Re: So you want some new players? : Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:12 am  

Teddy Picker wrote:

Is Sinfield able to lead the defensive line without it effecting his ability to try and control the side offensively?

He managed it for 9 years previous.

Re: So you want some new players? : Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:15 am  

I've said we've lacked 'strike' in our pack since the Eastwood saga and this was worsened by when Ali left. We currently only have a set of forwards who you would describe as workhorses, nobody currently is offering line breaks or dangerous offloads other than maybe Moore but he's hardly ripping up tree's. We need a couple of more mobile forwards to compliment what we have.

Re: So you want some new players? : Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:19 am  

We need some nasty b'stards in there. I would love a gareth hock. He would make a massive difference to our side

Re: So you want some new players? : Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:44 am  

Sibbs Rhinos wrote:

I've said we've lacked 'strike' in our pack since the Eastwood saga and this was worsened by when Ali left. We currently only have a set of forwards who you would describe as workhorses, nobody currently is offering line breaks or dangerous offloads other than maybe Moore but he's hardly ripping up tree's. We need a couple of more mobile forwards to compliment what we have.

It didn't used to matter that our halves were support-runners rather than game-controlling creatives, because when you have Ali, Senior, Ellis, Peacock in his prime, punching holes, scattering defences and offloading then support runners and front-foot players at 1, 6 and 7 are exactly what you want. Meanwhile our tempo was controlled through 9 and 13.

McGuire and Webb have tried to change their games to an extent to compensate for our current situation, but we're seeing that this is not enough without a less predictable pack. I'd add that the lines they're coached to run and superior fitness levels could compensate for the individual limitations of the players, but that's just not happening either.

Re: So you want some new players? : Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:01 am  

Gotcha wrote:

He managed it for 9 years previous.

And is that catching up with him? I genuinely don't know the answer, but for a lot of them 9 years he was playing 80 minutes week in week out, its bound to have an effect.

Re: So you want some new players? : Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:18 am  

We don't need wholesale changes, the players that have served Leeds so well are still here, but have either lost some of their pace, or strength so the biggest thing we need to change is the way we play. Our previous support players aren't quick enough any more and have tried to adapt, but they are not playing to a structure. When your forwards can't punch through the line and offload, you need to run a deeper attack and we are still playing a flat line. In defence, we lose the collision so much that frequently we don't even have 1 marker in place never mind 2, meaning that we are constantly on the back foot. Players are pulled all over the defensive line meaning that the players around them don't have confidence and are pulled into tackles they should not be involved in.

Most of the above lies with the coach, and the CEO for persisting with players who are on a a downward slope, but they would look a lot better with a strong defensive and attacking structure.

Just signing 4 or 5 new players isn't the answer without a significant change to playing style...

Re: So you want some new players? : Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:41 am  

I agree BR a better structure with and without the ball would do us no end of good.

Re: So you want some new players? : Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:31 pm  

Any kind of structure would be an improvement on what we have seen the last couple of seasons, and the blame for that lies squarely with BMD, and the coaching staff. Wigan were outstanding last Friday, and we were well and truly handed our arses.

Do nothing but simply wait a few seasons in the hope of some quality coming through the Academy? Excellent business plan if you are happy for Leeds Rhinos to slide down the pan a la Bradford. I have a bit more faith in Caddick and GH having the business nous to come up with something which addresses the onfield problems in the short term, whilst continuing to promote the Academy lads as and when. As many have stated, all we ask is for our team to compete, and if on the day their best is good enough, then fair play to them.

You do not achieve success by adjusting your tactics to accommodate a group of players whose best years are behind them.You replace them with fresh blood, who are eager to stake a claim, and have the skills and a point to prove.

Tell you what, If I see Stirling Moss behind the wheel for Ferrari in the next Grand Prix, I'll happily admit I'm wrong.....

Re: So you want some new players? : Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:43 pm  

BillyRhino wrote:

Tell you what, If I see Stirling Moss behind the wheel for Ferrari in the next Grand Prix, I'll happily admit I'm wrong.....

That's a pretty safe bet although it can only be a matter of time before Massa gets the old heave-ho - surprised he's lasted this long - never been quite the same since he collected one of Barrichello's springs at the Hungaroring in 2009.

That Ferrari is a bit of a b1tch at times so I doubt it'll be Sir Stirling given the job to tame it now.

Re: So you want some new players? : Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:13 pm  

Sibbs Rhinos wrote:

I've said we've lacked 'strike' in our pack since the Eastwood saga and this was worsened by when Ali left. We currently only have a set of forwards who you would describe as workhorses, nobody currently is offering line breaks or dangerous offloads other than maybe Moore but he's hardly ripping up tree's. We need a couple of more mobile forwards to compliment what we have.

Spot on.

Releasing Ali to sign Moore was sheer folly. The legend had at least one more year in him as he's demonstrating at Wakefield. Great try yesterday.