Think first mistake is comparing this bunch to our great sides. We’re unlikely to ever see that again. However the standard of the other big clubs is a lot lower now imho, so we could still win something if we just batten down and stay tough-as a unit (fans included). A quality mid-season signing would be huge too…..
batleyrhino wrote:I think we all know that this is going to take a few years to fix from when we actually start properly. We’ve had false start after false start since the end of the goldens, so it’s understandable that people (me included) can be impatient at times.
We cleared a fair chick of dead wood off last close season, and I’ve no doubts we will do again this, but getting the cap back under control is only solving part of the problem albeit a big part.
We need to be seeing the 21-25 year old local and British lads getting regular game time as they will be our future not the 30+ year olds who will be gone in 12 months or so. We built our last success on a great crop of young British players, sogning other top British players, and a sprinkling of good quality O/S players who added quality and experience. This is what we need to do again.
I would agree with that - the only problem is the lack of quality coming through the academy especially in key positions. Do we have a FB or high quality halves in the academy. Do we have a Welsby or a Dodd in our ranks?
As for signing real quality overseas this hasn't happened for many years - this is the remit of Saints and Wigan who seem to be far more adept at spotting talent that will go well in SL.
The problem with Smith is his communication is so poor - fans are important stakeholders and they need to have a feel for the transition and why Smith feels his methods and selection policy is giving such inconsistency. Compare his communication to either Peat or Wellens.
My only beef with RS, who I think is doing a great job overal, is that we are ridiculously inconsistent on the field and I think in part that’s down to playing a style that this bunch of players are incapable of.
We should continue on the journey with him for sure, but he also has some adjustments to make.
One of the problems is the lack of quality coming through the academy especially in key positions. Do we have a FB or high quality halves in the academy. Do we have a Welsby or a Dodd in our ranks?
As for signing real quality overseas this hasn't happened for many years - this is the remit of Saints and Wigan who seem to be far more adept at spotting talent that will go well in SL.
The problem with Smith is his communication is so poor - fans are important stakeholders and they need to have a feel for the transition and why Smith feels his methods and selection policy is giving such inconsistency. Compare his communication to either Peat or Wellens.
All coaches struggle with messaging when their team loses regularly. Its easy to sound like an all-knowing guru when you're winning - as Smith did last year.
What 'real quality' have signed for Wigan or Sts recently, just out of interest? Field and Bevan were marginal NRL players, not stars. I don't see a single star at Sts. Of far more importance is the fact that Sts spine, which is easily the best in the competition, is entirely made up of English players - and I think they are all Sts products?
The participation of amateur Rl has declined over the last 10 years is it a coincidence that amount of quality in superleague has declined in the same period?
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