Re: RD 20 | St Helens (A) : Fri Jul 28, 2023 11:00 pm  

Seth wrote:

But regardless of getting 2 points more often we should be seeing better performances more consistently, realistically how many in the 17 are going to change in one off season. The biggest concern is the front row, we had 5 fit props of which not much will change next year and they're 'smiths' players, he can't get them performing and they're not living up to their potential.

I don’t thi k out pack is the issue at all. Imo its the halfbacks.

Re: RD 20 | St Helens (A) : Fri Jul 28, 2023 11:02 pm  

leedsbarmyarmy wrote:

To be fair our game plan was quite clear, attack round the ruck, try to tire/ get on top of the inexperienced saints packs, and then attack Hurrells edge when we were in good ball positions.

But neither worked due to been out enthused by saints pack and a mixture of good saints push defence and poor Leeds execution in attack, when attacking Hurrells side

There was a point where mcdonnel made s break and Hurrell was absolutely gassed on the other side but the execution was terrible. We would have scored to win the game im sure

Re: RD 20 | St Helens (A) : Fri Jul 28, 2023 11:03 pm  

ArthurClues wrote:

Just back from Saints. Lost that game because all over the park we just don't compete hard and smart enough to win. That could be because: A) The players are not good enough, B) The coach is not good enough, C) Both are not good enough. On balance I still learn towards option A, and that's why recruitment for next year is so massively important.

Option A for me,

Re: RD 20 | St Helens (A) : Sat Jul 29, 2023 1:38 am  

Walters was comfortably your best player tonight. The only one that actually troubled Saints. You had a couple who grafted well but didn't really cause any problems but Cam Smith was just plain awful! I praised him a few weeks ago but tonight he stifled absolutely everything to the point your own players were getting exasperated with him. He has skills, without doubt, but seems to want to play with a ball of his own.

Re: RD 20 | St Helens (A) : Sat Jul 29, 2023 4:40 am  

ploinerrhino wrote:

Yep it was no different to Saturday

Except it was from the front not the side like Asiata. Plus no injury to Bentley!

Re: RD 20 | St Helens (A) : Sat Jul 29, 2023 5:17 am  

West Walian wrote:

Except it was from the front not the side like Asiata. Plus no injury to Bentley!

To the front is probably a more dangerous tackle, you’ve got the potential to go straight through the knee and break his leg

Re: RD 20 | St Helens (A) : Sat Jul 29, 2023 5:54 am  

just because someone doesn't suffer injury doesn't make it less of a naughty person tackle

Re: RD 20 | St Helens (A) : Sat Jul 29, 2023 6:09 am  

christopher wrote:

Option A for me,

I would agree but what are the club doing about it - other clubs have already announced signings for next season. Why are Leeds always so late in the market?

Or is it that the better players don't want to come to Leeds?

Re: RD 20 | St Helens (A) : Sat Jul 29, 2023 6:13 am  

Phuzzy wrote:

Walters was comfortably your best player tonight. The only one that actually troubled Saints. You had a couple who grafted well but didn't really cause any problems but Cam Smith was just plain awful! I praised him a few weeks ago but tonight he stifled absolutely everything to the point your own players were getting exasperated with him. He has skills, without doubt, but seems to want to play with a ball of his own.

Cam Smith has thought processes that are so slow he wrecks the flow of any move - similar to the impact Dwyer had last season.

Re: RD 20 | St Helens (A) : Sat Jul 29, 2023 6:25 am  

christopher wrote:

And I believe that is actually changing.

I am interested to understand why you hold that view - I don't see any marked improvement in the younger players. I see the opposite. Which young players do you think have made huge progress under this coaching team?

I think the following have actually regressed - Handley, Oldeski, Smith. O'Connor and Johnson have plateaued. Walters and Holroyd have improved but one of them is leaving.