Dont think its been harsh at all, hes been a great player for us for quite awhile now but he cant live off past performances, and hes been very below average for more then 2010 season imo.

If it ain't broke and all that !!

The problem is 6, we need the back three to be Galea, Newton and Murrell, they work the best in those positions IMO. We need to try someone out at 6 this season, but it seems JM is happy to sit it out and sign for 2011. We might have someone who could do a Steve Hartley and convert successfully, just like Pryce at Saints. By all accounts the young lad Bell is tipped for success, but we get the usual problem here of 'he's only 18', when in fact several 18 and 19 year olds have already made it into the England side over recent years (young Briscoe at Hull for one).

We need to do something rapidly at off half, because when we are up against quality we have no answer recently.

I still think Rovers need more up front too but getting the back row back to like last season would be a good start. At 6 i think Rovers would be better playing I'Anson there or looking to bring in a loan signing rather than using Murrell.

I'anson has been tried and shipped out on loan. The lad did his best, but TBH he has not got what it takes in SL. Murrell is not a 6 or a 9 and is definately suited to loose man. We could do with a big aggressive prop next season to replace at least one (probably Wheeldon) who will go, someone in the Crabtree style, hard to handle with a good offload. Watts is looking more and more the part, he is big and as time goes on he is getting more agressive with it (in a controlled manner) and he has definately got an offload.

Don't agree.

I simply don't see him as a loose forward and i'm not sure what he actually brings to the position. He has all the skills necessary to be a pretty decent No.9 and i think thats where he'll end up.

The lad may have played at s/o but was never given a proper role in the side.

Was stunned listening to him on the way home - thought we were shocking personally.

Not been so bored watching Rovers for a long time.

Did you miss saints away, saints mm, hudds away CC, hudds at home, catalans away etc... trust me I'd take bored anyday

Agreed. When he played last season he did fine. This season though, even Cooke was a bit part player. What chance did I'Anson have of making a mark?

Excellent point mate, but just saying I think it was a poor performance lacking creativity (though I realise the conditions made creative play a lot harder).

We'll agree to disagree then. I thought he had all the skills to be a decent 13 when i saw him last season but i think he lacks the core skills to be a 9 such as crisp passing from the floor and experience of decision making in and around the ruck.

I'd have stuck with him to allow Murrell to play 13, or bring a loan player in.

Were the conditions really that bad? It was a warm(ish) day, didnt rain until second half.... id take that weather compared to the derby the other season were Webster got that drop goal.

Just out of interest what skills do you think he brings to the LF role??

As for the hooking role his passing off the floor is pretty good and his decision making will improve with more time in the position. The problems Rovers have at the ruck is players not showing enough urgency to get off the floor. I also reckon he played more at 9 in his acadamy days with Leeds than Danny Houghton did with Hull

I still think he's got a lot to offer, I agree he's not been on top form this season, but to be fair who has? I don't think anyone has played consistently well.

I had to endure it for 2 seasons Roofs...I know where you are coming from

Given a choice what would you have then...

Boring rugby all the way to Old Trafford or exciting rugby that finishes the 1st week of the play offs.

Winning ugly is not a bad thing, i'll bet Kevin Walters would swap your points for his in a heartbeat.

The differece is Danny is a good hooker, I'm suprised Rovers are doing so poor this seaon with 2 amazing hooker in their squad

So is Murrell.

Id say Watts has....

Not a good enough defender to play hooker IMO.

Also looks too slow, I quite like Murrell but really not sure what poistion I would play him, certainley too slow for 6, think it has be be 13.

From what I have seen this season Rovers have 2 better hookers than Murrell in their sqaud, also like the look of Powley and Spaven.

Hate to bet against my own team, but £100 says we don't make it to Old Trafford?!

Well we'll agree to disagree.

Murrell will end up as a hooker and a pretty decent one. He is strong and clever out of dummy half and his passing accuracy and speed is more than good enough. Not quick compared to Danny Houghton or James Roby but then neither is Keiron Cunningham or Matt Diskin. He is also a superb kicker out of dummy half.

I have to admit i have not seen a great deal of Powley but i don't think Spav has what it takes to make it in SL. Josh Hodgson though will be an outstanding no.9 and is a future international imho.

Think I will leave this one, didnt we are a big discussion on hookers a couple of weeks ago.

Hookers seem to br mine and yours chosen subject at the moment



I'm very happy that the number 1 hooker in Hull has just signed a new contract with us.

The number 1 hooker in Hull? He's not even the number one hooker AT Hull