Jake the Peg wrote:
I have more time for grix than I did 5 or 6 weeks ago. He's upped the level of performance significantly and with such a scratch side we were above expectation to still be in it with 10 minutes to go. Fitness levels have also clearly improved as we spent the first 20 minutes defending and didn't drop off towards the end.
Defence needs sorting though and 60+ missed tackles isn't good enough although, first 20 minutes apart, our goal line and scrambling defence was good. Under smith that would have been a 50 point hammering.
We also need to remember we had a very young side with lots of academy graduates in there who will be all the better for the experience.
I don't believe in moral victories but think we can take some positives from a close game.
Fash is an idiot though and will likely now sit out most of our remaining games. Disappointing from our vice captain
I will admit that Grix has stopped the hammerings for now(next 2 games may change that mind) and fair play but still think he is out of his depth but my main gripe is his slagging players off in the paper,especially Balmforth,I would sooner him take him to one side and explain what he did was daft and work on it in training…not say he was dumb to the local rag for all to see.You see this tackle every game but other coaches don’t mention it.