Youth Team : Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:15 pm  

Am I right in thinking that with this franchise there is no relegation for at least 2 seasons? So therefore wouldn't it be worth a gamble to field a team that at least is hungry for a game in super league? Wasn't developing the teams youth squads a proviso for the franchise? Also why does Mcrae stick with his fellow aussies and foreign imports when when we have young players that would do anything for a good game of super league football? I would personally settle for watching someone new playing their socks off even if it was to attract interest from other clubs. What do we have to lose from fielding young players? Perhaps this might cause competition. Just my humble opinion.

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:25 pm  

I agree that they should get a chance to play and would rather them do that than play players that dont want to no

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:28 pm  

Aren't the youth/reserve team getting spanked every week too though? If they can't compete with reserve teams how the hell do you expect them to cope with the 1st teams??

You all say you'd rather they played but i bet you won't be saying that if and when the beatings are considerably worse then at present!

: Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:24 am  

The youth/academy teams are getting beaten weekly too I believe - interesting that when Harrison and Lowes, with Hunte, Naylor and the late Eddie Mc, were running the show even the kids were doing better? Just a thought....
Whilst never wanting to jump on the bandwagon without firstly being fair, it appears that all of these aspects of demise point to the man at the top and the working environment/ethos he has created don't they? (McRae in this case)

: Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:43 am  

If we played more younger players they'd get crucified by the morons who support us. Turner gets a shed load of stick at times for what is still a relatively inexperienced player especially at SL level. It wouldn't take long for the crowd to turn ugly on a more youthful team, which would destroy the confidence of such immature players IMO.

: Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:02 am  

Fungus The Muffin Man wrote:

If we played more younger players they'd get crucified by the morons who support us. Turner gets a shed load of stick at times for what is still a relatively inexperienced player especially at SL level. It wouldn't take long for the crowd to turn ugly on a more youthful team, which would destroy the confidence of such immature players IMO.

I fully agree mate but it is largely because we don't seem to have any sort of structure at the club. These young lads need a game here and there to boost their confidence and increase their experience but this season we are depending on them to cover for the poor performances of seasoned Pro's. I can not, for the life of me, believe that Turner, Ratchford, Adamson and Myler, to name just four, would ever become anything other than international quality players if they were at Leeds or Saints? Adamson is playing his guts out which should shame some of our forwards with his efforts.
As you say, the fans get on Turner's back constantly but he is being played out of position whilst the more experienced players are being played in their favoured slots. Ratchford on the wing - plays poorly and is dropped? Thornley plays, scores then is dropped. Adamson was due to be dropped last week if Sibbit was fit? Turner in and out each week but always in the Centre or shifted around the park. I have no idea what is going on anymore and am seriously considering giving the whole thing up. It is too much like hard work at the moment and this is supposed to be something I enjoy?

: Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:21 am  

SteveRed wrote:

I fully agree mate but it is largely because we don't seem to have any sort of structure at the club. These young lads need a game here and there to boost their confidence and increase their experience but this season we are depending on them to cover for the poor performances of seasoned Pro's. I can not, for the life of me, believe that Turner, Ratchford, Adamson and Myler, to name just four, would ever become anything other than international quality players if they were at Leeds or Saints? Adamson is playing his guts out which should shame some of our forwards with his efforts.
As you say, the fans get on Turner's back constantly but he is being played out of position whilst the more experienced players are being played in their favoured slots. Ratchford on the wing - plays poorly and is dropped? Thornley plays, scores then is dropped. Adamson was due to be dropped last week if Sibbit was fit? Turner in and out each week but always in the Centre or shifted around the park. I have no idea what is going on anymore and am seriously considering giving the whole thing up. It is too much like hard work at the moment and this is supposed to be something I enjoy?

so you think ratchford played poor whilst playing on the wing,maybe its time for big time charlie, smith to go there and ratchford play in is natural position of stand off.feel sorry for the lad gets slated when playing a position he is unacustomed to also same for thornley and turner.for me bad coaching.

: Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:41 am  

gally1974 wrote:

so you think ratchford played poor whilst playing on the wing,maybe its time for big time charlie, smith to go there and ratchford play in is natural position of stand off.feel sorry for the lad gets slated when playing a position he is unacustomed to also same for thornley and turner.for me bad coaching.

Absolutely not! I really do not think he played poorly mate I was being sarcastic - I am making the same point as you, that these young lads are being given the role of playing out of position whilst the senior Pro's are not and then they are dropped when it is clear to see who is playing well and who isn't. Ratchford is a class act so at least give him a start in his half back position. Thornley and Turner too. No argument with you mate - was saying the same thing.

: Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:00 am  

my apologies. mcrae seems to have lost the plot when it comes to the youngsters.

: Tue Mar 31, 2009 5:48 pm  

When I suggested raiding the youth team I didn't mean play the whole team. Look at Adamson he was given the chance to play last year and he has come into himself.