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EagleEyePie wrote: ↑Thu Mar 30, 2023 11:35 pm I thought our middles make a huge difference tonight and that allowed our backs a lot of time and space to cause Leigh problems. We know Havard has been solid all year (all career so far) but he was at his best tonight. Liam Byrne had his best game of the season so far and was a monster in defence. I also thought Ellis had his best game of the season too and went about his work quietly and effectively.

I mentioned in the thread about Shorrocks that playing him down the middle meant losing our 5 prop interchange that Peet seemed to favour but losing Singleton or Cooper's input shouldn't be a big issue at present and it proved to be so. We got more minutes out of the middles that were performing well and I'm glad Smithies was re-introduced at prop as he plays like one anyway. I don't think Cooper had a second spell but why should he if he's not as impactful as our other options.
What Shorrocks does off the ball is as important as what he does when he gets the ball and that's part of the game that can go unnoticed. Similar to what Ben Flower used to give us he probably makes more dummy runs than carries but attacking play relies on those runs.

French at fullback was what most of us have wanted to see all year and it was a joy to watch. Field in the halves was much more of a threat than Cust though he did make quite a few bad decisions too. Maybe a lack of familiarity in the role with those players is to blame but I think that's just something you have to accept with Field in more of a playmaking role. He's going to be a big loss and Matt Peet has his work cut out to find the right solution in the halves.

Smith, outstanding and directed the team so well. His kicking game is superb and he's been playing consistently well this year with last week being the only real off day. I was so surprised to read criticism of his performances because I think he's been one of our best so far.

The changes to our backline concerned me when I saw the team sheet but all of them performed really well. King put in bags of effort, Pearce-Paul had his best game of the year with some really impressive defence. Wardle was solid and made some good reads in defence and credit to Miski - he always looks solid when called upon even though he's probably lacking a little match fitness.

Leigh have been flying recently so this is a good win. The next couple of games may provide a reality check or they may see us start to hit our stride but I'm pleased at how many players raised their game tonight. We didn't even have to rely on Farrell being outstanding as he had something of an off day (which probably still means 100m in carries and 30+ tackles).

Charriots Offiah wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:08 am After the first ten minutes, I thought it was a thoroughly professional performance. I have a slight concern about Cooper - he’s not playing long minutes and he is certainly not having the same impact as last season. I hope that he is carrying a slight knock rather than his career waning. Smithy needs to bring his kicking boots next week, when it will probably be crucial, but otherwise he was fantastic last night and Faz needs to find his top form as, for him, he has rarely it the heights this season.

morley pie eater wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 12:03 pm

Charriots Offiah wrote: ↑Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:08 am After the first ten minutes, I thought it was a thoroughly professional performance. I have a slight concern about Cooper - he’s not playing long minutes and he is certainly not having the same impact as last season. I hope that he is carrying a slight knock rather than his career waning. Smithy needs to bring his kicking boots next week, when it will probably be crucial, but otherwise he was fantastic last night and Faz needs to find his top form as, for him, he has rarely it the heights this season.

Agree re Faz. He is a jewel in our crown, but I'm beginning to wonder if being captain is affecting his game.