Butcher:
Hindsight's a wonderful thing. If Trueman or any of our other backs pulled up, Rourke would have come on and we'd all be saying what a masterstroke that was. Got no issue with it myself. When we've had another back rower in that 17 slot, they often only come on and play a handful of minutes anyway. It's like buying travel insurance, not having an accident and being gutted you paid for the insurance.
Trueman had a steady game by his standards, but was still good. I understand why you're frustrated about his game time alegend - so am I - but to say he didn't take the line on isn't accurate. When Liam Finn joined us from Cas it turned a sporadic attack into a very good structured attack that spotted opportunities and took advantage of them, which is what Trueman does too. You seem to be obsessed with speed, but not particularly bothered about edge organisation, pass selection, game management and everything else halves do. Much like your obsession with Harvey Smith - he's going to be one hell of a player, but he loses almost every first contact he's involved in, and his speed doesn't make up for that. Powell knows that, which is why he comes on and off when he does.
The speed of our spine over the first 10m is absolutely not why we're losing these big games. Our defensive line speed is slower that the opposition's, first contact players aren't sticking, our PTB speed is slower, our kick detail isn't as accurate, and we're so low on front rowers that McMeeken and Pitts are playing nearly 80 minutes every week.
Yesterday was frustrating, but only because at times we do look like a top 6 team. I'm still loving being back at the top table with good crowds, and we're great to watch and competing every week. And perhaps most importantly, next season we'll be better and we'll ice these games. And 2027 we'll be even better than that. Never been able to say that as a Trinity fan.
Do not think the speed defence is slow ,just looks slow against a fast spine.Lino getting stick for coming out of the line to try and tackle Lamb .Lamb had gone pass one or two attempted tackles because of his pace .Lino just took a gamble .You are right about not having a great kicking game ..Still a lot of work to do ,and at presents we have a marque player who is missing to many games to improve us .For the game's he as played at present ,is he worth it No past record playing for Wakefield First full season here .
