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OK I've refrained from posting on our troubles for far too long now.
At the end of last season we knew the ¾’s was an area where we were light, we brought in Talau, fair play a good signing in my eyes (and could still prove to be so), we could have done with another centre I believe but with Talau, Littler, Henry & Turner so fine my main worry was and as has been proven was on the wings.
We only had White and Wilshere left after we'd released Gardner and Ballard, now I'm not saying these lads were anywhere good enough for SL but we simply didn't replenish that department. (Ballard incidentally has scored 5 tries, 28 goals, 76 points in just 6 games for Oldham!) OK we brought in McGilvray from Saints, a young kid with no real experience to be a front line winger in SL, a very tough ask. It was a shame we lost both these wingers to injury so early but it was clear to everyone that it could happen and if it did we'd be up shat creek.
Whilst we're on Wilshere, he hasn't looked interested once this season and I don't give as sheite whats happened within the club just get on with it. I feel for Turner and Ratchford, as they've been dropped right in it and I would be pretty certain neither of them have had any real coaching in the position they find themselves playing at the moment. Stu Littler has been very poor I'm afraid, Talau, as of yet, hasn't got anywhere near his best (I know his missed the last couple)
Full back, as a professional Fitzy is virtually the epitome of one, but I'm afraid (and I know it won't go down well) but so far this season he's been very, very poor and in what is a massively important are these days (and I suppose it always has) when you look at Webb (Leeds), Duggen (Celtic), Hodgson (Hussd Brett that is) Wellens (well maybe
) etc etc and how important a weapon they are for their sides, I feel that Karl's injury a couple of seasons back has taken its toll on the lad, I hope he proves me very wrong as he’s a top lad but I can only go on what I’ve seen this season.
Half backs, well Richie Myler is doing what we all hoped, for me he hasn’t put a foot wrong this season (I hope that doesn't curse him), as for Smith, I hope this is just a settling in process for him but I'm getting increasingly frustrated and short of patience with him and, as has been mentioned a spell on the bench/reserves may be the order of the day. As for Stef Ratchford, again the kid has done everything asked of him in an alien position, time for him to get a start at stand off, his kicking game alone is a great weapon to have at our disposal, and again as people have said, this is what franchising was about promoting young British lads, so give him a chance. Oh and a word on Robbie Paul, in fact no I won't.....
Now for our pack, the great hope for this season. Well whilst not really being dominated, we haven't dominated anyone either. I think we've been fairly solid but with little impact going forward, which looking at the size of our guy’s surprise me a little. Big Phil is one a handful of players who can hold his head high so far he's run his blood to water at times trying to get us moving, Stapo has been his solid self in both attack and defence. Cashmere well I've been a little disappointed with him, he's made plenty of yards going forward but his defence has looked very shaky at times. I don't feel we're really giving him a chance, when we keep dragging him on and off, just 'cos that's what props do, play 15 minutes and then come off doesn't actually apply to all props, Peacock and Fielden for example. Give him more time on the park. Swain, whilst not being spectacular hasn't let anyone down, he's a decent solid forward and if the rest of the pack could dominate the opposition then I feel we’d see a gem of a player. Alker has been tremendous I must say, Rob Parker has worked tirelessly and for anyone who thought he was going to be a game break or some wonder player then you clearly haven't watched this lad play before he joined us, yes he's no Steve Menzies but he puts it all in. Adamson, Sidlow and Thornley (in his one game) have shown glimpses and Jewitt needs game time to get upto speed but Nash has been a huge let down, yes he trys hard but he’s not big enough or good enough for this level for me.
So in summarising, certain players don't give a damn about each other, which is pathetic, we don't always like who we work for or who we work with but in the real word you either put up or shut up, if I didn't like someone at work and decide that I wasn't going to put it in then I'd be sacked for breach so does the same not apply to sportsmen who don't apply themselves correctly for what they are paid to do?
And the big one for me, it's all about coaching and coaching staff at first team level. We appear to lack motivation, inspiration and any general direction either technically or otherwise and of course playing people out of position doesn't help!
Anyway that's enough from me for now, but I'd be damn sure you're going to read more soon ....
