I agree with most of your post. But I can't agree that he was dealt a bad hand. Even with Tomkins and Bateman missing that squad is still good enough to win the GF and at the very least be competitive. Many many coaches would bite your hand off to take that squad/club on. He's in a Ferrari and at times can't keep up with a Fiat Punto.
Must disagree.
Ask yourself how many of this team would get into the Saints/Wire side?
The team we currently have are mid table at the very best. Last year Bateman and Tomkins added the X factor that won us many games and they were both born winners.
Ask yourself how many of this team would get into the Saints/Wire side?
The team we currently have are mid table at the very best. Last year Bateman and Tomkins added the X factor that won us many games and they were both born winners.
It's just a matter of opinion then. I see a team who went unbeaten in the playoffs and won the GF minus two players who were replaced with top talent. To suggest that time shouldn't be least competitive is beyond me. I actually think your comment sadly reflects a defeatist attitude which reflects in performances, if you think you're a mid-table side and second best to another team you'll most likely lose. However if you back yourself, play with fight and a will be win then you'll push on, improve and be at least competitive.
It's never about individuals, so asking who'd get into the Wire or Saints side is irrelevant, it's a team sport and about how that team plays, it's about their desire, their fight and will to win, their mentality, which comes from the coach.
To think we''ve gone to pot just because we lost Bateman and Tomkins is complete rubbish. Almost justifying why we're poor.
I've said this many times, any half back is only as good as the options he has, without options its easy to see what they're are going to do. As a team, on the whole, we offer little movement off the ball, which will make any half look bad.
Exactly. What is the point in passing to a player about to be tackled? If Williams does have a weakness its that he is not vocal enough nor demanding enough. Imagine this shower of duds running outside of Andy Gregory? He would give them hell if they didnt run where he wanted them to or if their timing was off. It seems to be happening every game though which tells me that the coaching is at fault.
It's just a matter of opinion then. I see a team who went unbeaten in the playoffs and won the GF minus two players who were replaced with top talent. To suggest that time shouldn't be least competitive is beyond me. I actually think your comment sadly reflects a defeatist attitude which reflects in performances, if you think you're a mid-table side and second best to another team you'll most likely lose. However if you back yourself, play with fight and a will be win then you'll push on, improve and be at least competitive.
It's never about individuals, so asking who'd get into the Wire or Saints side is irrelevant, it's a team sport and about how that team plays, it's about their desire, their fight and will to win, their mentality, which comes from the coach.
To think we''ve gone to pot just because we lost Bateman and Tomkins is complete rubbish. Almost justifying why we're poor.
Sorry, not for me. I don't buy it.
To be honest, who would...
I think you are under estimating the impact of losing Bateman and Tomkins. Both these players made things happen and their contribution to how we played was immense. This is not an excuse for Lams coaching ability (i made the original post) but to say that he wasnt dealt a bad hand when the team had lost its 2 best players that had such an impact the year before is crazy.
Williams is not the big issue. Any halfback is only as good as the lines that players around him runs. It goes back to my original post about disorganisation. The reason Williams runs in circles like a headless chicken is because the pass options around him are terrible and he is forced back inside. Players need to run the right angles and lines and at the right time for any halfback to look effective. Its Lams job to have them practice this and perfect it during the week so that come game time its second nature to them.
I think you are under estimating the impact of losing Bateman and Tomkins. Both these players made things happen and their contribution to how we played was immense. This is not an excuse for Lams coaching ability (i made the original post) but to say that he wasnt dealt a bad hand when the team had lost its 2 best players that had such an impact the year before is crazy.
Nope not at all. I rate both Tomkins and Bateman. How can anyone say the squad is a bad hand? It's crazy. Go back and watch the playoffs from last season and the GF. Watch how we were structured, how we played, our mentality in attack and more importantly in defence, then watch us this season. Are the saying the mass changes are down to 2 players? Seriously? Come on.
The game is far more complex to think 2 players missing has caused such a decline when the team is still littered with talent. Most teams across SL would be over the moon with the likes of Hardaker, Burgess, Gildart, Greenwood, Bullock, Tommy, Lockers Williams, all of which are Internationals!
Losing two players isn't the issue, its a poor excuse.
Lam's team selection leaves me worrying. A wide fast pitch where we need to be a fast as possible get get around their big pack. How can you not select Escare. We are predictable and Morgan can provide that unpredictability. At a time where the team are slow we need pace from anywhere we can get it yet Escare is not in the 17 as an option. Clubb starting at 13 with Lockers on the bench and no interchange back. Lam has to get this sorted.
Williams looks like his head is in Australia already. Some of his passing and playing in silo killed many sets of play.
How many kicks did he bother to put up for Burgess against Tierney? Possibly zero? That should been number 1 game plan but we tried to step around them.
Thought most of our forwards were ok actually, especially Bullock who looked strong. Clubb however was done for after 10 minutes again and needs dropping for the next prop. TT also made barely any impact again.
But individual errors were the killer. 3 or 4 tries from dropped ball or mistakes in our own 20. Catalan were up for it behind a strong following and we lost the momentum battle.
Great occasion though, loved every minute of it and the result doesn’t spoil it, it’s only 2 points at the end of the day. The Leeds fans supporting Catalan was hilarious though. Hope they’re enjoying the relegation fight with London.
Also thought McIlorum was great in the first 30 for them. Really set the tempo and aggression. What we would give for a crafty, intelligent, hard hitting hooker now...