Re: Royce Simmons OUT : Sat Mar 12, 2011 3:02 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

No, I don't think so. I think we are looking at a team that is handicapped by not having strike players or pace in the backline, neither of which is a coaching issue. We came back against Wigan, we beat Salford (although most people do, so that doesn't really count), we held on with two subs in the second half against a fired up Dragons, having produced some beautifully worked tries (I saw the highlights). No, I don't think we look like a poorly coached side. We look a confused one, one that has too many injuries and too few players who can make a difference.

We lacked pace and strike players for the last few years to be honest. We look like a team with no idea. We look like a team that don't want to tackle. We look like a team with no direction.

Re: Royce Simmons OUT : Sat Mar 12, 2011 3:06 pm  

St pete wrote:

We lacked pace and strike players for the last few years to be honest. We look like a team with no idea. We look like a team that don't want to tackle. We look like a team with no direction.

That's because there is no Cunningham AND no halfbacks. With Cunningham still around we could just about get away with no halfbacks. Without them both and we look, well, like we look.

Re: Royce Simmons OUT : Sat Mar 12, 2011 3:08 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

That's because there is no Cunningham AND no halfbacks. With Cunningham still around we could just about get away with no halfbacks. Without them both and we look, well, like we look.

The team we had out last night and against Warrington was good enough to beat both.

I'm very worried about how poor we look.

Re: Royce Simmons OUT : Sat Mar 12, 2011 3:12 pm  

St pete wrote:

The team we had out last night and against Warrington was good enough to beat both.

I didn't say it wasn't. But without two fully functional halfbacks and a leader on the park, it doesn't matter what you put out - it won't work.

Re: Royce Simmons OUT : Sat Mar 12, 2011 3:24 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

I didn't say it wasn't. But without two fully functional halfbacks and a leader on the park, it doesn't matter what you put out - it won't work.

IMO the ain't a real natural leader in the entire squad.

We also played more or less the full season with one halfback last year but made the grand final.

We are miles behind Wigan, Warrington and the giants.

Re: Royce Simmons OUT : Sat Mar 12, 2011 3:44 pm  

IMO everybody is jumping on the band wagon and forgetting that we are only a couple of games into he season.

Okay so we aren't playing up to the standard that we all expect however i believe we have a very good squad that will once again compete for honours this year. As the season goes on we will get better and i believe the team and coaching set-up will begin to start working well together.

Its EARLY days

Re: Royce Simmons OUT : Sat Mar 12, 2011 3:57 pm  

Aside from the halves where we are lacking experience (and possibly commitment) I don't have a problem with the squad. Given the difficulties of pushing the new stadium through (especially the cost) and the unfavourable exchange rate for NRL imports it would be silly to expect great things. Our forward pack - when fit and functioning - is still pretty formidable and we are in a stronger position in the backs with the addition of Shenton's foot speed and the emergence of Lomax, Wheeler, Foster etc.

We have enough talent to cause anyone problems. But talent counts for naught if the team spirit isn't there. Look at Wigan under Millward. Granted, that squad bears no comparison to the current one. Nevertheless, it was still too good to be languishing at the foot of the table.

Without team spirit even then strongest can be weak.

Re: Royce Simmons OUT : Sat Mar 12, 2011 4:31 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

That's because there is no Cunningham AND no halfbacks

This statement sums it up and we saw it coming last season as Cunningham was winding down the time spent on the pitch, it was like a disaster and sinking ship if Cunningham was not there, no team or its players mind should rely solely on one player, al;l clubs have had stars like Cunningham but they come and go!

Re: Royce Simmons OUT : Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:01 pm  

jaybs wrote:

This statement sums it up and we saw it coming last season as Cunningham was winding down the time spent on the pitch, it was like a disaster and sinking ship if Cunningham was not there, no team or its players mind should rely solely on one player, al;l clubs have had stars like Cunningham but they come and go!

Absolutely. Unfortunately, Simmons has been tasked with teaching our team how to play without Cunningham and his leadership. Some fans think this should have happened instantly just because Maguire turned a side which had already been in about three semi finals into a final winning side in one season. He had a totally different job. All he had to do was basically what Anderson did with us: turn an almost there team into a there team, and by the same means: tweeking the defence and instilling a must win attitude.

However, Simmons not only has to enable the players to unlearn the old ways and learn some new ways, he has to do it without two functioning halfbacks as well as an injured loose forward and fullback, both of which are key positions to attack. He wasn't banking on that and our injuries plus other factors in those positions will undoubtedly have undermined his ability to formulate a post-Cunningham style of play.

Re: Royce Simmons OUT : Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:43 pm  

Bet you still finish top four though.