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.