Re: Play-Offs: Batley : Sat Sep 25, 2021 6:35 pm  

We definitely lack a player or two who can break the line and create something with some pace or clever footwork. We seem to have assembled a side which only option is to try and run over the opposition and when we come up against a resilient defence such as Batley we are found wanting.

Next year definitely feels like last chance saloon with some of the current crop of youngsters before they’re picked off by SL clubs. Doyle will be off after next season and if we are lucky we might hold onto Scurr or possibly get him back on loan. So I would probably say it’s also the last chance for Kear to have a crack at SL before he retires or moves on.

[Bullseye]

Re: Play-Offs: Batley : Sat Sep 25, 2021 11:23 pm  

With our budget and set up we're not serious contenders for SL. We're a second tier club capable of springing the odd surprise. The 2019 squad was going places and had potential but we had to sell most of it because of Chalmers over spending.

Either just enjoy some of the games and tolerate the mediocrity or find something else to do. That's all we can do. The game has moved on on without us. Until a new owner appears with money to burn this is it.

Re: Play-Offs: Batley : Sun Sep 26, 2021 7:33 am  

Did anyone notice (I think it was Brown) stamp on Flanagan's ankle? I wonder if anything will happen about this. If it had been the other way round George would be looking at a 5 match ban.

Re: Play-Offs: Batley : Sun Sep 26, 2021 8:12 am  

Flanagan has copped a few cheap shots in last few weeks and to be fair he has kept his cool, where in previous seasons he might have retaliated and be penalised.

I wouldn't have given him a new deal back in March but I think he earned a new contract as understudy to Doyle.

Re: Play-Offs: Batley : Sun Sep 26, 2021 8:23 am  

Such are our lack of attacking options, Flanagan is our biggest threat

[Pumpetypump]

Re: Play-Offs: Batley : Mon Sep 27, 2021 6:42 am  

That second half domination should have netted us a minimum of 4 tries with some even basically competent creative work. Despite having Brough and Lilley that was like watching us with one halfback again. Creatively dreadful. I found it so frustrating and irritating seeing us just trying to bludgeon our way through a perfectly solid defensive team like Batley. We might let people walk through us but they certainly don't.

Re: Play-Offs: Batley : Mon Sep 27, 2021 11:58 am  

If you take a look at the team that took to the field, its clear to see that we are poor in the forwards and there just isn't enough quality or attacking threat out wide.

Next year we look to be addressing the latter but it won't matter if we don't sort out the forwards too. Fleming keeping his place in the squad is a total joke, Rooks is just not good enough and certainly no better than Gallagher, Hallas looks like he's packed his bags ready for Newcastle already (if that is true) and Walker looks a totally different player from the one that signed a new 1yr deal.

The main concern for me remains the coaching. I said it at the start of the season and I'll say it again. 5 drives and a kick is what you will continue to get with Kear. Dunning a cheap option at no.2 will not bring much else to the table.

Next year we will have Leigh back in the league, one of either Fev or Toulouse, Halifax with Keyes and a full time Newcastle. For me, 5th again would be the best we could hope for.

[Bullseye]

Re: Play-Offs: Batley : Mon Sep 27, 2021 1:08 pm  

We are where we are. Even with a change of coach the quality of the side will remain broadly the same. The addition of a decent centre will hopefully help but we need to get the ball to him and that depends on the forwards winning up front and halfbacks having some idea how to open a defence.

Too many players seem to want to only perform when it suits them. We put the cue on the rack after winning at York and I think from then on some players have been planning the end of season party and their moves elsewhere.

5th next year looks about right provided we don't get any injuries and improve our attitude.

Re: Play-Offs: Batley : Mon Sep 27, 2021 1:12 pm  

I agree that the signings of Gill and Hall should sort some issues of strike out wide. Kear isn't a full back.

I think we're missing a real mongrel of a prop and destructive back-rower. We have a lot of workers but really missed a game breaker on Saturday. We're not a bad team as we threw away third spot. But there's certainly areas we need to improve and add some quality.

The biggest thing we need to sort is attitude in defence. We've conceded 100 points more than Batley & 150 more than Halifax. We seem to have conceded so many just before half time or allowed teams to go back to back. As frustrating as us not scoring enough on Saturday was, the real sickener for me was despite us spending nearly the entire second half on Batleys try line, when Batley did eventually get the ball in our half, they scored instantly GOING UP HILL. It was like we didn't think we needed to defend. All down to attitude to defence that.

[Bullseye]

Re: Play-Offs: Batley : Mon Sep 27, 2021 3:21 pm  

Bull Mania wrote:

I agree that the signings of Gill and Hall should sort some issues of strike out wide. Kear isn't a full back.

I think we're missing a real mongrel of a prop and destructive back-rower. We have a lot of workers but really missed a game breaker on Saturday. We're not a bad team as we threw away third spot. But there's certainly areas we need to improve and add some quality.

The biggest thing we need to sort is attitude in defence. We've conceded 100 points more than Batley & 150 more than Halifax. We seem to have conceded so many just before half time or allowed teams to go back to back. As frustrating as us not scoring enough on Saturday was, the real sickener for me was despite us spending nearly the entire second half on Batleys try line, when Batley did eventually get the ball in our half, they scored instantly GOING UP HILL. It was like we didn't think we needed to defend. All down to attitude to defence that.

Totally agree that attitude is an issue. Some excuses could be made for inconsistency given the various absences we've had due to covid etc but basic defending and kick chase has been very poor at times and we've been out enthused.

In attack we've looked very predictable some weeks and really good other weeks. Losing Pickersgill was a blow to the attack since this season he's looked much more the part in attack (less so in defence). Think Kear would need time to get used to the position but like you I agree he's more of a winger.

We do need a few players with some more quality. Not sure we can afford them though. As for the head coach I think his own professionalism can't be questioned but I worry a bit that players aren't respecting or responding to him when we can play badly and they can still be selected.