I think Harris missing that kick played its part in those decisions. He just isnt a goal kicker but for the moment we are getting away with it until Robinson or Rawsthorne are back. Got to say Robinson either needs to be in for Grix next week or even on the bench as our 2nd hooker. There are not many teams we will get away with having the bench we had today.

What pandemic? Nice to see fans and players living life.

I just feel at the moment we keep getting away with it. The forward pack is definitely short. Grix and Harris looked like they were struggling today too. And even Woody had an off day with the ball in hand. Thankfully Bradford were worse and our fitness saw us through. On the plus side McComb, Saltonstall and Worthington are playing well.

Pretty much how I thought it would go, the Bradford pack won more of the collision early on and made the better meterage and discipline played a part, we didn’t’ have much ball in their 20 with what we did have wasted by poor decision making.
You would have thought after 15 games we could come up with better completion when on attack and not be throwing the ball into touch, no wonder SG gets frustrated and stressed out.
As the game progressed our mobility equalled things out and we looked better.
On the plus side when we are forced to up the anti we look a dangerous side when attacking from deep and in broken play and have the energy to do it.
It could have gone either way right up to the last sets, credit to both sides who both tried to win it up to the hooter.

My thoughts are we missed Amir massively his strike off the bench would of made a huge diffence in the last 20 when Bradford were out on there feet.

Think we also need to replace springer fast with a similar player who is going to bust a line

Quote ="hooligan27"My thoughts are we missed Amir massively his strike off the bench would of made a huge diffence in the last 20 when Bradford were out on there feet. Think we also need to replace springer fast with a similar player who is going to bust a line'" Interview with Grix on soundcloud starts at 4mins 15 secs , covers bourouh , Hewitt, springer from 10 mins 29 secs . https://m.soundcloud.com/user-129831624 ... al_sharing

Quote ="hooligan27"My thoughts are we missed Amir massively his strike off the bench would of made a huge diffence in the last 20 when Bradford were out on there feet. Think we also need to replace springer fast with a similar player who is going to bust a line'" Interview with Grix on soundcloud starts at 4mins 15 secs , covers bourouh , Hewitt, springer from 10 mins 29 secs . https://m.soundcloud.com/user-129831624 ... al_sharing

It sounds from that interview that its likely Robinson is back in next week and with Grix bigging his brother up as the old head we know its unlikely he is losing his spot so its just a case of if he drops Harris, who was named MOM, or if he drops Woody who offers so much in attack from FB. Personally I'd expect more from an old head on the field and I thought Grix was annonymous for most of the game along with a poor kicking game which we have seen for a number of weeks now. Harris although I don't think he is near the best in defence does seem to have a knack of coming up with big plays. Id go for Robinson on the bench as the interchange hooker but unfortunatley Id be surprised if its anyone but Woody that makes way.

I don't see Amir coming back and whoever he has signed for is not going to want him risking injury playing in the championship but we have seen last few weeks how much we have missed him. He looks a fantastic player at this level. From what Grix has said again it just makes the decision to get rid of Springer with nobody lined up a strange one. On the plus side barring a disaterous finish to the season we should make the playoffs and with any luck will be a home game to start. If we have now freed up cash to bring players in for the back end and the playoffs I have no problem with that at all because although I think we can run Fev close at the moment, I still think we need some extra talent to get past them. Also you never know if they make it 2 up this season we may only need to win 2 games to get promoted instead of 3 which would give us a right chance.

That game, especially the 2nd half,was a good watch for any neutral fan. From a Fax point of view though it probably followed our previous games in highlighting where the team is lacking. Our pack is very lightweight and we didn't really get on top of the bulls fat boys until they tired late in the game. We also really need a game breaker in the halves but which team doesn't? What we do have is a team that gives it all and plays to the very last whistle. We obviously need a couple of extra players to boost us for the play-offs but getting the lads who are here fit whilst playing every week is difficult. Huge credit to all yesterday in getting another win and doing it tough but still picking up points is the sign of a good team. A special mention should go to James Saltonstall. He was just outstanding yesterday, not just for his tries but an all round game which, like Tangata the week before, dragged Fax through and got us the win. Up The Fax!

I'm not sure how effective Sion Jones will be this year when he comes back but I really thought he was a promising talent. He had that Fielden build and approach about him but obviously a leap to say he will ever be that standard. As well, Calcott has been very impressive too, put one some size and is a real asset in the forwards. So even if we don't bring in anyone to directly replace Springer, there are two young talents who are ready.

Anyone know roughly the attendance please?

2600

It was given as around 2,650.

I said before the season started that we looked to have a really strong first 18 or 19 but outside of that unfortuntley our squad players will not stand out in the division below. Ive not seen anything to change my mind on that for most of those players. I do think Calcott has done well though when he has played but for whatever reason Grix does not seem a fan because unless he has been injured each game he played I think there were forwards who played worse. Having those players is fine though if our ambitions are just to make the top 6. If it is to become anything else though those players will not be getting a look in.

First of all i thought saltonstall and mcomb were both very good on the wings and i don't see how you could drop mcomb next week on the back of a performance like that. And one of them should of got mom. The 2 points are always very welcome and credit to the players for getting themselves out of a bit of trouble at the end to get the win. I know there is not much we can do in the short term player wise we will have to go with what we have got but in the long term ie next season i think we need new halfbacks. The amount of times we blew chances 4 0n 3 3 on 2 and 2 on 1 i lost count in that second half. Grix kicking out on the full poor pass selection constantly going for the short ball and blowing chances out the back the only times we got it right when we had a overlap was for worthingtons try and saltys at the end we must of blown at least 6 chances with man over threw poor decision making and poor execution. I will give bradford credit for the way they scrambled in the defence they put in a far old effort to stop us scoring. But for me it feels like only a matter of time before this will cost us i just hope it is not in the playoffs when there is no second chances. Having listened to simons post match interview he does seem to acknowledge this but with the current personal i don't know if he can put it right.

By the sound of some of the posts on here you’d think we weren’t sat 3rd in the league, with a very positive points difference as well - comfortably 3rd best in the league, 100 better than next team and conceded just 1 point more per game than Fev. We have a lean squad like most teams, other than Fev who could put 2 teams out that would still get them in the top 2. We can’t expect to have easy games, but when not at our absolute best but still beating very competitive teams around us, I’ll take that.

I was questioning the coach and some decisions at the start of the season but let’s give credit when its due; seems some are still looking for him to fail so they can say told you so.

Spot on totally agree

As expected a 50/50 game that thankfully swung our way , by the sounds of the interview on soundcloud there’ll be some changes as it seems grixs’ patience with some players and the game plan is wearing thin , 14 -4 up and start trying to play like the Harlem globe trotters when we should be consolidating the lead and seeing our sets .

However based on what I’ve seen in the highlights perhaps controversially I think Scott Grix should be dropped , he’s the one ‘ the old head ‘ throwing the ball out ,kicking the ball out on the full and defensively out of position for the first and last Bradford try and pointing the finger at everyone else .


Next game is Newcastle I would like to see Robinson back in with Harris , Grix had a good spell but he’s as defensively suspect has Harris but provides a weaker kicking game than both Robinson and Harris IMO .

Agree with this, as I said before not exactly the type of play that you want from an old head. To try and blame McComb who had chased across field to try and shut down the Bradford break when he probably should have done better himself was poor I thought from Grix. I think we all know he must be a player who does well on the stats list though.

Definitely time to give Robinson another go - plays a more structured game is solid defensively and is also an excellent goalkicker. I would partner him with Grix as Harris while he tries hard creates very little when we are close to the opponents line. While not wanting to make the mistake we made against Oldham by taking them too lightly, several of our forwards look knackered; unless there are fitness issues we're not aware of I would bring in Calcott and Jones to add some size and enthusiasm to a pack which for long periods was second best against Bradford. Although 2 of my favourite players I would give Morris and Fairbank a break as they look like they need it.. Otherwise I'd leave the team unchanged - especially both wingers - Salty always runs harder than any forward and Mccomb made far more yards than either of the other possibles as well as showing the threat he can offer with broken field running.

When Scott came into the halves with Connor being injured he had a couple of decent games with 2 mom performances.
What happens though is the opposition coaches soon work out the plays and game plan against them and he’s been sussed out.
Another reason to get Robinson (when fully fit) back in is his goal kicking, Liam’s done his best but the difference between them on the scoreboard is as good as a try and in tight games a win or loss.

Spot on post couldn't agree more but i think you have more chance of seeing Moses than scott getting dropped.

7 out of 7 wins since Grix has been at Stand off - not a bad stat to have. I suspect one of the main factors is his leadership and direction. I also think that's one of the main reasons he was previously preferred at full back - JWH is not the most vocal of players, but you need to be in that position. Plus whilst he has been at SO Liam Harris has been playing better. I agree though we haven't finished our sets very well lately, and with the territory we had on Sunday, particularly in the first half, we should have forced more repeat sets. But our kicking game wasn't particularly good at the start of the season either.

Like others, I'd be tempted to have Connor on the bench as a replacement 9 next week if he is fully fit. This gives us other options as well as we know Brandon can do long minutes.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see either Connor Robinson or Scott Grix move to 13. We normally have a forward playing there so not exactly much of an issue to move them into the forwards or stick them on the bench. I do however think that both of them would struggle to defend in the middle of the pitch and is the reason I don't think we'll see Connor playing Hooker. I think people are being very harsh on Liam Harris.... Young lad playing as a pivot is extremely difficult but its nice to see a half who wants to take on the line and have a go. Granted he has a lot of work to do when it comes to organising and putting plays on but you can't expect him to be the finished product! 3rd in the league... No one would have thought this after that defeat at Oldham. Excited to see how the rest of the season pans out. Up the Panthers!!!!

Off topic but now France is off the Amber list really hope we're not the first team in a couple of weeks to have to travel to Toulouse.

No worries, we won't be.