Ok, you make a good point. I may change my statement to I won't be celebrating as much as if we'd got to the 8 but I won't be overly disappointed either.

Technically, we didn't make the 8 last year and we can't realistically expect to do so in future until we're spending something close to the salary cap; this is the reality of SL and anyone who doesn't get that, is deluding themselves.

Even with Wayne Bennett in charge, we wouldn't challenge the top clubs and as it stands, whomever coaches us can only herd the cattle he's got. Harsh but true.

Can't remember exactly off the top of my head who was injured last season apart from Aiton. It was though one of the things we were fairly lucky with last year, only missing the odd player here and there. I'd certainly say this year we've had quite a number, especially in the pack we're just about all the forwards have missed multiple games.

I do agree that I did expect a bit more consistency this year but saying that we are in about where I thought we would be in the league. A strong finish to the season would be excellent though and in a lot of ways somewhat needed for next years season tickets.

Cant agree with that Injuries have been much worse this year.

Agree with that.

Well if you can remember and tell me different i'll be happy to retract that statemant.

Think Ali, Collis, Aiton missed quite a few games last season.

I agree with most of that, do you think HKR, Bradford have better squads than us and have the right to play above us all season.

So the question is have we improved on last season?

I don't know with any certainty how much they spend on their playing personnel, so it would be a subjective opinion.

On balance, I'd say that we've improved in some areas but have remained about the same on the pitch; as a result, we'll finish in a place that is probably about right, given that we spend significantly less than the cap and even more significantly less than those clubs who use their owners wealth to circumvent the cap in some very obvious and straightforward ways.

No!
We're getting worse!!
Agar had a full off season and settled squad this year!!
I can't see any areas we have improved!!!
On the pitch anyway!!!!

Yes he did - a settled squad with the same net worth as the one he had the previous year; coach them how you want, but they are what they are. We've found our level and there isn't a huge amount that Richard Agar (or John Kear or Wayne Bennett) can do about that, until he gets more resources to deploy.

I wonder if the unbeaten run is a monkey on Richard Agar's back - given that it appears to have raised some people's expectations way beyond what is reasonable?

I think most would say that we are much weaker in the hooker dept in comparison to our unbeaten run.

Not seen any improvement, however, Trinity are where I expected them to be at the start of the year.

Theres a lot of split opinions on here about Agar....Out of interest, when is his contract up?

Not soon enough!
Next year? 2 years into 3 year deal!!
But his ok because he's already got another job!!!
Which he applied for?

Can't understand what more you think he could have achieved with the squad we have.

1st Season = Playoffs & longest unbeaten run since the 60's/70's
2nd Season = Still in touching distance of playoffs
3rd Season = ?

Unless we spectacularly bomb out this season, I can't see any justification for sacking him. He's brought some cracking players to the club and punched well above our weight in our first season with a new squad. People were clamouring for his head at this time last year, look what happened.

If we get in the playoffs again this year, I would in fact extend his contract.

Whether you think that technically we should have missed out is a matter of opinion, I'd say that had Bradford spent the wages they could afford or at least suffered the same fate as us and had to get rid of all their best players they would have finished nearer the bottom than ninth which is where the points deduction that all clubs know they will get for going into admin put them.
Even so I am of the opinion that there are not 8 clubs that are so far in front of the rest that the play off places are already decided before the season starts, and on that basis we should have been in with a shout of at least 8th and possibly higher.
You can come up with any number of reasons and excuses as to why we won't make the playoffs but at the end of the day there is only one that is relevant, and that is the players did not perform to their ability or with any intensity in what were potentially our easiest games of the season.

This.


We've also had a few more injuries than last season. When is Tautai back so he can play at loose forward?

The brand of football we play is rubbish!
We don't respect the ball!! Try to score on every play. High risk!
Don't do the hard yards and build pressure!
Defencive structure does not work!
Constantly plays people out of position!!!
A bench full of forwards! Poor use of subs!!!
These are all down to the coach! IMO
Mr TT will be back for a tilt at play offs Leeds at home we can't thank Agar for this signing all Mr Millwards doing!!
Thank you!!!!!!!!!

Bench full of forwards? Since when did either Wood or Wildie play prop or second row?

1 + 2 - I disagree, I think we play a decent brand generally. Having Smith as our only real creator is hampering us though,

3 + 4 - Agreed, but it's a judgement call whether we play the high risk stuff or play percentage rugby, Agar obviously feels this is the way to go, only time will tell if he's right.

5 - I'd say if you look at our team we have quite a few utility players and less specialised ones (Washbrook, Lyne, Cockayne, TT, Sykes etc) We don 't have the leisure of being able to get a specialist team and we will have to put up with seeing players played in their second positions from time to time.

6 - Bizarre

Only 1 of them makes the bench at any one time!
And that's the wrong un!
To be used as interchange hooker!
Which is in the middle of the pack of FORWARDS!
Making them both FORWARDS!
Other 3 bench spots go to props or 2nd rowers!
Who are also classed as FORWARDS!
Guess what are new signing will be???
U got it????
FORWARD!
Level at best

I wouldn't class Danny Addy as a forward

And to me Wildie and Wood are halfbacks who can play hooker, although Wildie seems to be more of the latter. Also, at Cas and Saints Lee Smith was on the bench, would you class him as a forward as well?

I'm just saying the majority of games we have a bench full of forwards!
Lee Smith is an excellent substitute because he offers utility value!
With a bench full of forwards u don't get this!
Last week we had to play Frankie in because we had a bench full of forwards!
I'm sure that's gonna earn him a new deal?

I dont see the problem here he has played Centre many times before.