The fact that you’re suggesting it reinforces, my feeling that should be a ‘no’. Nobody else will get us 8th anyway. I’ll largely judge him on the 8s - if we stay up he’s done his job for this year.

Where I will admit, through gritted teeth, that you were right a while back is in us becoming the archetype of a perennial middle-8s team, unable to escape the cycle of shizzle.

Wakefield have come a long way since winning their MPG in 2015, so it is possible. I just don’t you can do it with gradualism. Or maybe the difference is more that they won that MPG and we lost ours. Credit to Carter and Chester though.

Dagger

Carney
Heffernan
Minns
Oakes

Marsh
Franck

Scruton
Lunt
Jewitt
Donaldson
Lawler
Addy

Subs; Johnson, Cator, Wardill, Williams

This 17 of mostly unavailables didn't play at Wakefield. A bit weak at half back but they'd certainly give the 17 who did play a very good game and if we can ever pick the best 17 from both teams it would be a great help. McGuire, Salter & Blair played jabbed up so probably should have strengthened the unavailable line up still further.

I've never heard of the 40 rule but assuming it exists it certainly gives a very good reason not to blood youngsters. Do that and you are preventing the opportunity to strengthen. Does it include players who haven't played a single Super League game this year like Addy, Johnson, Oakes & Williams? Whatever it seems a potty rule if it exists and for the young players a restraint of trade.

Crossland on sports talk said he’s not worried cause everyone’s working hard. Not sure I’d be as confident.

Insightful

Good job it doesn't concern you then

That is true.....except we had to go get a big name Aussie coach to get us through the middle 8s and MPG.
Webster is a good guy but he made the mistake of saying on Sky that he "might as well" give up and prepare for MPG half way through the season. The whole attitude of the club changed after that and we were heading no where but the MPG before getting anywhere near the 8s.
The majority of that team are still playing with us. We just needed a different 'winning attitude' which Smith got for us and Chester then added skills.