: Sat Feb 28, 2009 4:54 pm
We need to start improving our performances. Defensively we seem to be improving each week, but as we all know, the problems lie with our inability turn possession and territory into points.
We do have an exceptional pack of forwards who will dominate most teams in this league but we do need some spark and creativity in the backs. Dave Halley seems to be flourishing at Wakefield and we could do with him returning as he does possess pace and enthusiam.
Platt needs to improve his entire game, he needs to become more aware of what is happening around him and cut out those silly errors. I almost cringe when he has the ball.
We don't pass the ball out enough, for example in the Hull KR game, Semi only touched the ball a couple of times. The one out, one man rugby is too predictable. Deacon's kicking game is not always up to scratch and we do lack pace in the half backs. Greg Bird would have improved our half back combinations immensely, as he is a true talent.
There seems to be a pattern developing at the moment whereby teams who are coached by people from the Successful Bradford sides of the past seem to be struggling. Wigan have played three and lost three, Warrington have played three and lost three (including a thrashing by a vastly understrength Wakefield side) and the current Bradford side.
The game has moved on in terms of fitness, training methods and tactical awareness. Teams such as Leeds and Saints (although they lost yesterday) have seemed to grasp the concept that teams need to be creative, pacey, skilful and aware. Wigan, the Bulls and Warrington continue to falter.
What I would like to see is McNamara, dropping players who are not putting in the performances and start using the full squad, players like Donaldson and Whitehead need to start gaining some valuable Super League experience.
McNamara needs to be more cut throat and honest in his assessment of the team's performances. When Huddersfield attacked our 20 metre red zone, they looked creative, pacey and dangerous, unlike the Bulls, who looked completely devoid of ideas when in the Giants red zone. We need to do some serious strengthening in the back line.