|
|
Post by salford1961 on Aug 5, 2017 20:43:49 GMT
the players we've been missing (and are still missing) are all absolutely crucial players that were integral to all the good performances we put in earlier this season - Flanagan Brining Mossop J Carney Sau Dobson Koppy Take these out of any team and they would be struggling. Add this to the fact that fatigue has now set in for most of the players and it's no wonder we finding it tough to get back to winning ways. Lets hope we get some bodies back and can at least restore some pride in the 8's. Watson'a job should be safe and he should be given the chance to add to the squad and aim even higher next year. For my mind we started going backwards when we lost Justin Carney. His go forward in the first one or two tackles gave us such a good start to going up field. It gave us the platform to winning the collision on each subsequent tackle. It also allowed a few of the big forwards to take their time getting back into the line thus preserving energy. This allied to the losses of the players mentioned above meant that we were a bit thin on the ground. Saying that though we've competed really well in most of our games this year and with a bit of luck we could have had 3 or 4 more wins. I also think the St Helens game knocked a bit of stuffing out of the team to lose in such a way. Watson has done a fantastic job and we shouldn't even be talking this way. On to Friday and Castleford. |
|
|
|
Post by manny on Aug 6, 2017 7:31:42 GMT
Our season could be compared to a long distance runner that went off far too quick and then hit the wall at the 3/4 mark. Other clubs have much more experience at building for a strong finish and we need to learn a hard lesson from this. I think what it tells us is the squad isn't strong enough to cope with 4/5 injuries to compete at the very top.
The concern for me is the coach has publicly stated that he feels some players have switched off and aren't doing their jobs properly anymore. I suppose one positive is Watson is finding out the players that don't have the character/mental strength and resilience needed going forward.
|
|
|
|
Post by dixon13 on Aug 6, 2017 9:22:19 GMT
Our season could be compared to a long distance runner that went off far too quick and then hit the wall at the 3/4 mark. Other clubs have much more experience at building for a strong finish and we need to learn a hard lesson from this. I think what it tells us is the squad isn't strong enough to cope with 4/5 injuries to compete at the very top. The concern for me is the coach has publicly stated that he feels some players have switched off and aren't doing their jobs properly anymore. I suppose one positive is Watson is finding out the players that don't have the character/mental strength and resilience needed going forward. Shouldn't a good coach put that right. |
|
|
|
Post by manny on Aug 6, 2017 9:48:06 GMT
Our season could be compared to a long distance runner that went off far too quick and then hit the wall at the 3/4 mark. Other clubs have much more experience at building for a strong finish and we need to learn a hard lesson from this. I think what it tells us is the squad isn't strong enough to cope with 4/5 injuries to compete at the very top. The concern for me is the coach has publicly stated that he feels some players have switched off and aren't doing their jobs properly anymore. I suppose one positive is Watson is finding out the players that don't have the character/mental strength and resilience needed going forward. Shouldn't a good coach put that right. I suppose we'll find out over the next few weeks won't we. |
|
|
|
Post by tony13 on Aug 6, 2017 13:06:10 GMT
Well, if he can't put it right in the next few weeks, perhaps a few P45s and some new faces during the off-season will do the trick? If they really are not performing for him, he's the coach - get rid of them.
|
|
|
|
Post by gadger on Aug 6, 2017 19:17:36 GMT
I think Watson has mentioned this too, but the regular top 6 teams gear towards end of season, we didn't have the luxury of that this year so we went all out first 4/5 months. Hopefully next year we can plan for super 8s and rest players through the season.
That's not to say I don't expect more from next 6 weeks, I want and expect 4 wins and top 4!!
|
|
|
|
Post by salfordlad1 on Aug 6, 2017 20:12:14 GMT
Watson is the best coach we've had in the Super League era IMO and I think we'll still pick up 2-3 wins in these final 6 games.
One thing I will question though is his statement after the Leigh where he told the press that people will lose their place in the team after that perfomance. Will someone please tell me why Kris Welham walked out at Hull FC on Friday night? His missed tackles ultimately cost us the game, he needs dropping quick. Welham is the worst defender in Super League by a country mile, I'd honestly rather play Evalds at centre.
Next year a top centre has to be the absolute prority for our recruitment.
Even with the additions of Vatuvei and McCarthy, I still think we're 2/3 top players off from being a top 4 SL squad. It's been evident by these last few games that we massively struggle when we pick up anything more than 3 injuries to our best 17 players. I think we'll see another 2-3 new faces next season potentially more if A Walne and Krasniqi leave.
|
|
|
|
Post by manny on Aug 7, 2017 7:29:52 GMT
I think the problem we face is we don't have outstanding junior players on small contracts to strengthen the squad like the traditionally top clubs. I agree about Welham and view his defence as not up to SL standard. I also think our centre's are certainly in the same mould as the crazy horse. Why can't this club find some centre's who can actually create space for the wingers? I love Junior's effort and commitment but he should be playing in the back row for me. If this club are going to do anything next year I feel we need to sign two quality centre's with pace and also a worldy hooker. I appreciate some will disagree but that's my honest view of what's needed to take us to the next level. Now is the time for some marquee players or we'll lose all momentum and go backwards I'm afraid. If Koukash can't justify the extra expenditure then fair enough but if he can this is what the team needs.
|
|
|
|
Post by JJR on Aug 7, 2017 7:40:18 GMT
Interesting to see the Saints sliding defence against Cas, where they had 4 or 5 players covering the centres and wingers as the ball went across the field. See what we do on Friday.
|
|
|
|
Post by gunner on Aug 7, 2017 11:37:49 GMT
the players we've been missing (and are still missing) are all absolutely crucial players that were integral to all the good performances we put in earlier this season - Flanagan Brining Mossop J Carney Sau Dobson Koppy Take these out of any team and they would be struggling. Add this to the fact that fatigue has now set in for most of the players and it's no wonder we finding it tough to get back to winning ways. Lets hope we get some bodies back and can at least restore some pride in the 8's. Watson'a job should be safe and he should be given the chance to add to the squad and aim even higher next year. Do some fans not get it, yes we have punched above our weight, that's got to be down to the coach & the players buying into the coaching style. the answer lies somewhere between having a smaller squad than most & losing the caliber of players as above. If those players above had stayed fit I would back us against any team. Get real, we have reached the semi final & a top 4 place, when was the last time we did this? Yes we need to strengthen & yes some of the players have been over used & are burnt out, however with such a small pool of players I think we have done well. well done Bigfish good post? |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2017 13:05:27 GMT
the players we've been missing (and are still missing) are all absolutely crucial players that were integral to all the good performances we put in earlier this season - Flanagan Brining Mossop J Carney Sau Dobson Koppy Take these out of any team and they would be struggling. Add this to the fact that fatigue has now set in for most of the players and it's no wonder we finding it tough to get back to winning ways. Lets hope we get some bodies back and can at least restore some pride in the 8's. Watson'a job should be safe and he should be given the chance to add to the squad and aim even higher next year. Do some fans not get it, yes we have punched above our weight, that's got to be down to the coach & the players buying into the coaching style. the answer lies somewhere between having a smaller squad than most & losing the caliber of players as above. If those players above had stayed fit I would back us against any team. Get real, we have reached the semi final & a top 4 place, when was the last time we did this? Yes we need to strengthen & yes some of the players have been over used & are burnt out, however with such a small pool of players I think we have done well. well done Bigfish good post? I think it is vitally important to recruit squad players rather than the odd fancy dan, what we have missed more than anything is strength in depth when injuries and fatigue took their toll, if we want to progress next season we need 4 or 5 eager young players from the lower divisions who will look to take their chances when they are called upon. If we throw all our recruitment eggs into one basket and they get injured then it's money down the drain. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2017 13:08:17 GMT
I do wonder with Brining if he has been out injured more than most is that he has come from a lower league playing in a high impact (I mean on him physically) and then pretty much jumped in at the deep end, I think we might see a slightly more beefed up version next season to counter this.
|
|
|
|
Post by JJR on Aug 8, 2017 16:41:57 GMT
Just watched the lowlights of the Hull match. The defence of Welham and Jones near the line was woeful.
Can't make Jones out, with his size and speed he should be running onto the ball and hitting the defence hard and straight but he seems to just go round in circles. Gone backwards over the last part of the season in my view.
|
|
|
|
Post by earlybath on Aug 8, 2017 17:17:17 GMT
Not called Bagatelle Jones for nothing is he?
I`d like to see him in the front row but sadly his tackling aint up to it.
|
|
