Chris71 wrote:It was always going to be difficult to back up against Cas following on from the derby and having lost both Cator & Reynolds for the season. However what was concerning is manner of the performance which was poor. Cas had played the same night as us so no extra recovery time and they then lost McShane early in the game yet not only did we not take advantage of that we didn't even look capable of doing so we had a chance to run at him when he could hardly move but each time Houghton went the other way, any top team would have picked him out whilst he was still in the line.
Our ball retention and completion rate was terrible, our line speed in both attack and defence for 80 mins was none existent. Too many times when we played the ball we passed it backwards about 20M which is ok of you are running on to the ball with real intent but they are all just stood still so we invariably end up with about a 5M gain or a loss. I saw no leaders out there last night (we missed Reynolds with his fight and enthusiasm) and its clear as day we need more from 9 than just tackling. Sadly McNamara offered little attacking threat but to be fair he didn't have many options as no one seemed prepared to run on to a ball or be a dummy of angled runner (other than Mau & Lane), I thought defensively he stood up well. Mau, Swift, Faraimo with possibly Lane the only ones for me that showed up, Sao did ok but was below his usual performance which is to be expected considering the minutes he's played and missing Satae the last two games.
Its another home game where they have put in a rather forgettable effort/performance which want help to bring new fans in or keep some of the ones struggling to stick with things.
Cas isolated Connor pretty well which nullified him from having much impact but we didn't seem to make any changes to address that.
Also hearing BH after saying he took McNamara off and put Houghton in at 6 to try to inject a spark was baffling as he doesn't provide any spark at 9 and hasn't for a few years now.
I think Hodgson made another error in bench selection last night which he has done now on several occasions
In a team lacking pace like we do and Shaul not available then surely Wynne would have been a better bench option than Johnstone.
Johnstone will never make a S/L player and needs to be moved on next season even if its a loan to pay his wages.
Wynne like Shaul could have taken the midfield role, or when we needed more at halfback we could have moved Connor and Wynne into the full back role
Once again last night Connors lack of pace was shown at full back but given the problem we have now in the halfs he will have to be moved to 6.
If Shaul is fit i would still have him playing in the middle with Wynne at full back to add some pace to the team.
Finally a word on Taylor.He has been out of action for a long period but surely you can keep your upper body in shape.
He is flabby,slow and still way of the mark for fitness.
For a professional athlete and the same with Fonua the shape they are in you have to ask questions not only to then but also the fitness coaches why they are in such bad shape.
