Chris71 wrote:
Very few would argue with the bit in bold but its not the results or lack of them it is the sheer scale of the poor performances that are now common place. I wouldn't even say they've downed tools as it looks like they are unable to even pick them up to start with. They are clearly are not prepared well enough nor ready to start a game as again the performances so far show.
I would venture that in terms of preparation, attitude, commitment and match performance we are arguably, right now, a worse team than Wakefield last year. Although they had severe shortcomings in terms of squad quality and available recruitment level, Wakefield 2023 at least tended to show a level of fight and commitment allied to a workable game plan which attempted to make the best out of a very bad underfunded hand their coach had been dealt with. I would say it is very difficult to make that same claim for us in 2024.
What I am finding hard to comprehend however is that it is less than nine months since we beat Warrington (then still league leaders) and Saints (34-6 no less!) whilst losing narrowly to Catalans and Wigan (to a golden point) in two hard fought games. As late as last August (the Wigan game) I still harboured thoughts of possibly sneaking a play-off spot. At the very least I felt there were foundations on which to build upon for this year.
I know we have lost two or three decent players who subsequently have not been adequately replaced, but the rate at which we have been going backwards since last August has been nothing short of insane. We've gone from being a semi-decent (if not exactly spectacular) side, with some promise in there of better times to come, to being the most dis-organized rabble that any of us have ever witnessed wearing the black & white. Even the most wildly optimistic supporter (if indeed there is anyone left who fits that description!) cannot see where the next win will come from, even London away is holding trepidation for most of us.
I'm sure we've all heard the saying 'sometimes you have to go backwards in order to ultimately go forwards' but the club, and Smith specifically, is taking that maxim to almost unheard and obscene depths. None of us was expecting too much from this season but surely none of us equally could have even remotely imagined the sheer scale of ineptitude which is currently being trotted out on a weekly basis. I would surmise that Wakefield supporters last year acknowledged that their side were trying their best against at times insurmountable odds and as such at least felt some pride in what their team was trying to achieve.
When was the last time we felt any pride in our club? Far too long ago for most of our tastes I am sorry to say.
