Was talking about our great start at work today. It is clear that our attacking game has taken a huge leap forward and Radford should take massive credit for that. Motu has signed some great players as well. But we were discussing today about how confident and mentally tough we have looked! We went behind against Salford and didn't panic, we were under pressure in the first half from Catalan and stood up, again when Pryce went to the bin. Is this what we have been lacking in previous seasons??

We didn't go behind against Salford. We haven't been losing at any point this season. However, I know what you mean and yes we look a lot more resilient. I think this is because we are confident of scoring when we have the ball and it breeds confidence in other aspects of your game

Yes my bad, I meant when they scored early we didn't panic. We just seem to be oozing confidence and it's great to see.

I completely agree! with the new signings we seem to have an abundance of composure too which has been missing since the Peter Sharp era.

Think we've recruited some good personalities this year.
Lots of leaders out on the pitch now.

Lots of visible camaraderie between players as well and it seems genuine.

All the early signs are really good, but we have had everything easy so far. The real test comes when we find ourselves 12-0 down after 10 minutes. Or when the scores are level with 20 to go and a couple of key players are forced off the field. Both games so far have been over as a contest by half time, you don't learn how tough you are until you go through real adversity.

Good point...

As I said after the Salford game the desire shown is different to that of the last few seasons, the team showed toughness at Cats when down to 12 so the mentality is there, let's hope we can show it when really under the pump.
Far too often the last 2 seasons games have being lost due to micturate poor mental fortitude

I think Cas will put us under pressure. They are still a good team under Powell. But your right, the real test will come when we go behind or lose players.

Mental toughness wasn't too bad last year in all. We had something like the 2nd best defence whilst in 10th spot at 1 time. I just think the addition of the new boys and those out has ramped it up a notch. With Taylor been a hull boy and Washy and the Kiwis a real tight bunch it's more togetherness than being a great deal tougher. If we have a little more mental toughness about us I'd say that mostly down to Sika manu and Taylor. But I think all in all its as much about confidence in each other. Think we fancy ourselves to do something in attack and trust each other in defence. Take out last 20 v salford we've barely conceded v good attacking teams. Have we conceded under the posts? Nearly all out really wide

Agree with that

For me both games (infact the 3 including the Rovers friendly) have all been very even up until the 20-25 minute mark when both ourselves and the opposition are making the interchanges. This is where we have been vastly stronger in both league games (again all 3) and that is where we are reaping the rewards and doing the most damage in the games. Last year when Paea & Watts went off we lost ground and forward momentum which in turn stifled Sneyd etc.
This season so far when Taylor & Watts go off not only have we seen improvement in both Bowden & Green as replacements we have the likes of Pritchard, Manu, Ellis & Minichello to call upon to carry on the forward battle. Which has just worn the opposition down and stopped them getting any kind of momentum or cohesion themselves.

Its almost as if we get a second wind after 20 minutes. The lads coming off the bench are really making a difference.

I've criticised Radford in the past for his use of the bench but he seems to be getting it right this season. That said we are at pretty much full strength so our interchange players are excellent. It will be interesting to see how we are when we have a few lads out.

So......I think we can safely say that we were tested to the limits over Easter, mentally. Aside from the second 40 against Widnes, we have shown real character this year and a strong mental resolve, even when we are not playing well we are grinding wins out. Imagine what we could do if we actually play to our potential for 80 minutes!!!!!