I think Smith is right in some parts - we were awful (obviously) and, despite what Bluey has said, I don't remeber us being that bad for quite a while. We haven't played well really this season, except perhaps the first half against Wigan and in fits and starts at other times. I'm also greatly concerned about our attack as too often we seem devoid of ideas and predictable.
I don't necessarily agree with being short in the centre and second row. Firstly, second row is one of the best covered positions in the squad with five players in our squad of 24 (JJB, Lauitiiti, Kirke, Ablett and Worrall as cover) having second row as their position of choice plus Peacock. As I expect us to have three second rowers in our 17 (expecting a bench of hooker, back rower and two props) that should be enough cover. Obviously losing a second rower of the quality of Ellis is a massive loss but, short of acquiring someone of the calibre of Hindmarsh or Watmough, a like-for-like replacement is difficult to come by. Jones-Buchanan with either Lauitiiti or Kirke with the other on the bench is a pretty decent trio as far as I am concerned. I'm much more concerned about the front row for which we have 4 props, two of whom will start with the other two presumably on the bench and no cover. Bearing in mind that two of these (Burgess and Leuluai) can only play in short bursts it seems and can be leaden-footed on defence, one of whom (Leuluai) is having a very poor run of form, and another of whom (Bailey) is inconsistent, we're rather thin on the ground here. Having a fifth prop would provide cover, depth and also allow Peacock to be switched to second row to provide a class replacement for Ellis. I do wonder if we've missed a trick by not going for Ryles, assuming we didn't.
Right centre seems to be the scape-goat for Leeds, at least since Toopi's injury if not from before. I'm certain Ablett isn't the answer and persisting with him there is not doing him or the team any favours. I think Watkins has potential but may not be ready yet for week-in, week-out Super League. I think Gibson was harshly dropped and would give him another go. He was doing OK, getting better and was a long way from being our worst player against Saints after which he was dropped. Realistically, at least until Smith returns and that experiment can be tried, I think he is our best option. It's all very well saying we should sign someone but who is there available that we could get now? One thing I would do is switch Donald, when he returns, to the left wing as he looks totally lost on the right. Two good seasons for us whilst playing left wing plus one and a bit seasons looking distinctly hit and miss playing on the right. Why do we need to have our best winger and centre on opposite sides? - we didn't last year or the year before, didn't on Monday (bizarrely) and Saints don't do it either.
The fact is that we've lost twice over Easter to average sides and, bearing in mind the cup game against Saints was at home and the winners would be hot favourites to win the cup, we've lost three games in a row that we should have won and haven't played well in any of them. We haven't lost them, though, because of deficiences in the squad but because the players, individually and/or collectively, have not played well enough and, epecially in the last two games, nowhere near their potential. The squad is light in places, we've had some bad calls but they are not the reason we've lost or played poorly. That's because of a repeatedly poor kicking, conceding too many silly penalties and a lack of cohesion in attack. The biggest concern for me was that these were in evidence against Saints and were not rectified in the two Easter games.
I think Smith is right in some parts - we were awful (obviously) and, despite what Bluey has said, I don't remeber us being that bad for quite a while. We haven't played well really this season, except perhaps the first half against Wigan and in fits and starts at other times. I'm also greatly concerned about our attack as too often we seem devoid of ideas and predictable.
I don't necessarily agree with being short in the centre and second row. Firstly, second row is one of the best covered positions in the squad with five players in our squad of 24 (JJB, Lauitiiti, Kirke, Ablett and Worrall as cover) having second row as their position of choice plus Peacock. As I expect us to have three second rowers in our 17 (expecting a bench of hooker, back rower and two props) that should be enough cover. Obviously losing a second rower of the quality of Ellis is a massive loss but, short of acquiring someone of the calibre of Hindmarsh or Watmough, a like-for-like replacement is difficult to come by. Jones-Buchanan with either Lauitiiti or Kirke with the other on the bench is a pretty decent trio as far as I am concerned. I'm much more concerned about the front row for which we have 4 props, two of whom will start with the other two presumably on the bench and no cover. Bearing in mind that two of these (Burgess and Leuluai) can only play in short bursts it seems and can be leaden-footed on defence, one of whom (Leuluai) is having a very poor run of form, and another of whom (Bailey) is inconsistent, we're rather thin on the ground here. Having a fifth prop would provide cover, depth and also allow Peacock to be switched to second row to provide a class replacement for Ellis. I do wonder if we've missed a trick by not going for Ryles, assuming we didn't.
Right centre seems to be the scape-goat for Leeds, at least since Toopi's injury if not from before. I'm certain Ablett isn't the answer and persisting with him there is not doing him or the team any favours. I think Watkins has potential but may not be ready yet for week-in, week-out Super League. I think Gibson was harshly dropped and would give him another go. He was doing OK, getting better and was a long way from being our worst player against Saints after which he was dropped. Realistically, at least until Smith returns and that experiment can be tried, I think he is our best option. It's all very well saying we should sign someone but who is there available that we could get now? One thing I would do is switch Donald, when he returns, to the left wing as he looks totally lost on the right. Two good seasons for us whilst playing left wing plus one and a bit seasons looking distinctly hit and miss playing on the right. Why do we need to have our best winger and centre on opposite sides? - we didn't last year or the year before, didn't on Monday (bizarrely) and Saints don't do it either.
The fact is that we've lost twice over Easter to average sides and, bearing in mind the cup game against Saints was at home and the winners would be hot favourites to win the cup, we've lost three games in a row that we should have won and haven't played well in any of them. We haven't lost them, though, because of deficiences in the squad but because the players, individually and/or collectively, have not played well enough and, epecially in the last two games, nowhere near their potential. The squad is light in places, we've had some bad calls but they are not the reason we've lost or played poorly. That's because of a repeatedly poor kicking, conceding too many silly penalties and a lack of cohesion in attack. The biggest concern for me was that these were in evidence against Saints and were not rectified in the two Easter games.
That about sums it up for me. Add in the fact that Webb and Buderus have missed a lot of time with injury and will still be feeling their way back I don't think there is too much to worry about. It is time for Bluey to prove his credentials now though
I think Smith is right in some parts - we were awful (obviously) and, despite what Bluey has said, I don't remeber us being that bad for quite a while. We haven't played well really this season, except perhaps the first half against Wigan and in fits and starts at other times. I'm also greatly concerned about our attack as too often we seem devoid of ideas and predictable.
I don't necessarily agree with being short in the centre and second row. Firstly, second row is one of the best covered positions in the squad with five players in our squad of 24 (JJB, Lauitiiti, Kirke, Ablett and Worrall as cover) having second row as their position of choice plus Peacock. As I expect us to have three second rowers in our 17 (expecting a bench of hooker, back rower and two props) that should be enough cover. Obviously losing a second rower of the quality of Ellis is a massive loss but, short of acquiring someone of the calibre of Hindmarsh or Watmough, a like-for-like replacement is difficult to come by. Jones-Buchanan with either Lauitiiti or Kirke with the other on the bench is a pretty decent trio as far as I am concerned. I'm much more concerned about the front row for which we have 4 props, two of whom will start with the other two presumably on the bench and no cover. Bearing in mind that two of these (Burgess and Leuluai) can only play in short bursts it seems and can be leaden-footed on defence, one of whom (Leuluai) is having a very poor run of form, and another of whom (Bailey) is inconsistent, we're rather thin on the ground here. Having a fifth prop would provide cover, depth and also allow Peacock to be switched to second row to provide a class replacement for Ellis. I do wonder if we've missed a trick by not going for Ryles, assuming we didn't.
Right centre seems to be the scape-goat for Leeds, at least since Toopi's injury if not from before. I'm certain Ablett isn't the answer and persisting with him there is not doing him or the team any favours. I think Watkins has potential but may not be ready yet for week-in, week-out Super League. I think Gibson was harshly dropped and would give him another go. He was doing OK, getting better and was a long way from being our worst player against Saints after which he was dropped. Realistically, at least until Smith returns and that experiment can be tried, I think he is our best option. It's all very well saying we should sign someone but who is there available that we could get now? One thing I would do is switch Donald, when he returns, to the left wing as he looks totally lost on the right. Two good seasons for us whilst playing left wing plus one and a bit seasons looking distinctly hit and miss playing on the right. Why do we need to have our best winger and centre on opposite sides? - we didn't last year or the year before, didn't on Monday (bizarrely) and Saints don't do it either.
The fact is that we've lost twice over Easter to average sides and, bearing in mind the cup game against Saints was at home and the winners would be hot favourites to win the cup, we've lost three games in a row that we should have won and haven't played well in any of them. We haven't lost them, though, because of deficiences in the squad but because the players, individually and/or collectively, have not played well enough and, epecially in the last two games, nowhere near their potential. The squad is light in places, we've had some bad calls but they are not the reason we've lost or played poorly. That's because of a repeatedly poor kicking, conceding too many silly penalties and a lack of cohesion in attack. The biggest concern for me was that these were in evidence against Saints and were not rectified in the two Easter games.
Well said that man ! Keep experimenting with what we have on the right if we must between Smith/Hall/Gibson and Watkins....but for gawd's sake get Scotty back on the left with Senior...so we have at least some guaranteed attacking threat.
Webb I suggest you watch him more closely his mobility and speed of movement are not what they were something you would expect from a serious spinal injury. He looks a shadow of the player he was - one can only imagine the pain he must be in after a game.
That is an interesting statement you've made...
Speaking (typing) as a person who has just had a disk snipped [classed as a partial discectomy (sp?) I think] with some bone removed I noticed immediate improvement - after two weeks I am walking better than preop and able to sit for a short time. What I have noticed is as the swelling is reduced I still haven't recovered flexibility and I am still suprised when (for example) I sneeze it doesn't hurt. With some imaginiation scale that out to a professional sportsman in a collision sport. Brent Webb is going to take to time to get match sharp/fit and be fully confident that he is going to be OK. I have every confidence that he will be OK and recover his form. After all Brent Tate recovered from a serious neck injury that could have stopped his career.
Speaking (typing) as a person who has just had a disk snipped [classed as a partial discectomy (sp?) I think] with some bone removed I noticed immediate improvement - after two weeks I am walking better than preop and able to sit for a short time. What I have noticed is as the swelling is reduced I still haven't recovered flexibility and I am still suprised when (for example) I sneeze it doesn't hurt. With some imaginiation scale that out to a professional sportsman in a collision sport. Brent Webb is going to take to time to get match sharp/fit and be fully confident that he is going to be OK. I have every confidence that he will be OK and recover his form. After all Brent Tate recovered from a serious neck injury that could have stopped his career.
A sensible post, speaking from experience and fact. There really is no place for you on southstander.com.
Last edited by Ex-Swarcliffe Rhino on Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
I think Smith is right in some parts - we were awful (obviously) and, despite what Bluey has said, I don't remeber us being that bad for quite a while. We haven't played well really this season, except perhaps the first half against Wigan and in fits and starts at other times. I'm also greatly concerned about our attack as too often we seem devoid of ideas and predictable.
I don't necessarily agree with being short in the centre and second row. Firstly, second row is one of the best covered positions in the squad with five players in our squad of 24 (JJB, Lauitiiti, Kirke, Ablett and Worrall as cover) having second row as their position of choice plus Peacock. As I expect us to have three second rowers in our 17 (expecting a bench of hooker, back rower and two props) that should be enough cover. Obviously losing a second rower of the quality of Ellis is a massive loss but, short of acquiring someone of the calibre of Hindmarsh or Watmough, a like-for-like replacement is difficult to come by. Jones-Buchanan with either Lauitiiti or Kirke with the other on the bench is a pretty decent trio as far as I am concerned. I'm much more concerned about the front row for which we have 4 props, two of whom will start with the other two presumably on the bench and no cover. Bearing in mind that two of these (Burgess and Leuluai) can only play in short bursts it seems and can be leaden-footed on defence, one of whom (Leuluai) is having a very poor run of form, and another of whom (Bailey) is inconsistent, we're rather thin on the ground here. Having a fifth prop would provide cover, depth and also allow Peacock to be switched to second row to provide a class replacement for Ellis. I do wonder if we've missed a trick by not going for Ryles, assuming we didn't.
Right centre seems to be the scape-goat for Leeds, at least since Toopi's injury if not from before. I'm certain Ablett isn't the answer and persisting with him there is not doing him or the team any favours. I think Watkins has potential but may not be ready yet for week-in, week-out Super League. I think Gibson was harshly dropped and would give him another go. He was doing OK, getting better and was a long way from being our worst player against Saints after which he was dropped. Realistically, at least until Smith returns and that experiment can be tried, I think he is our best option. It's all very well saying we should sign someone but who is there available that we could get now? One thing I would do is switch Donald, when he returns, to the left wing as he looks totally lost on the right. Two good seasons for us whilst playing left wing plus one and a bit seasons looking distinctly hit and miss playing on the right. Why do we need to have our best winger and centre on opposite sides? - we didn't last year or the year before, didn't on Monday (bizarrely) and Saints don't do it either.
The fact is that we've lost twice over Easter to average sides and, bearing in mind the cup game against Saints was at home and the winners would be hot favourites to win the cup, we've lost three games in a row that we should have won and haven't played well in any of them. We haven't lost them, though, because of deficiences in the squad but because the players, individually and/or collectively, have not played well enough and, epecially in the last two games, nowhere near their potential. The squad is light in places, we've had some bad calls but they are not the reason we've lost or played poorly. That's because of a repeatedly poor kicking, conceding too many silly penalties and a lack of cohesion in attack. The biggest concern for me was that these were in evidence against Saints and were not rectified in the two Easter games.
Well said mate. Interesting point regarding the props and i think it's gone under the radar the problems there at the moment. It's a major reason why the halfs aren't getting going and why we also look like we're going sideways alot..
JMT simply appears to have collected the best/worse (depending on your viewpoint) from this forum over the past month or so and stuck it all together in a single post. As it happens I share his point of view or to put it another way he shares mine and the others who got in there first.
JMT simply appears to have collected the best/worse (depending on your viewpoint) from this forum over the past month or so and stuck it all together in a single post. As it happens I share his point of view or to put it another way he shares mine and the others who got in there first.
Tetchy?
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 208 guests
REPLY
Please note using apple style emoji's can result in posting failures.
Use the FULL EDITOR to better format content or upload images, be notified of replies etc...