What Are We Missing?

[markill]

We're missing sensible decision making, strong forward play and a straight defensive line.

Our forwards for whatever reason haven't played as well in the last month or so - attack or defence. Its highlighted against better teams with experienced top level props.

People appear to be coming out of the line more inside. Lauaki on Saturday was a prime example of this costing us, but also in the fact that players aren't getting onside then coming up as one isn't helping.

People might not like it, but its crunch time, so put some of the frills and offloads away and play some Madge-ball. Percentage plays, field position, cut out the errors, stop trying to score everytime we get the ball and wrap it up into collision. We were at our best when our props ran forward and our halves/backs played off that with Hock as an added x-factor. Finals football is played differently to April / May football and we need to realise that again - and do so by the Saints match

[TrueBlueWarrior]

Simple answer - Tommy

[LORENZO]

1. I think we are missing a leader of the pack.
2. At the play the ball the forwards are receiving the ball standing still. (always has been a Warriors problem to me)
3. How many times do we allow the tackled player to off-load? Nearly every time against the wires.
4. Perhaps our pack is not as good as we think and we have relied upon the backs to much?
5. To many easy games has made the whole team a bit to self satisfied. (Against Leeds and Warrington is not the first time in a season. Remember the farce against Catalans in the cup under Noble)

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

Don't panic might be the motto at the moment.

Agree that Micky Mac needs a break - that was the first really dud game he's had for a long time.

Mr. Lima should be asked whether he intends to play properly for the rest of the season or would he like to go now. He's been one-dimensional and unimpressive for several matches.

Paul Prescott needs to be assessed to see if he's properly fit - didn't look the real guy out there on Saturday. The same goes for Finch, obviously. It's pointless playing half-fit players in desperation - how will the kids ever get their break?

I'd make sure Farrell starts - he's been outstanding for a while recently.

I can't really suggest anything for Lauaki. He seems to believe he's tougher than he really is and just runs at very big opposition forwards - maybe remind him it's a team game not just a macho contest.

It's not like we're top of the league still is it?

Agree with all of this.
The only suggestion I have, is that we concentrate more on defensive play for the rest of the season. This might bring the team together.
We know we can score tries - the For and Against proves that: so let the attack look after itself but make damn sure we stop the opposition scoring and cut out silly mistakes.

We need to simplify our game plan: drive the ball out of our own half and play our rugby in opposition territory. If we continue to turn the ball over in our 20 metre area we will win nothing. Tries win matches but field position provides the platform.

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

We're missing sensible decision making, strong forward play and a straight defensive line.

Our forwards for whatever reason haven't played as well in the last month or so - attack or defence. Its highlighted against better teams with experienced top level props.

People appear to be coming out of the line more inside. Lauaki on Saturday was a prime example of this costing us, but also in the fact that players aren't getting onside then coming up as one isn't helping.

People might not like it, but its crunch time, so put some of the frills and offloads away and play some Madge-ball. Percentage plays, field position, cut out the errors, stop trying to score everytime we get the ball and wrap it up into collision. We were at our best when our props ran forward and our halves/backs played off that with Hock as an added x-factor. Finals football is played differently to April / May football and we need to realise that again - and do so by the Saints match

I suggest that the team concentrate on Warrington's performance rather than our own when they watch the DVD. They did exactly what we were doing to teams before the Exiles fiasco!

[Panchitta Marra]

Against Wire the Completion rate was less than 40% first half ? and not much better second half.
Too many mistakes and unforced errors giving possession away.
Similar could be said of the Leeds game.
You cant win without the ball.

[DaveO]

The players have knocked lumps out of each other in training all year. Full on contact is great when you are getting ready for the start of the campaign, but as the season progresses it can have a detrimental effect both physically and mentally.

The above also leads to this...

Key personnel being injured has further reduced the effectiveness of the team. But for me, the physicality of our training ....

We have picked up injuries in training. That is where Lima did his eye socket. I am sure Prescott has been injured in training at least once this season. I am sure we have seen several other players be late omissions due to knocks picked up in training as well.

We must get our players fit before putting them back on the park, we desperately need to lighten-up our training schedule, certain players (Micky Mac) need a week off and we need to adopt an Australian approach for our game plan.

I agree but I can't see it happening. Wane wants to finish top and now has no cushion due to points squandered earlier in the season.

[Exiled Wiganer]

Well, we're top of the league, and stand an excellent chance of staying there. There is plenty of time to the play offs. I wouldn't entirely discount the Wire result, but I am not feeling too down hearted about it. I suspect the drop off in form flows from 2 things - where we are in our training cycle, as I suspect we are targeting peaking twice, once for the run of games up to Catalans away and the second in a few weeks for the play offs - and injuries in the halfs. Sounds like the second will be fixed in time for the play offs.
We can still reach the same heights as we did earlier in the year. We could not sustain that, but in a way still being top now with 3 eminently winnable games suggests we have got the balance right so far.
The semi is problematic, but we have shown that we can win plenty of big games in the last 2 1/2 years (inc Good Friday, which was a huge game in the context of the league).
I agree that momentum is important, but it is much more important to be peaking in a month than it was last week. Wire were at full strength, and had to be in peak condition because of Wembley the week after next. The defeat was explicable and we have the men and the talent to put things right.

[bocco]

i think we look weary, training at this stage in the season we can slacken off the intensity just keep things ticking over & just do moves & skills some weights to keep everyone primed.

[Pietastic]

In my opinion we're missing a spark, enthusiasm, call it what you want.
We may be top of the league but to me there seems a certain flatness around the place, we look predictable in attack and not as ruthless in defence and I would question some of the players appetite.
The players scores in the Observer were very generous IMO, maybe some are starting to believe their own publicity.