Re: SL RD 5 | Castleford Tigers (A) : Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:05 pm  

Boots wrote:

That was absolute shi** . That was a clueless performance , with no discipline , no intensity, no leaders on the field and we made a poor team look good .
The number of basic errors - we cant even play the ball legally - that says it all . Our pack could not get on top of the oldest and slowest pack in the league . Our experienced half backs were anonymous , as for our 2 wingers ?????? . On attack we look clueless , and when in the opposition 20 , one out plays and no kick on the last tackle - are these our tactics ?
On Leeming - whilst O`Conner can pass a ball , he offers absolutely nothing in attack , and todays hooker cannot be as one dimensional as he is . I have always thought that we would get the best from Sezer , but after one performance in five games , I feel we are flogging a dead horse .

i think that you will find that a much better team made a poor leeds team look exactly what they are 'A POOR TEAM'

Re: SL RD 5 | Castleford Tigers (A) : Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:06 pm  

When asked about Leeming, Smith mentioned Johnson is now fully fit, so he's an option going forward.

Re: SL RD 5 | Castleford Tigers (A) : Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:09 pm  

fbstackafelt wrote:

i think that you will find that a much better team made a poor leeds team look exactly what they are 'A POOR TEAM'

It was two poor teams, im not sure Cas fans should get carried away with last night

Re: SL RD 5 | Castleford Tigers (A) : Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:18 pm  

Its clear we still have too much dead wood in the team, and we just don't have a leader (or leaders) who will grab the game by the scruff of the neck and drag the rest of the team with them. Of our spine players Myler has never shown he can take that responsibility here or elsewhere, O'Connor is still learning the basics of his role, and Sezer seems to generally only put in the effort if we're already going well. Austin is the only one who seems to try, but he lacks the kind of class/speed needed to make a difference. On top of that we have a pack that lacks someone to take the lead when the going is tough.

Its more than possible that the Leeming issue could have affected morale. He's a senior player, captain from last year and he's clearly had his nose put out of joint ever since O'Connor started to be picked ahead of him. About a week before Smith said there wouldn't be a captain he was in the papers talking about how he wanted to be captain again. So Smith's announcement would have been a real kick in the teeth. It may well have been the right decision based on Smith not seeing him as first choice, but Leeming wouldn't be human if that didn't smart. Probably best all round if he leaves.

Based on last year that Smith can coach us to winning ways, but the squad he inherited was an utter mess - right to the cap limit but completely lacking in real quality or depth. He added size to the pack and depth, mostly in younger players, but until we get quality where it counts we'll continue to lose games we ought to win. Last season glossed over the fact the squad was still poor. I think we'll improve and comfortably avoid relegation, but this year will be all about consolidation and finding which of the younger players are likely to make it.

Re: SL RD 5 | Castleford Tigers (A) : Fri Mar 17, 2023 3:27 pm  

fbstackafelt wrote:

i think that you will find that a much better team made a poor leeds team look exactly what they are 'A POOR TEAM'

I think your comment would make more sense if it said out of 2 very poor teams last night Cas came out on top.
Leeds were dreadful due to a mixture of having no go forward, backs who can`t catch or play the ball and half backs who were non existent against a Cas team who clearly wanted it more following 4 straight defeats.

Re: SL RD 5 | Castleford Tigers (A) : Fri Mar 17, 2023 4:26 pm  

Actually our middle held up okay: Holroyd. Sangare were solid and Tet at least aggressive and direct. Cam Smith was good again.

I am not convinced on Lisone yet but he may need more time.

If I’m being honest I would be fairly happy to lose Myler, Olpherts, Fusitu’a, Austin, maybe Sezer, Tet, Lisone, Bentley from the squad in addition to Leeming.

You can add three cracking first grade players maybe FB, SO and possibly a 9 or another prop depending on how the young lads step up.

If we can just stabilise the senior players with better quality I would lean into the youth system now. At least the pack is finally getting there.

Re: SL RD 5 | Castleford Tigers (A) : Fri Mar 17, 2023 4:46 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

Actually our middle held up okay: Holroyd. Sangare were solid and Tet at least aggressive and direct. Cam Smith was good again.

I am not convinced on Lisone yet but he may need more time.

If I’m being honest I would be fairly happy to lose Myler, Olpherts, Fusitu’a, Austin, maybe Sezer, Tet, Lisone, Bentley from the squad in addition to Leeming.

You can add three cracking first grade players maybe FB, SO and possibly a 9 or another prop depending on how the young lads step up.

If we can just stabilise the senior players with better quality I would lean into the youth system now. At least the pack is finally getting there.

Lisone will be a good signing IMO, I also think Fusitua is starting to show his promise, and i 100% disagree with getting rid of Bentley.

I do think there will be a massive clearout next year though, we’ve finally got a coach who isn’t afraid of getting rid of dead wood - which is why im finding it frustrating that some leeds fans have turned on him already.

Look at Hudds in Watsons first full year and Wire in Powells, it takes time.

Re: SL RD 5 | Castleford Tigers (A) : Fri Mar 17, 2023 5:04 pm  

No turning on him from me. Absolutely the right man to lead us forward. However, part of being that leader is taking responsibility when the team is clearly not set up correctly to perform. Or if they don’t perform you do something to change it. We have looked poor for at least 3 of the 5 games, lacking intensity and seeming to have limited if any plan.

Pre season was all Rohan, so if we start the season very hit and miss and lacking basic intensity and effort then yes it is on the players but also on him. He is calling the shots so I would just like to see an acceptance of that from him.

Re: SL RD 5 | Castleford Tigers (A) : Fri Mar 17, 2023 5:05 pm  

Lprhino wrote:

No turning on him from me. Absolutely the right man to lead us forward. However, part of being that leader is taking responsibility when the team is clearly not set up correctly to perform. Or if they don’t perform you do something to change it. We have looked poor for at least 3 of the 5 games, lacking intensity and seeming to have limited if any plan.

Pre season was all Rohan, so if we start the season very hit and miss and lacking basic intensity and effort then yes it is on the players but also on him. He is calling the shots so I would just like to see an acceptance of that from him.

Im sure in one of his pressers after a game he did say maybe he needs to look at how he prepared the team or something along those lines

Re: SL RD 5 | Castleford Tigers (A) : Fri Mar 17, 2023 5:07 pm  

I wouldn`t get rid of Bentley and fingers crossed with Lisone.
Would prefer a Warrea Hargraves but that ain`t happening.
Fusitua I`m not convinced and Olpherts for me is a bad signing so far.
Even Cas fans didn`t rate him when he played there.
Would definitely like 2 new half backs and would hope Smith has his eyes on a couple of fringe players from the NRL for next year.
JJB says Smith likes his halves to run with the ball and that Leeming stifled that process.
If last night and other nights are anything to go by his halves are not doing too much running imo.