A criticism of Brian Noble. : Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:17 am  

The media make a big deal of how Brian Noble always gets his teams ready for the play-offs and that's all well and good as far as I'm concerned. I am, however, beginning get fed up of finishing the season strongly, but having too much to do because we started so poorly. Each year, Leeds, Saints, or both get off to a flyer while we spend half a season getting ourselves sorted out.
In 2007, everyone was saying how, if we started like we'd finished 06, we'd be real threats but, instead, we seemed to have lost form over the off season, losing 3 of the first 4 rounds without even playing Leeds or Saints.
Last year, we actually kept pace reasonably well for a while, as we managed to grind out some victories while playing poorly. Even so, we lost 6 of our first 13 rounds, winning only narrowly when we won, but sometimes getting pulverized in defeat (a la Millenium Magic).
Logically, one would want to be playing well at the business end of the season but, realistically, you've got to finish top 2 to win it. Is Brian Noble so fixated on the end of the season that he doesn't pay due attention to the beginning? Is our pre-season substantially poorer than our rivals'? I'm just getting fed up of having to give up on a top 2 finish before the season is even halfway through each year. Hopefully that won't be the case this year but Sunday was not a good sign.

Re: A criticism of Brian Noble. : Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:53 am  

tyr wrote:

The media make a big deal of how Brian Noble always gets his teams ready for the play-offs and that's all well and good as far as I'm concerned. I am, however, beginning get fed up of finishing the season strongly, but having too much to do because we started so poorly. Each year, Leeds, Saints, or both get off to a flyer while we spend half a season getting ourselves sorted out.
In 2007, everyone was saying how, if we started like we'd finished 06, we'd be real threats but, instead, we seemed to have lost form over the off season, losing 3 of the first 4 rounds without even playing Leeds or Saints.
Last year, we actually kept pace reasonably well for a while, as we managed to grind out some victories while playing poorly. Even so, we lost 6 of our first 13 rounds, winning only narrowly when we won, but sometimes getting pulverized in defeat (a la Millenium Magic).
Logically, one would want to be playing well at the business end of the season but, realistically, you've got to finish top 2 to win it. Is Brian Noble so fixated on the end of the season that he doesn't pay due attention to the beginning? Is our pre-season substantially poorer than our rivals'? I'm just getting fed up of having to give up on a top 2 finish before the season is even halfway through each year. Hopefully that won't be the case this year but Sunday was not a good sign.

Saints lost 5 of the first 10 games last year, and were 8 points behind Leeds in the league with 12 games left.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:01 pm  

Yes, that's why I said either Leeds, Saints or both get off to a flyer. Last year Saints got off to a poor start as well.

Nobby's comments : Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:09 pm  

Anyone got this weeks observer?

Apparently Nobby says that we'll have to cut out 'The Razzle Dazzle' rugby that we tried against Wakey and go back to basics.

I'm wondering if he was at the game and how much more basic our rugby can get.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:12 pm  

He's losing it.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:13 pm  

I agree with Nobby. Cut out all this passing that way the fools on the pitch cant drop it! Get the opposition into a forward orientated arm wrestle.

Re: Nobby's comments : Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:16 pm  

Eastside wrote:

Apparently Nobby says that we'll have to cut out 'The Razzle Dazzle' rugby that we tried against Wakey and go back to basics.
.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:20 pm  

From my point of view, the pocession was mainly lost by first receivers, dummy half runners and generally within the ruck area.

What Nobby must mean are the early kicks in the tackle count by Tim Smith and the forced passes from the likes of George Carmont. Still, I can't remember much ''razzle dazzle'' considering we didn't even lay the playform to even attempt that kind of play.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:21 pm  

I think he probably meant the ATTEMPTED razzle dazzle and not actual razzle dazzle. At least I hope he did.

: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:23 pm  

RB wrote:

:lol: He's losing it.

No,hes lost it.