A Bit Of Positivity..... : Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:47 am  

Right.....So there are many threads regarding Leeds' recent performances and results and they are all very similar in the fact that the majority of posters are expressing pretty much just negative opinions. I thought in the interest of fairness I would start a post where a few positives we're mentioned first and then have my two pennith about the negatives of recent times. So here we go;

Ryan Hall- I think he is becomming a reliable and very willing workhorse. He seems to me to be more solid in defence and although he isn't the fastest winger, when he comes inside he seems to run it in hard and get those few extra yards with a solid leg drive. Another young lad thats stepped up and he seems to be getting more and more comfortable. Scoring a few tries aswell, in my opinion the lads progressing well.

Each Week-Although we haven't got the results in the past couple of matches each week that progresses Buderus is getting game time under his belt as is Webb. Both of these are key players in the "spine" of our team and will be far from their best at current as they are coming back from injuries. Burrows had a few knocks recently which may have shot his confidence also, but once these boys are back to full fitness Im sure our attack will come good and some fluidity with become apparent. Time my friends is allegedly a good healer!

Youngsters-Leeds have alot of youngsters in their squad with the likes of Watkins, Jones-Bishop, McShane, Allen, Gibson etc etc. This can only be a good thing; and whilst alot of people moan that we haven't got great depth and we're being forced to play youngsters, look at it from the other angle. These youngsters are getting game time, there experiencing the whole super league gameday experience and minutes on the pitch now for me is a good thing as it means that when (and of course If) they become a regular they can concentrate on their rugby and nothing else. i appreciate the too much too young line some people will be taking and to some extent I agree but its not like these youngsters are playing week in week out at current.

Cap Space- I know alot of people are of the opinion "we have cap space and we're losing; so use it" and I am fully aware of our frailties but GH is a shrewd businessman and I for one have faith in him.he has earnt my trust. There is No rush in April to spend the large amount of cap we have left on someone who isn't right for the squad but will fill a gap in the short term. Things aren't that bad. Whilst we do have positions that need addressing (Nobody can deny this) we have a large amount of cap space, and as a club we must look very lucrative to all perspective players. I feel as much as a player is needed by the rhinos, as a club; the history, the fans and the potential for trophies must look appealing for the sort of player we want to attract. In my opinion we don't want someone like Gleeson coming into our squad; who lets face it; Didn't leave Warrington for the prospect of silverware.
Front loading contracts of people like Lee Smith will also be in GH's mind so lets just give him a chance get things sorted out. With the Eastwood saga happening at the beginning of the season a whole financial upheavel is probably happening, so lets give him some time to sort out problems. If we don't recruit this season then I will be suprised, but for now patience please .....

Now onto a few negatives. The past two games have been dire, and the team seem out on there feet with no on field direction. The right hand side of our makeshift backs are lost and the prospect of Lee Smith leaving is not a good one. But negative talk doesn't hel so that that! (I learn't that from the "Steve McNamara Guide to Unity in team sports")

I'd like to finish by saying that no matter how uninterested the players looked, don't think that they don't want to win every game they play. Over the past few years think at what trophies the Rhinos have given us and how sucessful; they've been, hopefully those that were booing yesterday might think of this next time "their" team has a couple of off days. See you at Huddersfield....

Re: A Bit Of Positivity..... : Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:14 pm  

SDB wrote:

Now onto a few negatives. The past two games have been dire, and the team seem out on there feet with no on field direction. The right hand side of our makeshift backs are lost and the prospect of Lee Smith leaving is not a good one. But negative talk doesn't hel so that that! (I learn't that from the "Steve McNamara Guide to Unity in team sports")

You see, this is where I have the problem.

You choose to comment about positivity, and then post this by saying the past two games.

That is what makes the rest of your post irrelevant.

Just because we lost last two games, makes it no difference to the other games played this year. We have been pish poor and outplayed in the other games too. So why mention all this after two defeats? You should have been saying it a few weeks ago, if you really mean it.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:16 pm  

hall is getting better but makes me look quick and i only have one good knee!
solid and reliable he is but he hasn't the speed off the mark for a top class winger

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:18 pm  

You mention the youngsters, are they good enough?

I've seen nothing to suggest the likes of Allen and Watkins are up to it at the minute.

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:21 pm  

Bloody hell you would think we had got relegated with all the negative reaction, grow up the lot of ya or you will all get a firm biatch slapping!!

: Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:29 pm  

All these threads with everyones 2pence worth. Can't they all just be one big thread of boringness instead of 27?

Re: A Bit Of Positivity..... : Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:37 pm  

DISA wrote:

You see, this is where I have the problem.

1)You choose to comment about positivity, and then post this by saying the past two games.

2)That is what makes the rest of your post irrelevant.

3)Just because we lost last two games, makes it no difference to the other games played this year. We have been pish poor and outplayed in the other games too. So why mention all this after two defeats? You should have been saying it a few weeks ago, if you really mean it.

1) I choose and subsequently posted with positives, adding a little about my perceived negatives after.
2) Im sure my post is as relevant as the next. We all have an opinion. This is mine.
3) I mentioned the last two games because those are the one we have lost. Surely the positives to be taken out of most other matches are obvious (+2 points...Just incase )

The negative posts as a general have come since we lost to two teams that we should be beating. We we're beaten by a Saints outfit before that which we're a quality side. Bradford and Salford (no disrespect) aren't as quality and Leeds should have beaten them. What I was trying to get across in my post (and i'll make this season wide) just for you is that we're not in a bad position. It could be better, but as much as there are negatives surrounding the Rhinos, there are also some positives.

Re: A Bit Of Positivity..... : Tue Apr 14, 2009 4:34 pm  

SDB wrote:

3) I mentioned the last two games because those are the one we have lost. Surely the positives to be taken out of most other matches are obvious (+2 points...Just incase )

Leeds have lost the last three straight and five out of the last eight.

Just my twopennarth.

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:14 am  

Actually with the exception of the Grand Final I really don't think we've played well since last Easter!

: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:35 am  

Highbury Rhino wrote:

Actually with the exception of the Grand Final I really don't think we've played well since last Easter!

Correct. But that's irelevant really as we're champs. BUT it would be nice if we could dominate the regular rounds and the cup the way Saints do. I'd also sooner be back to back champs than back to back winners of the cup though..