Clearwing wrote:Need an on field leader too. Pity Cam Smith hasn't the physique of a spine player as I reckon he probably has the brain for that leader role
I think we need a proper captain and more leadership. We should have gone for a drop goal earlier but in fairness to Cam Smith after senior knocked on, he got the pack together and told them all to set up for the drop goal in that set. He was set as a blocker and the ball would have gone to Sezer but sangare dropped it
Joined: Jan 25 2012 Posts: 472 Location: 3 Miles From HQ
ArthurClues wrote:I'm sure they do on a daily basis, but practice is no substitute for a calm head and natural talent in a game situation.
There is definitely a big difference between practicing drop goal set pieces on a training ground, when everyone is under instruction from the coaching staff, and another thing doing it ad-hoc in a real game situation in front of 15,000 fans. Mostly the communication needed to put everyone on the same page quickly and efficiently. This is what Leeds lack - cohesive leadership.
There is no reason why we spent so long in range of a drop goal without having an actual attempt.
I actually thought on the last few sets we set up the right shape for the drop goal. For me, it was clear they had been coached what to do in those situations (whether we should have attempted one closer to 10 mins to go is another question). Whilst the Sangare knocked on is the obvious error, the more disappointing play was from Oldeski on the play before where he got held up over the line. In those drop goal scenarios teams are aiming for the tackle to be about 10 m out in line with one of the posts, oledski took the drive too far and held up on the play that we had the momentum. The next play we are against a reset defence that out muscles Sangare leading to the knock on.
Overall, I think the table probably reflects where we are as a team. Inconsistent with no standout game changers. The last few weeks I have noticed an improved kicking game and we actually look like we have a short kicking game for the first time in 5 years.
The last couple of games have been pretty similar, scruffy and on Leeds part lacking any real incisive play in attack for large spells I find this current team frustrating to watch for the most part, and ask myself how much input does Rohan Smith have on specific attacking strategies or lack of them. It’s noticeable how many other teams seem to have wingers getting the ball early in good space whereas our receive the ball stood still or marked by two or three defenders already. We dodged a bullet last week and then ran out of luck this week. A real disappointing season so far, crashing out of the cup in the first game and hugely inconsistent form through the league campaign. Our pack flatters to deceive and is simply not top six quality. I think overall it’s been a good Superleague season to watch in respect that so many teams have the ability to beat one another, but I think it’s the poorest standard one I’ve seen.
"Leeds is the greatest club in Rugby League" Alex Murphy 2011
Rohan has said about supporters embracing the unpredictable nature of the league, I think I could if it was because there was a high standard being achieved across the board.
Seth wrote:Rohan has said about supporters embracing the unpredictable nature of the league, I think I could if it was because there was a high standard being achieved across the board.
Seth wrote:Rohan has said about supporters embracing the unpredictable nature of the league, I think I could if it was because there was a high standard being achieved across the board.
Couldn’t agree more. It seems like we have a league based purely around attrition and who drops the ball less. I’m struggling to see more pure quality across the league. Also probably why Catalan are leading the way. Lots of effort players with a coach who plays a hard hitting attritional style.
Joined: Jan 25 2012 Posts: 472 Location: 3 Miles From HQ
YoRhino wrote:I actually thought on the last few sets we set up the right shape for the drop goal. For me, it was clear they had been coached what to do in those situations.
The pocket was set a couple of times, and we seemed to go for one more drive each time. That is just putting the ball through an extra set of hands unnecessarily, tempting an error that eventually came.
On one occasion, possibly when Mik drove it to the line, the pocket was set and the forwards blocked the path from the dummy half. Sangare was one that was out of position spoiling the play. That's a case of communication breakdown.
We definitely don't look like a well drilled team that deserves to be challenging for silverware this year.
Joined: Aug 09 2011 Posts: 1906 Location: Deepest North Yorkshire Woodland
Leeds_Luke wrote:The pocket was set a couple of times, and we seemed to go for one more drive each time. That is just putting the ball through an extra set of hands unnecessarily, tempting an error that eventually came.
On one occasion, possibly when Mik drove it to the line, the pocket was set and the forwards blocked the path from the dummy half. Sangare was one that was out of position spoiling the play. That's a case of communication breakdown.
We definitely don't look like a well drilled team that deserves to be challenging for silverware this year.
That’s a fair summing up. Drifting slightly off theme the most spectacular and successful winning drop goal was Englands Jonny Wilkinsons in the rugby Union world . Every play going up the field was designed to give Wilkinson the space and time to drop the goal. Apparently Woodward had rehearsed several different plays in training to accommodate a drop goal scenario.
Joined: Aug 09 2011 Posts: 1906 Location: Deepest North Yorkshire Woodland
Leeds_Luke wrote:The pocket was set a couple of times, and we seemed to go for one more drive each time. That is just putting the ball through an extra set of hands unnecessarily, tempting an error that eventually came.
On one occasion, possibly when Mik drove it to the line, the pocket was set and the forwards blocked the path from the dummy half. Sangare was one that was out of position spoiling the play. That's a case of communication breakdown.
We definitely don't look like a well drilled team that deserves to be challenging for silverware this year.
That’s a fair summing up. Drifting slightly off theme the most spectacular and successful winning drop goal was Englands Jonny Wilkinsons in the rugby Union world . Every play going up the field was designed to give Wilkinson the space and time to drop the goal. Apparently Woodward had rehearsed several different plays in training to accommodate a drop goal scenario.
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