I did a comparison between this year's first 5 games and the past two years first 5 games under Mick Potter, to see if we actually have improved - or not.

In 2009:
We played; Warrington (won), Huddersfield (won), Hull KR (lost), Celtic (won) and Salford (won).
In total we conceded 52 points; 14 (Warrington), 6 (Huddersfield), 20 (Hull KR), 0 (Celtic) and 12 (Salford).
However we scored 110 points; 26 (Warrington), 23 (Huddersfield), 19 (Hull KR), 4 (Celtic) and 38 (Salford).

In 2010:
We played; Hull FC (lost), Bradford (won), Catalans (won), Wakefield (won) and Hull KR (lost).
In total we conceded 94 points; 32 (Hull FC), 6 (Bradford), 12 (Catalans), 16 (Wakefield) and 28 (Hull KR).
However we scored 138 pints; 12 (Hull FC), 38 (Bradford), 42 (Catalans), 22 (Wakefield) and 24 (Hull KR).

This year:
We played; Wigan (Drawn), Salford (won), Warrington (lost), Catalans (won) and Harlequins (lost).
In total we've conceded 106 points; 16 (Wigan), 22 (Salford), 25 (Warrington), 16 (Catalans) and 27 (Harlequins).
But we've only scored 128 points; 16 (Wigan), 56 (Salford), 18 (Warrington), 22 (Catalans) and 16 (Harlequins).

So for the past three years our defence is getting worse, and our attack hasn't improved from last year. For the past three years we have won fewer games at the start of the season. Whatever Royce's trying to get them to do, the players aren't doing it and it's showing in the stats.

To be fair, we have had other problems to deal with; i.e. Kyle Eastmond, but this is no excuse for the lack of defence that is being shown. Whatever has been tried to do in the first five games is not working and needs to be changed before we find ourselves towards the bottom of the table and fighting for a playoff place.

I think the problem is that he hasn't (SO FAR) brought either.

Do captains automatically mean leaders? I was doubtful about Wello being a captain, if the two do equate, because I don't think he's a leader. He works very hard in organising the defence, always has, but organisational ability and leadership ability are not necessarily the same thing. Jammer does have leadership qualities but he is still undermined by his tendency to meltdown. And he is only on the pitch a limited time anyway. What I am thinking of is a natural leader, someone who can inspire from the front or calm things down or offer suggestions about how to fix something. Maybe I am out of touch or mistaking the qualities of a leader in a rugby league context, but that is what I am thinking of when I think of a leader. Someone who can take control. I don't see that on the pitch without Cunningham and Pryce.

Jammer was given the Englans captaincy. In fact, I belive he's captained many sides through his development (youth saints and england teams). He must have some of the right qualities, mustn't he?

He captained the England youth team once, yes. Other than standing in for about half a dozen injured players in the Four Nations, I don't know whether he has been captain aside from that? Anyway, I did say that Jammer does have leadership qualities, but that his tendency to blow up undermines that. Plus the fact that he isn't on the pitch all the time. Mind you, nor was Cunningham.

If they don't then they are a poor choice for captain. A captain is there to inspire his teammates, by whatever means.



Fair enough.




No, you are correct, they aren't.



I'm not sure Pryce is that much of a leader.