We have now played every team once this season, so I thought it would be interesting to see everyone's thoughts on how they fell it has gone so far, areas we can improve, which teams will be a threat in the 2nd half, who will make the play offs etc

Toulouse away is the only game I think we could potentially lose as they seem to have improved from early season jitters. Home advantage in the grand final will see us win the league

I feel similar. I think Toulouse away is the only time we could drop points as they’re going well and the only other full time team.

Toulouse will be wanting to beat us in the final for sure. They will be the biggest threat.

As for Trinity, think we are going well. We lack a bit of punch with Rodwell out as the combination of Rodwell and Uele is brutal.

Would like to see Walmsley get more game time on the wing. Olpherts is going well but with an eye on next season I’d like to see more of Walmsley on the left wing where he was scoring for fun.

Harvey Smith looked good so I’d like to see more minutes for him second half of season for a few games.

Bain is a cracking tackler but seems like he’d be more suited to 13 so I’d like to see him play there.

I’m happy though. Things are going well and I’m enjoying it.

I think with the recent players they have brought in Bradford away will be another good test as well as Toulouse away as mentioned.

Errors and penalties are our potential Achilles Heel and will be the reason if/when we lose a game. Teams struggle to make metres against us and the majority of the favourable field position comes from one of those two areas. I'd also like to see us smarten up the attacking play. As we can steamroller most sides, I feel we neglect the skill somewhat to go for power, making us a little predictable. The cut-out pass to the left is also something that will be countered by opposition coaches so we need some variation.

All in all, 13 wins from 13, 1 trophy, just 5 aways games in the run in leaves us nicely set up.

Agree getting very predictable in the way we are playing ,still a lot of work to do to get us up to S L standard ,never mind a top 7 team

Is anyone expecting us to be at that level this season? I'm certainly not.

I watched Toulouse play Fev on French TV, despite not having the biggest pack Fev did make plenty of metres down field but ultimately dropped the ball too many times to take advantage. The second half of the game became a penalty fest with both sides losing their discipline, in Fev's case it was pure frustration with their errors but Toulouse were dumb they were 14-0 up, and under no threat, yet gave away cheap penalties for really niggly stuff.
I think the temperature is going to be the big factor when we play there.

Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Toulouse play Bradford this Saturday in what could be a really interesting encounter. Do people know all of Toulouse' home games are available free to view on Via Occitane TV, I will try and post the link when I can, the coverage is ok but the commentary is in French, it got a bit annoying this week as they kept talking over the ref mic who was speaking English

Be nice to win a penalty or error count

Half time report this season compared to last well done boys unbeaten no mean feat every team has off days but good teams win when they don't play their best and we have completed that this season.

In addition we are building confidence of players and building a cohesive unit especially in the forwards. Next season we will be well prepared for the step up in the knowledge that most of our overseas players will have a year of our game and how it's played under their belts

I know I bang on about IMG a lot but our target is now playoffs.
The wheels would really have to drop off to not make playoffs or even top now so any team targeting us will target us then.

My biggest worry is teams recruiting big names at the end if the season and catching us out on the last step.

I think we'll do it but that's the concern.

Yes I agree that is my only real concern especially if we suffer some injuries to two or three of our crucial players

So you are saying we should not have a team ready for S L by end of season

By the end of the season, no, by the start of next year, yes.

Dare I say , a bit underwhelming , especially defensively, but we overpower the opposition in the end ,which quite rightly we should do with our pack .Thought we would be very slick in our attack by now ,but still not that fluid going by comparison to the super league sides ,of which we are going to be up against very shortly ,obviously with some great additions to the squad . Plenty of chopping and changing also doesn’t help continuity as Powell is running an eye over who stays and who we say goodbye to come season end .

Lack of pace down the middle of the field is not helping to get a slick attack as well

Basically, we win due to the individual superiority of our players rather than any coaching input/expertise?

I don't think you should dare to say... if that's what you think... then say it, although I think you are being disrespectful of the competition and the opposition players.

my personal view is having supported the team since around 1975... I can honestly say I have never known a Trinity team so dominant in a competition we have played in... and I've seen them compete in lower divisions plenty of times... half way through the season undefeated an with a positive points difference of 344... one cup final where we destroyed the team running second in the competition by 50 points... I am anything but... underwhelmed!

I asked Powell directly that if he could get us playing like he got Cas doing I would be a happy bunny , he said it was just skill levels that get those flowing moves along the line , well I’m yet to see those on any regular basis at present. I’m showing no disrespect to any championship club , but to say we have basically 2/3rds a super league ready squad what did you really expect Spook against part time opposition, If mullering part time player floats your boat I’m happy for you , but having no jeopardy in most games does nothing for me . If this present team was up against the current super league clubs we’d be fighting against the likes of London for the wooden spoon. For me the sooner we are in nail biting games the better .

Can you get this on a firestick do you know? or just online streaming?

I have to disagree with your last 2 posts, firstly to be "underwhelmed" by Trinitys defence is a curious one, on average they are conceding just shy of 11 points a game

Secondly, the reason moves aren't "flowing" is due to the disruptive nature of the Championship competition, Trinity are being deliberately slowed down and the refs are allowing it at this level, most of the rucks would result in 6 agains or penalties in SL, lastly, teams like Sheffield and Widnes have been playing together (a good percentage of their teams) for a couple of seasons, so have some consistency and cohesion already established, the only advantage to being full time at this level i the fitness and preparation, Powell himself has stated that the amount of time spent on the field working on things is very similar to part-time/full time and having my lad play in both over the las few years I agree with him. Trinity should be praised for their performances not criticised, this is a brand new team with a brand new coach and in a brand new competition, we've lost 1 game all at the beginning of the season by the narrowest of margins in horrendous conditions, since then its been one way traffic, with some amazing tries scored (yeah there's been some walk ins) what do people genuinely expect


Toulouse away and the grand final will probably be the only close games we'll have now, even Bradford away will be easier than what some are predicting, a couple of additions to a pretty one dimensional team on a small pitch will make little difference IMO

Regards Bradford. They’ve signed a couple of big forwards but I’m confident if we go aggressive with line speed on players like Pele and shut them down then we will dominate. From what I’ve seen I’d expect Powell and the coaches will have a plan to shut down the Bulls bigger forwards. Our defence gives me every confidence that we will do the task.