Notice even Pete Smith was getting stuck in about management's decision not to recruit a prop. Signing Fusitu'a was a gamble and though he does look a fine player when fit, you would have to say that it has backfired at this early stage. Let's hope it pays off over time.

Joey had a great game against Catalans but he had been fairly quiet up to then (to the point it was questionable whether he deserved his place in the team with Hardcastle fit again) and he's looked vulnerable in defence at Championship level - not through lack of effort but his lack of speed over the first 5m has seen opponents run round him a couple of times.



He might still be reaching full fitness, of course, and he should continue to be destructive with ball in hand at this level. In any event, I think Mark Campbell wants a SL place not money (see the Kheirallah signing this week) so unless he has a SL release clause I doubt he'll go anywhere this season.

Some valid points being made here.

I for one thought we had a top 4 pack and was looking forward to our half back pairing.

Sutcliffe and Briscoe who got in due to Newmans injury were both considered weak links.

Prior for me was also a gamble and we have been unfortunate with the Holroyd injury.

Saying that he is still young hence why we all or most of us recognised we needed another no nonsense prop in the squad.

Who or where from was the issue.

Pretty sure there was a shortage of props available, not that our management of overseas slots can have helped. Agar did day we were looking which might have suggested we'd a plan to cope with this so maybe it was simply a case of not being able to persuade anyone to sign. The number of fans complaining about their own undergunned packs suggests luring the big menwas no easy ask. There must be a scenario where no stone has been left unturned.

Were going to be stuck without Newman for a while, had surgery on his hamstring out for 12 weeks

Newman out 12 weeks, we are really stuffed now. Briscoe and Sutcliffe without shadow of a doubt worst pairing in the league. Championship standard. I would put Handley and Tindall in centres and give us abit of pace and spark but i know this would never happen! Not replacing hurrell and using sutcliffe as his replacement is just poor poor management.

Deep sigh. I see they tried to hide it as the bottom story in a really vague bit of good news about Holdroyd and Myler. Depressing.

If not unexpected. I said 8w after first one and he played after just over 6w. I know we were desperate, but now look at us…..

Think I also said it sounded similar to the Phillips injury and he was out for 12 weeks.

Had he had the surgery from the start he would be almost ready.

Could Walker be the answer once Myler is fit?

Or could Walker play in the halves with Austin at centre?

Surgery is not without risk though. If we have Had started the season better I’m sure he would have had a longer initial rehab.

True.

I`m probably clutching at too many straws due to the situation we find ourselves in when I seriously thought we would be in the top 4/5.

It’s really disappointing to be wherewe are. Frustrating to see some younger players being held back too long, and only paying when we are literally desperate….