That concerns me too. I know its early days yet but looking at our bench we dont seem to have anyone to come on and change the game for us. Yes we've only had one game but we only have sculthorpe, platt & whitehead to come in then we are down to untried youngsters ( even if the are full of potential,in particular G. burgess). I know we dont have top quality in the 3/4 but we do have options, the forwards however we do look one short.

There are plenty that are not keen on worrincy ( me included defensively) but he does provide impact from the bench, epecially on firmer pitches.

I know he has been very much an 80 minute player for us, but at Manly Menzies was often used for impact off the bench and to run around the tired defences with fancy footwork. Like Dilli said, there's more than one type of impact and it could be an option. I do think (if Crossley and Burgii aren't ready) we are a prop short.

With the pack looking lighter than ever before we really need to start playing smarter. I felt on Friday's showing that the five-up-the-middle approach is still central to our style of play. I'm hoping that this will change when the halfbacks are bedded in and we'll start to see some more creativity, although you'd think this would have been coached into the team pre-season (knowing Orford's qualities in this respect).



It's a worry that players weren't looking to get themselves into those positions. Dummy runners, back up play and running from deep seem to be alien concepts at the moment.

I'm struggling to see where we'll find any kind of impact to match what Saints have on their bench. The memory of Faasavalu and Puletua sweeping us aside at Odsal last year is still vivid in my memory.



Despite their apparent injuries I see us as underdogs in this game too.

The Saint's game is going to be a cracker as both teams will not want to lose another so early on in the season, so watch out for the fireworks on the pitch

Wish it was on TV.

Good post, a lot of fans seem a little obsessed about the size of the pack and where impact is going to come from, where as at the moment that is the least of our problems. Last season we out muscled many packs only to ripped apart by the opposing teams using the backs. Playing straight up the middle isn't going to work this year and the sooner McNamara realises that the better.



At the weekend going forward we looked lost, which as others have said is partly due to the new signings not yet gelling, that said at times there was no runners, no support and generally no ideas, all of which has nothing to do with the new players.



As for the defence it was very poor, players constantly out of position and general lack of understanding between players. This better get sorted and sorted soon, we were lucky to only lose by 12 points on Friday and if we don't address the problems it's going to be a long long season.



I expect a different display at the weekend, less errors and a better understanding between the players, roll on the weekend.

There is a certain irony to this! www.saintsrlfc.com/news/2287

There is a certain irony to this! www.saintsrlfc.com/news/2287

Quote Blotto="Blotto"There is a certain irony to this! www.saintsrlfc.com/news/2287'"

Quote Blotto="Blotto"There is a certain irony to this! www.saintsrlfc.com/news/2287'"

after watching one competative game i think a lot are getting too carried away in saying we dont have the go forward up the middle. you have to bare in mind that we were up against the best defence of last year and most teams will not defend as well as huddersfield did on friday. as far as the saints game goes i really cant judge knowing what saints are like after coming back after a defeat rather worries me. in my years of watching rugby like many bradford fans will know never ever right off the force of the stains

Apparantly one or two fans on the Saints board think we only have 4 decent players and they will still easily win. I still haven't recieved a reply as to which 4 are decent players

I still think we're underdogs. I fear there may be a backlash following their turgid performance versus Hull. Saints have a few issues and aren't the side of old but on paper they're still a much better side than us.



A lot depends on how we iron out our problems this week and if Saints have a heap of injuries to go with their othe problems.