Am I missing something with all the praise for Lawton myself and numerous fans around me all noticed he didn't take one drive in the first 20 minutes of the second half leaving the backs to do work he should be doing.
I also thought, as critical as I and others have been towards SF, that he handled his limited options and rotations better today than previously.
The handful who went to the Batley game, where we were not bad, will not have been surprised by today's win. We were helped today by Fax being unrecognisable from the team which beat us a month ago. Still, it was undeniably a solid performance. Food for thought that Smith was not missed. Joe Lyons, sometimes disparaged in this forum, played a corker, I thought. As others have said, the enthusiasm (and fitness?) of the new young players was noteworthy.
I enjoyed the win today, achieved as it was with threadbare resources. I think today summed up some of the many frustrations around the club. This is a group of players not without ability or talent. Yet they have managed to mask it this season. This is a strange and manufactured season, the RFL are intent on Toulouse ascending to SL yet I think Feath may well spoil the party. The mood in the stadium was dull at KO but by the end we had all come round to do what we do best supporting our team. Halifax had a decent following based on a 9 match winning run. Today they were hustled out of the game. I will awake tomorrow looking at the week in a more positive light. The doom merchants are few and far between on here tonight , but there's time yet. COYV (COW if you are a little older).
Listening to Merseyside, Steve Tyrer had another good game and mentions of decent performances from Clough, Hulme and Lawton.
I've been very impressed with Hulme. I know he used yo be with us, but considering he has been plucked back out of the amateur game into a team on the back foot, he has settled in nicely. I'd be happy to see him get a new deal. It would be deserved.
I thought we looked better today without Smith. With Owens passing the ball it seemed much quicker. Danny Cravens kicking game was very good too, regularly splitting the wing and fullback. I also thought both wingers dealt with some very tricky high balls, Kenny Baker was once again tireless and got through loads of work. With the addition of a few props next season we should have a decent team.
It'd be interesting to see what it would be like with Smith back at 7, instead of at 13.
The match day thread is 10 pages when we lose and only 2 when we win. Wonder why that is? 🙂
What happened to Roden for him to be carried off. I noticed Spedding coming over to our touch judge and complaining that it was a disgusting hit.
What happened to Roden for him to be carried off. I noticed Spedding coming over to our touch judge and complaining that it was a disgusting hit.
Hopefully on our video of the game. If it was a bad hit it should be reported to the powers that be!
.....It’d be interesting to see what it would be like with Smith back at 7, instead of at 13.
I don't think Lyons would deserve to be dropped, thought he had a good game, took his chance well "bossing the middle" without having to play second fiddle to Smith.
An interesting conundrum for Finnigan, an ageing international player past his best but still decent at this level or a very promising youngster with his career ahead of him!
The combination of Hill at FB and Owens at FB has merit, although I am looking forward to the time when we have enough decent fit props to let Baker return to his natural position of LF.
The handful who went to the Batley game, where we were not bad, will not have been surprised by today’s win. We were helped today by Fax being unrecognisable from the team which beat us a month ago. Still, it was undeniably a solid performance. Food for thought that Smith was not missed. Joe Lyons, sometimes disparaged in this forum, played a corker, I thought. As others have said, the enthusiasm (and fitness?) of the new young players was noteworthy.
Maybe playing behind a pack going forward helped Joe Lyons game!!!! His work in defence is massive.
…..It’d be interesting to see what it would be like with Smith back at 7, instead of at 13.
I don’t think Lyons would deserve to be dropped, thought he had a good game, took his chance well “bossing the middle” without having to play second fiddle to Smith. An interesting conundrum for Finnigan, an ageing international player past his best but still decent at this level or a very promising youngster with his career ahead of him! The combination of Hill at FB and Owens at FB has merit, although I am looking forward to the time when we have enough decent fit props to let Baker return to his natural position of LF.
Should have been... " Hill at FB and Owens at LF..."apologies.
A fantastic game yesterday controlled by cravens boot and full of energy, most pleasing thing was the line speed and the goal line defence, yes Halifax made mistakes but that’s what happens when we actually move off the line sigh aggression. Thought tyrer hulme clough and baker was immense!
we basically was more or less down to our last 17 players against a side who have basically not lost in 3 months which in itself is frustrating as poor as Halifax was yesterday we have lost regularly against far worse sides all year, hopefully a good run to the end of the season now with that bit of confidence and a strong off season will stand us in good stead for next year.
Too many cooks can spoil the broth. With Danny, Matty Smith, Joe Lyons and JackO, confusion could happen. All doing their best but different ideas we seemed to lose track against Dewsbury.
Certainly Danny looked back to his best and shifting Adam Lawton made a massive change.
We played better as a team & made better choices with the final pass today resulting in a great & much needed win. We should not get carried away though as Halifax also had a pretty much scratch squad due to suspensions & injuries.
However I am sure if better decisions had been made against the likes of Dewsbury, York & London we would have won those games too. So good progress. Whether it will continue we shall have to wait & see.