Mild mannered Janitor wrote:Karen wrote:I think people need to remember that this year was always going to be a transition year, especially losing Gaz and Mahe. Injuries have been unprecedented too so the fact we are still in the top 8 and not fighting it out in the qualifiers is a massive bonus for me. Other teams have certainly got better around us which hasn't helped. Leeds and Wire have both been in the qualifier scrap in recent years so I think we need to be blooming grateful it's not us! Don't get me wrong, I'm not a happy clapper as people like to call those who focus on the positives. I'm also highly frustrated by the lack of attacking skills which I hasten to add, isn't simply a 2018 thing, this has been a worry for several seasons for me. I'm also concerned by the retention of several players but we will have to see on those if we are lucky enough to have a better 2019 injury wise. Discipline is also a major bug bear of mine. Stupid penalties gave Wakey the advantage to get ahead on Friday and unfortunately, we don't have the mentality of recent years to turn that around. I'll be at Huddersfield on Friday, but I'm expecting a looooooong night!
I agree with everything you have posted here.
Having been supporting the club for over 35 years, there were a fair few of those years I would have happily accepted mid table mediocraty. I can also accept being beaten by the better team, provided the players don't give in.
Fonua, IMO was replaced, with Faraimo. It may only be my opinion, but with ball in hand, he is equal if not better then Fonua.
Ellis! We knew he was retiring yet don't appear to have planned very well around that, which is a huge cause of concern given the retention of the back rowers of 2019. It needs to be freshened up. Granted Westerman is a good addition and I appreciate that replacing Ellis' presence on the field was going to be tough, but we are in need of new, younger and hungrier faces in the back row.
What we have noto really recovered from, compounded by injuries, its the departure of Watts. Irrespective of personal opinions (and I do not profess to know the real reason for his release) he was our most effective front rower. That is yet to be replaced.
Our attack is in desparate need of help. We have not really put a team away for a few years now. Bigger picture is, there are many fans who have not been around the block as long as others and are a little used to us being in SL and competing for trophies. Its those I fear may need some convincing of our ambitions with a signing (player or back room) or two.
Agree with pretty much the 2 posts.
Ellis is a massive loss and his presence is a huge loss on the field and is pretty much irreplaceable as he was a freak in terms of being pretty much the complete all rounder for a RL player. The disappointing thing as MMJ has alluded to is the fact that as a club we knew he was retiring and not found a suitable replacement. For me Faraimo is pretty much a straight replacement for Fonua as he is just a strong going forward and as capable as Fonua was, and slightly less error prone and defensively not a lot between them.
The loss of Watts and non replacement has hit us hard as his go forward was a match for Taylor but Watts had the edge with his ability to off load etc. That on top of losing Bowden for the season hurt us as we were just too weak in the forwards to play the power game and dominate the middle as Paea has not been consistent enough and Green has been in and out with injuries.
Kelly has not been the same since his bell was well and truly rung at Cas and losing Sneyd for the most of the season has again cost us, even though Connor stepped up and lessened the loss. Again losing Connor for the rest of the season has been a big loss due to his ability to create and spark something from nothing.
The loss of Carlos, Griffin and Talanoa again has been difficult to continue to get around due to the length of time they were all out pretty much all at a similar time.
Again I'm disappointed in the fact we have resigned all of Mini, Manu & Washy were in fairness I think 2 of resignings would have been more than enough but all 3 I think is either poor foresight/recruitment or the fact we are not able to get anyone else in in that role that is an improvement on what we have or to fit into to cap.
The lack of attacking options and pace is yet again an issue that has yet to be addressed/resolved as even when we make a break we lack any real support play and lack any real attacking threat unless a maverick play by Kelly or Connor etc which isnt good enough at this level to rely on a maverick play or a kick to the corner on the last. Its not something new and really Radford needs to look at this and bring someone in to help. I would say its fair to say our attack has looked worse since Horne left for Donny.
Lastly the discipline has to improve but this seasons penalty count may in the most part be down to fatigue as some players have played far more than they should have and when not even 75% fit due to this seasons injury list.
As Karen said the past few seasons have seen the likes of Leeds twice and Warrington in the middle 8's so even with all the issues faced this season we were safe from that.
Next season with a fully fit squad will be the acid test as to whether we are still good enough and the right blend to be consistent and competitive throughout the full season.
If by Easter we are no better and struggling then changes would need to be made to avoid falling back behind the top 4/5 again.
