Re: Worst defensive effort I've seen in years. : Sun Apr 11, 2010 3:47 pm  

You had conceeded shed loads of points before yesterdays game though hadn't you? Even in victory. So it shouldn't come as that much of a suprise. Cullen can't seem to coach defence particularly goal line defence. Teams finding it far too easy to score when attacking the line was a big problem for Warrington under Cullen also.

Scoring tries is never a problem though. But saying you score 30, we'll score 32 will only get you so far.

Re: Worst defensive effort I've seen in years. : Sun Apr 11, 2010 3:52 pm  

Gremlin wrote:

Ive got to say it was the worst we played so far this season, didn;t seem like anyone wanted to play in the first half, Gardner is awful drops to many balls and to drop it falling over the line is a sin, can;t wait to have dean gaskell back.
Toulouse played well last night did the basics right and had a good kicking game, hope for a few more players being brought in this week as the forwards did seem to struggle aswell.

Completely disagree about Gardner.. so far he has been very good. He normally takes high balls very well but it is always more difficult when the on-rushing player can jump from a run compared to a jump when you are standing still. Especially when the kicker is having as good a game as Wynn was last night.

Re: Worst defensive effort I've seen in years. : Sun Apr 11, 2010 4:19 pm  

Personally I think reaction or over-reaction is because of Toulouse previous results. Before they played us their results were pretty awful and on that form they looked like they'd be a bottom 2 or 3 side. I don't know what the handicap was but everyone I knew was expecting a 20-30+ win. For us to be 30 points down to any team in this division is unforgivable and just not good enough. They did surprise me how well they played, but you don't know how much of that was taking advantage of our mistakes and lack of determination.

Personally I think we've been crap all season. We've been playing poor for 60 minutes and then coming back at the end. Your Leeds, Saints etc don't do that, they steamroller teams off the pitch and just keep going. In games we've been into the 2nd half and we've been behind at Batley, Sheffield, Barrow, Toulouse, Halifax and Dewsbury. Think the only teams we've beaten comfortably have been Wigan St Judes, Gateshead, Swinton, Keighley and lastly Whitehaven. Every other game has been a struggle and possibly only won through sheer will and determination. Not a lot of skill or professional displays going on. IMO we need some experience and get the likes of Strong and Yates out of the team - easy said than done based on our luck with injuries.

Re: Worst defensive effort I've seen in years. : Sun Apr 11, 2010 4:43 pm  

Chris B wrote:

Completely disagree about Gardner.. so far he has been very good. He normally takes high balls very well but it is always more difficult when the on-rushing player can jump from a run compared to a jump when you are standing still. Especially when the kicker is having as good a game as Wynn was last night.

To be fair to Gremlin she hasn't been to many games this season.

Re: Worst defensive effort I've seen in years. : Sun Apr 11, 2010 5:31 pm  

We’ve just got too many injuries and too many youngsters playing as a result.

We were battered by their pack and kicked to death by Wynn. What frustrated me most was, despite clearly losing the forward battle; we kept playing one or two passes followed by a drive up the middle. We didn’t start throwing it out wide until the last half hour and scored try after try. We actually matched them try for try with 7 trys each. If only they had thrown the ball out wide earlier, Grady wouldn’t have been rushing to beat the clock while taking his kicks.

We definitely missed Webster too. Time after time we looked clueless on their line, and I think Webster would’ve made a big difference here. Gerrard just isn’t the answer, but I suppose we had little choice.

We were out enthused and out experienced by Toulouse’s Aussies; Nathan Wynn in particular. I wish we had someone who could kick like that. Their Centre, Duport was also outstanding imo.

Whilst it is disappointing to loose to what appeared to be one of the poorest sides in the competition, I’m sure things will improve as we get players back from injury.

No need to panic just yet.

Re: Worst defensive effort I've seen in years. : Sun Apr 11, 2010 6:23 pm  

Liam Farrell was not playing in their 17 today.After the challenge cup game i think he will be back.Could of done with liam yesterday seen as he did not play.If we get the Danny Heckingburgh from london,ford,allen and webster back, i will feel confident again.

Re: Worst defensive effort I've seen in years. : Sun Apr 11, 2010 6:57 pm  

Talking of over-reactions from yours truly, but in response to the Leyther, I've been a bit sceptical of O'Connor's role and his effectiveness in it for a while now..

Re: Worst defensive effort I've seen in years. : Sun Apr 11, 2010 8:21 pm  

Widnes for Sl lol

Re: Worst defensive effort I've seen in years. : Sun Apr 11, 2010 8:32 pm  

Nr Red wrote:

Widnes for Sl lol

Is that an ironic laugh? Well, it's your team they'll be replacing.

Personally i'm looking forward to going to watch Fax at Salford in 2012. I don't care what anyone says, The Willows is a lovely little stadium.

Re: Worst defensive effort I've seen in years. : Sun Apr 11, 2010 8:38 pm  

Look forward to it