Improvements for 2011 : Wed Oct 06, 2010 10:04 am  

I can honestly say that a number of little things need improving next year for us to nail a Super League Title. As said on previous topics our Fitness and Conditioning needs a major reconstruction because we just dont look as fit as Wigan at the moment who have raised the bar considerably over the last 12 months. If we improve on that side it will make a marked difference.

Our defence has been very poor at numerous times over the last couple of years none more so than in the Grand Final last Saturday. We have suddenly lost the ability to defend since the end of 2008 when Daniel Anderson left. We are giving far too many penalties away which is killing us and again last Saturday that was clearly evident. Hopefully Royce Simmons can address this because when we defend well 99 times out of 100 we will win.

Our attack and the way the team plays isnt a great cause of concern to me. Ok Mick Potters style was 5 drives and kick on the last but we made the last 2 Grand Finals under him with these tactics. I am all for solid hardwork from the forwards but if we can get more expansive play back into our game the trophies will come.

The young kids who have had the taste of First Team Rugby this year will be all the better for it. A year of experience for Foster, Ashurst, Dixon and Lomax will have done them a power of good and a Grand Final loss will spare them on for bigger and better things and that there is no question. There hunger and desire will be increased 10 fold next year. Added to which if we can keep Pryce and Eastmond fit for the year that will make a massive improvement come the play off series next year. I go back to the game at the DW last season where the young kids were magnificent in victory in attack and defence which shows they are more than capable of mixing it with the best when they are on song.

Yeah we have lost 4 of the last Grand Finals but to be quite honest can you really say apart from being demolished by Leeds in 2008 and Wigan this year that we are that far off??? The last couple of years we have been in rebuilding and for us to finish 2nd in both seasons and make the Grand Final and reach both Challenge Cup Semi-Finals is something to be praised more than feel disheartend about. New coaching staff and new players next year could well be the difference we need to kick on. A big Pre-Season and hard solid hardwork to see us return to the summit again.

Re: Improvements for 2011 : Wed Oct 06, 2010 10:13 am  

Despite the new coach and new players that have been brought in, coupled with the youngsters filtering into the squad....its all great work and credit to Mr Big and the board......BUT I still think we are missing an X-factor type player. If we could add someone like that to the squad, we will be up there challenging again next year.

The issue is a massive one though, who would it be, what position would they play and can they be accommodated under the cap.

Re: Improvements for 2011 : Wed Oct 06, 2010 10:15 am  

Well if Eastmond can stay fit for the season he may well be that X-Factor player we are missing.

Re: Improvements for 2011 : Wed Oct 06, 2010 10:19 am  

I agree, but I was thinking maybe someone a step even above Kyle.

Lets say Kyle Eastmond is a Will Young or a Michelle MacManus.....I'd want Leona Lewis.

Re: Improvements for 2011 : Wed Oct 06, 2010 10:20 am  

Absolutely agree re. EAstmond.

I know people are frustrated because he's been injured and sports fans by nature have a short memory but if you check out "Kyle Eastmond Young Rugby Talent" on a popular video-sharing website, it doesnt take long to remember what a special talent he is.

Re: Improvements for 2011 : Wed Oct 06, 2010 10:22 am  

Yup. Throw Jamie Lyon into the side that lost to Wigan this year. (And a fit Pryce and Eastmond) We would have won.

We don't have ANY dangerous outside backs.

Re: Improvements for 2011 : Wed Oct 06, 2010 10:38 am  

Saddened! wrote:

Yup. Throw Jamie Lyon into the side that lost to Wigan this year. (And a fit Pryce and Eastmond) We would have won.

We don't have ANY dangerous outside backs.

If we had a top class attacking centre ala Lyon to go with Shenton we would be looking very strong next season. Sadly there arnt many available and we sont seem to be looking anyway

Re: Improvements for 2011 : Wed Oct 06, 2010 10:46 am  

Thats exactly what I mean. We have had much value from Gidley but it has been a while since he showed us the sheer magic that Lyon seemed to pull from nowhere in pretty much every game.

Re: Improvements for 2011 : Wed Oct 06, 2010 12:51 pm  

I think having Roby and Moore settled at hooker will do them both good (moreso Moore as hes hardly played there this year) With the pack we have we should be fine through most regular games, and our backs will be stronger too, it was a season too many for Gids, and having Soliola and Shenton in the centres will be an improvement on this year.
We need a class winger, so i'd say so long to Flannery and Meli, free up two quota spots and get shopping!

Re: Improvements for 2011 : Wed Oct 06, 2010 1:03 pm  

A thought I've been mulling over for a couple of days:

IF there was a top quality Aussie stand off available - one who can really boss a game tactically and who has a very good kicking game (I know they don't grow on trees, but there's a few of them down there), would anyone be tempted to sign him up and let Pryce go to Bradford for some cash?

What has been really noticeable to me in each of the four finals (maybe not so much 2009) is that we've completely lost the plot under the pressure of the big occasion and failed miserably to do the simple things right. I think we'd benefit profoundly from a player in the halves who could provide a cool-headed brand of leadership (Wellens and Jammer are both leaders in a motivational sense, but they both tend to go mental when things are getting difficult, which doesn't always help IMO).

Obviously, the downside would be losing a fantastic attacking player in Pryce, and exchanging a British star for an Aussie one, which is never ideal.

Just a thought.