after watching our left wing defensively week on week it makes me appreciate just how good Joel Monaghan is and how lucky we are to have him. The less said about Atkins the better, i think even Swinton would refuse to play him if we do drop him, thats probably why he is still in the team

Atkins wasnt great. Let's hope he can get his old form back. Like the try he scored at hull 2 years ago when he robbed the the player of the ball and ran half way down the pitch to score to change the game and ensure we finished top.

The only way to get the absolute best out a player is to remind him of those who are waiting for a flaw in his performance to take, and keep his shirt.

For the last two years Atkins has been playing like a player who knows he has the left-centre shirt sewn up, regardless of his form and the availability of other players. The situation now is that Atkins is no longer merely performing badly and we have lost attacking edge as a result, but Atkins is clearly, and very successfully, being targeted by the opposition and we are shipping points, possession and position down that flank as a result.

He needs to be dropped, or certain players will be wondering exactly how bad he has to be before he is dropped, whilst they appear to have been made the teams appointed sacrificial lambs.

Unfortunately I kind of agree. TS should give him the 'the last rights'. They're players who would cherish to be in that position for Wire like Ormsby who made sure that that in no uncertain terms that he wants his place in the wire side and he's earned it big time from tonight's performance .

Give your Yed a wobble.

Bridge like Westwood stood out tonight!

Were you too confusing him with Atkins as Stevo did last week and Carney did last night?

There can be improvement in all the players but to single Bridge out is to imply that you considered he played poorly. That right hand side was very solid.

Spot-on, really. The amount of work that Hill and Westwood get through is excellent.

What about Woody? People seem to have forgot about him.

Massive improvement against Leeds.
Atkins form or lack of is still is still a concern and Myler offered very little in attack but put n a good defensive stint. I thought GOB was good and will need a little time to learn to gel. It was an interesting comment from Eddie I think that the difference was that the Leeds pivits all know each others game, ours clearly do not, well certainly Myler and GOB. My question of TS is why weren't GOB and Myler playing together in every practice game

Lets be fair, the Leeds defence was magnificent and they are a top quality side with fire power in abundance and to keep them to 18 was a good effort

England looked good, much improved form Roy, Orms looked good and usual suspects deserved the plaudits as always
Need to keep the improvement going and we will be fine

Last season, with Ratchford and Myler at halves and Hodgson at FB, we lost at Leeds by six points. We also lost at home to Saints last year with the same pivots, although by a narrower margin than 2014. Is next week a 'must-win'? Seeing as we also lost at the HJ to Hull in 2013, maybe not?

Not so bad, eh, as we still finished second in 2013. I do agree that we need to try someone else at left centre, Evans probably, or if TS is inclined to give G O'B a longer run at six then maybe Ratch. We will also gain some attacking options once Russel is fit to play FB. Woody and Harrison will also bring a lot to the side.

This was always going to be a 'transitional year' for the Wire. I don't expect to win 'owt this season, but we're on the right path I reckon.

Statistically no.........psychologically yes

At least they still do two pint pots and it didn't chuck it down till 10 from the end. Plus Wigan are losing and we never beat Saints at home or Leeds away anyway. Heads up.

They should have had a bit more time, but given that the preferred half back pairing is supposed to be ratchford and Myler they needed time as well. I hope matty Russell comes in, grasps his chance and then allows us to have a settled half back pairing. I would suggest that pairing should depend on who fits in to the team the best over the coming weeks.

Can I ask...& this is an honest question...why is ratchford & myler the 1st choice halfback pairing, ratchford was playing fb last season, as the successor to hodgson. Tony smith signs russell & now ratchford is 1st choice halfback.
I would also of liked to seen how Gaz O'briens skills & decision making would of developed playing along side Briers for the past couple of years as Myler has had the pleasure of doing, instead of been sent out on loan to any team that needed a temporary halfback or at Swinton.

I don't know but given the fact that ratchford was given the number 6 shirt and Myler the 7 shirt I think it's fairly safe to assume that this is the pairing that tony smith felt would be our first choice. I think ratchford was signed to be briers long term replacement but because of his ability in other areas he got chances elsewhere in the meantime, whether he will make the 6 shirt his own remains to be seen but I have a feeling he will be given a good go at it this season. Sadly gob won't get the chance to play more games with briers now, but he can develop alongside other players if he gets a run which I don't think anyone can say he doesn't deserve given his performance last night. I think the halfback pairing is really up in the air but hopefully 2 of the 3 will make the positions their own over the coming games.

Spot on, some sense in among a lot of over-reaction. A very tough opening two matches for you and will no way be a pointer for the rest of the season. Now is the time for someone to step up to the plate and fill the boots of Briers. Enough potential quality players at the HJ for this to happen.

Briers was due to keep the 6 shirt, & ratchford 1 but was briers unexpected retirement TS had to make a quick decision. Unfortunately as you say 2 of the 3 will make the positions there own in the next few weeks....but it won't be on form. After the way warrington have treated Gaz O'brien he should get out of the warrington team at his earliest opportunity for the sake of his own career.

Ratchford, either in a Salford shirt or a Warrington shirt, has never consistently shown compelling evidence to suggest his long-term future is as a stand-off. He is a broken field runner, and a very dangerous one, so FB is is logical position and I've yet to see evidence of the organisational skills and kicking game required for stand-off.

As for Briers, he announced his retirement in November. TS had PLENTY of time to find a replacement but he showed his hand early and said we'll go with what we've got - time will tell if that was the right decision.

Shirt numbers were also given out November time, or do you mean a replacement from outside the team?

I've seen Ratchford at centre for Salford, he's a cracking centre, good hands, thinks, can draw a man perfectly. Everything Atkins isn't at the moment.

I meant from outside the team.

Evidence backing a scrapping of the squad numbers and return to who plays that position wins the shirt as long as his form merits.

The club had a few early warnings last season about Briers's neck problems & should have been ready for him finishing or at least playing a much reduced role within the team.

For me squad numbers means very little. I am suprised it seems to be GOB who seems to make way.

Anyway tonight we were better.
Hill excellent.
Waterhouse put in another terrific stint.
England didn't look out of place as an SL forward
Ormsby didn't let us down - only 1 gaff.
Joel did pretty well and took his try well.
Micky tried hard as always.
Westwood was pretty good.

Generally though we didn't deserve to win. Encouraging, but Myler needs to step up. Kicking game better but much improvement still needed.
I like GOB and think he deserves a chance.

I've not read every page but has anyone mentioned Leeds first try? That pass to Briscoe just before he kicked looked well forward on t.v.

yes rogues i put in the opening lost couldn't believe it was given linesman stood right in front of it. Really don't know what the f#ck they do in the game. I thought thaler had a decent game and of all the refs in sl he is best imo.