Re: Leeds go Top after a Third of the Season : Tue Apr 22, 2014 1:24 pm  

rhinoms wrote:

Irrespective of the opposition we are top on merit but as has been pointed out much tougher tests are on the horizon.
I thought we got busted defensively too easy at times yesterday far too many "Andy Hay" attempts at tackling but the desperation to scramble & lack of Salford taking their chances kept it at 6 against.
Far more positives than negatives and the Coach deserves plenty of credit for his rotation and squad management thus far.

Well said rhinoms. Yes we face some big tests coming up over the next few weeks and we will have to fight hard to keep our No 1 status. You are right that Salford made too many tackle busts (36?) and this is something for the coaches & players to work on this week.

I think we were right to pick a strong team and the tough workout will hopefully put us in good stead for the Saints. I thought Moon had another good allround performance and Bish looks in good form too. His positional backing up was first rate and he showed us some classy centre play that led to Burrow's try so we should consider him a serious centre back up should we need one.

However as I am sure G1 will be reporting Bailey made only 4 carries!.....I mean 4 carries!

Bring back Kirke

Re: Leeds go Top after a Third of the Season : Tue Apr 22, 2014 1:33 pm  

Juan Cornetto wrote:

I think we were right to pick a strong team and the tough workout will hopefully put us in good stead for the Saints. I thought Moon had another good allround performance and Bish looks in good form too. His positional backing up was first rate and he showed us some classy centre play that led to Burrow's try so we should consider him a serious centre back up should we need one.

However as I am sure G1 will be reporting Bailey made only 4 carries!.....I mean 4 carries!

I'd agree with most of your post, and particularly thought Bailey was non-existant, his only real contribution was being part of one of the tackles where we held Salford up over the line. His go-forward as ever was abysmal - I was discussing him at the game yesterday, he's got all the natural physical attributes to be a fantastic prop, as he was in 2004 - unfortunately he seems more interested in strutting around Armley and Bramley trying to impress the 15 year old girls and a few clingers on with how big and tough he is.

One thing I would pick up on your post was around BJB - I thought he looked great in attack, but his 1 on 1 defence wasn't great when Salford broke through the line - a couple of times his teammates saved his blushes with great scrambling defence.

Re: Leeds go Top after a Third of the Season : Tue Apr 22, 2014 1:56 pm  

I took this pic on the way out, left early to go elland road. Need to work on my panoramic skills.

Re: Leeds go Top after a Third of the Season : Tue Apr 22, 2014 1:56 pm  

Superted wrote:

I'd agree with most of your post, and particularly thought Bailey was non-existant, his only real contribution was being part of one of the tackles where we held Salford up over the line. His go-forward as ever was abysmal - I was discussing him at the game yesterday, he's got all the natural physical attributes to be a fantastic prop, as he was in 2004 - unfortunately he seems more interested in strutting around Armley and Bramley trying to impress the 15 year old girls and a few clingers on with how big and tough he is.

One thing I would pick up on your post was around BJB - I thought he looked great in attack, but his 1 on 1 defence wasn't great when Salford broke through the line - a couple of times his teammates saved his blushes with great scrambling defence.

....

.... And that is why Hardaker should not be used as a utility player and be allowed to continue at FB unless enforced. For the life of me I cannot understand why BJB is not used as the back up centre as well as FB and winger. To select Ward there before BJB was a mystery.
I am like a worn out record but why is that Sinfield and McGuire are considered to be bolted on selections at half back? Much better to have Moon at SO with an in form BJB being allowed a run at centre ( at McGuire's expense IMO )

I will agree McDermott is doing a better job this year even though it might be belatedly .. Nice to see Achurch given a starting role as wide running second rower. Bailey should consider himself very lucky in his continued selection and the fact that I would now select Kirke ahead of him speaks volumes.

On a positive finishing note I agree the scrambling committed defence is a real joy to behold. That and the sublime finishing of all the outside backs is a major smile inducing factor in this year's team.

Re: Leeds go Top after a Third of the Season : Tue Apr 22, 2014 2:05 pm  

On another positive note - how good is Tom Briscoe.

He's a player you just can't help but like. He's got no arrogance or attitude about him, he simply gets on with his job. He's a strong as an ox in contact, with great leg drive through the collision, more often than not wins the floor, runs great lines, knows when to pass, and has pace to burn. If he wasn't such a bog eyed little sod, I think I'd have a man crush on him.

Re: Leeds go Top after a Third of the Season : Tue Apr 22, 2014 2:57 pm  

Superted wrote:

On another positive note - how good is Tom Briscoe.

He's a player you just can't help but like. He's got no arrogance or attitude about him, he simply gets on with his job. He's a strong as an ox in contact, with great leg drive through the collision, more often than not wins the floor, runs great lines, knows when to pass, and has pace to burn. If he wasn't such a bog eyed little sod, I think I'd have a man crush on him.

I think he is outstanding, and have said if for years.

One for tvoc here though, as he has always questioned the reliability of Opta stats. They had him down yesterday as 3 missed tackles, one I can remember, but the others not. But more puzzling they had him as 4 errors, where?

Re: Leeds go Top after a Third of the Season : Tue Apr 22, 2014 3:49 pm  

Juan Cornetto wrote:

However as I am sure G1 will be reporting Bailey made only 4 carries!.....I mean 4 carries!

Bring back Kirke

That's just not good enough, despite his 30 tackles.

Re: Leeds go Top after a Third of the Season : Tue Apr 22, 2014 4:14 pm  

Superted wrote:

I'd agree with most of your post, and particularly thought Bailey was non-existant, his only real contribution was being part of one of the tackles where we held Salford up over the line. His go-forward as ever was abysmal - I was discussing him at the game yesterday, he's got all the natural physical attributes to be a fantastic prop, as he was in 2004 - unfortunately he seems more interested in strutting around Armley and Bramley trying to impress the 15 year old girls and a few clingers on with how big and tough he is.

One thing I would pick up on your post was around BJB - I thought he looked great in attack, but his 1 on 1 defence wasn't great when Salford broke through the line - a couple of times his teammates saved his blushes with great scrambling defence.

Bish missed 3 tackles but it happens when the line is broken and the attacker can go either way on the FB particularly in midfield. It happens to Hardaker at FB too while at centre against Salford Hardaker missed 4 tackles.

Re: Leeds go Top after a Third of the Season : Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:00 pm  

Juan Cornetto wrote:

Bish missed 3 tackles but it happens when the line is broken and the attacker can go either way on the FB particularly in midfield. It happens to Hardaker at FB too

When did it last happen to Hardaker at full-back?

According to Opta Hardaker has missed a grand total of three tackles all season from his eight appearances at full-back.

Re: Leeds go Top after a Third of the Season : Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:06 pm  

I would have liked to see BJB & Hardaker switch positions on Saturday after the game was won ie for the last 20 minutes.
That would have allowed BJB a chance to see how he went in the centres.