Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 1:43 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

With Sidlow injured we've lost our pack leader.

I'd forgot Sidlow was still at the club when i was typing my previous post. Obviously a big loss.

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 1:48 pm  

amberavenger wrote:

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).

For me it's the very reason you should not have gone anywhere near Mathers. He has always been mentally weak - he could get away with it in a strong Leeds or Wire side, but was a liability when it got physically difficult. He should have been one of the players of his generation, even with his injuries.

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 1:58 pm  

Kurt Haggerty must have some leadership skills if he is such a successful coach, albeit at the amateur level? Just a thought.

[Bullseye]

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 2:10 pm  

tigertot wrote:

For me it's the very reason you should not have gone anywhere near Mathers. He has always been mentally weak - he could get away with it in a strong Leeds or Wire side, but was a liability when it got physically difficult. He should have been one of the players of his generation, even with his injuries.

Mathers reminds me of players like Paul Sykes or Michael Platt. Capable of something decent from time to time but otherwise average and with the ability to make a complete howler every few games.

He must have had something to play for Leeds, Gold Coast, Wigan and Warrington. However the fact that he was cut by Wakefield and London speaks volumes.

[Bullseye]

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 2:16 pm  

HiramC wrote:

Kurt Haggerty must have some leadership skills if he is such a successful coach, albeit at the amateur level? Just a thought.

He's one player currently trying his nuts off to create something. He needs other players around him to back him up.

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 2:17 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

Mathers reminds me of players like Paul Sykes or Michael Platt.

The difference to me is that the latter 2 would always put their bodies on the line & that was often their undoing. They tried too hard. Not something I would ever accuse Mathers of.

[Bulliac]

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 2:30 pm  

Highlander wrote:

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

Doesn't Noble have some position at London, director of rugby, or some such? I'm sure he did last season and I've heard nothing about him leaving.

[edit] According to Wikipedia he's mentoring Andrew Henderson at the Broncos.

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 3:10 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

Mathers reminds me of players like Paul Sykes or Michael Platt. Capable of something decent from time to time but otherwise average and with the ability to make a complete howler every few games.

He must have had something to play for Leeds, Gold Coast, Wigan and Warrington. However the fact that he was cut by Wakefield and London speaks volumes.

People may scoff at it but i'd take sykes as a 6 in this league

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 3:24 pm  

Bulliac wrote:

Doesn't Noble have some position at London, director of rugby, or some such? I'm sure he did last season and I've heard nothing about him leaving.

[edit] According to Wikipedia he's mentoring Andrew Henderson at the Broncos.

Thought that was just til end of last season though?.

TBH suspect part of reasoning for trying Purtell in halves was to get him in a more central role where he could be more of a leader. Not sure he's type of player that's vocal enough though. Sidlow has been one taking that role most.

We do seem to have a gameplan, which in both fax and Sheffield game was working ok for first twenty minutes or so, our problem is once other team scores our confidence and the gameplan goes out the window and we revert to one man rugby. That's the point where the on field leaders should be taking control and enforcing what's been done in practice.

Lowes needs to instil the confidence in the players on the training pitch that they can step up to become leaders. Far from convinced he's capable of training people in a skill that came naturally to himself.

Re: Where do we go from here? : Tue Apr 05, 2016 3:49 pm  

Mat wrote:

TBH suspect part of reasoning for trying Purtell in halves was to get him in a more central role where he could be more of a leader. Not sure he's type of player that's vocal enough though. Sidlow has been one taking that role most.

He had a go for sure on Sunday. Until he threw *that* pass he was doing a lot of organising and talking and people were doing what he said. But of course, then everyone collectively fell off a cliff together.