We really need to tighten up our tackling, far too many offloads getting out! Also Chris Clough needs to learn a bit of self control. He will lose us tight games by giving away silly penalties otherwise.
On the whole though, given that a lot of the guys who will be regular choices weren't there, I don't think today was all that indicative of how the season will pan out for either team. We know it will be hard, hopefully JD's been able to make the signings to cope. I suspect players on both sides are a bit rusty on boxing day, but once the competitive season's in full swing, I suspect we'll see a different game between the two sides...
...I hope so, for our sake!

For all the points of learning to be taken from the game today and despite the scoreline wasn't it nice to get back to watching RL. In terms of today's performance, the result as much as it hurt from our local rivals, I think performances were more important. Some postives and negatives. I agree Clough needs to learn, but this was his first game since re-joining so give JD time to work on him. If we are still saying the same points mid season then maybe it's time for him to move on, but lets not slaughter him too soon. He needs to stop flying out of the line and exposing our line though. Jones was also guilty of that and a few missed tackles. Coleman needs to work his defensive. A few times he got involved, but was also badly exposed in the second half. Korky I agree will be a handful and Brendan's outsprint of Worrincey was worth the entrance money alone. Shephard had a good solid game and could be a handful this year.

I thought James H looked solid today and took his try well. I have to say I was surprised to see Jones, Killer, Cherryholme and Shick missng. We all knew from the outset that Obst and Semi wouldn't feature but I thought he would take a stronger squad. I think it will be a different Cougars team that takes the field at York. Some good things to take away and some things to work on in training this week.

This year our mistakes will be punished and keeping silly errors and penalties down to a minimum is crucial.

James Haythornthwaite was our best player today, I hope he can keep fit as he has a bright future, took his try well and made a brilliant try saving tackle.

After Paul March went off we seemed to lose direction and it went downhill from there. Some of the tries were scored were too easy.

Then after losing both wingers the wheels fell off. They shipped the ball wide at will and we just didn't slide our defence across.

Agree Haythornthwaite was outstanding. Reality kicked in though. xx

Gav Duffy was up-to his usual best also, until he got a knock.

One thing that I couldn't understand was why we reverted to the 'Barry Eaton Restart' philosophy - [i'kick the ball into the opponents left hand corner but don't chase it or, if you do, lumber up'[/i. We never changed it during the entire game!

There were numerous ocasions when a short kick and a predetermind sprint would have done the trick and a fast, low touch-finder would have paid dividends today.

I can only hope for a greater variation come the start of the season!

Unless Coleman has a strange body-shape then it still looks as though he's carrying some excess weight but JD really does need to sort Clough. As I said earlier, he's still a liability and did nothing but shout today, that is apart from giving away penalties. 'Waste of space' springs to mind and I hope that we're not paying him on today's performance.

Also, was it just me or did the fact that we played in last season's shirts with incorrect names on the back look a tad unprofessional?

Not too worried about that Dominance. If the old shirts are still available then why not use them up in pre-season friendlies instead of spending more money on the new kit.

Can't remember but did the Halifax shirts have their players names on them? Some didn't even have numbers.

As I've already said, my main concern was and is Clough. JD certainly looks to have his work cut-out with him!

I think Halifax played with 20 players, 3 of which had no numbers.

This coming season there are no squad numbers in the Championship. So you will see good old fashioned 1-17 on the shirts with no names on the back.

2 with no numbers were Josh Barlow and Jesse jo sheriffe, both from under 23s last year and seeing how they went, not sure the other one.

The thing that concerned me most is that we played the same slow play it up the middle style that we did for most of last season. When we last got promoted you could see, even from the early season games that we had improved significantly in fitness and pace. That was definately not the case yesterday. All the top teams , Halifax, Featherstone, Sheffield and batley play a free-flowing , ship it out wide as much as possible style. This is the opposite to how we play, and I fear that if we stick to how we played last year we could find ourselves outclassed and definately out-paced. Most teams take a while to adapt to the pace of the Championship and I fear we are starting from a slower start.

I hear that Championship are not using squad numbers this next season - is this right? If so we will be using shirts with no names and numbered 1 to 16?

Check 3 posts back, Len. Stealth has answered your question.

I don't think our fitness will be a major concern once the season gets underway for real. We just need the new guys in, to gel as a team - and not give away too many penalties!

Does the girl with the loudest whistle in the world post on here,if so,thanks lass my ears are still ringing

i disagree with the assessment of jones who i feel did well for us and will definately only improve,i would have liked him to stay at fax.

Fair comment, maybe it's just me!? The players wearing jersey's with someone else's name on the back just didn't sit right with me. For the majority of fans I am sure this wasn't an issue as we know who the players are, but let's not forget we are trying to attract new fans who may not know Coleman from Duffy. However, in light on recent posts and the no squad number decision for 2012 I suppose it doesn't matter.

Just as a side issue, having watched the grand final video for about the 10th time I have just noticed that JD wore number 6 that day when he was number 29 all season. Admin error possibly? I'm sure the stato's out there will already have noticed though.

Not wanting to go against my "think positive" notion but , the friendlies are for testing and showing and presenting your "new team" arent they? What is also important that any fan, new or old, thinking about buying a season ticket needed to see that the money they are investing is on something other than a dream. Sorry but disappointed, no very disappointed in the match yesterday.

I can understand what you're saying Goosey, but coaches also use these games to test fringe players and find out if they are "up to it". I don't think we will see the "proper" Cougar side until the end of the playoffs. We all felt deflated too but I'd sooner us find out our weaknesses now and have time to do something about it.

Does anyone know what our exact line up was??

I didnt attend the game so I can only go on what I was told. But I think its a reality check for JD and the squad, people have been bigging us up with certain star signings but simply we got shown by a seasoned championship team that its a tough divison and a few big name players wont get ypu success in this league its hard work throughout the squad and hopefully many of those players in the squad will realise this. I know we got a few injuries and that would have not been ideal. Its a starter and rome wasnt built in a day but lessons need to be learned as that was a bloody big defeat.

RE: Clough from what you all say he was playing rugby league like Chris Clough does, Ive played with and against him many times, If JD can get his penalty concession rate down to zero a game then I think its his coin well earned, many many a good coach has not done that. I think he has some good qualities but you only have to look at lasts season grand final where we beat workington, we got him riled and he must have conceeded at least half a dozen penalties. JD will surely know this its now his job to bring the best out of him on a regular basis

Please feel free to correct me any one as i had a few shandys yesturday but i think the team was

Haythornewaite
Barnett
Lawton
J.D
Duffy
March
Coleman
Korkidas
Buster
Sherrife
Persglove
Richard jones
Sheppard

Subs:
Jon Simpson, Clough, Rawlins, Jonny Staughton, Ryan Smith

Possibly some subs missing

I do agree on Chris Clough tho. He is a brilliant player and could be one of the best signings of the season but just needs to stop giving away penalties

Where was Killer ?

Surely you wouldn't necessarily know what your strengths are until they are tested against opposition, its all relative really. A weakness against fax like fitness may have been a strength against Batley or York for example.

Just take the friendlies for what they are, Goosey; a run-out for some rusty limbs before the season begins, a chance for new guys to try and slot in, and for the fans to see a bit of rugby after a long lay-off.
Like lots of things in life, they aren't meant to be taken seriously!!!

That puts my mind at ease, thanks. It was like thinking you were getting a diamond bracelet and I got a pencil. Expected too much sorry. xxxx

I've always wanted a pencil...