Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2004 10:38 am Posts: 27163 Location: WIGAN Member for 18 years
apollosghost wrote:
I'd like to see Mago just steaming the ball in rather than looking for the off-load every time, when he does he usually has 4 defenders hanging off him, a quick play the ball after that and we're in business
His game has definitely become a bit predictable. He’s looking for the offload in every single tackle. He’d help himself and us if he just mixed it up a little. You don’t want him shelving that offload because ultimately we’ve all been desperate for us to play a more attacking brand of rugby but just be a bit more selective and try to keep it as a surprise weapon. It becomes far more effective then if you can get defences switching off from it a little. First job first, smash the ball up and then use the offload when it naturally becomes an option, rather than looking to force it.
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2003 10:31 pm Posts: 19783 Member for 19 years
LewCharnock wrote:
Tomorrow is all about field position for me. Hudds don't exactly chance their arm from deep, but they are a very good attacking team in the opposition's 20. IF we do not give the silly penalties away that we have over the last fortnight, I think we will win the game comfortably. If we go set for set with them, it should be straight forward.
However, we have shown this season that our discipline with and without the ball can be poor, and that's my biggest fear. We know that Hudds' gameplan will be to pin us in corners and ask us to come out time and time again and we must be willing to do that, particularly in the first 20. If we don't, it could be bad news.
Harry Smith's kicking game from the semi final will do.
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Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:15 am Posts: 418 Location: Egham-ish Member for 14 years
NickyKiss wrote:
His game has definitely become a bit predictable. He’s looking for the offload in every single tackle. He’d help himself and us if he just mixed it up a little. You don’t want him shelving that offload because ultimately we’ve all been desperate for us to play a more attacking brand of rugby but just be a bit more selective and try to keep it as a surprise weapon. It becomes far more effective then if you can get defences switching off from it a little. First job first, smash the ball up and then use the offload when it naturally becomes an option, rather than looking to force it.
I think every player I have ever seen with a great offload has had to learn this kind of balance, about when to try for it and when not to. Mago is definitely looking to offload too often at the minute and, as you say, that makes him predictable. But I think if and when he gets this right (most of the time, everyone is going to get this wrong occasionally) he will be some player.
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I'm 49, I've had a brain haemorrhage and a triple bypass and I could still go out and play a reasonable game of rugby union. But I wouldn't last 30 seconds in rugby league.
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2004 10:38 am Posts: 27163 Location: WIGAN Member for 18 years
tyr wrote:
I think every player I have ever seen with a great offload has had to learn this kind of balance, about when to try for it and when not to. Mago is definitely looking to offload too often at the minute and, as you say, that makes him predictable. But I think if and when he gets this right (most of the time, everyone is going to get this wrong occasionally) he will be some player.
Definitely. I don’t recall him being an off loader in the highlights I saw of him from Souths, so I think we’ve opened that up for him and allowed him to express himself. If he can just find that balance he’ll be in a much better place.
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2016 3:59 pm Posts: 1634 Member for 6 years
Huddersfield are a very good side and certainly can’t be written off. I see why we are favourites but it’s 50-50 imo. We need to equal or better the performance in the semi but do it for 80 mins.
If we respect the ball and are disciplined in both attack and defence I’m confident. Give away cheap ball and territory we are in trouble.
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2016 3:59 pm Posts: 1634 Member for 6 years
NickyKiss wrote:
His game has definitely become a bit predictable. He’s looking for the offload in every single tackle. He’d help himself and us if he just mixed it up a little. You don’t want him shelving that offload because ultimately we’ve all been desperate for us to play a more attacking brand of rugby but just be a bit more selective and try to keep it as a surprise weapon. It becomes far more effective then if you can get defences switching off from it a little. First job first, smash the ball up and then use the offload when it naturally becomes an option, rather than looking to force it.
Agree completely, he needs to be a bit more direct. Don’t lose the offload just mix it up a bit.
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