: Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:30 pm  

I think its a good time to play Salford as they have a lot of new players who will take time to gel. That said I think they have recruited very well and they look to have some real size and aggression in their pack. This is a concern as IMHO we're lacking exactly what they have at this moment in time.

Should be a cracking game and hopefully a Wakey win but this will not be an easy game as its a much improved Salford side from the last time we played them.

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:32 pm  

Haywire wrote:

Without wanting to sound arrogant, or underestimating Salford - but these are the games we really do need to be winning (particularly at home) if we have any hope of sneeking into the pay offs. If we can get another couple of bodies back we really should have too much in the tank for them - despite having a decent 15 mins against Celtic they look to be a fair bit off the level required to me, as long as we defend like we have done so far and play with effort - the extra recovery should help too.

a seemingly sensible analysis of the situation and yet deep down you know, just know we are a step away from disaster

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:35 pm  

Come On The Trin wrote:

I think its a good time to play Salford as they have a lot of new players who will take time to gel. That said I think they have recruited very well and they look to have some real size and aggression in their pack. This is a concern as IMHO we're lacking exactly what they have at this moment in time.

Should be a cracking game and hopefully a Wakey win but this will not be an easy game as its a much improved Salford side from the last time we played them.

Don't think we lack aggression and we're not a small pack by any means. Some of the hits the likes of Wilkes, Hendo and Stosic put in on Friday were as hard as any you will see in any game. Salford looked vulnerable out wide and this for me should be exploited, Atkins has power, Gleeson has footwork, Halley (if fit) has speed, Blanch has power and speed, Martin has good hands, if we get the ball out to the flanks I'm pretty sure we could be in for an entertaining game.

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:43 pm  

Uptoncat wrote:

Don't think we lack aggression and we're not a small pack by any means. Some of the hits the likes of Wilkes, Hendo and Stosic put in on Friday were as hard as any you will see in any game. Salford looked vulnerable out wide and this for me should be exploited, Atkins has power, Gleeson has footwork, Halley (if fit) has speed, Blanch has power and speed, Martin has good hands, if we get the ball out to the flanks I'm pretty sure we could be in for an entertaining game.

lets hope and pray salford dont get a man binned or sent off, a sure fire trigger for us to start driving it up the middle

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 6:00 pm  

Uptoncat wrote:

Don't think we lack aggression and we're not a small pack by any means. Some of the hits the likes of Wilkes, Hendo and Stosic put in on Friday were as hard as any you will see in any game. Salford looked vulnerable out wide and this for me should be exploited, Atkins has power, Gleeson has footwork, Halley (if fit) has speed, Blanch has power and speed, Martin has good hands, if we get the ball out to the flanks I'm pretty sure we could be in for an entertaining game.

Completely agree with you re they look vulnerable out wide. Not so sure I agree with you re agression/small pack.

For me we urgently need at least one, ideally two big aggressive front rowers/forwards. Stosic is not the biggest although does look like a grafter. Hendo isn't guranteed a starting 17 spot when everyone is fit. Scully can prop but he is injury prone and that coupled with his discipline tendancies you never know how many games you're going to get out of him.

That puts far too much pressure on Wilkes and Stosic for me. I know Snitch can prop but I was of the understanding we planned to use him as a 2nd rower. If one of them gets injured then what? Leaves us very short IMHO.

Fergy, Pitts and Hendo aren't very big for back rowers and JD and Grix are still new to their new forward positions and again, not the biggest to be fair.

I'm not saying we lack fight or commitment in the pack, just size, power, presence and I suppose some natural aggression.

If we are going to compete for a top 8 place I feel this could be our downfall.

Also, no point having class half backs if the forward foundations aren't laid. The best half backs in the world can't play behind a pack that lacks go forward.

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 6:53 pm  

MOPSEY LIVES ON wrote:

how far is brough away

Dewsbury's about 8 miles from Normy I think!

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:59 pm  

MOPSEY LIVES ON wrote:

how far is brough away

Speaking of that, nobody heard the same rumour as me? (Load of old knackers I am sure though).

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:03 pm  

Come On The Trin wrote:

I think its a good time to play Salford as they have a lot of new players who will take time to gel. That said I think they have recruited very well and they look to have some real size and aggression in their pack. This is a concern as IMHO we're lacking exactly what they have at this moment in time.

Should be a cracking game and hopefully a Wakey win but this will not be an easy game as its a much improved Salford side from the last time we played them.

Not sure I agree with the bit about the pack - don't foger the likes of Leuali and Stapleton didn't rip it up every week in the lower division. And other than a short spell in Saturdays game they struggled to bully or dominate a very average looking Celtic pack - infact at the moment there is only really Ryan O'Hara that looks up to speed for them. Salford need to find some real improvement in a very short space of time, as you rightly point out they need to gel - something that can take weeks rather days.

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:58 pm  

Haywire wrote:

Speaking of that, nobody heard the same rumour as me? (Load of old knackers I am sure though).

i take it by that you have heard brough is on his way

: Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:19 pm  

don't know what bus hit Dale Ferguson but he's got a corking black eye, bit like chi chi the panda