I have previously defended him. However, that last play on Friday night, just highlighted his limitations in reading the game. London had all come in narrow to pin us, and a simple wide kick to Briscoe, should and would have resulted in an easy walk in if caught. Instead he went for a grubber under the sticks where all the London players were in two seperate lines to protect it. It was so predictable.

You could hear the collective groan as he punched that one in there from around the ground, strait into double coverage.

An 18 year old called Dylan Brown had a great debut for the Eels on the weekend. Given on paper we've no chance against Catalans I'd give McClelland a game. We signed him as the next big thing, so let's see what he can do.

Not sure why Dwyer wasn't picked on Friday.
Yes he might not be a world beater but he has been one of a few who has put his body on the line each week.
Surely JJB and Sutcliffe will not be in the 17 for Saturday.
If McLelland does get selected BR who would you drop?
I would be tempted to drop them both and play McLelland and Smith in the halves or possibly completely left field Parcell at SO.
Yes stupid I know!!

I'd drop Lolohea and tell him he won't play again until he's fit. If we pick McClelland I'd tell him he'll definitely play 3 or 4 games regardless of result to take pressure off a bit.

I saw a bit of Owen Trout play for Dewsbury and he looked good albeit out of position in the centres, hope he gets a chance soon.

I said when we signed Lolohea he was a lard a**e.And nothing has changed.To be fair he can kick goals and has a great pass in him,but god he needs to work hard to be of value

Lolohea was an overweight reserve grade fullback when he signed. Despite the evidence Leeds thought he'd make a starting stand off. I'd say we got exactly what we paid for.

Everyone’s been saying how Smith was out of place as SO. Why play him there again?

As it stands he is a better option than Lolohea.
I feel that whilst they played him at stand off last time he was asked to make far too many tackles which kind of nullified his skills in that position.
Long term he aint no stand off but is probably better than our other options.
I also said play Parcell there but that might be pushing it

Myler 7 McLelland 6 is probably the option. It only takes Walker to get injured and Tui would slot in at 1. He’s a funny player Lolohea; lots of talent but infuriating at times.

The Problem is not Lolohea, its the halfs. He is frustrating as hell and simply not doing it, and he was the wrong choice to go with, but that is not the problem. Salford manage fine with Lui and he is no different a player to Lolohea. However, they have Hastings at the side so Lui can do what he does best rather than what you expect. We need to allow Lolohea the same, rather than the pressure of covering the other half role also. The pairing of Lolohea and Myler simply won't work, we need a general type to be at the side of Lolohea. Moving him to fullback is silly, that will just stump the progress of others if Walker is out. If we can't get it to work with Lolohea then he needs to go. So it is him or Myler.

Lolohea of a couple of years ago would be a much better prospect on the wing than Handley. Unfortunately Lolohea's body/fitness no longer seem to suit this position, but it could be a handy option for us given time?

Cuthbertson missing on Saturday. Ablett still not fit enough to play.

Do you think he will have turned up by Saturday though?

Walker
Briscoe Newman Hurrell Handley
Lolohea Myler
Peteru Parcell Oledzki
Ferres Sutcliffe
Merrin

Dwyer Holroyd / JJB / Smith / Donaldson / Singleton

Would be my guess.

We need a performance from the team after last Friday's disaster, not feeling confident about getting a victory if Cuthbertson is out and we have not injury returnees.

I hope we go with

Walker
Briscoe
Newman
Hurrell
Handley
Lolohea
Myler
Peteru
Dwyer
Oldezki
Ferres
Smith
Merrin

Subs
Parcell
Singleton
JJB
Holdroyd

I would like to see us go for this one.

Walker
Briscoe
Sutcliffe
Hurrell
Newman
Lolohea
Myler
Peteru
Parcell
Merrin
Ferres
Donaldson
Smith

Subs
Oledzki
Singleton
Dwyer
Ablett

So no one is giving McLelland a go despite our halves being pants?

I’m with the Brisbane one, he needs to have a run of 4 games and see how he goes whilst we get a stone off Tubby Lolohea.

Neither Ablett or Crosby have played this season, and both are missing again, with no return date mentioned.
Too much Salary cap is sitting in the stands was Sinfields quote last season, and Garbutt was shown the door for this reason by all accounts. Yet these 2 injury prone players were given 2 and 3 year? contracts.
Some very questionable decisions by the new director of rugby to say the least.

Catalans win by 20,

Furner gone by 9pm on Saturday

Interesting back line. However I’d be tempted to keep some consistency in positions where we can.

Walker
Briscoe
Newman
Hurrell
Handley
Lolohea
Myler
Peteru
Parcell
Oledzski
Ferres
Merrin
Donaldson

Dwyer
Smith
Holroyd
Singleton

Better to get their long-term injuries seen to as opposed to playing them injured - something that was going on far too much at times under McDermott. Any SL club is going to have a given % of its squad in this position. I doubt Crosby and Ablett are taking up much cap space (at least I hope not).

I'd be more worried about Ward and Watkins sitting in the stands (not that this is the club's fault either). Get them back in at full fitness and we're a different team.

STOP PICKING HANDLEY FFS

Aye its all his faults our HB's have been pish & the pack have showed the resolve of a soggy kit kat whilst the squad is top heavy with has beens & never will bees much worse & more of a liability than him.