: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:23 pm  

WANDERER wrote:

before you begin to look even deeper we have two major issues;

PAPER THIN DEFENCE (Especially near our own try-line)

LACK OF CREATIVITY (90% of the time it's 5 drives and lets see if Handforth or maybe Weeden can do something).

When you think of last season as well Gary our goal line defence was superb on occasions.Friday nights a must win game for us now mate.

[Wanderer]

: Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:45 pm  

Karlos wrote:

When you think of last season as well Gary our goal line defence was superb on occasions.

You are correct. Sadly, it seems so long ago.

: Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:11 pm  

As someone said to me at today's game, what did Tony Miller learn from coaching alongside Ellery Hanley last season? If what I have seen this season is anything to go by, it's precious little.

We haven't got a clue going forward and we are shambolic in defence. We seem unable to do even the basics right.

Worst of all, a lot of them looked as if they didn't want it and that, to me, is criminal. We made a perfectly ordinary side look good with our bungling ineptitude and lack of a simple will-to-win, period.

: Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:34 pm  

seuseuwho? wrote:

As someone said to me at today's game, what did Tony Miller learn from coaching alongside Ellery Hanley last season? If what I have seen this season is anything to go by, it's precious little.

We haven't got a clue going forward and we are shambolic in defence. We seem unable to do even the basics right.

Worst of all, a lot of them looked as if they didn't want it and that, to me, is criminal. We made a perfectly ordinary side look good with our bungling ineptitude and lack of a simple will-to-win, period.

Unfortunately Tony was nt very impressive first time around, and like you said very little learnt from Ellery.
Must agree it appeared a little too easy to score this afternoon which was a shame because Toulouse were there for the taking.
Me thinks its time to look elsewhere before it gets too late regards coaching staff.

: Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:36 pm  

I've calmed down now.
Let me just mention three things that stick in my mind.
All when WE were in possession.
1. We were near the half-way line and an incorrect play the ball gave them a penalty from which a try ensued.
3. Offside at a restart.....penalty..a try ensued.
3. Kicking out on the full from a restart...penalty...a try ensued
Is there a theme here?

The lads played with heart...but no brains.
As has been said at 18-14 the lads should have kicked on and certainly got a bonus point.

I excused myself after 65 minutes.....we wouldn't even meet them half-way when we were standing on our own try line particularly down our right hand side.....you can't stop tries moving backwards.
Toulouse are a decent side....but we couldn't have done a better job of helping them if we had tried....abetted by a rule-book ref giving penalties for things that go unpunished most of the time. Petty things...but we did those things at the end of the day.

And we can't just rely on Handforth until Briggs gets back ....otherwise we are going down.
Defo.

: Sun Apr 26, 2009 9:51 pm  

My thoughts.....

I always knew we were going to lose (tolouse) today......tho at 18-14 i was very excited.....but it was not about the result for me today....

we are..on paper the worse side in the league.....yet i think we are trying and playing are hearts out....Miller......well i think he's doing his best with limited funds....injurys are .....killing us,we are trying...that means i'll always support the Dons

I thought we did well today............maybe im on my own here.....but come on....we can stop up!!!!!!!!! They are trying

COYD

: Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:10 am  

I resisted posing yesterday as I might have regretted it.

After the Sheffield game I put my hand up and said i needed to eat humble pie as the team seemed to show real guts and determination. Yesterdays performance was abject cr&p.

TO were a very ordinary team made to look good by a pathetic Dons Team.

The referee had an absolute shocker, but we can't plame him for the poor play and lack of enthusiasum of the Dons Team.

I would hate to see the stats for fumbles, knock-ons, lost balls and wrong decisions.

Senior players need to stand up and be counted they should no experience or rugby interlect yesterday. Younger players need to get basics right; wingers taking the ball and trying to beat the on rushing defence on the line 1 aganist 3 in the red zone - suicide. Walking the ball over the dead ball line when it was plainly going to bounce out - immature. Failure to get set to defend our line for a play almost identical to one 3 minutes before that TO scored from - nieve.

First time I have left a game before the final whistle.

We are told the players are good enough, if so then it has to be the coaching staff. Heard as I was leaving the ground, " Thanks for inviting me down today, but i think I stick to watching union". Well done to the fan who encouraged a first timer, pity the team let you down so badly.

We don't deserve to stay in this league with this sort of performance, and don't be suprised if fans don't come back.

Rant over - but it was without doubt a most embarrising game to endure.

: Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:54 am  

I didnt attend yesterdays game due to a general lack of interest. like other have said there were signs of hope against Sheffield and Ill hold my hand up and say that was a good result and looking at the Fax score yesterday we did well against those to keep the score down.

I am sure there are others like my Dad and me who are disillusioned with the club at this time and in order to win those supporters back they need to make some positive moves otherwise the existing supporters base will continue to dwindle. Money is tight and the excuse of we should be happy just to have a club just doesn't wash any more with many.

Sadly the only player we are attracting to the club this year are youngsters with no proven experience and when the chips are down they seem to be found lacking, in many ways this current side reminds me a lot of the ill fated Lakers side, lots of players with promise and and very few of proven quality. Once we got a coach in who could blend the two well in Stankavich(sp) we started to look like a side.

From what I have seen on the pitch so far this season we are very much a 5 drives and a kick side rather than playing the passing game of rugby, now 5 forward drives is fine if you have impact forwards who can slip the odd pass, again due to the injuries we have this isnt happening, our tactics dont seem to be adjusting to compensate however.

It appears we are playing the game like Tony Miller used to play, by which I mean never passing, we have some talented ball players in the side (Handforth, Briggs, Cooke & Weedon) I just dont think there being given the freedom.

Looking at the league objectively Batley have addressed there poor form by appointing a coach with experience of getting a side out of the national leagues in Karl Harrison so they will start to improve, Gateshead are not a bad side and Sheffield again can only improve which leaves us floating, its time for a change before the gap is to far to close we need a coach with experience of winning and one who can quickly bolster our squad with some quality and experience. Ill make early mention of Dave Woods who did a good job at Gateshead and was unlucky to get the elbow at Cas, I think he could do a job for us.

We need to act now rather than wait much longer otherwise it will be impossible to escape.

[Hillsborough Lad]

: Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:04 am  

See you in Championship 1 next season.

: Mon Apr 27, 2009 9:12 am  

It has got to a pretty poor state now.
My lad was telling me to cheer up.....and he's right....let's get behind the Dons....and he's right.
BUT......you do what your heart and mind tells you to do.

We have stopped having any interest in any away games that aren't just around the corner like Fev.....and I am rapidly losing interest in the home games.
It won't affect the Dons one bit.....since I have paid my money for the season....so I wouldn't have to feel guilty about not going.

I am not going to blame any players this season or the coach.....the only time I will mention a player is if he has done something good.
So I am behaving myself compared with previous years.
BUT....it is soul destroying to watch the lads battling, trying hard and to be playing almost with one hand tied behind their backs.

We don't seem to have players with enough attacking flair....we average about 18 points a game....which would be OK if only we didn't turn off so much in defence. So we aren't going to win much are we?
Our kicking game is not very good without Briggs and Toulouse showed how to kick yesterday...basic stuff.

We are putting the effort in....I won't hear people saying they aren't trying.....they are trying...damn hard....but they just haven't got the ammo to convert their effort into points.
It comes down to class....not effort...the lads are trying hard.
But we are going down unless we get some loan players in from big clubs......and I am blowed if I am going to watch the lads battle their hearts out for nothing. Last season's glory and hard work would be cancelled out. So what would be the point?

I'm sorry if it carries on much longer I will have to stop going.....it's painful....I don't want to see the lads hidebound and getting embarrassed every week because they aren't being given enough help.
We have horrendous injury problems.....but simply waiting for them to clear up won't solve today's problems.

Irons in the fire?........I give you Edward II.

Oh for half a dozen Mark Castles.