John S wrote:
Sorry Chris--I started that thread and I stand by it. It took 57 minutes to get into gear and that has been the problem all season. We do not play for the full 80 minutes, we dont have structure and yet somehow we scrape wins. It could be argued that that is the sign of a good side but if you really believe that we are a good side then IMO you are wrong.
It was a win that yet again relied on DR players--how many did Batley have?
Words like great, fantastic and credit were used but surely there has to be a sense of reality. I would love it if we could storm the play offs and reach the final but there are no signs that we can beat the likes of Leigh and Featherstone when the chips are down.
I note that there are similar views on this board saying that we will not beat Leigh--or is that different somehow??
Because I think there is a real danger that people expect us to be perfect 100% of the time and it's unfair not to take into account the opponents, the ref and other factors. I really think there is a need for us to stop and look at the bigger picture on game day which is that we managed to win against a decent side with a well thought out and practiced game plan in difficult conditions. As I said, earlier on in the season I would have fully expected that game to have ended in a loss for us, and possibly without a bonus point. It actually could have been a lot more comfortable if Mellor had taken the pass and if Chaz had flicked the ball back instead of forward and if Paddy had been allowed up to release Penny waiting close to the acting halfback position.
From what I can gather the players were absolutely knackered getting back on Monday morning from Toulouse and reading some of the twitter posts this morning they are complaining of their bodies being battered yesterday in a very physical game.
It was a muggy day and Batley came to do what they always do which is to take no prisoners. In nearly every tackle they had a number of players rolling our players over onto their back which saps the energy throughout the game. No interchange at Hooker saw Coyle remain on for the full 80 and admittedly and understandably he looked jaded. Tomkins running on with 20 to play in each half would have added a spark to our side.
At the end there were few players that didn't look out on their feet.
Add to that the fact that the referee had no intention of pulling either side up for offsides or stop players encroaching before the ball was played and it was a very short 10 yards to play in (actually closer to 6 or 5). He really stifled the game.
For me, it was a decent enough performance in those conditions. Admittedly I would have liked the ball to have been spread wide a bit more often and I was frustrated by the ball always going back on the inside but that is how we scored two of our tries.
As for Sunday. I do expect us to get beat. Doesn't mean I thnk we are a bad side, just that Leigh are a very good side. I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised. If we do grind out another similar win are you going to be critical because we didn't turn on the magic? Just out of interest.
