chapylad wrote:They wouldn`t be the first. They`ve been buying top players for years and still haven`t won a GF. Like I said anything out of the top 2 and it should be classed as a failure. Back on Leeds and Hardaker. My understanding from one of Zaks mates was that he would have stayed had we offered him 2 years but we only offered him 1 initially. Leigh came knocking and offered him far more than us and understandably he took it. Our best player by plenty last year.
That is very true they have been recruiting so called top players for years and not been successful at the big dance however, in no way can they be compared to Chelsea. Leeds, as a big city club, should also be pushing for top spot every season. Managing the salary cap, recruiting wisely, and having luck with injuries is crucial less so, the quality of junior recruitment and progression through the academies - that needs to change. For what it is worth, my view is that Wire will come up short yet again. They are aiming for a quick fix again and if it doesn’t work they will be back to square one.
04, 07, 08, 09, 11, 12, 15 all won the first game. The only time we won the grand final after losing first game was 17. Of course there were plenty of dips mid-season but in general we always had some kind of platform at the start of the season. We had some of our “sh*t” together. Very rarely will a team lose their first few games and WIN the grand final. 05 bulls is the only example that comes to mind.
A kick up the backside is when you’ve been cruising for weeks winning, standards slip, and you get pumped by 50. That’s a kick up the backside. You shouldn’t be getting one in Round bloody one. It doesn’t exist in round one. Players have been slogging their guts out for months to hit the ground running and show they mean business.
They’re just crap.
This season will be a carbon copy of last season except without the low percentage run to the gf.
Great.
Good to see you've been giving your crystal balls an enthusiastic rub again. Now you've told us we can all just give up.
The Ghost of '99 wrote:I do have to question anyone who saw the squad Leeds put out and thought this would be anything other than a comfortable Warrington win.
Iv’e seen reserve squads selected who have played with more passion and commitment than that Leeds team did in the first half, it simply wasn’t good enough. Some players need to take a long hard look in the mirror. They made Wire look good.
christopher wrote:It won’t be the first or last time a team looks off the pace in round one, it really isn’t season defining.
We should know that more than most, it’s disappointing to see a lot of the twitter/facebook fans turning on Smith already.
You are correct, the competition is not decided in the first round. What I found worrying, as an independent observer, was Leeds lack of intensity and teamwork.
Joined: Nov 19 2002 Posts: 13622 Location: West Yorkshire
Zig wrote:You are correct, the competition is not decided in the first round. What I found worrying, as an independent observer, was Leeds lack of intensity and teamwork.
We got battered, thats what teams that get battered look like.
It will happen to every SL team this year, maybe even saints and they will all look like they lack intensity and teamwork when it happens.
The issue is we should be up for the first game. Everyone should be hyped and ready to go. The only things that are excusably lacking in the first couple of games is execution in attack and maybe a bit of confusion in defence with new players.
I'm not saying the season is done at all, but that really was a bad way to start the year. I'm sure Smith didn't want or expect that either.
Zig wrote:That’s an interesting view personally, I think your three quarters will be your downfall. Time will tell.
We have space in the cap for a new left centre, Wardle was supposed to be it but he's gone to Wigan, I believe Gildart was targeted but he decided to stay in Aus. There doesn't seem to be many options knocking about for us, with our quota spots already filled, it seems slim pickings - I agree we are lacking a little there.
Once were Loiners wrote:The issue is we should be up for the first game. Everyone should be hyped and ready to go. The only things that are excusably lacking in the first couple of games is execution in attack and maybe a bit of confusion in defence with new players.
I'm not saying the season is done at all, but that really was a bad way to start the year. I'm sure Smith didn't want or expect that either.
Nail on head and my thoughts exactly. Its not the defeat, its the manner of it that was the biggest concern and on the back of some woeful pre season performances. Fingers crossed it was a one off.
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