: Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:06 am  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

The obvious question for any side is, is it intrinsically a useless side that can't play, or is it a side with good players who can play? .

I'd say its a side with too many players that have quality (to varying degres) but are very inconsistent. Platt, Sherrife, Sykes, Halley, Jeffries, Solomona, Cook, Tupou (when he was at least half fit), Worrincy all seem incapable of putting together a run of consistent form. The trouble is I cant see these players ever developing any consistency.

Harking back to the past I know, but we need a few more Naylors, Dwyers, Gartners, Forshaws and McDermotts coupled with a small number of genuine class players.

: Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:09 am  

What's causing it is we never look like we can defend and the players, by their body language, know that. IMO the defensive line has to be the priority to the extent of taking the money we have spare on the salary cap (and has been budgeted for unless we were going to pay Bird in seeds) to pay for additional coaching staff specifically to address this.

: Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:11 am  

DILLIGAF wrote:

Not at all. Up to 26-0, there is no doubt there were loads of them.

The comment wasn't designed to suggest there were no positives, just that I'm getting a little bored of hearing the same statement every week.

Agreed. I don't want them to sound like they are unaware there is a serious problem, when there clearly is. A bit of honesty would be appreciated, ie 'we are in the shoeshine big time at the mo'

On one hand it's good to see a bit of dedication to the coach (how many times have we criticised the quick sackings of a coach?) but on the other hand, it's almost impossible to see a way out of the current situation without a major overhaul. It's not as though he hasn't had time is it?

All we can do is stick with it until the good times roll around again.(as much as I felt like throwing my season ticket in the bin on Sunday!)

: Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:12 am  

Adeybull wrote:

It might yet come to that - or at least pay reductions.

I find it hard to imagine contracts are not results based & appearance based. Taking on aged & injury susceptible players is a major risk which seems obvious to even those who do not run businesses.

: Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:16 am  

Cibaman wrote:

Naylors, Dwyers, Gartners, Forshaws and McDermotts

As good a list as you'll get of under-rated, unsung heroes.

: Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:19 am  

Paul124897 wrote:

Ah well, at least we can hope that in his meeting this afternoon, he presents his resignation

Here is hoping. I will even buy him some new crayons to write with.

: Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:26 am  

Johnoco wrote:

....it's almost impossible to see a way out of the current situation without a major overhaul.

But that's simply not true, is it?

What we are all fscked off with - me as much as anyone - is the team's repeated self-destruct button - not being able to defend the unlikeliest of leads, and aiding and abetting our own collapse by kicking out on the full, dropping the ball in key positions, and so on.

But - Wigan game apart - however weird and erratic our rugby, don't lose track of the fact that we have only lost by the narrowest of margins. If we had won those games by a point, it wouldn't mean everything was fine, but you don't think it is impossible to see a way of conceding on average 4 points a game less?

Well, I disagree.

The Defence is THE problem - though I'm stating the obvious. But in losing 40-38, we did score 38 points away at Catalans, some of them with outstanding attacking play, and that 2 point defeat is the first time we've lost there. I know the way we lost, was outrageously bad etc but how can you say it's impossible to see a way forward when the current team scores 38 away, and has only been losing narrowly, however much better we might all want them to have done?

: Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:39 am  

FA, I am NOT a doom and gloom merchant, far from it and I have been one of the few defending Macca up till recently. However, you cannot tell me that there are not deep rooted problems in the team. Were you at the Cas game? That was bad enough but these things sometimes happen but again the following week?

The Wigan game could have been put down to a one off freak occurence but this seems to be an issue.

I wrote it elsewhere but we could go 30-0 up against Leeds and we would not be certain of winning...and how crazy is that? It's not so much losing by a close margin that is the issue, it's more that you cannot see them holding onto a lead - and that is not right.
I'd almost prefer to lose by huge margins so you can at least laugh about it and say 'well we are absolute garbage' but it's not even that simple. We clearly can score trys, good ones at that, but what use is it if you score 5 on the trot then concede 6 on the trot?

: Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:16 am  

this just shows that hood is happy to see us slide and become a mediocre side for years to come can you imagine st helens or leeds talking about positives after only winning 1 from 7 games? or mr caisley? i dont think so.

its time for mr hood to take action now before its too late

: Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:17 am  

After that comment, I can't see Macca being sacked until at least halfway through the season, if not then the playoffs. Hood still seems to have confidence in McNamara (Goodness knows why) so I doubt we'll be seeing a change of coach very soon.