Decent back up, yes.



Which clubs do you think he could stake a starting place in? How many of those clubs have SL Title ambitions?

Admittedly it's those clubs at the lower end of Super League who may not hold realistic title aspirations.



My points were that it was said "We were improved by a journeyman player" and this was a sign of how poor we are in attitude to other clubs I disagree, I think it is a postive that we have a back up of the quality of Russell. I'd say any squad in Superleague would potentially be improved by Russell, any that for a number albeit on the small side and non title challengers, the 17 could be improved by Russell.



To support this I think he is better that Saints third choice wingers Bennison and Ritson, and Wigans (who is widely regarded as the team to beat) have a young academy graduate as their back up who has had some injuries, granted they could shuffle their 17 and a number of their players can play wing.



Our issues are not with our wingers this season as others have pointed out.

Yes, fair enough. I was meaning in reference to our starting 17 being improved by Russell as a "human pinball" and a way of relying on to "get momentum". I think he is a useful squad player for us when injuries strike.



Where do you think our issues are for 2024?

We are going over the same debate about Russell that was discussed before he left and then again when we re-signed him.



His major issue in my opinion is his poor try scoring record.



To win games, you need to score more points than the opposition, with Russell on the wing we are reducing the odds on doing that.

I think our issues may be strength in depth - particularly in the second row - and size in the second row as well.

We've had a team with a poor try scoring record for quite a few seasons.

Fair enough, firstly before I do moan I'm feeling quite positive about our 2024, and feel we are in better shape than the Powell era, but,



Past our Starting Props I feel there is quite a drop off there, and I'm expecting a lot from Musgrove



Depth at second row again quite the drop off when we get to replacements and like Musgrove expecting a lot from Fitzgibbon.



Half backs, we are very reliant on Williams, Drinkwater cannot have another season like last year, high hopes for Hayes but I want him breaking into the team for the right reasons not having too because Drinkwater is terrible, Powell could go there, but that doesn't give us a long kick game.



In the back line I'm quite happy Centres are improved although we are down two already, I'm a bit worried over Tai given what's been said about fitness, 1 year seems a good idea.



On the whole though can't wait for Saturday and to see how it all goes.

Hmmm. Top half of the tries scored table most years Even top two 21. Even in the dire season of 22 we where far higher up the try scoring table than the actual league table.



Also tries scored isn't the only indicator of success the last two seasons of their Grand Final winning 4 year run Saints weren't anywhere near the top. Not that I want us playing the soul crushing, boring, edge of legality rugby scum helens do.



It's resilience and determination in key moments in games that get you trophies, a quality we have had sadly lacked and not just in a few seasons unfortunately.

Russell seems to be very good at ‘bending’ the line but I honestly can’t recall him ever ‘breaking’ the line. A good winger should do both and close games can be won by wingers who can do the latter. A handy squad player but I’m hoping our game plan encourages wing play as demonstrated by Ashton, Thewlis etc.

There is a WG article asking what we expect from the friendly.



For me I would like us to look structured amd threatening when in the oppositon 30. I hope we will not see the one out drives, tackle 4 panic play and then high kick to King.



I would also like to see us aggressive taking the ball in and completing sets calmly and methodically.



Finally I am hoping we have got some basics right. Passes from DH not being over the head of reciever would be good. So would playing the ball correctly.

Worth remembering we have a quota spot and cap space available for another prop, so I’m hoping - assuming we find someone - that it will end up being a strength. I’m still expecting Mikaele to come over to be honest! Hopefully Green, Thomas and Wood can also get some game time this year.



Back row, agreed we lack depth, but with Crowther, Harrison & Powell we have some cover at 13, so could we see Nicholson covering in case of injury? I’m not entirely happy with that to be honest, if Nicholson is to be our long term 13 he should be left there as much as possible, rather than moving him around. Not sure on Whitehead and Holroyd, they haven’t been given many opportunities so far, this could be a breakthrough season for one of them. I think Tanginoa would have been a good fit for us, primarily coming off the bench but able to cover prop, back row and loose well.



In terms of the Leigh game I’ll be interested in a few things. The left / split of the centres & back row will be one, Currie likely to play on the right and King on the left?



Structure within the half backs looks promising with Burgess & Williams suggesting Drinkwater will take up a more traditional scrum half central position in attack with Williams playing outside him on the left or right as necessary. I think that could utilise their talents well.

I have heard about this "new formation" but in reality Williams has to favour one side or the other ... otherwise he will be doing one hell of a lot of running off the ball. OK sometimes he will pop up on the right but he can't always play wide left & right. I'm sure Burgess & Williams know more than me so it will be good to see how this pans out.

This was the traditional Stand-Off role, when I 1st started watching the game.



Both halfbacks covered the whole pitch, but the Scrumhalf would tend to play most of the game from the middle section, while the Stand-Off had more freedom to follow the attacking play.



When the team is defending, then they will have a side of the field to position and defend otherwise their defensive duties in the middle of the field would be too tiring.

Anyone know if you can pay on the gate/on the day?

Quote matt_wire="matt_wire"Anyone know if you can pay on the gate/on the day?'" Yes cash turnstyles according to the club. https://warringtonwolves.com/news/2024/ ... -Leopards/

Quote matt_wire="matt_wire"Anyone know if you can pay on the gate/on the day?'" Yes cash turnstyles according to the club. https://warringtonwolves.com/news/2024/ ... -Leopards/

Leigh have reportedly sold 2000 tickets for this. Great turnout for a friendly that

(if its true!)

At times last season, Ratty Muscle was likely our best makeshift forward, even from off the wing!

0 - 6

From wg. Sigh.



That first 20 for Wire was pretty ropey - they couldn't get any control of the ruck and any attempts to build pressure were thwarted by errors and ill-discipline.



Once they tidied themselves up, however, they grew into the game and finished the half on top

Well that wasn't fun

Slammin Sam has really changed us I see! At least he's found a good balance between professional and social relationship with the team eh.

I ll reserve judgement with this rabble until Catalan away and hull at home... friendlies mean jack..

Result doesn’t surprise me, friendly or not, Leigh have a better squad than us.

We seem to have picked up a few more injuries.

Ill discipline, errors at the play the ball, back chatting to the ref. Have the players learnt nothing? They are either pig thick or taking the . I was hoping for a clear change in attitude but it seems from the commentary we have picked up from where we left off.