Joined: Dec 22 2001 Posts: 31676 Location: The Corridor of Uncertainty
Injuries to Gaskell, Lawrence, Davies, Butler, Fulton, Hallas and Smith. Scurr, Myers and Holmes back. Okoro is back with us too. I'd go with the following:
I’d go with something similar Bullseye but start with Wilson and have Appo in the bench. Bit worried about Holmes coming back so soon and no pre season, but our hands are tied with all these injuries. Hope I’m wrong but I fear a similar result to last week.
BullRaider wrote:I think the Widnes game is a really tricky and difficult game. But one we need to bounce back an win. Widnes have certainly surprised me so far considering how much stick their own fans were giving them in preseason. They seem to have a good scoring threat have scored 40 plus points twice in their 5 league games which averages 32 per game. You have to take into account the home games they have had and teams they've faced in comparison but they do pose and attacking threat and put points on the board.
In comparison Bradford have an average of 19.6 points per game, granted we've faced the harder fixtures. But think it also points out, that I don't think we ask enough questions of defences when we attack and highlights we don't have much creativity either. I think our defence has won us games more than our attack has, but you won't win many and put yourself under pressure with an average of 19.6 points. Our points difference is -5 which is the worst in the top 7 with Toulouse and Swinton below us with better points difference. We've failed to score more than 20 points in 3 of those 5 games an lost 2, 3 out 6 if you count the 12 points in the CC defear against Widnes.
So it will be really interesting and crucial to see what EO comes up with for squad and team selection so that we pose an attacking threat as Widnes will definitely score points looking at their game so far.
League results and points difference for both sides below. PF (Points For) PA (Points Against) PD ( Points Difference)
I said it in this post we don't score enough points to put teams away then those slender leads make it more nervous. That's the 4th league game out of 6 were we have scored less than 20 points. We have a minus points difference aswell. You won't win many games with that sort of points scoring and difference. Still very early days but we played better rugby under Lee Greenwood.
Gilmore utterly schooled Lilley in game management and I feel Coleman taught EOC a lesson in that one.
Who ever ripped the ball on the fourth tackle when we were 13-6 up wants flogging. Lilley inexplicably passing to Holmes for the drop goal. Brian dead. Lost count how many times they created an overlap.
We looked lethargic and had zero energy. Widnes lost a key forward in the first minute yet seemed to have all the energy.
All that hard work of beating Fev Toulouse and Fax, thrown away against York (who lost today again which shows how poor they are) and Widnes.
Joined: Mar 03 2005 Posts: 9018 Location: Odsal Stadium
Pretty frustrating afternoon. Did alot right after a poor first 20 minutes and probably the better side performance wise over the 80 minutes.
We find ourselves 7 points ahead and give away possession with incorrect play the ball and a ball steal on halfway - absolute coach killers. Not helped by officials who seemed unable to spot a forward pass unless it came out of a Bradford hand - but we know what we get from that ref so the players have to do better.
Bit of pressure on the Swinton game now, losing 3 on the bounce would be massively disappointing. Hopefully a few bodies fit again as the constant changes in personnel doesn't help.
Joined: Dec 22 2001 Posts: 31676 Location: The Corridor of Uncertainty
Yeah we mucked that one up completely. Missed our leaders today. Last 10mins should serve as the perfect example of how not to see a game out.
Bright spots were Doro who was immense, Blackmore, Scurr and Souter. Not sure how Lilley got man of the match think they were watching a different game.
Was a bit flummoxed by our use of subs. Okoro barely played, same for Peposhi and Ott. We were outplayed in the first 30mins and it took the introduction of Souter, Appo and Scurr for us to get some go forward.
Rogers looks about a stone too heavy and it's reduced his effectiveness, he's not the player he was at the end of last season.
Our kicking game was crap again today apart from the chip for the Holmes try from Lilley. We're really missing Gaskell in the dept.
Nice to see Holmes back and Scurr.
"If you start listening to the fans it won't be long before you're sitting with them," - Wayne Bennett.
Joined: Dec 22 2001 Posts: 31676 Location: The Corridor of Uncertainty
Don't really see our performances vs York and Widnes as being down to complacency. Think it's more down to ability and lack of experience in key positions. We've missed our experienced players who've been out injured and it really showed today when we had a 7 point winning margin with less than 10 mins to go and blew it.
"If you start listening to the fans it won't be long before you're sitting with them," - Wayne Bennett.
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