Re: Stop bloody panicking : Sun Feb 28, 2016 6:48 pm  

Sal Paradise wrote:

The injuries have been particularly brutal this season and by the time some of them return it could be too late to save the season.

So when I've mentioned injuries before it's "an excuse"......but I suppose when you mention them it's not?

Re: Stop bloody panicking : Sun Feb 28, 2016 7:48 pm  

Is anybody 'panicking'? Expressing concerns maybe.

Personally, after the heights of last season with the fitting finale to the Leeds (and game's) greats I will forgive the team for very probable lean times this season, if it puts us in a better position for 2017 and beyond. Sport is all about the ups (and it can't get any more 'up' than last season) and downs. Always has been.
How many teams can be realistically expected to perform to the same levels after losing not 1, but 2 inspirational players for the following season? This is our transitional season that, although without design, is giving our younger lads valuable experience.
Having said that, I still see nothing in the rest of SL that does not change my opinion that Leeds still have every chance of winning silverware again this season. As always it will largely come down to injuries for all in contention. Standards are pretty level across the SL, even if that level is dramatically less than the top NRL teams (plenty of given their reasons for why that is).

Nobody wants to see teams competing at widely differing levels. In the same way I would not be so happy to see amateur teams trying to compete against SL teams I must confess I would not be so keen to see any more extended WCC games, until that differing level of standards is resolved. All I want to see is competitive games....at whatever that level might be.

Re: Stop bloody panicking : Sun Feb 28, 2016 11:35 pm  

Panic's not the word, but the attitude is just not right IMO. We have more than enough quality players still available to at least be able to defend far better. Attack started to click a bit, which is good, but the team needs an attitude adjustment in defence.

Re: Stop bloody panicking : Mon Feb 29, 2016 1:16 am  

nantwichexile wrote:

Is anybody 'panicking'? Expressing concerns maybe.

Personally, after the heights of last season with the fitting finale to the Leeds (and game's) greats I will forgive the team for very probable lean times this season, if it puts us in a better position for 2017 and beyond. Sport is all about the ups (and it can't get any more 'up' than last season) and downs. Always has been.
How many teams can be realistically expected to perform to the same levels after losing not 1, but 2 inspirational players for the following season? This is our transitional season that, although without design, is giving our younger lads valuable experience.
Having said that, I still see nothing in the rest of SL that does not change my opinion that Leeds still have every chance of winning silverware again this season. As always it will largely come down to injuries for all in contention. Standards are pretty level across the SL, even if that level is dramatically less than the top NRL teams (plenty of given their reasons for why that is).

Nobody wants to see teams competing at widely differing levels. In the same way I would not be so happy to see amateur teams trying to compete against SL teams I must confess I would not be so keen to see any more extended WCC games, until that differing level of standards is resolved. All I want to see is competitive games....at whatever that level might be.

If you actually think that then we might as well not pick any of the older players and start Lilly sutcliffe Golding Baldwinson etc. in every game...

Re: Stop bloody panicking : Mon Feb 29, 2016 6:23 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

Panic's not the word, but the attitude is just not right IMO. We have more than enough quality players still available to at least be able to defend far better. Attack started to click a bit, which is good, but the team needs an attitude adjustment in defence.

I would agree with that, but also take into account having Lilley and Burrow on the pitch pretty much the whole game significantly weakens us. We really do need Faloon back ASAP, that will give us the opportunity to rotate the two little guys and will also give us one more solid defender in the middle.That said, pish poor one on one attempts, and especially slowing down the ruck and marker work needs looking at and improving this week against Huddersfield or we will continue to leak points whoever is on the field.

Re: Stop bloody panicking : Mon Feb 29, 2016 6:58 am  

Hardaker
Briscoe
Watkins
Moon
Hall
Sutcliffe
McGuire
Galloway
Falloon
Garbutt
Ferres
Ablett
Cuthbertson

Burrow
Delaney
Ward
JJB

Singleton

At some point this season we will be fielding a team similar to this. That team will compete with anyone else in super league. Simple as that.

In the mean time, this is an opportunity for young players to gain experience, fringe players to prove themselves and senior players to show leadership. Of these three, I'd say so far it's only the first that is happening. Do we need our players to step up and show some fighting attitude-yes! Are we panicking- certainly not.

Re: Stop bloody panicking : Mon Feb 29, 2016 7:44 am  

We all knew this "transition" was coming and again i find myself repeating it many under-estimated imo.
Of course the absentees don't help but things like defending and discipline/composure are more about attitude than ability which is where we are glaringly getting it wrong at the minute.
It's a tough period and i wouldn't be surprised to see another 06 type season but im hoping the Coach and the senior players address the weakness' asap and get the season going.
I think it's time for one of our infamous no holds barred team meetings where we tear ourselves a new arris and hopefully a new leadership group emerge.

Re: Stop bloody panicking : Mon Feb 29, 2016 1:57 pm  

RHINO-MARK wrote:

We all knew this "transition" was coming and again i find myself repeating it many under-estimated imo.
Of course the absentees don't help but things like defending and discipline/composure are more about attitude than ability which is where we are glaringly getting it wrong at the minute.
It's a tough period and i wouldn't be surprised to see another 06 type season but im hoping the Coach and the senior players address the weakness' asap and get the season going.
I think it's time for one of our infamous no holds barred team meetings where we tear ourselves a new arris and hopefully a new leadership group emerge.

Agree with all that, barring one thing; defence also demands the ability to work as a unit. I don't think there's a simple short cut in achieving that aim and while attitude's obviously crucial - and indeed may have been lacking - there have been too many defenders left one-on-one due to uncertainty in the ranks. In those circs, players will get brushed aside, regardless of commitment.

Re: Stop bloody panicking : Mon Feb 29, 2016 2:19 pm  

Agree on defending, all the chopping and changing can't help with the structure, especially out wide. But the attitude an application can improve in the middle of the park.

Re: Stop bloody panicking : Fri Mar 04, 2016 2:19 am  

I will be home to see the over Easter games hopefully things will be improving injury and formwise