[quote="Trojan Horse":1ow1mfez]You have to put things into perspective. Lino came on against a team with young halves and young full back/winger. Had Truemam and Russell stayed on then I would imagine they would’ve had more space and success. Though having competition will be good for Lino. We may see the best of him.[/quote:1ow1mfez] I agree but he looked busier and Russell drppedvthe ball and gave penalties away, which is nothing to do with opposition. Long way to go. I haven't written Russell off by any means. I like him a lot. But Lino is not out of it either. All of them need forwards to get us moving down field though.

I was shocked at the size of Trueman, he is an absolute unit at 6, similar size to Brad Fittler at 6. All in all a decent run out I reckon. With a decent proportion of our starting 17 out it was a good hit out. Out of the new signings I thought Cam Scott was a really stand out, fantastic in defence and solid in attack. Nikotemo only once or twice got a decent ball in space to run and looked like a powerful lad, pulled off a couple of nice tackles too. Hall was solid against Newman, Rourke looked solid too, be interesting to see him trialed on the wing. Special mention to Rodwell and Uele, for me the top 3 forwards on the field by a country mile, Rodwell would walk into any team in SL and Uele is looking really trim and ready for the step up.

[quote="Pat Bateman":szgnbb1i]I was shocked at the size of Trueman, he is an absolute unit at 6, similar size to Brad Fittler at 6. All in all a decent run out I reckon. With a decent proportion of our starting 17 out it was a good hit out. Out of the new signings I thought Cam Scott was a really stand out, fantastic in defence and solid in attack. Nikotemo only once or twice got a decent ball in space to run and looked like a powerful lad, pulled off a couple of nice tackles too. Hall was solid against Newman, Rourke looked solid too, be interesting to see him trialed on the wing. Special mention to Rodwell and Uele, for me the top 3 forwards on the field by a country mile, Rodwell would walk into any team in SL and Uele is looking really trim and ready for the step up.[/quote:szgnbb1i] I wouldn’t say fantastic as he got stepped by Sivo who went on a run downfield. Luckily he’s slow so didn’t get there. Otherwise defence was pretty good though and a nice break. Was definitely a strong performance from him. Personally, I thought the best two on the pitch for us that first 40 was Pratt and Nikitemo. Then followed by Scott. Trueman is quite tall for sure. I felt we could have been deeper on the left and when Jowitt gets back and gives him some options to pass deep to we will see some good plays. Roarke looked good on the ball with some decent runs into the line but he really needs to learn from Max where to be putting himself to create options for the halves and potentially create space for outside. Something imo Jowitt is the best in SL at doing and strongest part of his game. IMHO Full back is the most influential and important position in a team. Jowitt will make a huge difference along with TJ to the backs.

[quote="Trojan Horse":vv9c7tzi]I wouldn’t say fantastic as he got stepped by Sivo who went on a run downfield. Luckily he’s slow so didn’t get there. Otherwise defence was pretty good though and a nice break. Was definitely a strong performance from him. Personally, I thought the best two on the pitch for us that first 40 was Pratt and Nikitemo. Then followed by Scott. Trueman is quite tall for sure. I felt we could have been deeper on the left and when Jowitt gets back and gives him some options to pass deep to we will see some good plays. Roarke looked good on the ball with some decent runs into the line but he really needs to learn from Max where to be putting himself to create options for the halves and potentially create space for outside. Something imo Jowitt is the best in SL at doing and strongest part of his game. IMHO Full back is the most influential and important position in a team. Jowitt will make a huge difference along with TJ to the backs.[/quote:vv9c7tzi] Don’t agree with Sivo stepping, he got put through a huge hole in fairly broken play. Looking at Sivo, don’t think he’d be able to step a Turtle. Agree with Jowitt in the team, but more so his positional awareness in defence when they kick. We were pinned back a lot by their superior kicking game, only Trueman for us put any sort of decent kick in, Russell and Lino’s were atrocious failing to get passed the half way line on multiple occasions. Not sure who we’ve got next but I’m sure the game against Leeds will put us in good stead.

[quote="Pat Bateman":5aqws7nn]I was shocked at the size of Trueman, he is an absolute unit at 6, similar size to Brad Fittler at 6. All in all a decent run out I reckon. With a decent proportion of our starting 17 out it was a good hit out. Out of the new signings I thought Cam Scott was a really stand out, fantastic in defence and solid in attack. Nikotemo only once or twice got a decent ball in space to run and looked like a powerful lad, pulled off a couple of nice tackles too. Hall was solid against Newman, Rourke looked solid too, be interesting to see him trialed on the wing. Special mention to Rodwell and Uele, for me the top 3 forwards on the field by a country mile, Rodwell would walk into any team in SL and Uele is looking really trim and ready for the step up.[/quote:5aqws7nn] That will hopefully work for Truemam when the big lads target him in attack, as they do

Rodwell got skinned three times - one of which led to Connor’s first try, another that cost us 40 metres and another which cost us 70 metres. Watch the highlights back, he didn’t have a good game, but that’s okay, it’s preseason and now he knows he has to play the likes of Croft and Connor each week. As for Pratt, I’d really like to see him play left centre. What he achieved last season wasn’t just good for a young lad, it was brilliant generally. 20 tries, some of those from nothing, and can’t remember him making many mistakes. Sure, it was Championship, but I’d prefer to see him over Hall, who’ll just do a steady job. And while he could be a cover option for wing, I’d always prefer a specialist winger like Russell. Totally agree on Uele - thought he was awesome. Not at all worried about getting beat down the middle this season. If our halves manage us well, I’m still confident we’ll be in the mix.

Yes. Sorry to say I agree about Rodwell. You can never tell with forwards though. Sometimes you get them on Boxing Day in the middle of their heavy weights prep which makes them look sluggish. I'm not worried about Rodwell. Whereas Caleb looked to have trimmed a little bit which worked for him.

[quote="Butcher":47jo5vm0]Rodwell got skinned three times - one of which led to Connor’s first try, another that cost us 40 metres and another which cost us 70 metres. Watch the highlights back, he didn’t have a good game, but that’s okay, it’s preseason and now he knows he has to play the likes of Croft and Connor each week. As for Pratt, I’d really like to see him play left centre. What he achieved last season wasn’t just good for a young lad, it was brilliant generally. 20 tries, some of those from nothing, and can’t remember him making many mistakes. Sure, it was Championship, but I’d prefer to see him over Hall, who’ll just do a steady job. And while he could be a cover option for wing, I’d always prefer a specialist winger like Russell. Totally agree on Uele - thought he was awesome. Not at all worried about getting beat down the middle this season. If our halves manage us well, I’m still confident we’ll be in the mix.[/quote:47jo5vm0] Can’t disagree with the majority of that tbf. Agree Rodwell was at fault alongside Cozza for the first try, but the second try wasn’t a try as Trueman was wiped out. Brodie Croft looked very slick and did step him. But by the by he hit hard and ran hard did Rodwell, Uele was great too. Agree also with playing Pratt on the wing, I’m sure I heard Powell say he’s unsure if he’s a centre or winger, i might be wrong like.

Supporters see what they want to see in a game based on their individual prejudices, it will never change.

[quote="Scarlet Pimpernell":1c73i77e]Supporters see what they want to see in a game based on their individual prejudices, it will never change.[/quote:1c73i77e] I wanted to see Rodwell do really well. And Russell dominate the game at 7

[quote="PopTart":13y4nglp]I wanted to see Rodwell do really well. And Russell dominate the game at 7[/quote:13y4nglp] Out of all our signings Russell was by far the quietest one. Only time I noticed him was when he flew out of the line to put a shot on and miss and doing a poor kick that either went down the FB’s throat or barely reached the half way line. It’s one game I suppose int it.

[quote="Pat Bateman":2xkw8v0a]Out of all our signings Russell was by far the quietest one. Only time I noticed him was when he flew out of the line to put a shot on and miss and doing a poor kick that either went down the FB’s throat or barely reached the half way line. It’s one game I suppose int it.[/quote:2xkw8v0a] Exactly. He had no field position to work with today. He'll have better days.

[quote="Pat Bateman":35ko99na]Out of all our signings Russell was by far the quietest one. Only time I noticed him was when he flew out of the line to put a shot on and miss and doing a poor kick that either went down the FB’s throat or barely reached the half way line. It’s one game I suppose int it.[/quote:35ko99na] Yeah I noticed Russell shot out twice on Oledzski. Not sure if that’s just a personal plot because he knows he’s passed the ball about three times in his career, but it’s an odd thing for a half to shoot that far in field and not quite connect. Only takes a smarter prop to tip it on and you’re buggered. As mentioned above, Russell might out a lot of pressure on Lino to improve and break back in though, so if he turns out to only be as good at he was at Huddersfield, it’s no disaster.

[quote="Butcher":iyww9w26]Yeah I noticed Russell shot out twice on Oledzski. Not sure if that’s just a personal plot because he knows he’s passed the ball about three times in his career, but it’s an odd thing for a half to shoot that far in field and not quite connect. Only takes a smarter prop to tip it on and you’re buggered. As mentioned above, Russell might out a lot of pressure on Lino to improve and break back in though, so if he turns out to only be as good at he was at Huddersfield, it’s no disaster.[/quote:iyww9w26] I can only imagine that Russell will be working with Gale behind the scenes. Miller was a solid player for us over the years but I’d rather Russell play in his dinner Jacket with the ball a bit like Gale last season. Sometimes it’s just as important to give your edges and the next player some early ball. There will be a lot more to come from Russell and Trueman and plenty of pre season to mould them into a good partnership. Lino will be in the mix.

I haven't given up on Lino at all. He definitely has a role to play.

[quote="PopTart":1ltlugt0]I haven't given up on Lino at all. He definitely has a role to play.[/quote:1ltlugt0] I was just about to post the same , in fact I'll stick my neck out and say Lino will win the shirt to start the season and he'll have his best season at Trinity since he signed . My reasoning is that he's got competition to keep him on his toes which is something he hasn't really had . It's consistency we haven't had with Mason but when he's firing he can be a quality SL half .

[quote="PopTart":1v3jok6p]I haven't given up on Lino at all. He definitely has a role to play.[/quote:1v3jok6p] Nice position to be in really. Sometimes lino needed a kick up the proverbial- maybe they will bring the best out of all of them!

I thought their line speed made it very difficult for our halves. They had no time on the ball, as we lost a lot of contacts and had a slow play of the ball. We only managed to get round them a couple of times. Once through some quick hands from Hall. Considering the amount of ball and territory they had, our defence was pretty good. They seemed to target our marker defence and got some joy. That needs tightening up. A decent hit out with 4 first team players missing. It will take a while for some players to step up (pace wise) and Trueman hasn't played for ages. Promising. Really looking forward to the season to begin.

[quote="Trinity_lurcher":1feof386]I thought their line speed made it very difficult for our halves. They had no time on the ball, as we lost a lot of contacts and had a slow play of the ball. We only managed to get round them a couple of times. Once through some quick hands from Hall. Considering the amount of ball and territory they had, our defence was pretty good. They seemed to target our marker defence and got some joy. That needs tightening up. A decent hit out with 4 first team players missing. It will take a while for some players to step up (pace wise) and Trueman hasn't played for ages. Promising. Really looking forward to the season to begin.[/quote:1feof386] I agree with the defence holding up well despite the territory and possession. Only two steps and one gap created by foul play shows the defence was good overall. More than 4 first teamers missing though from that 17. Jowitt Johnstone Mckmeeken Hood Storton Pitts Doyle Would be definite starters in the 17. So that’s more like 7 (almost half a team). When you add that in I’m sure we would win more contacts and the halves would have a bit more time and options.

[quote="Trojan Horse":1greq5b1]I agree with the defence holding up well despite the territory and possession. Only two steps and one gap created by foul play shows the defence was good overall. More than 4 first teamers missing though from that 17. Jowitt Johnstone Mckmeeken Hood Storton Pitts Doyle Would be definite starters in the 17. So that’s more like 7 (almost half a team). When you add that in I’m sure we would win more contacts and the halves would have a bit more time and options.[/quote:1greq5b1] + Atoni

I only thought about Jowitt, Johnstone, Mckmeeken and Atoni. I'd forgotten about the others! Be interesting to see the team in the next friendly

Griffin too.

[quote="Trojan Horse":1g3h7bf4]I can only imagine that Russell will be working with Gale behind the scenes. Miller was a solid player for us over the years but I’d rather Russell play in his dinner Jacket with the ball a bit like Gale last season. Sometimes it’s just as important to give your edges and the next player some early ball. There will be a lot more to come from Russell and Trueman and plenty of pre season to mould them into a good partnership. Lino will be in the mix.[/quote:1g3h7bf4] You can not compare Russell to Gale ,though he was here for just a short spell as a player.Gale could throw passes out that put players in to gaps, Russell was throwing out a lot of hospital passes at Leeds .

[quote="PopTart":3pde2oxa]+ Atoni[/quote:3pde2oxa] Correct, thanks. Missed him. Make that 8 then.

[quote="Pat Bateman":3nspktcr]Griffin too.[/quote:3nspktcr] I think he will be a back up, bench player for us this season. Be handy to step in but I can’t see him in 17 most weeks so didn’t include him tbh.