I don't think we have a problem in the backs at all. The problem is in the forwards, and has been all season so far. We have two front line props (Fats & Bull) who could could slot into any of the NL1 teams. Other than that we are very week. Some of our other so called front line props were signed last season in desperation due to injury problems in the squad. They are nothing more than avaerage players who will do us a job now and then. They lack the power and punch to keep the momentum going when the props are being interchanged. This is alright when your playing against NL2 teams and the poorer end of NL1, it no good against the better teams we will be facing shortly. To prove a point if anyone has a copy of the Rochdale away DVD (2005) match where we won the league they should put it on a have a look at Fats, Tandy, Summers & Jacko playing together that day. Thats not to mention Brett McDermott who was dropped, who in three matches this season so far has been every bit as good as anything we have.
Another thing I'd like to say is how better the team play when mattinson comes off the bench. He's fast at getting the ball away from acting half and also makes a lot of metres. Everything Aaron Smith isn't. I'm not sure whats going on behind the scenes with Sice but I would play him and Mattinson before Smith every week. He may well be a decent player but he's not worth the wages and travelling expences it costs the club each week to bring him over from Yorkshire.
