Re: Todays Game V Widnes : Fri Apr 18, 2014 5:14 pm  

Still a long way to go to get to where we need to be but time is something we have.

That will be a good win for the confidence of the players if nothing else.

The attacking patterns will get better the more we have a settled back like and settled half backs.

Re: Todays Game V Widnes : Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:11 pm  

Without wanting to take anything away from what was a good win, I personally take games like today's with a pinch of salt, especially with regards to individual performances, simply because the opposition didn't turn up and any 'test' becomes a bit false.

The likes of O'Brien and the Evans brothers, on the face of it, did well, as did some of the more seasoned players who have been accused of under-performing so far, like Michael Monaghan, Ratchford and Atkins, but today should be seen as being a confidence boost, rather than any solid proof that we are back to our best and that problems like the half back conundrum have been put to rest.

I'm not Phil Clarke's biggest fan, but his assertion that today would have been completely different against a better side, while an obvious point, is also a pretty accurate one - The question isn't can we look good against the likes of Widnes (who, despite their decent start to the season, are a 7th or 8th placed team at best), but can we produce against teams who will be serious trophy contenders.

Today was a decent display, but unless we follow up on Monday with a positive showing, then it will mean relatively little.

Re: Todays Game V Widnes : Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:31 pm  

Dita's Slot Meter wrote:

The question isn't can we look good against the likes of Widnes (who, despite their decent start to the season, are a 7th or 8th placed team at best), but can we produce against teams who will be serious trophy contenders.

Today was a decent display, but unless we follow up on Monday with a positive showing, then it will mean relatively little.

forgetting the pasting by Saints on the opening day of the season, we were beaten by a converted try away at leeds we were beaten by 8 points at home to wigan, and they are shoe in's for the top four . we beat Huddersfield away and are now spanking teams we should be spanking.

I fail to find a negative in today's result....

Cas are a quality side and are not third in the league by mistake. It will be as tough as Leeds away and Wigan at home. If we lose it wont be the end of the world.

what score do you expect saints to put on Widnes on Monday ???

Re: Todays Game V Widnes : Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:43 pm  

the flying biscuit wrote:

forgetting the pasting by Saints on the opening day of the season, we were beaten by a converted try away at leeds we were beaten by 8 points at home to wigan, and they are shoe in's for the top four . we beat Huddersfield away and are now spanking teams we should be spanking.

I fail to find a negative in today's result....

I never said that there was a negative - In fact, as I think I already said, it is a huge confidence boost... What I am saying is that today as to be taken realistically in that Widnes were very poor, and we didn't have to be at our best to beat them (Witness the last 20 minutes, which turned into exhibition mode, with players trying ridiculous moves like passing through the legs).

I'm certainly not dissing today's improved performance, but, at the same, we shouldn't be thinking everything is now sorted on the back of a big win over a side who, with that type of display, would struggle to stay out of relegation trouble.

Re: Todays Game V Widnes : Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:49 pm  

Dita's Slot Meter wrote:

Without wanting to take anything away from what was a good win, I personally take games like today's with a pinch of salt, especially with regards to individual performances, simply because the opposition didn't turn up and any 'test' becomes a bit false.

The likes of O'Brien and the Evans brothers, on the face of it, did well, as did some of the more seasoned players who have been accused of under-performing so far, like Michael Monaghan, Ratchford and Atkins, but today should be seen as being a confidence boost, rather than any solid proof that we are back to our best and that problems like the half back conundrum have been put to rest.

I'm not Phil Clarke's biggest fan, but his assertion that today would have been completely different against a better side, while an obvious point, is also a pretty accurate one - The question isn't can we look good against the likes of Widnes (who, despite their decent start to the season, are a 7th or 8th placed team at best), but can we produce against teams who will be serious trophy contenders.

Today was a decent display, but unless we follow up on Monday with a positive showing, then it will mean relatively little.

This

Re: Todays Game V Widnes : Fri Apr 18, 2014 7:02 pm  

the flying biscuit wrote:

forgetting the pasting by Saints on the opening day of the season, we were beaten by a converted try away at leeds we were beaten by 8 points at home to wigan, and they are shoe in's for the top four . we beat Huddersfield away and are now spanking teams we should be spanking.

I fail to find a negative in today's result....

Cas are a quality side and are not third in the league by mistake. It will be as tough as Leeds away and Wigan at home. If we lose it wont be the end of the world.

I suppose it depends what you are hoping for.

If you are hoping for us to be a 5th/6th place team, that will make the playoffs but get knocked out by the first top 4 team we play, then you are right things are going fine. We are well clear of the relegation battle and will probably make the playoffs quite comfortably.

If you are hoping for us to be competing for trophies as we have been doing the past few seasons then we are not there. It is obvious that we have slipped behind teams that we have been better than since 2010.

All about perspective. Like United under Moyes. They supposedly have had a disastrous season but they have been well clear of the relegation battle or the bottom half and look like they will comfortably get a Europa league spot. The only reason people think they have had a disastrous season is if they expect United to be competing for the Champions League.

Today was a good welcome win though following the Hull KR loss as I feared we might struggle today but it was straightforward and only one team in it.

Re: Todays Game V Widnes : Fri Apr 18, 2014 7:32 pm  

I understand where Dita is coming from.
One swallow doesn't make a summer.
And as Sally says, it does depend on your perspective.

I think we've got quite a way to go to be near our best.
The combinations aren't working fully yet - particularly in the halves - but GOB and Ratch did well today.

If we improve week on week we won't be far off when the play offs come around, but that's the thing - if.

In the backs only Joel and Russell are performing anywhere near where they should be, and in the forwards Hill, Waterhouse and Westwood fall into the same category.

5 out of 17, and that's why we are where we are.

(I'd like to see more of Ben and Rhys, and only hope GOB gets a break with TS).

Re: Todays Game V Widnes : Fri Apr 18, 2014 7:43 pm  

I never read too much into one game. But that was a really good win and performance, and hopefully we can lead on from this with more of the same over the next few weeks.

Not getting excited or anything yet by I'm very pleased for the team, and myself, and I'll have an extra skip in my step over the weekend.

Re: Todays Game V Widnes : Fri Apr 18, 2014 7:50 pm  

You can only beat what is in front of you, and many of Widnes' failings were down to our quick line speed, aggressive forward play in both attack and defence, quick play the balls and willingness to promote the ball.

We started fast and didn't let up and the players deserve credit as much as they've deserved criticism.

Yes, Cas away will be tough but there was enough on show today to hint at the promise of better days to come.

Re: Todays Game V Widnes : Fri Apr 18, 2014 7:56 pm  

fez1 wrote:

In the backs only Joel and Russell are performing anywhere near where they should be, and in the forwards Hill, Waterhouse and Westwood fall into the same category.

Bit harsh, I think. Certainly Rhys Evans & Mickey Higham have showed plenty of quality in a struggling side and today, in a team inching back to confidence, they were both excellent - particularly Higham.