1. Team Performance: I have been at times proud, impressed and yet others dismayed at our team performances this season. The WCC was quite the best I have ever seen an opposition play against us, South Sydney were out of this world and would have crushed any Super League Team on that night. Our performances in all 3 Derbies this year have impressed me greatly, we really should have won at the DW Stadium on Good Friday despite having a side ravaged by injuries, if Walsh or Burns would have played that day I would better my last dollar we would have been 3-0 up on games this season. Against Leeds we have been poor especially in the first 3 meetings of the season against them, infact we were disgraceful at times. Only in the Second Half of the Challenge Cup Semi-Final and last week's play off match did we really give it too Leeds. Both of them games I hold with a tinge of regret for different reasons. All in all I think our performances have been okay this year but nothing more. We have looked great in parts, okay in parts and sometimes downright disgraceful in others.
2. Coaching Set Up: Cunningham has appointed the right Assistant Coach but made the wrong decision on his role within coaching the side. Longy has been and will always be a Attack coach, that's where his strength lies that there is no question. Cunningham has had what I would call "just about acceptable first season" but needs to improve his skill set in a number of areas in my opinion. He must reign his criticism of his players for a start, that does team harmony no good of any kind, he needs to work out a system of resting and rotating players as I do strongly believe that this new structure will be a case of "survival of the fittest" For example: James Roby cant put the herculean efforts week in week out without at some stage near the future I fear, his body will pack up altogether. Charnock is a great prospect for the hooking role, use him and leave Robes out from time to time. Same goes with Alex Walmsley who has had a truly magnificent season. I really feel we need to change our style of attack. Don't play off the cuff Rugby which has been the hallmark of many of the club's trophy success in the last 20 years. We have the players that can play a more imaginative style of Rugby and I hope Cunningham can develop this over the coming months and going into next season and beyond. I don't want to sound like I am having a go and Cunningham because I love his passion but I only write from what I see.
3. Match Officials: In all honesty we have given the Match Officials a easy ride this season. We give them every reason to penalise us for errors that are of our own doing. I don't have a problem with the officials, its down to the players to make sure they give them NO reason to penalise them.
4. Projection for 2016.
Strongest side for 2016:
Lomax
Makinson
Percival
Turner
Swift
Burns
Walsh
Amor
Roby
Walmsley
Greenwood
Vea
Wilkin
Bench
Fages
LMS
Tasi
Savelio
That team has more than enough quality in it too make a Final, no question. If we sort out our problem conceding penalties and change our attack structure I think we will be in the hunt for trophies again. The is no doubt that we have a tremendous team spirit as that has clearly been evident in a good few matches this year especially last week. If we avoid any major injuries next season and like I said change a few things, Cunningham probably maybe infact should have his first major piece of silverware in the Cabinet of Langtree Park as the clubs Head Coach.
