A coach is expected to accept the blame for a poor performance and credit the players for a good performance. Yes that can be tedious but unlike us fans, he has the responsibility to keep the players motivated and maintain their self confidence.
Some on here have never been convinced that Lowes cuts the mustard. Fair enough - everyone is entitled to an opinion. For some that fixed opinion means they will always find a reason to criticise . If it's not team selection it's use of substitutes. If it's not tactics it's motivational skills.Or of course the complaints about dealing with the media.
Yesterday for 65 minutes our pack was clearly second best- Hansen Hock Moi Moi ( all internationals) and the rest were guided around by Higham ( who outplayed our star hooker ) and Paterson ( for me their best player yesterday) . As a result we did not have a platform for our half backs to receive the ball on the front foot. Consequently any attempt to get the ball outside was easily stifled by their line speed or slow delivery of the ball meant we lost yards.
An example - a slow play the ball, pressure on the receiver meant the pass to Gaskell was behind him. Gaskell gathers it and is immediately under pressure from the defence. He attempted to find Clare but , because of the pressure, the pass was wayward. Brierley is lurking and races to the try line.
Dominance in a game is dictated by the forwards. As I attend other championship matches when Bulls matches permit, I've seen 10 of the 12 sides in the first 4 rounds - I've not seen London or Workington. Of the 10 I've seen , in my opinion Leigh have the best pack followed by us.
