muddyfunster

Perhaps conceding late on is more worrying and emphasises the point about fitness, is it becoming a trend for us? We let Halifax in on the last play of the game to make the score line look worse than the actual performance, same against Batley, preventing us from nilling our nearest and dearest and as BSJ says, same again on Sunday. We need to cut this out. Imagine we're 2 points in front against our other relegation contenders only to concede so late on. If it happens in enough of the "winnable" games before you know it we only have the Batley victory to look back at and we're rock bottom looking up!

Perhaps conceding late on is more worry and emphasises the point about fitness, is it becoming a trend for us? We let Halifax in on the last play of the game to make the score line look worse than the actual performance, same against Batley, preventing us from nilling our nearest and dearest and as BSJ says, same again on Sunday. We need to cut this out. Imagine we're 2 points in front against our other relegation contenders only to concede so late on. If it happens in enough of the "winnable" games before you know it we only have the Batley victory to look back at and we're rock bottom looking up!

I didn't go today, so can't comment on our commitment, but the margin of defeat looks to be concerning.

We were still in the game at half time and 12 nil didn't do justice for our efforts. Their 1st half tries being the only 2 chances they really had when we switched off on our own line. Our own worst enemy in the second half too much dropped and certainly didn't use the wind at our backs like we could have. Based on the last 3 games Im still optimistic that when we play those teams tipped for a bottom half finish like us we can get the results.

Widnes are flying high at the moment, but with no disrespect to the sides they have beaten so far they haven't yet come up against a potential title chasing side. I certainly don't count us as title chasers but so long as we apply the same effort and sprit as the Halifax and Batley games, I'm confidant we'll give them a game and might even nick it.

I think the same can be said for most of us these days. The lack of ambition and playing success over many recent year have lead to this feeling. Last years achievements excluded of course, which might have lead to some small hope of being able to compete and secure a higher league position. After recent showings I very much doubt Fax will be coming to Owl Lane with some trepidation for the opening fixture The league campaign has yet to begin and perhaps the players and coaching staff see the current cup competitions as a distraction to the important business of Championship survival? Lets hope so, and seriously prove me wrong.

I think Chapmans after match interview was interesting. "We need direction from the RFL on the PTB rule. What should be concerning for all (us the governing body and our opponents today) is the one sided (25 to 9 penalty court) We need to be smarter, those controlling the officials need to assess how the rule is enforced (there shouldn't be so much difference between 2 sides without question) and the dogs need to look as to why they couldn't capitalise on such a favorable penalty count (not that the latter bothers me much). Early signs are pleasing tho. Or maybe its just relief of being out in the fresh air without it peeing down, and watching some live sport!

Gutted we lost but Hunslet wanted it more. Not trying to duplicate the other thread but in such close games always take the 2 points when they're on offer. We need to be much smarter in defence we only really needed to be tight in this respect on the 3 occasion they got possession in our 20, on which they capitalised.

If we apply ourselves as we did against Widnes and Rochdale (H league), can't see any side getting the better of us. We have to prove ourselves and be as clinical as that from now to the end of the season

Winning ugly but still winning is a great sign. Fantastic effort

Enjoyed the game yesterday apart from our little lapse in the second half. I think it was a bit of both as us not fully with it for that period, but Rochdale had nothing to lose and slung the ball around which should be a wake up call. Imagine if they had played with the same spirit from minute 1! Greensmith was my MoM. Such a shame some of the super league sides won't be in the mix for the next 2 draws. It would be great to have had the chance to have one of them at home filling the ground.

Wouldn't it be nice if the Beeb took some proper interest in broadcasting a few games in this round, obvious choice would be Fev vs Fax. There's what looks like a few evenly matched fixtures, Hunslet vs Keighley, Barrow vs Swinton, Us vs Rochdale and even the all amateur Leigh Miners Vs Rochdale Mayfield.

Can anyone please give an overview of what was said by both coach and chairman at the forum last night, for those of us unable to make it?

I'd like to see a greater investment in players this year as is clear that in recent years it has been with the ground, facilities etc. Equally I'd be happy for us to try some promising local talent. Invite some of the local side Sharks, Moor, Celtic, Thornhill Drigh, ossett to come have have some open training sessions. Who knows if there was enough interest and quality have an exhibition game as final selection.

Unfortunately the damage was done with all the narrow defeats at home to Haven, London Barrow and Newcastle. 3 of which I believe could have been very different had the change to the coaching staff been made sooner, (after London away).

It stops such games being a contest. Decisions like this or lack of them get to you especially when you're on a losing run as we are. It happened last year against Fev at home. I'm not saying we would have crossed the line 2 or 3 more times, but I think at least 3 Leigh tries would could have been chalked off if the officials had looked more closely shall we say! The lads gave their all yesterday, against the best side I've seen at ours all season, which in such conditions I fully respect, (I'd go as far as saying some of this respect was lacking from the match officials considering the conditioning a FT side gets compared to a PT side) I didn't go to Widnes but from the displays I have seen under LF there's definitely improvement or at least a commitment that we've not seen for a while.

Thanks. Didn't think the ref was capable of knowing such rules, afterall he struggled with even some of the basics.

I'm not sure what went on with the penalty just before half-time. All players looked to be calling for the kick at goal Think some of the fax fans were a little frustrated that they weren't further in front at half time. To be fair when fax turned it on they were much better. Having said that when you get away with slinging the ball forward as much as they did not a lot you can do. Much better effort today from the lads but honestly can't see enough for is to secure championship status, but optimistic enough to see potential to be a force in championship 1 next season.

A few years back before his second playing spell as the club I saw Liam at the Gym. I was wearing one of my many Dewsbury shirts and this prompted him to stop and chat to to me. I remember him say he loved his time at the Rams and would definitely come back if it was right. True to his word he did! I believe he wanted to end his playing career at a club he has a genuine connection at, and this could we'll be a good appointment (I do hope so). IMO the damage is now done and a small miracle is needed to prevent us dropping to CH1 & Liam has an uphill battle on his hands. Every assistant who aspires to be head coach has to start somewhere, and I honestly believe he's here not just to further his career but because he has a real empathy with the club. Some of the noises coming from Fax suggest the fans could see his input as a second. Personally I am happy with his appointment Like he says if he can get us playing & entertaining for the full 80 and most importantly picking up the wins, who knows? Welcome back Liam, and good luck

Really good effort and I'm pleased I decided to go. Certainly shows how we can play, in attack especially. I think I'm right in saying only Catalan have scored more points against this Fev side than us which is some going to say they have kept most championship sides below 20! I would be making enquiries on keeping both debut loanees permanently after their display today.

Happen Mark is waiting to see if Lee can turn things around next week against..... Oh maybe not!

Thanks for your confidence, but the way things look at the moment I worried. Really hope we can give you a game, and what with Batley giving Gateshead a real spanking last night the teams in our league seem to be getting further away from us. Oh well things can only get better!

Your right BSJ I remember now Of course my memory is not what it used to be! Now who am I and what am I doing here????

It really is a sad state of affairs. Did you see letter in the League Express this week saying as much? I like the author remember talking about how well my or the other side had performed or what a fantastic try saving tackle so and so made etc. Now the focus is on how the officials performed or didn't in many cases, and why they came to such a strange decision etc One example of this was when skimming the fev board I noticed one or two posters saying if it were not for the bad display, decision making of the official in the middle they would have put 60 or 70 past us. (This is not a dig at any reading Fev supporter). We are now so obsessed with the whistle blower it detracts from how good (or bad, as the case may be) the teams game itself were.

I've noticed this too coolie and have said as much before. In Fact there are two incidents that stick in my mind enough to say spewer cost us the games 1) Batley away 07 season Batley winger scored in corner after going into touch. The game was televised and the replay clearly showed even at full speed that he went into touch. This put the host ahead and the momentum to go on and win from it. 2) Calling a forward pass 1st home game of the 08 season against Halifax in the last seconds which would have given us the game by at lest 2 points. I seem to remember the touch judge didn't think it was forward and spewer blew far to quick to be sure. In fact (correct me if I'm wrong) but wasn't there some controversy over this decision after. IE an admission that someone got it wrong? Ok these are just two incidents that stick in my mind and I suppose the neutral will say its just sour grapes but I honestly get the impression the spewer does not like us! Bring Leahy on!