: Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:37 pm  

AdmiralHanson wrote:

So, there we have it then ... All down to a couple of interceptions.

...

Salford are not a great side, but at least they do the basics of running, tackling and backing up to a decent standard.

All excellent, valid points well made.

To add to that:

- Why do we seem totally unable to build pressure when we do have the ball?

- Where has the urgency gone? The 'never say die' attitude gone? Too often this afternoon we just didn't seem bothered.

- Where has the discipline gone? Silly penalties, holding on to tacklers to get a penalty (just don't go there), complaining to the ref so much. McClennan is mentioning the ref in his after match comments far too much. All this does is take focus away from the team's obvous deficiencies. We should be playing well enough for the ref to not be a factor.

- What are our tactics? I couldn't for the life of me see any this afternoon. Apart from one man carry after one man carry. What a waste.

Salford demonstrated what is needed to beat Leeds at the moment - getting the basics right and showing a bit of enthusiasm.

This doesn't look like a simple form slump. We're underperforming big time and if we somehow manage to come good in October it'll be a miracle.

: Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:37 pm  

G1 wrote:

Maybe you have a point. The last time we took a leaf out of Huddersfield book we poached a quality coach from them. Is that what you're driving at?

I'm driving at the fact that opposition coaches* have been chelping at Huddersfield's tackling technique because they do it better. I'm driving at the fact that Huddersfield are structured and inventive going forward. I'm driving at the fact that when they missed out on Todd Carney (Visa turned down) they didn't sit on their hands they immediately lined up a replacement in Fulton. I'm driving at the fact they are on the rise and are showing ambition.

*Terry Matterson, Brian Noble and most spectacularly of all Justin Morgan today. Will we be adding Brian McClennan to the growing list next Saturday?

: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:50 pm  

I'll give you a top 3 ... it can be the coaches/chief exec's action plan for the week

Discipline
I'm guessing we lost the penalty count again today? We were certainly well behind deep in the second half. That's 3 counts won in 10 games then. It needs fixing. The coach can influence that ... quickly ... with technical coaching and a firmer hand to stop the on field frustration and dissent.

Attacking Structure
There isn't one at the moment. 5 drives and a kick or throw it to Burrow and hope he ducks through isn't a plan. Back to basics, more structure, defined plays, quicker play the balls and play the off the cuff stuff off the offloads. The coach can influence most of that in practice.

Recruitment
Strategically, great teams improve their squad every year. This year we haven't, its weaker. The horse may have bolted but if they can find a big signing it would help.

Interestingly there's another concerning clue in the McLennan interview on the official site. The "great motivator" uses the word depression talking about the squads reaction to defeats. Is this the rah-rah approach in full effect? Are the players mimicking his emotional approach?

: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:58 pm  

tvoc wrote:

I'm driving at the fact that when they missed out on Todd Carney (Visa turned down) they didn't sit on their hands they immediately lined up a replacement in Fulton.

Indeed .... The club must have known about the Eastwood saga well before it came out in the press.

As I said earlier, the minute it was looking dodgy (and I hardly think we'd be led down the garden path by the British Embassy in Canberra, much as I don't like them for what they've done), we should have been back to Sydney with a cheque book burning a hole in our pockets.

: Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:15 pm  

G1 wrote:

Did you see today's performance?

If so, why do you think a new right centre and a 5th prop forward would've made a difference?

What have Huddersfield been doing that would've altered today's result other than perhaps hiring Nathan Brown who looks a very calm assured tactical coach.

Maybe you have a point. The last time we took a leaf out of Huddersfield book we poached a quality coach from them. Is that what you're driving at?

In a lot of ways you're correct. Signing one player now probably won't change the squad dynamic - although a right sided attack might be of some use (Gleeson might not be able to help Wigan but they don't have Keith Senior on the other side of the field). However, someone has to look at what we have coming through the juniors and who will need replacing in the senior squad - in advance. We have a great core of players, all produced by our academy bar Peacock and Senior (both in the latter stages of their careers), who carry this team. It's criminal to waste that golden group of players - all Leeds through and through - with frugal spending, sub-standard squad management and yes, average coaching.

: Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:26 pm  

Actually just looked at the Wigoon board. Really cheered me up. I'd recommend it to anyone feeling miserable.


"How can you tell me you're lonely, and for you that the sun don't shine, let me take you by the hand and lead out through the streets of Wigan, I'll show you something that just might change your mind."

You think we've got problems......

: Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:29 pm  

Should the lack of squad depth in the forwards (if we have one) really be an issue in April, after a handful of games? If so, it goes back to coaching.

: Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:38 pm  

G1 wrote:

Should the lack of squad depth in the forwards (if we have one) really be an issue in April, after a handful of games? If so, it goes back to coaching.

It comes down to bad decisions. We need everybody to pull there weight. Burgess, Kirke, Lealuai and as always JP were trying hard in periods, but there was one player who was no where to be seen. Bailey. Who would you rather have had today Bailey or Scruton?

I know you cannot point things to one player but the guy is utterly useless at times like this. Burgess ( a lot less senior player) was taking the ball up far better than what Bailey was.

We dont know how much more Bradford offered for Scruts but shorly he should have been a bigger priority than Bailey?

: Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:41 pm  

When was it an issues of choosing between Bailey or Scruton?

: Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:49 pm  

G1 wrote:

When was it an issues of choosing between Bailey or Scruton?

Is wasnt but im using that an example of some bad decisions made.

Like i said Scruton would have been more useful today.

As would a replacement for Ellis, if the Rhinos board were more on the ball witht he Eastwood fiasco.

We are too predictable, the boys only launch a serious attack down Seniors 3/4 so opposition defence is rarely streched. Yet again was the decision not to sign a centre in the off season a bad one? At the moment yes, but Watkins/Gibson could come good.

Lots of factors that could be to blame for what we are seeing.