Couldn't agree more. Add that to the time they spend on the pitch it must be the coaches dream to have them as the starting props

Both of them have been completely awesome.

They both came back for their second stints and looked hell bent on creating as much havoc as they could. I can't remember in recent history when we did that to their forwards

Indeed, even if he were to not have the beard Dowes would still look a completely different player to the mediocre one of recent seasons. Couldn't help but laugh at Luke Robinson's attempt to tackle Thackray before he went over the try-line

He nearly planted Robinson head first within the in goal area, Infact he could have grown spuds out of Robinsons ar$e.

the full pack are on top of their game at the mo but dowes is a workaholic and tickle is putting hmself about abit,also thought manu had a miles better game tonight

If he was carvell he'd be laughing his t1ts off sat on his fat ass, picking up 10 grand a month

As impressed as i was with last nights performance of your pack and your team as whole, you have to look at who you were up against, mason seemed to back to his old penalty machine past...korkidas was his usual lazy, low impact self and andy raliegh fractured his finger, having said all that well done on the start so far lets hope it continues, after last season it must feel good for ya'll

Everything about Cusack's game is just remarkable, the yards he makes going forward, his defence and the amount of carries he makes. At times he was striding an extra 3/4 metres with 3 players round him. It actually got to the point were I felt uncomfortable when the Yak was having a breather, but both Dowes and Thackers are in good form too.

He has really upped his game this year. He seems bigger to me too. Last year he seemed a bit spindly, I might just be imagining it though.

Our forwards are playing magnificent... there playing for one another, and there such an impact...

Whats worrying me is the fact of our backs. They're not really doing much for me, the games we've won our forwards have been dominant... I'd like to see our backs get into the same kind of play and have the whole team playing for one another.

We have some pretty awesome backs... think its time we utilised it and smashed Superleague up!!!

Big test next week against probably the best set of forwards in SL...Shame their backs are gash.

They both look completely different players from last year, even from the wigan game cusack looked far better

I rated Cusack last year, so for me the biggest revelation has been Dowes. In the best form of his life right now - bending the line in attack and crunching tackles in defence. Superb.

Tickle has been top notch in all games so far, and last night Manu looked to be getting back into some form as well.

Kudos to them all. They've really stepped up a level or two from last season.

Totally agree. Think we will only get better too!

Dowes needed a big season after a very average 2008 and he has started extremely well. He seems much fitter and stronger. Presumably this is a combination of his short stint in London on his personal fitness programme and the arrival of Ben Cooper.

Definitely. Opposing players now hit him and bounce, whereas before he'd probably lose some ground. And I've [inever[/i seen him bend the line before, even when he's been in good form.

Him and Tickle are possibly our two most improved players IMO.

Good post!

What has impressed me is the discipline shown so far this season, we don't seem to be giving stupid penalties away all the time like before. This was something that Carvell used to be particularly guilty off which negated most of his good play, but also Radford and Graeme Horne have both been good whereas they used give away many penalties.

Thackray now seems much better at carrying the ball and doesn't drop it or get it knocked out like he used to.

Really pleased with Dowes and Tickle. Dowes needed to improve on his last 2 seasons. Before the season started i was talking about Tickle missing out when Crocker comes. Ive had to change my mind on that havent i!

(fwiw Manu would be the worst of our back rowers currently)

thought Willie had a good game last night, seemed to put in more work and dosome hard graft for a change too

must be the Peter Sutcliffe look changing his game

The team reminds me of the early 90's (Premiership winning team). Not very expansive but very workman like, forcing the oppostition into mistakes.

He was improved but if one of Radford, Tickle or Manu had to drop out to accomodate Crocker it would be Manu currently.