Chris71 wrote:To be honest we don’t seem to use our forwards enough as time and again we use the centres or wingers instead of giving work to the forwards. We’ve been guilty of that for a few years now and when we do eventually give the ball to them we are yet again far to static and none of them are running the ball in with any real intent other than Fash, Brown and Savelio.

TS is a proven coach and think this all just highlights the issues that he faces within the playing squad that there’s inherent issues that just can’t be got rid of other than wholesale changes.

fez1 wrote:Wire in peace.

We'll be without Bullock, Harrison (both injured), Kasiano, McGuire (both suspended), Clark (injured).
As a result our bench will be light. Drinkwater should be back.

Dufty
Ashton
Ratchford
Matautia
Russell (keeps his place as he had a stormer last week, even though Thewlis is OK to play)
Drinkwater
Williams
Vaughan
Walker
Mikaele (last match for us - he's had a fantastic season so far)
Currie
Nicholson
Philbin (3rd game back from ACL injury. He might drop to the bench, Matautia moving to 13, and Minikin starting at centre (same position as last week).

Dudson (2nd game back from injury)
Minikin
Thomas (3rd or 4th game for us)
Doolan (if in the 17, it's his 1st senior game)

We're full of confidence at the moment and playing well. Last week Cas couldn't cope with our forwards or backs. After the 1st 10 minutes the result wasn't in doubt.
I don't believe we'll be able to dominate like that. Losing Sam Kasiano is a big blow.

We know only too well what TS can do with a side in a few weeks - and it's just the sort of game we've lost season after season - going in as clear favourites and not putting the hard graft in on the pitch.
If this Wire side is the real deal we have to win well and follow it up in the next 4 matches (even if we lose one or two).

I expect a big crowd even though it's on C4.

bonaire wrote:But seriously Chris you shouldnt have to teach a professional R/L player how to run onto a ball and gain more meteres.
For me its more to do with fitness.The more i see of this team in comparision to others the more unfit we look.To try and use lightweight wings like Litten,McIntosh and Swift to gain metres from our own 10
is ridiculous when the likes of Griffin and the bigger forwards are standing around blowing out of their backsides
The club seem to have been too cautious pre season trying to keep injuries down and i dont think our pre season was hard enough to elevate fitness levels to where they should be and it shows.
Hate to say it but HKR look a far fitter and faster team than we do

Fantastic Mr Catpiss wrote:how are you guys feeling with tony smith so far? early thoughts?

scarrie wrote:

Early days but I think he still getting to grips with what the squad can and can't do.
I get the impression he has a way he wants us to do things and he is currently finding who is and isn't capable of producing that, hence the somewhat erratic performances.
Definitely a project.

Chris71 wrote: <snip>
Think this time around Pearson will give the Coach time and back him over the players.