Lack of Leadership : Thu Sep 11, 2014 11:04 am  

When we look back to our most successful period between 1996-2006 we had a core leadership team. Bobbie Goulding was a sensational Captain and a natural born leader. Chris Joynt was a man that let his actions speak louder than words and is still our most successful Captain in our history, Paul Sculthorpe was always a natural born leader but unfortunately with injuries he didn't get long in the job before his inventible retirement. Long and Cunningham were super players who had the respect of the players and Captained the club superbly.

Since 2010 when Keiron Cunningham retired and James Graham left for the NRL in 2011, we have had a desperate lack of leadership attributes in the squad with Wellens the only player who has leadership skills of note. When we recruit players now, does Nathan Brown look at the potential leadership of the player he is signing or if the player is currently experienced in leading a side? Some of the attitude shown by some of the players especially in the last 2 to 3 seasons has been nothing short of appalling and with more leadership in the playing group I am sure this could be dealt with once and for all. Wigan have numerous leaders on there playing roster, O'Loughlin, McIllorum, Smith, Green to name but a few, Leeds have Sinfield, Peacock, JJB, McGuire for example.

Re: Lack of Leadership : Fri Sep 12, 2014 7:42 am  

Longy_7 wrote:

When we look back to our most successful period between 1996-2006 we had a core leadership team. Bobbie Goulding was a sensational Captain and a natural born leader. Chris Joynt was a man that let his actions speak louder than words and is still our most successful Captain in our history, Paul Sculthorpe was always a natural born leader but unfortunately with injuries he didn't get long in the job before his inventible retirement. Long and Cunningham were super players who had the respect of the players and Captained the club superbly.

Since 2010 when Keiron Cunningham retired and James Graham left for the NRL in 2011, we have had a desperate lack of leadership attributes in the squad with Wellens the only player who has leadership skills of note. When we recruit players now, does Nathan Brown look at the potential leadership of the player he is signing or if the player is currently experienced in leading a side? Some of the attitude shown by some of the players especially in the last 2 to 3 seasons has been nothing short of appalling and with more leadership in the playing group I am sure this could be dealt with once and for all. Wigan have numerous leaders on there playing roster, O'Loughlin, McIllorum, Smith, Green to name but a few, Leeds have Sinfield, Peacock, JJB, McGuire for example.

I'm sure it's a factor. As you point out for a long time we had many leaders on the park at the same time but we do seem to lack a bit in that department at the moment. I'm not convinced by Wello as captain and Roby is more in the Joynty mould. I'm hoping next year when he's fit Walsh will step up as will maybe Burns

Re: Lack of Leadership : Fri Sep 12, 2014 4:52 pm  

No1 Saint wrote:

I'm sure it's a factor. As you point out for a long time we had many leaders on the park at the same time but we do seem to lack a bit in that department at the moment. I'm not convinced by Wello as captain and Roby is more in the Joynty mould. I'm hoping next year when he's fit Walsh will step up as will maybe Burns

Would you take the Captaincy off Wellens and give it too Walsh? That would be a popular move in my opinion!

Re: Lack of Leadership : Fri Sep 12, 2014 5:03 pm  

Longy_7 wrote:

Would you take the Captaincy off Wellens and give it too Walsh? That would be a popular move in my opinion!

I'd consider it. Walsh is the brain of the team and if fit will play 80 minutes every week.

Re: Lack of Leadership : Fri Sep 12, 2014 5:13 pm  

Based on his performance in the second half of the season I would give it to LMS who is very vocal in training.
Giving him the captaincy might improve his consistency he also looks better in the back 3 and I think he can do longer minutes on the pitch, a captaincy role similar to Graham.

Re: Lack of Leadership : Fri Sep 12, 2014 5:28 pm  

LMS (providing he can keep up his current run of form) or Burns would be my choice for next year.

Re: Lack of Leadership : Fri Sep 12, 2014 7:54 pm  

I think Walsh would flourish as captain. Just whether we can get him on the pitch and keep him there

Re: Lack of Leadership : Fri Sep 12, 2014 9:42 pm  

Id rather LMS have it

Re: Lack of Leadership : Fri Sep 12, 2014 9:58 pm  

I was thinking of how LMS is our biggest leader tonight. It's a shame he isn't like that every week

Re: Lack of Leadership : Fri Sep 12, 2014 11:25 pm  

Wow....LMS was the main scapegoat for 1st half of the season. Now folk want him to be captain. I'm not disagreeing with that btw but I'm yet again staggered by how fickle some supporters are.

17-16 defeat away to Huddersfield with 12 men and Dawson crocked. That was a big effort by the boys. Disappointing result but not a disappointing effort.