Its been a great start to the season, in my opinion we would be unbeaten if we hadn`t of lost both our main playmakers at such a key time in the game against Wigan, we had a decent lead at that point and we looked in control but we fell apart once Briers and Monaghan left the pitch.
Good teams always look to improve and i believe were a good team, we like to play attractive rugby league which looks good on the eye.
In an ideal world i would like to see us have more pace in the back row, i think both Louis Anderson and Ben Westwood are very alike as they are both 80 min bump and grind type 2nd rowers with Ben Westwood being the better of the 2, both Leeds and Saints have had decent pace in the 2nd row in years gone by with the likes of Gareth Ellis and Lee Gilmore, that gives you a lot of options. Oh for a young version of Mark Roberts to break onto the scene
Overall i think we can do better at full back, i don`t see Richie Mathers as a safe, solid and reliable full back, he does a lot of things very well. His organisation and enthusiasm is great, his support play is great but its the blonde moments which crop up on a fairly regular basis that could cost us dear at some point.
Maybe loose forward needs to be looked at, Ben Harrison is a top prospect but i don`t see him as a long term 13, he could end up as a prop at some point, i would like to see Simon Grix have an extended run at 13 as he has a touch of class about him, he just needs better luck with injuries. Maybe we could have a look at Jon Clarke at 13 when he`s fit again, to be honest i`d prefer Grix out of the 2.
Our pack is top drawer, our main pivots of 6, 7 and 9 are as good as any in SL if not better. Michael Monaghan is the most dangerous hooker in SL in my opinion and Micky Higham keeps up the quick tempo from acting half when he comes on, Lee Briers is showing everything he promised to be under Tony Smith, Richie Myler has pace, great support play and the arrogance that you like to see in a quality scrum half, he also pulls off some great cover tackles.
I don`t think we know what our best 3 quarters line up is yet, we have quite a few options, Chris Bridge looks to be first choice right centre, its trying to get Hicks and Riley into the same starting line up which is a nice problem to have, Ryan Atkins i`m hoping comes into his own once he settles and the weather gets consistently better which i guess maeans an in form Matt King on the left wing.
Its a very good squad with some nice headaches for Tony Smith to have, we have some good utility players that can slot in if need be when their all fit again.