well just got back from a freezing donvalley and what can i say , after last weeks abismal display i thought we could play a bit better but i was wrong . what can i say forwards have we got any because today they looked very tired no running on to the ball no go forward, half back combination nothing to write home about wingers taking the ball up to the line when it should be the forwards job . as it stands we are going to have a very difficult job on to beat leeds met next week and we are expected to pay £14, it might be worth it just to see if they can upset us .somthing has to give either aston has got to concentrate on the business side and hand over the coaching reins to mick or get someone in because once the regular season starts i can't see us winning many matches , i don't like to say it but i think we might be religation candidates if nothing is done .i've been watching the eagles for over 20 years now and i hate saying these things .

This was our 1st Eagles game this season (after being in Cardiff when the game v Haven was on). TBH we were fearing the worst beforehand - our defence wasn't too bad at times but looked clueless in attack. Good to see local lads being given a chance - but Cottle & Hanson don't look good enough for this level - hope we're proved wrong. We need Misi & Alex S back ASAP. Think we'll beat Leeds Met but dreading the game against the Smackheads!

I think Cottle and Hanson have been two of the stand out players in the NRC games to be honest, don't know what that says about the rest of them. Can't really comment much on the game as I only saw the first half.

I think Jamie Cottle is doing very well considering the level hes gone from and to (no disrespect to the reserve grade but its a different game). Yes he fumbled a couple backwards yesterday but mist importantly he didnt panic. Corey's still pretty raw but enthusiastic, he will only get better.

Agree about Danny Mills, it looks like he's low on confidence. He got a good pass yesterday out wide in a bit of space but instead of going hell for leather for the line decided to cut inside and dropped the ball int the tackle.

Lets be honest, after these four pre-season friendlies, the team isnt gelling like it needs to be at all. Weve lost good players (Exton, Brendon, Thackeray who i think got released) and its showing.

Weve got one more chance to get it right against Leeds Met next week. If not, Widnes are going to tear us a new E.

Too few players to choose from at the moment. Out of 1-30, the shirts not used yesterday were

1. Misi - not here
4. Not used
6. Quentin - not here
11. Alex - not fit
14 Not used
16. Not used
18. Not used
20. Smith - not fit
21. Not used
23. Nick Turnbull
24. Kyle Wood - wanted by Shuddersfield
29. Dan Hawksworth
30. Sam Scott

Not a lot of options there.

Jamie cottle is more than ready for this level, Cory hansen will be a good player but he still has a lot to learn bout defense and i think he needs to be a bit fitter. We have lost a lot of experience in the off season and brought no experienced players in to fill the gap. No disrespect to turnbull but we need halves and maybe a decent right centre, not another forward. Hope misi and quentin arrive soon.