Manx Leyther wrote:
How do, been following for a while but this is first comment. Firstly would like to say in the 2 SL games and the 2 pre-season friendlies the pack has fronted up well and whilst it contains mainly solid, hard working forwards I don't see them getting bullied by many teams this year. Obviously Hood has something a bit special and wouldn't swap him for many 9s in SL.
Our issue is in the backline. Our halves don't have anything to worry any SL defence. No urgency, slow in speed of thought and pass. Kicking game lacks imagination and execution making us easy to defend against.
Warrington have twice shown up our weakness on our right edge. Every try they scored at the weekend came down that channel. Currie offload to King/Ratchford then on to support. All the same. We have injuries to two big name centres in Sau and Elliott and Brand has been exposed. Hopefully the returning centres will tighten that right edge defensively.
Brierley is a 3 times failed SL player and should be nowhere near our starting 13, particularly not at full back. He is a liability in defence and i have not seen a full back duck out of making a challenge like he did on Hardaker for Wigan's last try since i was about 12. Kids don't duck challenges like that. We may have nicked the win if he made the challenge on Hardaker at the break rather than backing off allowing him to wait for support.
I know Ellis has problems defensively but he at least offers something going forward and his kicking game is inventive and solid and he should be straight in for Wallace when fit and may give us something but i agree that a quality half back is obviously needed. However i think our priority should be a specialist full back who will tighten us defensively and offer something going forward.
Anyhow, thanks for listening and lets hope things pick up for us. I think we have the makings of a competitive team and with some injury returnees and one maybe two more signings in key areas we should be ok this year.
That’s a fair assumption. We desperately need a kicking game to take the pressure off the forwards. The pack isn’t beaten it just needs two organiser to keep work from them. Good cover with Peats for Hood. Wallace not there yet, but played with the best. Reynolds hopefully more training this week and Brierley showing if needs must back to halfback.
Players coming back at the right point of the season is detrimental to Leigh’s survival in SL.
We start with new debutants Flower and Peats.. Here we go.