Re: Harris out! : Sun Apr 20, 2014 1:59 pm  

Massive overreaction on here as usual but not a surprise listening to some of the South Stand numpties on Friday night! .

This year was always going to have ups and downs and so it's proven. We played badly and got what we deserved, end of. We also had a rough deal with the bounce of the ball & injuries but the better team won and that can't be disputed. It's dissappointing but we have to look at the bigger picture and realise that it's going to be a couple of years before we seriously challenge the top 4 and this is just a stepping stone to that. Hopefully the Doc will show some patience and get the right structures in place to let this happen. I hate using the "C" word but look how long it has taken City to pick up one league title & an FA cup despite their spending.

I'm not burying my head in the sand here I'm just looking at things rationally. I can see (well I'm not that blind ) the defensive failings, Tim Smith's poor form, our lack of pace in the backs. These cab be addressed we just need to have faith that Harris will address them. I'd certainly take Smith out of the firing line for a short while, his confidence looks shot & we've seen that Theo has the maturity to step up for a short while. He'll come back stronger & will be an asset no doubt. Mullaney's kicking is also a big concern, I believe he was pretty good in Aus so not sure why he's been so poor here. But what other options do we have?

I fear for us at Leeds, they're a class outfit whatever 17 they put out I just hope we stand up and be counted. Widnes (x2), Catalanand HKR are then huge games and are likely to define our season. Win 3 or 4 and we can kick on, lose them and the top 8 may be out of our reach.

Re: Harris out! : Sun Apr 20, 2014 2:03 pm  

Tim Smith,according to Wakefield fans,was poor defensively.

Against Huddersfield the stats show him making 31 tackles - just behind HH and Gleeson.Far too many for a half back - but will almost certainly be needed at Headingley.

Chase made far fewer - as,of course,did Danny Brough.

Smith hasn't been at his best but please don't scapegoat him just because Stu Howarth has gone on loan to Barrow.

Re: Harris out! : Sun Apr 20, 2014 2:14 pm  

Red-Devils-PAW wrote:

Tim Smith,according to Wakefield fans,was poor defensively.

Against Huddersfield the stats show him making 31 tackles - just behind HH and Gleeson.Far too many for a half back - but will almost certainly be needed at Headingley.

Chase made far fewer - as,of course,did Danny Brough.

Smith hasn't been at his best but please don't scapegoat him just because Stu Howarth has gone on loan to Barrow.

Huddersfield absolutley hammered our right side defence. Hansen, Smith and Gleeson were targetted all the way through the game. Ashurst, Chase, Hock, and Meli on the other side of the pitch however made the lowest number tackles with 10, 9, 3 and 1 respectively. Even Greg Johnson made 9 tackles in the short 15-20 minutes he was on the pitch. Hence the reason Murphy scored a hat-trick.

Re: Harris out! : Sun Apr 20, 2014 2:52 pm  

Yes,it shows how stats can be deceptive.
Smith had a high tackle count simply because they kept running at him !
I think we should lay off him,though.
He has been disappointing this season but his performance on Friday is being exaggerated.
I was surprised at Gleesons apparent decline but,as they say,form is temporary,class is permanent . He is a class player so I hope his form returns.

Re: Harris out! : Sun Apr 20, 2014 3:19 pm  

Red-Devils-PAW wrote:

Smith hasn't been at his best but please don't scapegoat him just because Stu Howarth has gone on loan to Barrow.

Come on, RDP. It's about time you let go. Everyone has moved on you know?

Re: Harris out! : Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:57 pm  

Disagree with any negative chants aimed at our players. Tim Smith is a quality half back who has started his Salford career disastrously and needs dropping for a few weeks.

Harris has to work with what Noble has assembled, but after however many weeks if watching every week game thus far there have been some dubious signings in key pivot positions ie full back, scrum half and hooker.

Re: Harris out! : Sun Apr 20, 2014 5:10 pm  

Far easier to criticise what's been assembled than focus on who was available and at what cost.

Re: Harris out! : Sun Apr 20, 2014 5:17 pm  

I think Smith is clearly lacking a bit of confidence, the hard thing to work out is if dropping might give him a kick up the backside or cause him to throw the toys out of the pram.

Re: Harris out! : Sun Apr 20, 2014 5:54 pm  

Bonita Red wrote:

Far easier to criticise what's been assembled than focus on who was available and at what cost.

Get out of Nobles ar*e.

After 10 games so far and the consistent disaapointing individual performances, it's time we are able to critique Brian Nobles purchases.

Re: Harris out! : Sun Apr 20, 2014 6:19 pm  

No need for bad language !
You're right that we can now critique his signings,but you miss the point I'm making.
He could only sign who was available.
I think he wanted Dobson,for example.
I'm sure he would have liked Clarke at 9.
One area where I would criticise him is the apparent lack of another goal kicker. Mullaney is a good fullback and he'll develop. He needs to be coached regarding letting the ball bounce and he did well in that regard on Friday.
He doesn't look the part as the main kicker, and that would've helped us last Friday but we were clawing back in 4s not 6s