Given Greenwood and Faz are out injured that team tonight with the possible exception of Sarginson was close our best first 17. I mean you could argue Budgie would replace Marshall but other than that, this is what we have. Dropping Davis was hardly controversial and neither was dropping Sammut. The fact that is basically it and we are paying to the cap is a joke.
The idea that IL has managed the cap well is nonsense. We have players out on loan all over the place who will never be good enough for SL. It's never mind the quality, feel the width.
IL has got rid of Mcillorum and Sam Tomkins and with the inevitable loss of Bateman that is three key players who have not been replaced with Hardaker not the same type as Tomkins. If I gave full vent to my feelings about Powell and his three year deal I'd have to ban myself.
Lam is on a hiding to nothing with this squad and unless something happens recruitment-wise Edwards won't be working any miracles either. But you can add to that Lam has never coached a first grade side. OK he was PNG coach for a bit but he lacks experience and by the sounds of it has hardly any backroom staff. His name came up as a permanent replacement for Wane when Wane resigned and I never understood the enthusiasm but as I said, I think with the squad he has, he's on a hiding to nothing anyway.
Another issue might be the players are so wedded to Wane that they can't or won't play another way or for another coach. Not good enough is so. That is just speculation though. The loss of key players and their replacements either not fitting in yet or just being downright poor is more a matter of fact.