Amongst all the furore about our pack being domminated last night, the way we missed Riddell when he went off began to worry me more.

Yes we've missed him lots this season when he's been off, but Wigan seemed to lack any ideas against a top team without him on the pitch. I honestly don't think we can rely on a half back to cover the hooker position, whoever it maybe if we want to continue to compete at the top level.

Although I believe we'll overcome some of our recruitment issues in the forwards, I think we will weaken our squad by signing Finch as a replacement for Riddell next week.

The thought of Lulu at 9 next year full time fills me with dread

Agreeed, whilst Mikey Mac may well be a good prospect we could well struggle next season if he is no1 and we rely on Tommy L as backup - the more I seem him play at hooker the less convinced I am that he is any good there especailly when the pack are not dominant.

Riddel adds a lot in a game - something we could miss big time.

I would rather we signed an NRL hooker than Finch. We're going to miss Riddell a hell of a lot.

I think we missed McIllorum as well because he loves that kind of tough game. I think we would have coped better with him in the side than having to switch around as we did when Piggy went off.

I agree with the general point that it is going to be a mistake not to replace Riddell and go for a half back instead. I think TL has had his best season at 7 for us, is not a great 9 and while I probably have more faith in MCillorum stepping up than some I don't think as a whole a hooking pair of Micky Mac and TL is going to work.

Dave

Don't get me wrong I understand what awesome attacking players Tommy and Finch are.

But what does become apparent is that Riddell knows how to attack from dummy half, it's something he's been doing for years. Not only that but when we need him toohe can steady the ship and control the distribution to the forwards effectively.

I doubt either of those two players could do that so well, and it scares me that we could be taking a step back to when Higham was our frontline hooker. Maybe MM can work wonders with either of them, I hope so as I have a feeling we will have a few announcements to make on this next week.

Tommy is just not good enough to organise a game, he cant even handle it at 7. We will go backwards if he is our first choice 9 next year.

I'd like us to bring in a specialist 9 next season, just can't see TL working out there. Riddells fitness still concerns me because he quickly seems to hit a plateau and then his energy drops considerably after that. He's probably the best we've got at the club but suspect there are better out there.

I thought Monaghan was good last night, brought the forwards onto the ball well and his passing to Briers was wide and sharp, gave him loads of room to work with.

In all defence to TL i'd like to seem him have a 4/5 game spell of playing just hooker. rather than being thrown into the role when we have an injured hooker, and he gets ten minutes there.

He's not big enough ! I bet his little toes don't touch the ground when he packs down in the scrum.

It's a simple case of player availability though. If we get the opportunity to sign a quality halfback, but can't find an available quality hooker, are we supposed to just not sign either? Or do we strengthen the area that has the available player?

Firstly, so?

Secondly, I would say it has been a while since SL hookers needed to be any bigger than a halfback.