: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:03 am  

AJ Viking wrote:

Quite amused to read the comments of people slagging the team off that didn't go to the game.

Really?

So in your next paragraph you state:

The game in my opinion was a large step forward, and the perfect example to the players of how we can play this season. The first half was the best we've played so far and finally had dummy runners, unpredictable play, and a good kicking game., winning the half 20-0.

The second half we went back to how we've played so far this season and lost the second half 18-4.

Quite a contradiction in terms don't you think? I freely admit to not seeing either game over the Easter period however I've seen more than enough of this team this season to come to relatively informed conclusion that we are badly under performing and not able to play for 80 minutes.

Losing a half time 20 nil lead to lose the 2nd half 18-4 against one of the Championships basement clubs speaks volumes, whether I was there to witness it or not. I witnessed the previous week's performance at Halifax first hand and it doesn't take much to work out that more of the same of that performance was served up for large parts of this weekend's fixtures.

In any case, there is a clear distinction between 'slagging off' a team and being critical. We've been promised exciting and entertaining rugby this season by the club, we've signed some of the best players and a scrum half who ripped us to shreds not so long back and yet again we've been badly let down. This is the worst start to any of our previous seasons in the lower leagues, even though the club has claimed to have had such a fantastic pre-season.

I don't see things getting any better any time soon. Playing good rugby for 40 minutes won't even get us into the top 6, let alone any finals this season.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:10 am  

Yes I do find it amusing, how can you be 'critical' as you put it without seeing what you're being critical of!

And not a contradiction in the slightest, my point being that the players will learn a valuable lesson after last nights game of what they are capable of if they play for longer periods. For every game so far this season, we have played like we did in the second half last night and the results have been poor. For the first half last night, we scored some fantastic tries and played very well, this proves to the players that they have got the ability this season to do something.

My amusement being that there is no constructive criticism coming from anyone, just saying it's rubbish etc.

And regarding Webster, he did very well last night, and considering he sat out of the majority of last year and was told his career was over I think he's doing ok.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:32 am  

I think that's good to hear... I've tried to avoid being too critical but the game against Leigh on Friday was a very low point.

I do stand by my statement though that if we can turn possession into points then we will do very well this year. A little more guile and we would have been out of sight of Leigh and probably would have won in both matches against Fax. Unfortunately though we have looked short of ideas and this has proven costly in those three games and just as importantly in entertaining the fans that turned up to those games.

Onward and upward... I'll look forward to seeing the improvement that was witnessed last night on Friday night as hopefully 'the plan' comes together a bit more..

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:51 am  

AJ Viking wrote:

Yes I do find it amusing, how can you be 'critical' as you put it without seeing what you're being critical of!

Like I've said, I've seen enough of this sort of performance this season to make an informed judgement on our overall performance so far.

And not a contradiction in the slightest, my point being that the players will learn a valuable lesson after last nights game of what they are capable of if they play for longer periods.

Yes it is a contradiction because in one sentence you claim to have seen a big improvement, yet in the next you state we reverted back to the way we've played this season. These full time professional players should not need to learn the most basic valuable lesson that a game last for 80 minutes!! Anyone who has ever picked up a rugby ball should know that!

For every game so far this season, we have played like we did in the second half last night and the results have been poor. For the first half last night, we scored some fantastic tries and played very well, this proves to the players that they have got the ability this season to do something.

Yes and we also saw 80 minutes of fantastic rugby against Toulouse putting 70 points past them and nilling them in the process. They should have been fully aware of their ability by now and be putting in at least consistently good performances whether we win or not.

My amusement being that there is no constructive criticism coming from anyone, just saying it's rubbish etc.

And regarding Webster, he did very well last night, and considering he sat out of the majority of last year and was told his career was over I think he's doing ok.

I've rarely been critical of the side so far this season but enough is enough, just because I happen to miss 2 games out of a whole season it does not make my opinion of our current and recent form any the less valid and I also see very little of people coming here simply claiming that we are 'rubbish'.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:58 am  

To be fair Busty.. if we played well for 40 minutes and were more creative if even for a half then that is an improvement.

As for the commenting thing... The team are only as good as their last game and I do think it is difficult to comment if you haven't seen the game whether live or on TV. Even radio is difficult as the local radio stations are so biased to their local team.

I saw Leigh and missed last night so I don't know where we are up to but from the sounds of things there were positives again to be taken from last night. If we are beginning to employ set pieces and dummy runners then we are on the right track.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:09 am  

In EnemyTerritory wrote:

To be fair Busty.. if we played well for 40 minutes and were more creative if even for a half then that is an improvement.

As for the commenting thing... The team are only as good as their last game and I do think it is difficult to comment if you haven't seen the game whether live or on TV. Even radio is difficult as the local radio stations are so biased to their local team.

I saw Leigh and missed last night so I don't know where we are up to but from the sounds of things there were positives again to be taken from last night. If we are beginning to employ set pieces and dummy runners then we are on the right track.

Fair enough IET, but for me we're still so inconsistent. I appreciate what you are saying about commenting on a game I've not witnessed which is why I'm taking more of a general view of our performance so far this season. I have been patient up until now.

I've not made any specific reference to last night's performance other than the fact that we threw a 20 point lead against a side that in most people's opinion we 'should' be beating comfortably and as others have stated who did see the game, our 2nd half performance left a lot to be desired.

If we are moving forward then great, however I remain to be convinced.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:23 am  

I think everyone shares your frustrations mate... and the 20 points shipped is certainly worrying.

This is not panning out to be the season we thought it might be.

The most frustrating thing is that we we never seem to have the sort of stability that other clubs around us have.
This year it all looked to be in place.. a squad assembled in good time and the opportunity of a decent pre-season. THEN.. the sacking of the coach early doors and a coach that has to carry out his pre-season as the championship kicks off.
Enough has been said about the squad but injuries to players such as Morrison and Bannister have not helped and other players do not look to be playing to their ability.
Hopefully as AJ has pointed out there are points for hope.. we will see on Friday I guess.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:30 am  

I think you've said it all there, stability is one thing we've lacked all along.

I also think if the pre-season hadn't been so built up and our expectations raised, then I'd accept these inconsistencies on the field a little easier. The flip side of that is that had the club not raised our expectations, we'd have attracted fewer fans..


Roll on Friday

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:45 am  

bUsTiNyAbALLs wrote:

I think you've said it all there, stability is one thing we've lacked all along.

I also think if the pre-season hadn't been so built up and our expectations raised, then I'd accept these inconsistencies on the field a little easier. The flip side of that is that had the club not raised our expectations, we'd have attracted fewer fans..


Roll on Friday

Indeed

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:54 am  

If you are playing Batley next up, then you are very fortunate. When motivated, they are not a bad side, but if they do not sort their troubles out before the next match(very unlikely they will), you will hammer them. This is not based on their squad or yours or your current form. However, we all know when trouble starts off the pitch and the players on it are not trying, you will get hammered. I am afraid that is the situation at Batley at the mo. Any team in this division would currently beat them with a cricket score. Unfortunately, they are beaten before they take to the field. Do not be fooled into thinking you have turned your season around if you get 70 points. Remember that Toulouse have just put 60 on them at their place and I can assure you there is a bit of bother there at the moment. I would judge how you are improving, based on the other tougher fixtures that you have to come after them, if I were a Widnes fan.