prescott probably out for a while again, Flower seemingly unable to get over his hamstring trouble, Dom Crosby looking at a 2 match ban and Tom Spencer not looking that good for the first team I think Fielden might get a game soon.

Anyone know how he got on?

Played 20 minutes of the first half, ran the ball very well, tackled well in defence, looked like a player well above that level as you'd expected. Got tired very quickly. Came back on for the last 20 minutes or so and gave more of the same and looked eager to get involved.
He was the 2nd best prop out there after Prescott but they were both head and shoulders above the other forwards and the biggest difference between the two sides (along with Anthony 'Greg Inglis' Gelling'). With a few props looking likely to miss out he could make the bench against Salford.

I would want to see him on the bench on Monday, one would think that benny will play as he didnt play long tonight

Cheers mate

Gently does it for Stu. I am hopeful he can play a part in our season and beyond.

Awesome news. Get him on the bench on Monday. Get him up to speed and let him show us what he can do for the play offs and give him a chance to earn a new contract.