Adam, good point about what you said, asking if it's harder to change a huge chunk of players, or just one man. Didn't Michael Carter say something similar in 2015, when we had a our problems. He said what made it hard, was that he liked James Webster.

Couldn't agree more with that, what I am saying is we are only 3 games into the season we have players still injured from last season never mind those we've got this season, as I've already said the fans on here would have been in uproar had he not played the team that beat wire, he stuck to his word and played them, he has his finger on the pulse and just maybe he thought that Fifita and Green would benefit from another weeks rest, who knows either way it's just speculation, was it Chester's fault we gave away those penalties or the 2 sinbinings, maybe if he'd known Arundel and Hampshire would get injured that also might have changed his thinking, although you might not believe I'm not Chester's agent and what will be will be, although I hope he makes a success of this season, not for his sake alone but mainly for the clubs.

I agree in parts with what your saying , on Friday night was furious but on reflection I travelled in hope not expectation.

Looking back on tv i get it that we had a couple players out , that we played twenty minutes with 12 men, a short turn round, heavy conditions, had a second row playing in centre , one of our playmakers thought he had a broken jaw , etc etc

What I don’t get it is why in 2 away matches we’ve probably given close on 30 penalties away, that’s clearly a coaching issue

Also cas was always going to be a totally different proposition to Warrington and whilst I agree about changing a winning team we could (if fit) have brought fafita and green into the squad without displacing any of the players that played at Warrington. David fafita on one leg is more inspirational and influential than any other forward we have on two legs.

Even just having him on squad list would have lifted everyone

Sometimes, there are things beyond the control of the coach.

For me, the turning point in the Cas game was the injury to Rocky, because he wasn't the same player afterwards (for entirely understandable reasons). He didn't involve himself as much and didn't tale the line on in the same way. Dumb penalties didn't help though. Prior to the game starting, Sky pointed out that we used more players last season than any other. It's hard to criticise a coach who wants to maintain some squad consistency, particularly after a good win.

My belief is that Chester himself will decide if he can't take the players any further. The players showed plenty of spirit and hunger in the first half, so I think the desire is there to play for Chester.

No panic for me yet. Let's see how we go when the main players are back.

I agree.
I was massively disappointed with our second half at Cas but, we started to lose shape when Arundel went off and Hampshire just wasn't as effective (understandably so).
When we have something close to our first choice pack, we should be a match for anyone in the middle of the park.
Having said that with Brough and now Hampshire missing, we are going to need to find someone to guide the side around the park.
Whether this will be one of the Woods or, maybe bring young Bailey into the squad will be a huge call for Chester.

It would be fantastic if Bailey could step up and make a name for himself and certainly, other clubs have had great success in getting young halves moving but, it's a fine line and we dont want to put his development back by throwing him in too soon.

Going by his performance in the reserves last week I reckon he smells an opportunity.

How old was Nigel Wright when he made his debut, 18?

Just gone on Wiki and he made his debut aged just 16!!

The key is not to chuck him in too soon and wreck his confidence etc
This call can only be made by the coaching staff and the player.

There is a world of difference in the physicality of playing against other U18's etc and playing against battle hardened SL players.
What does seem clear is that his chance may not be too far away and we all hope that he can do well for Trinity when that time comes.

I’d have no problem whatsoever giving Bailey a chance! If ever there was a time to give a young lad a chance it’s when you’re down to only one fit halfback and you’ve just scored 28 points in a reserve game the week before!

He doesn’t lack in size so I don’t see it being a problem...even if he had a poor game I don’t think it would knock him back too much...Chester is actually in a pretty good position with it because if he picks him and he has a poor game no-one is going to blame him for giving him a chance with last weeks performance...and if he has a good game it looks a great call...

Remember Lee Kershaw last year on debut? No fear and an excellent game...

Remember Jack Croft last year on debut? Up against arguably the form centre in the whole comp at the time and has a cracking game..

Get the lad in there is nothing to lose and on that right edge he’ll be surrounded by Joe Westerman and Jay Pitts so couldn’t be in better hands.

Nice to see a few more sensible posts recently about Chester too...get off his back and support him ffs...he’s proved in previous seasons with all his main assets available he can do an excellent job and the reason we have the squad we have is a lot down to him...as a Cas fan points out...even after the adversity we faced in the second half we stuck it out well in the last 20 minutes where we could have easily caved in and conceded over 50...end of the day Cas are a very good side who will beat most sides at home this season...there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that the players aren’t playing for Chester...if that does start to show through then maybe that’s the time to start asking the question?

Always remember a skinny lad making his debut for wigan ,i thought oh no this lad hasn't got it physically, how wrong i was ,sam tomkins

give the young kid a chance I say - no better time with all our injuries and he is in form - Salford are not it shouldn't be to bad

Having watched Connor for the last couple of years in the academy, I would agree he is a great prospect, however I was at the game on Sunday where he totally ripped Widnes apart in 1st half, but was pretty anonymous in the second half as they had Sussed him out, he's not quite there yet IMO, but he will be given time and the right conditions. l see no sense in dropping him in to early and losing confidence, it's a massive step up from U19's/reserves to 1st team Superleague, with plenty of steps inbetween the two that could be taken before the final leap

Plenty of young lads making their mark in SL for other teams this season - and in adversity, you often find out who your best people are; I'd be sitting down with Bailey this week and offering him an opportunity and if he feels up for it, give him a go - with Pitts and Westerman teed up to look out for him.

Give him a chance Hampshire has been nothing short of a joke at half back

He has to be given a chance at some point.

Why not now, rather than re shuffling players around.

Ironically Pitts made his debut for us as a teen in exactly the same circumstances. Worked out ok for him.
Give him a go I say. Better now when the rest of the team are pretty strong. I hate it when we throw kids in against Wigan away with 15 first team injuries.
The ones that work is when a good kid comes in and he's the only new boy.

If the young lad is a 7 then give him a chance lets be honest where sciring 2 tries per game anyhow so cant do any worse .
Personally i think he chester will go with josh wood at 7

So do I fwiw.

I could have sworn the same players that beat Warrington lost to Hull KR and Castleford. The value of the players that are available to play is decent. In fact the entire squad has strngth in depth this year. I sympathised last year but for me the same excuses can't stand this year. I watched a back line with Clare and Rankin in pass the ball ten times better and function better than one with Johnstone, Tupou, Lyne and Arundel. What you said doesn;t really cut the mustard for me.

Agree
Give the lad ago

There are few things better in our game than seeing our young lads get ago and succeed

Last night Johnathan Thurston said that the first time he played alongside Darren Lockyer (his idol), in Thurstone's first Origin match build-up I think, he was star-struck, but Lockyer took him on one side and had a chat with him which set him off on the right foot....and the rest is history

I can't comment on him as I've not seen him play at all, but Financial Times has on a quite regular basis and if he says he's not ready baring in mind he trains junior rugby then I'm inclined to agree with him, but Chester won't be having a straw poll on here, he'll will do what he think is best (cos that's his job) whether he does or not we'll have to wait and see, if he does and the kid comes a cropper lets hope it doesn't destroy his confidence, more to the point though if he plays him and it doesn't come off will you use it as another stick to beat the coach with.

If Connor Bailey is the only fit h/b left in the squad and he gets ignored for the Salford match after scoring three tries in his last match,isnt THAT going to knock his confidence?

Im happy with whatever Chester decides tbh, only he knows if Bailey is ready for SL action. He needs to be as well because this is a game we should be targeting for a realistic win. Jowitt may be the safer option.