jury out on turgut, hasn't kicked on as I hoped, but still time, has all the tools to be a decent second rower, downs and fash imo just not big enough, I like fash as he always gives it all, but shame he isn't bigger as never bends the line,

Agree on this and let's be honest there weren't many senior players that covered themselves in glory against Huddersfield either.

I do think the problem with Turgut is he seems to be trying too hard rather than just going out and playing. Think that showed against Huddersfield with his passing as he seemed to be almost panicking to pass. The kid has ability and has tried to make his mark in what is really his first real regular stint at this level.

Take Bowden and Green as two perfect examples when they first got a chance neither were startling having fair and awful games along the way. Many wanted shot of Green but he has now started to show he can be a regular in the 17. Bowden again very similar though showed more than Green early in his career but has really come on in the last 2-3 seasons and one of the most improved players. Turgut is no different and will be better fir the learning curve and experience this season.

Would have Turgut in the 17 ahead of Downs as based on what I've seen of them both.

As an opposition fan I couldn't agree more. After Chris Hill (in general rather then this seasons form) and maybe Adam Cuthbertson, I rate Watts as one of the best in the league. He would be in my England 17 along with Graham, Hill and Sam Burgess. We know Wayne Bennett will pick a team based on as many NRL based players as he can fit in though and then fill in the gaps (grudgingly) with Superleague players.

Apparently Watts won't be fit in time for Friday. Huge miss if true

It was the penalties that killed us especially at 12/12 when his penalty in our 20 led to Leeds third try.
As i have said i had great hopes for Turgut as a running second row with a bit of pace but dont see any improvement in his play unlike Masi
who hasnt played too many games but every time he plays you can see improvement.
I agree with other posters about Downs and Fash.Fash works his socks off but doesnt impact a defence and his size will probably determine whether he becomes a Super League regular or not.

I think it is early to write him off, his early season form was good and feel he has been a bit scapegoated in the last two league games, it's his first full season. You even said on another thread young players need time

... 2 penalties in total. Not the end of the world I'd have thought.

Fortunately, Radford is unlikely to pick or drop any player on the basis of one performance.

Turgut had a shocker against Hudds, did himself no favours against Leeds and has the propensity to give away petulant penalties.

Others deserve their chance ahead of him for this week at least.

See nothing but a loss against Wigan. IMO the club has bigged up trying to get to the GF far too much publicly and in a way added extra pressure. With suspensions and injuries i cant see us beating Wigan (though of course if we do ill be pleased before anyone starts).

If they did not big up their chances, after last years CC win and even more so after this years, they would be accused of lacking ambition.

There is no extra pressure now to what there was 5 months ago IMO

I think we are in for a really tough night. Without wishing to sound like Shaun Wane, we are the underdogs this week.

Big time. If watts doesn't make it and talanoa won't IMO then we could be in for a long night

Also you've got to question the logic of a Player of the Year evening 48 hours before a vital game. Not suggesting that the squad are on the lash but even so, seems strange.

The timing does seem odd, with 3-5 games left, but the players were very relaxed, not drinking and, with the exception of Sika, I think they had all gone, or were leaving by the time we left (just after 11). They'll have been training this morning too.

Odd timing but I don't think it will affect them.

Maybe the club have done it deliberately early so it doesn't affect focus during the run in?

Correct.

we have the awards night every year at more or less the same time don't we?

Saints done us a big favour tonight. Win tomorrow and that's top 4 sealed with 2 games left which would be bloody marvellous.

maybe its the only time the city hall was available?


anyway, after tonights result, tomorrows game has just got even more important! need our defence and discipline to be at its best

but we all remember the last time hicks reffed an important wigan v fc last season in the semi finals! gave us jack poop

very tough game tomorrow.. our right edge looks very week

Not sure that was a good result for us tonight like some are saying, looking at the fixtures think Saints will win their last two games putting them on 33, fancy Wigan to win their last two games, so if they beat us tomorrow I think we could be in trouble.

Would mean we would have to beat Wakey and Cas away.

Our points difference could be our downfall

I've said the same for us on our board. A Wakey win would've kept us further away from the top four in points terms yet tomorrow wouldn't be quite as 'win or bust' for us as it feels now. I've no doubt Saints will win their last two so if we lose tomorrow we've got problems yet if we win we jump from 6th to 3rd!

This end to the season is exactly what this format needed.

No chance. We now need to win 2 from 3 or we probably wont make the 4

Think we will beat Wakey, not sure we will get the other win though.

Need to win tomorrow