IanMac

Not quite sure a personal attack on an individual who is one part of a club is the right way to go on here. I might be wrong but I think our chairman is involved in acquiring and keeping sponsors, given the number of new sponsors that have come on board over the last couple of years I would have thought there was a pretty good job being done. I think any semi pro rugby league club will be close to financial turmoil, especially at our level, but given the way that the stadium is now being used, plus new sponsors, and the fact we are trying to bring through young Cumbrians we are giving ourselves the best possible chance to succeed.

The weather will certainly play a part in the game with winds that strong. Good to see Burnsy, Saunders and Jack Stephenson in the squad on the our league page. Only one loanee, Joe Purcell, if that squads correct.

I think, given our horrendous injury list, I’ll be quite pleased if we can put out a competitive team. It sounds from Muzza’s interview on Cumbria Crack like the vast majority of our injuries incliuding Burns, Ecclestone, Bickerdike, Walker, Stephenson, Saunders, are long term. Given there’s also Scholey, Steel, Thomson, Archer and Macpherson injured, Grant Reid and Chris Taylor seemed to be limping towards the end of the game, it doesn’t leave a lot! A real shame for the club so early in the season but I guess it’s part and parcel of rugby league. Might just have to reign in our expectations over the next few weeks, although I’m sure the lads that put the jersey on will give it 100%. UTT

Couldn’t fault the effort of the lads but give away a few preventable tries and just the sheer size difference in the pack meant we struggled to slow the ruck down enough. We had a better 2nd half, the 2 tries were well created and we didn’t throw the towel in and kept going. To compete against the Oldhams and Keighley’s we need to be able to put our best 17 out and when you’ve got a centre in the 2nd row, full back at centre and half back at full back it tells a story about the injuries we have. Unfortunately Muzza in his interview said it looks like Burnsy has broken ribs and Ceiran a fractured shoulder. Don’t know what we’ve done to deserve so many injuries so early in the season but I think that’s 11 out of contention now. With so many long term injuries the next 2 to 3 months are going to be a real challenge. Best wishes to both Jordan and Ceiran, hopefully for their sake the injuries aren’t as bad as first thought. UTT

Considering how much rain we’ve had the pitch is in unbelievable condition. The 3 games we’ve had on it there was no mudbath like some of the super league matches. Looking forward to a good game and hopefully we continue our improvement and have good hard fought game.

Yes I thought that.

Listened to Jonty’s interview on Cumbria crack and he said Carter had the opportunity to go and train with a super league club for a week or two so he let him go but would be back with Haven for the season.

To be down 16 - 0 after 15 minutes when we probably made every conceivable error you could make and then come back and win the next 65 mins 36-12 speaks volumes of the believe, character and togetherness of the team. We looked dangerous virtually every time we had the ball, but we do need to tighten up defensively in our own 20. However we do look as though we are improving with every game so I’m sure we’ll improve in that area as well. All 17 played their part but it’s really good to see the close season signings buying in to what we are doing and they look to have raised the potential within the team as a whole. UTT

Something we are missing is someone with pure pace, when Burns broke through in the first half anyone backing up with pace to burn was in for a try and similarly when we charged down the kick a speedster would have been in. I suppose it’s something every team wants but natural speedsters are few and far between. However given it’s only Johnny Huttons 3rd game of pro rugby he looks a really useful player and is only going to get better with more experience. So while both clubs have got different recruitment policies I do like ours where we are prepared to give local lads a chance, and hopefully build with a really strong foundation. Although he’s out injured at the minute I think Jack Stephenson is going to make huge strides in the game and really look forward to seeing him develop.

I wouldn’t say we played out of our skins, played better than we have for a while, especially in the first half where our defence was outstanding and we played sets of six out well and had a great kicking game. Your talisman, Aiye, was the difference I thought as you seemed to improve when he was on and just pure physicality in the middle of the 2nd half was enough to get you the win. Was a pity Jake dropped that ball for what was a certain score as we deserved at least a draw. I’d get your full back wrapped in cotton wool because every tackle seemed to hurt him and he was limping. From our point of view really hope our injuries aren’t too bad. Well played lads, unlucky! UTT

A lot better 2nd half. Very interesting listening to Crary with his thoughts. Hopefully no injuries.

I see there’s no Matty in the squad on the RFL page, hopefully nothing serious.

If he was injured while playing for Barrow, wouldn’t you have thought the duty of care towards a player would have seen Barrow ensure he received the treatment required irrespective of whether he was moving on at the end of his contract. Very unfortunate for the young lad, hopefully recovers well and gets back on the field as soon as possible.

Brilliant signing, well done to everybody involved in getting it over the line. A real X factor who should enjoy himself in league 1. Look forward to seeing some more somersaults!! UTT

There’s 21 named on rfl site but it’s alphabetical and doesn’t go as far as W so doesn’t include Walker and Walton. Bradley, Archer and McPherson aren’t named but Billy Southward and a Brad Taylor are. So I reckon it’s a 23 man squad.