Re: SL RD 1 | Warrington Wolves (A) : Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:09 am  

Thanks gotcha. I think most things yesterday can be put down to having no impact in the front row. Cuthbo and Merrin are more about playing football than doing the hard stuff. Garbutt used to give us a bit of that but now we’ve lost him too. Let’s hope big mik can play above his years this season. (He already is)

Re: SL RD 1 | Warrington Wolves (A) : Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:12 am  

One thing about the stats and selection, I wonder if sitcluffe got in because he can play 80 mins with the new 2 less interchanges. He may not be as effective as 2 bigger back towers, but saves you a couple of interchanges and does a job. Also, could fatigue due to this be another factor for missed tackles. (On tip of obviously being well and truely beaten upfront)

Re: SL RD 1 | Warrington Wolves (A) : Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:18 am  

Gazwire wrote:

Second half was 6-6.

Well, I think this is a good point. It's easy to breakdown the performance at an individual level, but as someone else said, after giving away so many penalties and having to do so much more defence, individuals were bound to make mistakes and look less good bringing the ball out.

What would last year's team done after half-time? The answer is not keeping the opposition to one score and keeping the second half scoreline respectable.

I agree that both the overall scoreline and team performance are a worry, especially after last season. I think the main general positive we can take is that the coach took steps to change things that showed on the field in the second half (if not fix them up entirely and turn the game around). We also have to bear in mind that we came up against one of the two top teams in the league.

The big test now is the response in the coming weeks. Given the much lauded squad restructuring and changes behind the scenes, we should expect an improved performance against Wigan, both from individuals, as well as as a team.

The bottom-line has to be the collective approach to the ruck and the collision in both attack and defence. Furner may want to tinker with the forward line-up (e.g. bringing the likes of Smith, Crosby and Peteru in), but I think this is less about individuals than how they work as a unit. Merrin looked decent in contact but he was also one of the biggest culprits around the ruck, especially in the first half.

Re: SL RD 1 | Warrington Wolves (A) : Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:19 am  

Gazwire wrote:

Wire fan in peace:

Considering the number of new players you've signed with the number of players back from injury, plus the new formation taking all this into account, I don't think it's that bad at all. First 10/15 was fairly even- you should have/deserved to go ahead if it wasn't for the Hughes' tackle.

Second half was 6-6.

I think there's a load to come yet, especially with those new signings and returning players, and more than anything else, the most important signing- the manager in Furner.

(Forgot to add that I do agree with a lot of posters in that Garbutt is a big miss, but with Trent Merrin there, surely he'll inspire some of the other front rowers, not playing tonight, to step up. Also Hall's boots are tricky to fill but you'll be better in other areas I'm sure- you've got an excellent academy, someone will turn up, they always do, hence all the titles you've won).

Nowt to worry about at all if I was a Leeds fan, and a lot to look forward to.

Thanks mate. Nice post that. Wish wire all the best this year. If we don't win anything I hope you guys get that grand final win. It's long over due. You look a v good side now.

Re: SL RD 1 | Warrington Wolves (A) : Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:19 am  

The biggest problem for me is we don't present an attacking threat - I thought they had been working on a structured attack and getting away from the of the cuff stuff. Who is going to organise the attack? That is the frustration for me in Ward he should offer some attacking threat e.g. Ablett of year ago but he is too easily contained. Parcell is another - at the end of the first half he couldn't even get to the PTB never mind his contribution to two of the tries.

Re: SL RD 1 | Warrington Wolves (A) : Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:38 am  

Last year Warrington won 2 in the first 6 games and ended up playing in both finals. Though I don’t think we have the squad to make a final this year, I expect a similarly slow start with improvement made after 6 or 7 weeks playing together.

Re: SL RD 1 | Warrington Wolves (A) : Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:40 am  

Sal Paradise wrote:

The biggest problem for me is we don't present an attacking threat - I thought they had been working on a structured attack and getting away from the of the cuff stuff. Who is going to organise the attack? That is the frustration for me in Ward he should offer some attacking threat e.g. Ablett of year ago but he is too easily contained. Parcell is another - at the end of the first half he couldn't even get to the PTB never mind his contribution to two of the tries.

Actually the only player that I was really worried about being out of his depth last night was Myler (then again, difficult after the forwards were so passive). Hope he proves me wrong over the season.

Re: SL RD 1 | Warrington Wolves (A) : Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:44 am  

Exeter Rhino wrote:

Actually the only player that I was really worried about being out of his depth last night was Myler (then again, difficult after the forwards were so passive). Hope he proves me wrong over the season.

Jury's out on Myler for me.. he hasn't done anything in Leeds colours yet to show he's a grand final winning half back. He does need a good pack to play off though I do agree.

Re: SL RD 1 | Warrington Wolves (A) : Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:51 am  

From my position of armchair coach of the year I saw it like this;
Walker - bulked up, had good impact coming forward just needs a bit of a passing game.
Briscoe - worked hard off own line, no real chances. Knock on came at a bad time.
Watkins - got overrun too often but wroked hard off own line. Key was getting minutes for him.
Hurrell - worked hard, need to be careful we don't burn him out using him as a battering ram in own 20. Should have scored but for Hughes.
Handley - again worked hard, charnley is top class opposition and did ok with him.
Tui - did he play? Went missing apart from the odd poor up and under. Yes he was behind a beaten pack but had very little impact.
Myler - similar to Tui, didn't see much of him, offered little control and leadership
Cuthbo- not a prop at this level, couldn't get the off loads working.
Parcel - no fast PTBs to work with which makes him look average.
Merrin - sad to see him at prop. Assume he played there due to lack of other options. Loves a penalty. Get him in the back row.
Ferres - slimmer trimmer but still a shadow of his Hudds days. Only seems interested when it kicks off.
Ward - tried hard but little end result. Thank God he scored.
Sutty - as with every position he plays he does ok but ok is not good enough.
Singo - runs tirelessly but we we all saw the difference between the Warrington and Leeds forwards impact. Singo is symptomatic of this.
Dwyer - he's a bit marmite for people but he looks better than parcel behind a beaten pack.
Oledski - not good enough at the level week in week out yet. Gets schooled every time I see him. Being big on its own is not good enough.
Donaldson - did everything I would expect of him and what he was brought for. He isn't going to change a game for us though.

I know this all sounds negative, and some will say my knees are jerking but it's how I saw it. Things will get better but there won't be any miracles occuring.

Re: SL RD 1 | Warrington Wolves (A) : Sun Feb 03, 2019 9:17 am  

Thought suttcliffe was ok, miles better than ferres, who id happily never see in a leeds shirt again, that belly flop whilst failing to get a single finger on Clarke to complete the tackle before he scored was laughable. Agree with all who want to see a backrow of Merrin at 13, Ward and Smith. My opinion on ferres isnt knee jerk, he's been absolute rubbish since he got here. Think Furner got the pack wrong last night, we were too small at prop and Cam Smith deserves a chance over ferres whos a big name, big money waste of time.

I thought we'd struggle to win last night but was massively dissapointed with how we played, we looked as unstructured on attack as we did last season... ferres kicking on the last, Oledzki taking a hitup on the last etc, Myler should be getting hold of these situations, he was very poor last night.

Had visions of Ward or Smith playing the ballplaying left second row ala Sutton at souths, instead we got brett flamin Ferres doing absolutely nothing useful in that role.

Im actually one of the few who quite like Handley but he needs to be finishing that chance at the end, he's got to step in off his left, didnt matter last night but in a close game chances like that need to be taken and would be by most wingers in SL.

Thought Walker was good and Dwyer and Donaldson were decent off the bench, Merrin looked decent but think the speed suprised him, confident all our NRL signings will be much better in a few week.

Lots to work on and iron out but still think we'l have a decent season, absolutely gutted right now but looking forward to friday.