Quote Harvey 69="Harvey 69"rob why do you think our pack,which on paper has got to be the best in sl has struggled recently? fatigue?'"
As a team we looked shattered last week, we also looked the same during that first 40 mins. I think it was a case of getting our second wind in the 2nd half which lifted us for a bit, it was still well below what were capable of.
I think its a combination of quite a few factors rather than just one thing, wembley and all the build up during the week plus the game itself probably took a lot out of us, i'd imagine its hard to come back down to earth after that sort of week both physically and mentally.
I also think were a worse side for having Clarke in the team, thats just my own opinion. His defence can be unconvincing at times, he offers us little more than basic rugby league, a simple left or right pass which isn't very hard for the oppsoition to read.
Were a much quicker and slicker team with Monaghan at 9 and Higham as the impact hooker, thats the way it will always be. Considering wetre a side that likes to throw the ball around we need quick thinking players in the side that will have a go at the opposition, Clarke rarely does that and certainly not at any pace.
I just don't think you can accomodate all 3 of our hookers in the same side, i know it worked at wembley but that was a case of the whole club was up for that final, we were never going to be beaten as a team that day regardless of who started at 9 and who started at 7. Clarke was actually pretty quiet during that final, we went up a gear when Higham came on.
It wouldn't suprise me to see the JC fan club pop up at some point defending him as thats the norm if anyone tries to have an opinion against him.
Its my opinion and i'll stick with it.