[Bullseye]

Things I'd like to see this year on the field : Tue Jan 10, 2023 11:27 am  

Two things I’d like to see this coming season…

1. A big increase in the number of offloads we make when in possession. For the past few years it’s been a major development if a player gets the ball away in the tackle – so much so that often his teammates are completely oblivious and the ball goes loose. If support play improves then we might manage a few more offloads too – that will hopefully improve with the promised improvements in attitude and fitness.

2. A big improvement in defence in the middle of the field. Particularly at marker and in the middle of the field when we’re on our line. We conceded some embarrassingly soft tries under the sticks last year. The marker defence should be better without our two oil tanker front rowers I hope. Again, improvements in attitude and fitness should see things get better.

Re: Things I'd like to see this year on the field : Tue Jan 10, 2023 1:26 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

Two things I’d like to see this coming season…

1. A big increase in the number of offloads we make when in possession. For the past few years it’s been a major development if a player gets the ball away in the tackle – so much so that often his teammates are completely oblivious and the ball goes loose. If support play improves then we might manage a few more offloads too – that will hopefully improve with the promised improvements in attitude and fitness.

2. A big improvement in defence in the middle of the field. Particularly at marker and in the middle of the field when we’re on our line. We conceded some embarrassingly soft tries under the sticks last year. The marker defence should be better without our two oil tanker front rowers I hope. Again, improvements in attitude and fitness should see things get better.

Just to play devils advocate, increasing the number of offloads will not necessarily result in improved results. If you look at the stats from SL last year, out of the top 5 offloading teams only Wigan (3rd) and Leeds (5th) made the playoffs, whereas Saints who were the most succesful team only came 8th in the stats.

Of course, I have no stats for the Championship but would suggest it may not be too dissimilar.

That said, I very much agree with your second point. A more mobile and agile pack will help in both attack and defence as controlling the speed of the game is more important than ever.

Re: Things I'd like to see this year on the field : Tue Jan 10, 2023 1:57 pm  

The things I would like to see is better performances, a few more home wins and go home happy. Its not much to ask is it?

[Pumpetypump]

Re: Things I'd like to see this year on the field : Wed Jan 11, 2023 8:30 am  

Above all else I want to see heart and endeavour. I can handle being beaten because the other team is better, but not because we can't be bothered. Some results over the last couple of years have been nothing short of a slap in the face for the supporters. I think 12 man Fax beating us was disgusting and there were plenty more like that.

Re: Things I'd like to see this year on the field : Wed Jan 11, 2023 4:57 pm  

I want to see effort and a desire to play. Not just going through the motions. I want to see some attacking rugby, sick of Patton kicking to Gill every end of set. And also a desire to defend the line. Too many soft tries against us last season.

[Bullseye]

Re: Things I'd like to see this year on the field : Wed Jan 11, 2023 5:12 pm  

Some better finishes to sets have got to be a priority. We did nothing to challenge defences last year. That kick to Gill was as predictable as night following day. We must have been a dream to defend against. It wasn't helped by both halfbacks being well out of form and fitness and our forwards being out of condition. Hopefully the performances of last year are a thing of the past.

Defence of our line is a big area to improve upon. It's a real indicator of a side's attitude. We let some real soft tries in and it just showed how things had slipped. I'm looking forward to seeing if the much talked about change in culture is hot air or not.

Re: Things I'd like to see this year on the field : Wed Jan 11, 2023 11:45 pm  

Echo the pride and passion comments.
The badge on your chest stuff is so powerful and starts chain reactions through the whole club and spills out on to the terraces.

During the good old days and the birth of Bullmania this was evident in spades!

Re: Things I'd like to see this year on the field : Wed Jan 11, 2023 11:47 pm  

I have to say, this board is as optimistic as I've read for a while pre-season.

I'll be looking out with a keen eye from down under as the results start to come in!

Re: Things I'd like to see this year on the field : Thu Jan 12, 2023 10:18 am  

I feel. Much happier about our prospects this year, especially from the thoughts we all had when Doyle moved to Keighley.

I actually feel some excitement about watching the team this year. Jack Walker could take the absolute mick of the league (providing he stays fit) and I'm excited about seeing Appo too. Don't think I've fell that excitement since Moss/Chisholm combo.

As others have mentioned a change in attitude is the main thing, but I find it believable we have a change I culture with Lawrence and Thompson leading the side, rather than Crossley and Walker.

I'm sure our optimism will be undone with an opening defeat to Whitehaven. But there's potential there for an enjoyable season.

Re: Things I'd like to see this year on the field : Thu Jan 12, 2023 5:52 pm  

Well you’d hope things cannot get much worse than some of the performances churned out at Odsal last year. So I’d hope to see the side improve their home form for a start.

The club have made some good signings but there are also some gaps that still need strengthening such as Prop and Wing. If the likes of Walker can avoid injury and get a good run of games there is potential for some decent rugby. Dunning still has plenty to prove, he will be under pressure if the team make a slow start because I suspect some supporters will wait to see before returning to Odsal in numbers.