Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 12:35 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

Interesting and very similar debate happening on the Southstander:

I think the situation at Leeds is more obviously mental. They have a team on paper, even with injuries, that should be comfortably top 4. What Sinfield & Peacock had above all else was mental strength; they never gave in. They seem now to have a number of mentally suspect players. The games I have seen JJB has been their best player, which is interesting as he is cut from similar cloth to the other 2. With Bradford, I am not sure who they have who the players can turn to as a leader (as I make a rule not watch teams outside the top 7 of SL) when the going gets tough. I am sure Foxy would have an old warhorse to lead the youngsters around & who opposition teams wouldn't mess with. Lowes certainly doesn't seem to inspire players to go that extra mile.

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 12:37 pm  

bullsonfire wrote:

In his book "The Magic of Teamwork," (which inspired thinking in the early days of the Bulls) Vice President of Orlando Magic Pat Williams says the six qualities that effective leaders must possess are Vision, Communication Skills, People Skills, Character, Competence and Boldness. How many of those apply to Lowes?

How many of us have just mentally ticked those of for the good managers we've had?

Very accurate

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 12:39 pm  

tigertot wrote:

I think the situation at Leeds is more obviously mental. They have a team on paper, even with injuries, that should be comfortably top 4. What Sinfield & Peacock had above all else was mental strength; they never gave in. They seem now to have a number of mentally suspect players. The games I have seen JJB has been their best player, which is interesting as he is cut from similar cloth to the other 2. With Bradford, I am not sure who they have who the players can turn to as a leader (as I make a rule not watch teams outside the top 7 of SL) when the going gets tough. I am sure Foxy would have an old warhorse to lead the youngsters around & who opposition teams wouldn't mess with. Lowes certainly doesn't seem to inspire players to go that extra mile.

Wouldn't you argue Purtel is this character for us?

[Bullseye]

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 12:40 pm  

With Sidlow injured we've lost our pack leader. In the sub standard performances early on this season he was the one that broke the line and got us on the front foot. Without him the pack is rudderless. In the backs Gaskell is well out of form and Mullaney has gone leaving us with nobody who can create much.

I think Purtell is a solid character but I think he's probably captain purely down to his longevity with the club and the fact that he's played at a high level in the past.

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 12:42 pm  

Wigan Bull wrote:

Wouldn't you argue Purtel is this character for us?

Just looked down the squad and apart from Purtell there isn't really anyone....

Lots of talent and potential - but no other natural leader......never looked at it like this before.

I think you need 2 or 3 in any team to be successful - interesting

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 12:44 pm  

tigertot wrote:

I think the situation at Leeds is more obviously mental. They have a team on paper, even with injuries, that should be comfortably top 4. What Sinfield & Peacock had above all else was mental strength; they never gave in. They seem now to have a number of mentally suspect players. The games I have seen JJB has been their best player, which is interesting as he is cut from similar cloth to the other 2. With Bradford, I am not sure who they have who the players can turn to as a leader (as I make a rule not watch teams outside the top 7 of SL) when the going gets tough. I am sure Foxy would have an old warhorse to lead the youngsters around & who opposition teams wouldn't mess with. Lowes certainly doesn't seem to inspire players to go that extra mile.

Think Sidlow is that character. No coincidence since he's been out that we've hit this slump. Not just what he does on the field in terms of attack and defence. But he definitely makes sure others do their job and tells them when they're not.

[Bullseye]

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 1:11 pm  

Wigan Bull wrote:

Just looked down the squad and apart from Purtell there isn't really anyone....

Lots of talent and potential - but no other natural leader......never looked at it like this before.

I think you need 2 or 3 in any team to be successful - interesting

We gradually lost leaders in the years 2006-14 and it's showed in performances.

Since we got relegated nobody has really stepped up into that role either apart from Sidlow. We do need a couple of old heads.

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 1:19 pm  

I heard Noble speak in a managers thing in a public sector meeting last year. He ticks most of the things on that list. I would offer him anything he wanted at the club if it meant he was involved in squad training

[Bullseye]

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 1:23 pm  

Same here. But would he want the job? If I were him I'd want certain assurances.

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 1:30 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

We gradually lost leaders in the years 2006-14 and it's showed in performances.

Since we got relegated nobody has really stepped up into that role either apart from Sidlow. We do need a couple of old heads.

I've thought this ever since we've come down - Diskin probably the last real player we had who had "been there and done it". It's also why I wasn't that adverse to the Mathers signing. (Not to open up the whole debate again about the pros/cons of that so far, but I would say there are signs that the rugby "brain" of Mathers is still there, even if it's clear his body is way off the pace). Certainly need a few old war horses - although we seem to end up with a load of cart horses instead.