Next 2 games are must wins, or the negativity will build and people will start to question Gentle.

classic case of the scoreline not reflecting the whole game. apart from a mad 10 minutes where we dropped off a few tackles, possibly due to fatigue having hardly had the ball in the second half, we did pretty well. monaghan will beat just about anyone to a high ball in the corner it is his speciality. thought we stuck at it pretty well and almost scored the try of the game at the end. work to do but a decent performance

Some already are. You just replied to one of them.

Stop talking shoite Mr Moderator.
I say it as I see it.

So you don't doubt Gentle?


I'm sure you do. Thing is, folk often see what they want to. Happens on here all the time.

Bloke sat infront of me said "Its like Agar all again", I think he was being serious aswell.

I aren't as convinced as many on here obviously are.
It's his first attempt, he's got a hell of a lot to prove.
If he takes us to the next level nobody will be happier than me.

Positives:
Shannon looked brilliant. Great under the high ball and kick returns, acts as another half in attack, and his break was pure class. What a step!
We, again, matched one of the top teams in the comp for 55-60 mins of the game.
Our passing looked confident and when we pushed the passes, it seemed more controlled rather than panic.
Horney showed he does have a kicking game, first half especially.
Tom Lineham.

Negatives:
Consistency. Again, only a 3/4 performance. We need to play for the full 80 to properly challenge the top sides.
Our forwards lacked aggression in defence around the 60mon mark and we got caught by Wire's quick PTBs.

Disappointed, but encouraged. It's no lack of effort or even 'x factor' IMO, just not complete performances. Put Ellis, Watts, DJ in there, with fully fit Tickle and Houghton/Azza interchanging, we are a much better side.

So I wasn't talking 'shoite' then?

Hull don't look far off. Very good defensively, but a bit blunt in attack which means you're under pressure too much. Holdsworth missing was a big blow in that respect, obviously and a marginal improvement could make life a lot easier - tipping point and that. By the same token, if that doesn't happen and you're defence deteriorates a wee bit you'd be struggling.
Horne was probably the best half of the first half. McDonnell looks good with ball in hand, but getting shoved off my Myler for Riley's second try was poor - kind of the reverse of the rest of the team.
Lineham, similar to Caro for us, has all the physical attributes but needs to think quicker - he'll be better for that game.

I hope your crystal ball is well tuned in.
For all our sakes.

It wasn't difficult for Gentle to be better than Agar, he's not without faults and should be criticised accordingly.
Heremaia was the wrong choice at seven, Pitts didn't come on until well in to the second half when our other forwards(most notably Lynch ) were too far gone and he hasn't replaced Moa (though that could be down to Bomber).

My crystal ball is in the shop. Hasn't worked properly for years.



I'm open minded about Gentle. I think he's a good [icoach[/i but as we all know that's not necessarily the same as being a good head coach. There are more positives than negatives IMO but as you say he still has plenty to prove.

In fairness we did [itry[/i to replace Moa.

2 points less than the corresponding games last season.

Thought we did OK. Defence was excellent up until their 2nd try then we seemed to throw the towel in. We lacked a leader on the pitch and the shat kicking game and poor discipline and ball renetion killed us in the 2nd half.

If holdsworth had of played I think we may well have won

Out of interest who would you have replaced moa with?
Not been funny but they're not exactly growing on trees.
Lynch watts starting, ogre off bench with 1other isn't too bad at all. With our full strength back row it would be a tasty looking pack for me.

Disappointing to lose it in a short spell like we did. Too much possession against us overall and it told in the end. Lynchy not really been the same this season so far slow start from him. Not far off shame that DJ was out I was surprised after seeing the Saints game how nothing was mentioned about the late high shot that he got off Meli. Personally I would have played Seymour tonight I don't think Heremaia is consistent enough at ha;f back and Seymour is supposed to be our half back depth. Thought the officials were very average tonight. Unbelievable that Bentham went to the screen for everything except the second half Monaghan cross kick score where Monaghan was in front of the kicker (I was bang in line with it). We need to equalise our play the ball speed with that of the opposition if we are to step up a level this season. Wire and others of their like play the official but we never seem to match it. Down but not out - better days to come but a strong and authoritative performance at Widnes is now a must.

Must wins or Adam Pearson will start to question Mr Gentle...

looking at our next few matches think and hope we can get on a bit of a roll

Would certainly hope to get a few wins now. Although if hullman's triage is accurate we'll be 7 players down which will make it tougher.

Our defence is looking good, but we look poor going forwards bringing the ball away from our own end. How many times this season have we had a set coming off our own line that's even got over halfway? Not many I wouldn't imagine, because our play the ball is that slow our pack's just getting lined up and smashed every tackle.

Pretty even game apart from the small section in the 2nd half when you just imploded but for that it would have been a tight finish.

2nd half vs Saints Hull were going nearly the full length each set! You battered them.

Tonight it was more down to Wire's defence which was relentless.

Chin up.

Gutsy effort from Hull but class won out.

Uncanny resemblance between Rovers 2012 & Hull 2013.

Rovers first 4 games 2012; lost to Leeds,drew with St Helens, lost to Warrington, beat Wakefield.

Hull 2013;lost to Leeds, drew with St Helens , lost to Warrington, beat Bradford.

Played 4, won 1, drawn 1 lost 2.

Next game 2012 for Rovers ..Widnes . Next game 2013 for Hull ...Widnes.

Having seen Widnes I predict Hull will bounce back to form next week.

Disappointing loss and performance. For me Wire bossed the whole game and dominated territorially. We had to come off our line too much and let them make too many metres with the ball. The weight of tackling in our own half was always going to tell and it did in the second half. We lost nearly all the collisions and the floor and the ptb speed they generated made the difference for me. Our ball movement was poor and we didn't off enough in attack although field position dictated that too.

I expected 2 points from the first 4 games so happy with 3. We will improve and Ellis, DJ and Watts will make a big difference to us.

I still fancy us to finish top 6 and challenge in the playoffs, i've always maintained we will be a better team second half of the season as it takes time for players to play well together.

Westy was good last night as was Lineham and Yeamo's defence was great. McDonnell is showing his class and will go really well on harder grounds.

As for the Seymour debate, I assume players get picked on either form or how they train, maybe he isn't training well enough?