I was at this game and watching it live noticed some very worrying signs. For so long we have been hearing about how the boys are so well drilled and the fittest they have been in a long time. Apart from perhaps Peats, Arrow and a few select others I didn't see many signs of this. In the second half when the play was in front of me I watched our defensive line time after time lumber back the ten metres and most of the time barely make it. It might seem like I am picking on him but in one set I watched Don (who was in front of me, thats the only reason I am using him as an example) not make the 10 metres when the play was on the other side of the field and turn his back to the play of the ball when it was getting passed from dummy half. Kelly wasn't much better. To me that shows negligence and laziness. Either this is some great spin doctoring by our media department about how the players are super fit or the players are just taking shortcuts. Either way this attitude won't win games.
There also seems to be absolutely no game plan apart from trying to bend the line with our middle forwards. For two weeks we have attempted to do this and for two weeks we have lost the forward battle. Even when we do break the line like Arrow did, we don't know what to do next. Nobody is pushing up in support and nobody is organising the next play. However, I can't see this changing any time soon because at the moment we don't seem to have any other viable options.
Our left side defence is still an absolute shambles. We have been saying it for years but nothing has changed. We had the chance to recruit a decent left side back rower over the off season but for some reason nobody viewed that as a priority so here we are still.
I don't think all is lost just yet but Brennan needs to make some serious decisions and needs to make them quick.
For me; I echo the sentiments of everyone else about getting Rein back. I do think Peats should still start the game but get subbed 50min in and allow Rein to spark the attack. However, Peats does need to be put on notice and somebody desperately needs to teach him how to pass off the ground again because his service has seriously gone down hill since Brennan arrived.
I would like to see Proctor change sides to the left and stiffen that sides defence. He is offering nothing on attack on the right side so why not give somebody else a crack. I'd personally start with Hipgrave for his aggression (who cares about the penalties at least there will be a sign of effort) and then give Cartwright a run there. James back to the middle where he belongs.
I think Boyd should also be used more as an impact forward, coming on after 20min when their forwards are starting to tire. James to start with Wallace, but he also needs to lift his game and stop giving away needless penalties. On a side note he was also in front of me when he came off and he is still not where he should be weight wise. If you compare him to MoFo - there is light years between their physiques. If I had to choose between them I'd much rather have Mo in the 17.
Other than those things; I think Micks time is up. He's looking tired out there and we need spark from a fullback. I'd put AJ back there as soon as we have a half return from injury. I'll keep bleating on about it but Don is never going to get us into the finals. I'd give almost any of our other outside backs a run there (apart from Copley) but we desperately need some youth and some flippen speed in our outside backs.
But I guess the last point I'd like to make is one that I feel needs to happen immediately. If we are ever going to see a change of culture to one that prioritises winning then we need to give Arrow the captaincy. It is plain to see that he is not only our best player but also a natural born leader. James has done well over the years but it has taken its toll on him. Every week Arrow leads from the front and does his best to lift the players. We haven't had a player at the club who plays as hard as he does for a very long time. It will be interesting to see whether Brennan can see that this season or if we will be forced to wait until it is all but lost again before he starts making those big calls that he keeps going on about.
There also seems to be absolutely no game plan apart from trying to bend the line with our middle forwards. For two weeks we have attempted to do this and for two weeks we have lost the forward battle. Even when we do break the line like Arrow did, we don't know what to do next. Nobody is pushing up in support and nobody is organising the next play. However, I can't see this changing any time soon because at the moment we don't seem to have any other viable options.
Our left side defence is still an absolute shambles. We have been saying it for years but nothing has changed. We had the chance to recruit a decent left side back rower over the off season but for some reason nobody viewed that as a priority so here we are still.
I don't think all is lost just yet but Brennan needs to make some serious decisions and needs to make them quick.
For me; I echo the sentiments of everyone else about getting Rein back. I do think Peats should still start the game but get subbed 50min in and allow Rein to spark the attack. However, Peats does need to be put on notice and somebody desperately needs to teach him how to pass off the ground again because his service has seriously gone down hill since Brennan arrived.
I would like to see Proctor change sides to the left and stiffen that sides defence. He is offering nothing on attack on the right side so why not give somebody else a crack. I'd personally start with Hipgrave for his aggression (who cares about the penalties at least there will be a sign of effort) and then give Cartwright a run there. James back to the middle where he belongs.
I think Boyd should also be used more as an impact forward, coming on after 20min when their forwards are starting to tire. James to start with Wallace, but he also needs to lift his game and stop giving away needless penalties. On a side note he was also in front of me when he came off and he is still not where he should be weight wise. If you compare him to MoFo - there is light years between their physiques. If I had to choose between them I'd much rather have Mo in the 17.
Other than those things; I think Micks time is up. He's looking tired out there and we need spark from a fullback. I'd put AJ back there as soon as we have a half return from injury. I'll keep bleating on about it but Don is never going to get us into the finals. I'd give almost any of our other outside backs a run there (apart from Copley) but we desperately need some youth and some flippen speed in our outside backs.
But I guess the last point I'd like to make is one that I feel needs to happen immediately. If we are ever going to see a change of culture to one that prioritises winning then we need to give Arrow the captaincy. It is plain to see that he is not only our best player but also a natural born leader. James has done well over the years but it has taken its toll on him. Every week Arrow leads from the front and does his best to lift the players. We haven't had a player at the club who plays as hard as he does for a very long time. It will be interesting to see whether Brennan can see that this season or if we will be forced to wait until it is all but lost again before he starts making those big calls that he keeps going on about.
I live on international flights and on the Coast or in China depending how you classify that but I can tell you it is a hard life ... especially being a Titans supporter 