Penny defends well, he catches well, stick him at fullback for the foreseeable, with Russell being a bit tentative, leave him on the wing, move Ratch into the halves, Wheeler at centre to cover Bridge.

Well it sounds as though Harrison and Bridge will be back this week after the Guardian report. Don't know about Atkins, I suppose it depends if he had man flu or the real flu. So that should strengthen the side considerably if all three return. I though Ratchford played well, but was lacking a bit of sharpness, so he will be stronger for last nights game. I think if we play GOB, then he should be the goal kicker - it sounds as though TS virtually leaves it up to the players to decide though.
Interesting comments about Wheelers defence on here, I would love to see a video of the game to look at the defensive structure and individual players, without the distraction of watching the ball. I am pretty certain that Leeds will be doing exactly that this week, and with their flair in the 3/4 it could be the deciding factor unless we sort it out.

Did GOB show a lack of inventiveness with the ball in hand, or were other players not giving him sufficient options ?

Both to be honest.. GOB doesnt ever really show much inventiveness with the ball.. for me he does a steady job, no more, no less... I'm yet to see anything from him that indicates he will be a mainstay HB of this side for the next 5+ years.... We are desperately short at HB, as seemingly are most clubs. I've come to the conclusion that either

a) We have a HB coming through from the U19's that Smith has earmarked as a regular for the first team.. probably from next season... maybe Patton, maybe the lad we signed from leeds (forget his name)
b) We have an NRL HB lined up for next season and we are just making do with what we have this year.

or my favorite one

c) both a and b which would give us a brand new pairing at HB next season.. because in all honesty, i don't rate any of them that highly.

(that might be a little harsh on myler, who can do a decent support job in a strong side)

* i dont include Ratchford in this, who is excellent and should be our first choice FB

I must say I'm not a doom merchant who often comes on here full of negativity or to criticise, but I do have to agree, it was our big weakness last year and hasn't been plugged. And while on one hand it's very pleasing to have English playmakers in the pivot positions throughout the team it is quite telling how much impact a surplus to requirements Aussie half-back can have compared to home-grown players at the moment.

Different question from me.
How did TS manage to bring players into the team when not named in the 19?
Is it a case that as Atkins dropped out because of flu then we are legitimately allowed to bring in a replacement (King)?
If that's the case then I'm still suprised that there were 'lots of changes' because it would appear that TS's plan was always to leave Bridge and Harrison out.

Regarding yesterdays game - sounded like our kicking was very poor.
Actually I thought that was arguably the biggest difference between us and St. George.

We are def two half backs short IMO. Michael Dobson specifically is a missed opportunity in my opinion personally. Good proven SL half back with vision and a kicking game too.

Bridge, Ratchford and Wheeler are hybrid half backs for me (ie. all can do a job but they are just special talents either in terms of step, pace, or doing something unusual that creates a try, but all are not consistent enough for a perm role)
GOB is steady eddy and no more.
Myler is simply a support player. With no class around him he looks extremely weak in attack.

It's a clear weak area. Not really sure why we haven't plugged it as with Clark for Monaghan. Perhaps we tried and failed?

Fear not comrades.

Yesterday's game was all about this Friday's game against Leeds if you get my drift.

I would expect all the missing players back ie, Harrison, Bridge and Atkins.

I would also expect the rest of the boys to be playing all out rather than just doing enough as was the case yesterday.

It's very difficult to back up in RL especially with such a short turnaround. There was no way we were gonna play all out against the Robins when we have Leeds round the corner.

Tony did such a great job of interchanging the forwards yesterday. They should be fresh and raring to go for Leeds.

Strange game yesterday. There seemed to be no dummy runners when we had the ball, simply passing along the line to little effect for most of the game. I commented at the game that we seem to have lost that flowing movement in attack, and lost that ability to play with a smile on the face. The passing needs to sharpen up and the kicking game wasn't good enough. Impressed with HKR's effort. Thank the Lord that we had enough in us to win.
Is Agar's presence having a negative effect?

OMG.

You guys don't get it do you.

Judge Wire in the games that they need to play well in, not the dead rubbers like Sunday.

If Wire played anywhere near their best against Hull KR it would have been a cricket score. What's the point in that when we need to conserve our energy and plays for the tough encounter against Leeds.

Let's see what happens on Friday before all you doom mongers and nay Sayers start bellyaching.

Now this is a worry! Doom all over, then our usual Grim Reaper comes up with a highly positive post.

Well the comment I made was my concern about our lack of a kicking game. I really would be delighted for these concerns to be swept away after the Leeds and Saints games but I can't buy an argument that they're not kicking well from hand at the moment because they're somehow saving up all their good kicks for the "big" games.

If I was you, I would re-read this rather arrogant comment and then ask yourself seriously if you truly believe this disrespectful rubbish.
You can't predict match outcomes on previous season outcomes or on past performances. On your below par performance during the match yesterday, Hull KR could have beaten you if they hadn't coughed up the ball so much in the first half, which resulted in a lack of possession and meaningful field position.
The bottom line is that in common with a lot of other teams in SL including Hull Kr, Wire are not playing anywhere near their best yet this season and I don't see this improving while your most creative half back is playing at full back. In addition, there has been some strange results in SL and no game, irrespective of opposition, should be taken as a given or somehow regarded as a dead rubber. Most teams are improving. If your team walk on to the park with your perverse attitude and complacency it will bite them in the bum mate!
I like the way Wire play under TS, I like Wire fans and you scraped a win yesterday. Will you beat Leeds next up? On the evidence of yesterday, probably not.
We should have beaten Leeds first game of the season in the same way Wakey should have turned over Sts last Friday. Both Hull Kr and Wakefield will beat more teams than you think this season, as there are no dead rubbers or easy 2 points any more. Get used to it.

I think our pack was looking a bit light, I'm looking forward to England's return, hilly is carrying us again,, and I think England will give Simms a run for his money when fit

Same old Fishwick........

I keep harping on about this but I think as the season goes on we will be looking to dominate down the middle and will be almost abandoning the big shift plays.
TS is a shrewd cookie and he knows that referees are trying to allow a quick play the ball and he knew this when he signed Clarke, Russell etc.
TS - "Simon, we really need to sign a ball playing 6 and another pivot full back now Brett and limping Lee have packed in"
SJM - "Sorry Tony the cheque book is closed so you will have to find a halback from within the club but I will stretch to an queensland cup rookie"
I just don't see that at all. He knows what he is doing and I am sure we will see Ratchford, Clarke, Atkins, Myler and even Russell and Bridge score plenty of tries by jumping out of DH and backing up offloads from Harrison etc As the season progresses.
Joel back on the wing for quick PTB from kick returns will also play a big part in that.
The players that TS has brought to the club are here for a reason. Not just because they were the only ones available.

Well there is one rumour I've heard that would back up the waiting for a big arrival in 2015. I don't really believe it though.

Not giving people a lot to go off here, are you?

What does his name rhyme with?

Super bonk.

He'll be here next season!!

Some of our edge defence reminded me of '08 with KP playing outside Matt King and Louis Anderson. Louis would go walkabout looking to put a big shot on someone leaving King and Penny to squeeze in to plug the hole. Alarming that Rovers kept running down that channel and even after TS's touchline intervention we still didn't push up. A lot to work on there this week. One thing that stood out for me though, Campese is a top quality half back (with the size of a back-rower) who would have been just what we needed this year.

Not that old one thats doing the rounds......Cooper Cronk!

For me, our poor kicking game will see us fall short in all comps this season. It is a huge area that we need to improve on massively.

If we don't win anything this year, I think it will be because of our kicking game. However, that is not the same as saying we won't win anything despite the kicking game. We know we can beat any team in Super League and we may only need to do that two weeks running to win the Grand Final. St Helens didn't have a kicking game last year. Nor this year really either yet!

Guess I was right after all.