Gutted. I thought the scoreline was a fair reflection of the game, but wondered if we might just nick it at the end. Rovers defended really well and found a way to win, but we can learn a lot from that. Some impressions from the game (not conclusions about players, before anyone jumps on): Jowitt really is top drawer - potentially international class. Just thinking about a thread on here with @AnotherCasFan, in which they were sure Niall Evalds was a better player than Jowitt. You only have to put them against each other like tonight to see the difference. If Reece Walsh had thrown that ball to Johnstone you'd never hear the end of it. And what did Evalds do on the ball? Where was he during Oli Pratt's try? Jowitt was fantastic start to finish, barring a wayward kick. But he's got enough credit with me to miss a few of those. Walmsley isn't physically strong enough. He made some great runs in the second half, but if there's ever a body in front of him he gets whacked then dragged backwards. He's a superb finisher and drier weather will suit his game better, but so much of Super League is grunt and 'arm wrestling', and he just physically isn't powerful enough. What an athlete Oli Pratt is. The kind of player you look forward to watching each week. Caused them problems all night. Hall did Hall things but was apparently chucking up in the toilets at half time. Not much to learn about TJ is there. They contained him to making hit ups all night, aside from his try which he took well. Lino needs Trueman. He defended well tonight and he looked okay on the ball, but his kicking just wasn't good enough. On that showing, Olly Russell isn't up to it. He looked just like he did at Huddersfield - steady and toothless. Plus a couple of daft moments in the first half - a ball steal and a dead ball kick - that put us under pressure. I haven't written him off after one competitive game, but we need better than that. McMeeken and Pitts worked their s off again. Look forward to seeing the stats again, but they're carrying our middle so far. Doyle was steady. Defended well, passed accurately, didn't make any mistakes, but also never threatened Hull KR, who had two very threatening hookers in their team. Uele did okay but definitely won't be skittling defenders like he did in the championship. Quick play the balls though. Storton took some monster carries in the second half. Honestly barely noticed Croft. Didn't do anything wrong, and I know a lot of fans really love him but for me he's just filling a gap at the moment. Thought Vagana went okay. Still too slow to retreat and a few gaps opened up around him which fast teams will punish, especially in summer. Similar for Faatili. He's got plenty of potential but let's be honest, at this level he's not going to replicate what we've seen on his highlights reel. Harvey Smith looked good out of dummy half, but I'd like to see him use his speed and run more. There were a couple of chances for him to do that but he played it safe and passed to first receiver. I also don't think he won one collision in defence and that worries me. Overall that didn't feel like our game to lose. We're down on troops and still staying all the way with proven Super League teams, and that's what good teams do. We'll be alright, but we need a rest and a handful of our starting side back fit. After that we'll be grand. More confident next Saturday.

[quote="PopTart":qk8emuf6]McMeekan playing 80 minutes is ridiculous in today's game. He was good value when others would be getting tired but it will be good when Atoni and Rodwell come back to ease the strain.[/quote:qk8emuf6] It will be interesting to see how DP handles McMeekan when we get some forwards back like you say. I’d love him on the field for the full 80 for his leadership and influence every game but it just isn’t going to happen. Personally I’d play him for the first and last 30mins of the game so he gets a decent break at half time and comes on firing till the finish! Seriously looking forward to getting some of the big guns and strike players back to see how get on.

On Walmsley I slightly change my mind. We definitely benefit from Russell getting us off the line but no one was able to do that today. Walmsley still got over 100 metres when he didn't actually get a run in open play. He doesn't get post contact metres like Russell but he gets to the line fast. He also made a potential try saver on Lewis when he was away. So lots to work on but he did OK in a tough game.

[quote="Another Cas Fan":3qka96hw]I agree that Jowitt has looked really good in his first two games , and was better than Evalds yesterday . However , at the time of writing Evalds was a proven SL FB , Jowitt had performed well at SL level but not to the standards we have seen from Evalds in the past . That said , if he continues to improve then he will be right up there with the best of them , but it is still early days . Perhaps I didn't give him the recognition he deserves , and although I don't think you can judge someone on a season in the Championship , he has certainly improved considerably and looks the real deal at the moment . Good luck to him in the future (except against Cas of course )[/quote:3qka96hw] Classy reply, fair play to you

[quote="PopTart":373d5346]On Walmsley I slightly change my mind. We definitely benefit from Russell getting us off the line but no one was able to do that today. Walmsley still got over 100 metres when he didn't actually get a run in open play. He doesn't get post contact metres like Russell but he gets to the line fast. He also made a potential try saver on Lewis when he was away. So lots to work on but he did OK in a tough game.[/quote:373d5346] I like Walmsley and want him to thrive. He might be an all round better winger than Matty Russell. Would Russell have made that ankle tap? Maybe not. But at this stage in the season, when teams are fit and switched on, and it’s damp and cold, you need someone who can punch their nose through and find their front quickly to swing momentum in your favour. It’s unusual, but we might see Powell picking his wingers based on the conditions and the opposition, which would be a real luxury.

[quote="Big lads mate":25erz7ur]I went into the game and with the players missing that we had I was hoping that we would give it our best and keep the score respectable but came away thinking we could have won that, regarding Hargreaves, what a waste of money he’s proved so far,[color=#FF0000:25erz7ur] I’m 64 and could make more yards[/color:25erz7ur], they should have kept Storton, what a signing he’s been, outstanding[/quote:25erz7ur] Jeez, he's not [i:25erz7ur]that [/i:25erz7ur]bad...... Oh, and I'd ask for a re-count re your age too sunshine....