Re: Our Centres : Wed Mar 30, 2022 1:17 am  

To be fair I don't remember everyone getting upset when Hall left? Hurrell to an extent, but the prevailing view is that he hadn't performed as a marquee player, so again there wasn't a huge amount of complaint when he left, especially as we'd signed Fusitu'a.

With hindsight they would have made a big difference this season, but mainly because Newman has only played half a game, which nobody saw coming.

What's made it worse is persevering with the pair of them despite them being amongst our weakest players. Sutcliffe we could get away with if the rest of the team was going OK, but not Briscoe, and we do have an alternative who has only been given one chance.

I notice Sutcliffe and Briscoe are both carping on about positives in the YEP. I'd say the main positive is that both are being paid SL wages for doing sweet FA.

Along with so many other players they talk about discipline etc as a team. No sign of them putting their hands up to say "I'm not playing well enough". Not "we" - "me". I know its only interviews but I'd say that's the root of some of our issues. Nobody taking responsibility for themselves, let alone trying to push everyone else.

Re: Our Centres : Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:25 am  

What's been troubling to see is that we've had players leave and go on to perform better at their new clubs.

Re: Our Centres : Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:32 am  

chapylad wrote:

Sir Kev and Agar thought Sutcliffe and Briscoe were better than Hall and Hurrell.
It seems the only person getting blamed for bringing in players is Agar and now it`s all GH`s fault whilst Sir Kev gets away with the shambles we are in.

Some very dubious decisions were made last year. Not much point blaming anyone now, we just need to work +++ on improving the quality over next 2 years, and Not relying on players with bad injury records.

Re: Our Centres : Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:55 am  

But most of the decisions for this year were accepted or at least understood?

The exception was prop - I'm not sure anyone outside of Leeds management thought our pack didn't look at least one prop light. Its like they looked at losses where our pack got steamrolled and just ignored them.

As it turns out due to Holroyd's injuries and bad discipline amongst the rest we've generally been more like two short every game. And the nagging fear about lack of real size amongst the other props being an issue has come true as well.

Re: Our Centres : Wed Mar 30, 2022 8:41 am  

Notice even Pete Smith was getting stuck in about management's decision not to recruit a prop. Signing Fusitu'a was a gamble and though he does look a fine player when fit, you would have to say that it has backfired at this early stage. Let's hope it pays off over time.

Re: Our Centres : Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:59 am  

batleyrhino wrote:

I wonder how much money would have to change hands for Fev to take Thompson and us to get Leilua in return. I'm not saying Joey is sensational, but he's better than the lump of wood that normally wears our number 4 shirt...

Joey had a great game against Catalans but he had been fairly quiet up to then (to the point it was questionable whether he deserved his place in the team with Hardcastle fit again) and he's looked vulnerable in defence at Championship level - not through lack of effort but his lack of speed over the first 5m has seen opponents run round him a couple of times.

He might still be reaching full fitness, of course, and he should continue to be destructive with ball in hand at this level. In any event, I think Mark Campbell wants a SL place not money (see the Kheirallah signing this week) so unless he has a SL release clause I doubt he'll go anywhere this season.

Re: Our Centres : Wed Mar 30, 2022 4:20 pm  

Some valid points being made here.
I for one thought we had a top 4 pack and was looking forward to our half back pairing.
Sutcliffe and Briscoe who got in due to Newmans injury were both considered weak links.
Prior for me was also a gamble and we have been unfortunate with the Holroyd injury.
Saying that he is still young hence why we all or most of us recognised we needed another no nonsense prop in the squad.
Who or where from was the issue.

Re: Our Centres : Wed Mar 30, 2022 4:38 pm  

Pretty sure there was a shortage of props available, not that our management of overseas slots can have helped. Agar did day we were looking which might have suggested we'd a plan to cope with this so maybe it was simply a case of not being able to persuade anyone to sign. The number of fans complaining about their own undergunned packs suggests luring the big menwas no easy ask. There must be a scenario where no stone has been left unturned.

Re: Our Centres : Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:47 pm  

Were going to be stuck without Newman for a while, had surgery on his hamstring out for 12 weeks

Re: Our Centres : Wed Mar 30, 2022 7:22 pm  

Newman out 12 weeks, we are really stuffed now. Briscoe and Sutcliffe without shadow of a doubt worst pairing in the league. Championship standard. I would put Handley and Tindall in centres and give us abit of pace and spark but i know this would never happen! Not replacing hurrell and using sutcliffe as his replacement is just poor poor management.