Life is tough at the top as they say and that is certainly true from our point of view at the moment - half of our league programme completed and only one win to our credit.

Nobody expected an easy ride and we are certainly not getting one. Experience is a valuable asset and I feel our lack of it at the higher level is now being highlighted.

In Anthony Farrell and Jamie Bloem alone, Halifax had two players with several hundred Super League games behind them. Jamie contacted me over the winter to inform me he was available, however a lack of money prevented us from competing for his signature.

This has been a familiar theme over the last couple of seasons and now we are paying the price for a lack of investment. It is a vicious circle, you need the finance to strengthen the squad while success is needed to bring in the crowds and that in turn brings in the revenue to buy the players.

Which came first the chicken or the egg?

Mossy's over the moon at the moment with news that Burnley are to play on the 'Hallowed Turf' of Cougar Park in a friendly against Silsden at the end of July.

Mossy has told 'City Gents' Farmer and Faro to bring their autograph books along and he will get them some 'real' signatures. But Farmer told him not to bother -- as he already has the Silsden players' autographs.

Nice one David, but be careful, you now how touchy the little fella gets when his 'Mighty Clarets' are involved.

Some blokes will never learn will they -- I have to admit to taking another fiver off Stuart Calvert (which I have yet to receive).

I asked who was on the box last Friday after training. Stuart informed me that it was Wakefield v Saints: "Fancy a bet Gary, I'll give you 26 start."

No doubt he was thinking about recouping the last wager he had with Yours Truly. "You're on mate," said I.

Wakey went on to give the Saints a real thumping, maybe I should have been the one giving the 26 start. Double or nothing tonight Stu?