The main differences from the first 5 games... : Sun Apr 05, 2009 8:49 pm  

1) Thormans Kicking - A lot of our early season tries where from Thormans kicking be it his bombs or his grubbers, what's happening at the moment? Everytime he does a grubber kick through none of our team react so either they don't know about it or they're really really lazy. His kicks haven't being the best but they could still be chased.

2) Intensity in defence - Where oh where has this gone? Moving up with great line speed, time after time today we just sat back and waited for them gifting them an extra 10 yards.

3) Quck PTB - Very laboured at the PTB, needs improving.

Agar needs to realise fast that Yak and Dowes CAN do 60+ but that doesn't mean that they HAVE to. Same with Radford/Tickle/Manu. Dropping Thacks was a diabolical decision and is obviously due to something happening behind the scenes - It was obvious from the interview he gave after the Quins game on the radio. We looked burnt out and there is really no wonder.

: Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:08 pm  

Enthusiasm and aggression. First five games we attacked with our defensive line speed and worked as a team when in possession with off the ball dummy running and support play. Last 2 games in particular we simply haven't tried hard enough. Not enough effort and urgency across the team. Today we would have been beaten by an average NL team. Fact is you get what you deserve and we have deserved nothing from the last 3 games.

I've read the theories and rumours on here. No idea why but we've stopped trying. Everything eminates from enthusiasm and aggression and, Manu apart, we have none. Our forwards are powder puff tacklers who get owned in the collision and the wrestle. If I was them I would be embarrassed. I read on here that we dont need Crocker and Lauaki as we're already covered in their positions. Nothing could be further from the truth.

: Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:16 pm  

The result!

: Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:43 pm  

Difference for me is the attack. At the start of the season, we seemed to like to play a bit of expansive attractive rugby. Now we seem to just run it in one man at a time. What's happened?

Our defence wasn't brilliant at the start of the season anyway. We've let in a try at the death pretty much every game. Baring in mind we haven't been stuffed by anyone, so it's not that bad.

Our attack let is down big time today. We don't have the forwards to lay the platform. We've got grafters on the pitch in the props, 2nd row and loose man who just consistently run it in but don't make much yards or breaks. I know you need a few grafters to settle the game and be consistent, but not in every position in the pack. We tried winning a game by grafting. You can't expect to win games in SL that way.
Willie Manu is the only explosive player we have. Moa isn't on the pitch long enough to make much impact. Thackray isn't even getting picked anymore. King got battered for the 2nd week in a row. Lacklustre pack. And this was the "strength" we tried playing to today.

: Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:52 pm  

Playing good sides now

: Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:54 pm  

I've got to agree with Staffs FC on this.

The aggression we showed in the early games has been missing since Bradford. With the exception of Manu, our forwards are loosing the collision.

Appetite for work has dropped off too. A lot of players were walking around in the backline today.

Performances at Quins and today are beginning to remind of the halcyon days of last season. And to be fair, probably the 2007 season until Matthew Head arrived.

: Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:55 pm  

i feel the cracks were there to be seen in the 2nd half at Bradford and unfortunately things have slid from there onwards.

: Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:03 pm  

Not a great deal of difference from the start of the season for me, our forwards have now been found out and we seem incapable scoring tries from passing movements. Our only attacking option all season appears to be scoring from kicks, we are abysmal with ball in hand.

I think we should also question the way the team is being coached, perhaps they have been watching too much American Football, or the team is drinking too much beer!

: Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:17 pm  

Like i have said previously we are no better than last season with the same certain players who in my opinion are not good enough,graeme horne,dowes cusack to name 3 and the superstar signing of balsawood are poor.second bottom was true reflection and believe me we are heading back down there again.Wake up people and smell the coffee.WE ARE A POOR TEAM with a Poor coaching set up and poor management team.

: Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:23 pm  

Black and white legend wrote:

Like i have said previously we are no better than last season with the same certain players who in my opinion are not good enough,graeme horne,dowes cusack to name 3 and the superstar signing of balsawood are poor.second bottom was true reflection and believe me we are heading back down there again.Wake up people and smell the coffee.WE ARE A POOR TEAM with a Poor coaching set up and poor management team.

Ahmen to that brother!!!