Re: Four Games In : Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:06 pm  

manu knighted wrote:

After our best start to a Superleague season what do people think so far? Who's stood out? Who's been disappointing? Where have we excelled and what do we need to improve? It seems that there is still no one taking us too seriously outside of Hull. Is this unfair on us or are we getting carried away after a few wins against mid table teams?

I expected nothing this season, so am amazed. Dowes in particular has impressed and Horne's return to fitness is brilliant. The pack generally have been far, far better than I expected given we were expecting the rest of the forwards to be making up the numbers around Carvell and Crocker. The intensity of our defence has been the best feature for me - we seem to have gang-tackled the opposition into touch at least once in each game so far which is a really good indicator of serious effort. Fitness levels seem much better all round.

I am seriously concerned if we get any more outside back injuries though -we've coped so far without Tony, Raynor and Byrne, but seeing that we were thin in the backs anyway if everyone was fit, another injury would spell trouble IMO. The major frustration for me, as I've said a few times already, is that the pinpoint accuracy of our kicking game at Headingley hasn't been seen since - last tackle kicks seem to end up straight in the oppositions hands too often. We need to improved out support play and get more runners going too. Last year there was nothing to follow up but now Berro's freed up to play 9 and Richard Horne's back there are opportunities being created but not capitalised on.

In summary, really pleased with the start to the season. A long way to go and, yes, we've not played a team that's firing yet, but remember that Wigan, Catalans and Huddersfield were all tipped heavily for top 6 and we've done a job on them all. So far, so good, I think that's all you can say

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:07 pm  

Faithful One wrote:

Celtic? Believe we beat Wigan early on last year as well?

Last Year IMO Wigan was our best home performance. Not getting carried away but we have beaten 4 out of 4 what more could they have done.

Wigan looked good last Saturday ok against a poor Bulls side but 44 point si a good performance. Saints only won 4-0 in Wales.

My feet are on the ground but I'm wishing and hoping!!

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:11 pm  

Carefree wrote:

Last Year IMO Wigan was our best home performance. Not getting carried away but we have beaten 4 out of 4 what more could they have done.

Wigan looked good last Saturday ok against a poor Bulls side but 44 point si a good performance. Saints only won 4-0 in Wales.

My feet are on the ground but I'm wishing and hoping!!

Better points difference and be top? Nil each team they have played?

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:12 pm  

Attack wise there is room for improvement - Better kicking; for touch, into the corners and out of our own half.

I would also like to see us use the wingers more.

Defence wise I'm happy - other than the soft try's we've conceeded towards the end of matches.

Re: Four Games In : Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:13 pm  

Mrs Barista Wrote:

In summary, really pleased with the start to the season. A long way to go and, yes, we've not played a team that's firing yet, but remember that Wigan, Catalans and Huddersfield were all tipped heavily for top 6 and we've done a job on them all. So far, so good, I think that's all you can say [/quote]



That's how I see it, but yet keep getting told 'we haven't played anybody yet'

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:17 pm  

Faithful One wrote:

Better points difference and be top? Nil each team they have played?

Yes but I awoke from my deep sleep before the season started!!

Its going OK for me

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:20 pm  

Carefree wrote:

Yes but I awoke from my deep sleep before the season started!!

Its going OK for me

Surpassed my expectations, thought we'd be mid-table at this stage. Pleased with the way its going, but there are still improvements to be made.

: Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:21 pm  

Faithful One wrote:

Surpassed my expectations, thought we'd be mid-table at this stage. Pleased with the way its going, but there are still improvements to be made.

To use my Spanish colleagues words "for sure" but as long as we can keep it going I WILL keep smiling!!

Re: Four Games In : Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:25 am  

berrigans bitch wrote:

Fantastic start..not getting carried away..defence has impressed..Calderwood will excel when the grounds dry and get quicker..need to improve our concentration at the end of games..the last minute tries by the opposition will prove costly at some point. if not dealt with soon..do not care what others are thinking if they do not take us seriously it will bite them on the butt

Calderwood will excel when someone actually give him the ball.

: Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:48 am  

We look to have a very good work ethic and seem like we are hard to beat which is something that could not be said last season. The soft underbelly looks to have gone and we play far smarter rugby. We still look vulnerable to second phase attacking through offloads but in the main the defence has looked very good. The kicking game is better but still needs to be improved, expecially the longer kicking game. With the ball we stil lack speed and width to our passing but we will hopefully become more adventurous as the conditions get better and the halves become more comfortable playing together.

On the whole 7-8/10, great start but need to improve if we are going to be successful.