Watched the game on saturday and it was 2008/9 revisited.
But for me the issue post Cooke is that we have not had two half backs regularly on the pitch. We looked fine in the 2nd half Saints, Cas, Cats away, Salford, first half Hudds and Bulls.When we have no Long (and IMO Horney is finished and should never have been given a 4 year contract) we are rudderless as we were without Dykes and Head. We have some big tough forwards and we have some useful backs but without pivots'playmakers we have no cohesive structure. Now KR rely heavily on Dobson who has not missed a single game since they signed him.
My biggest concern long term is that most of our juniors are falling short of SL standard and we have to rely on the old guard staying a year longer and older. Some of the comments regarding Agar are valid but with Berrigan/Washbrook in the halves we do not have the ability to play an expansive game.

well said,
sorry if i took it out on your posts Dave, not really meaning to attack you I know where your heart lies and its as black and white as mine pal and were both disapointed arent we as this week should have been a build up to a ass kicking for HKR off the back of a good win at Wakefield however its a slow death till Thursday I fear , just think were better than some make out Dave we just cant get past our injury jinx can we year after year and it makes us look worse than we actually are.
But my apologies Dave i take back my friendly digs at your posts pal

No need to apologise mate.

I still think we aren't good enough!

what position were we in last year at this point

I don't think you can place enough importance on having your first choice halfback pairing, With Horne and Long playing the majority of games this season I believe we would have played better rugby and we would have a better points difference.

The problem we have is as soon as we lose Long in particular we seem to lack any nouse and cohesion and end up playing like strangers. Now I know we can't expect it to be as good as when Long or Horne are playing but it has to look better than it did on Saturday. To me Saturday was not about halves but about attitude and enthusiasm. We looked drained after about 25 mins and had no energy whatsoever.

I am expecting a massive improvement for Thursday and believe they team will turn up and deliver a performance, the thing is we can't keep going through season after season with Horne in the stands and our SH in the stands.

Pack was beaten on Saturday for the reasons you mention and if it gets beaten on Thursday it will be the same result. Much more impact required.