New poster and some thoughts
Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 10:30 am
Been a long time lurker and this is the first time I've posted. Been watching the team since 1984 - have been in Aus and currently in London - so live watching is a little limited but about 4/5 games a season.
Interesting times at the moment and the performances are definitely 'down' quite a bit on last season but I'd rather they be there now than at the business end. Some reasons, maybe?
a. Expectation. The fans (or a majority) have been rightly buoyed by the success of last season but now expect victories and performances week on week. This creates a pressure that I think the players are feeling - things they were doing instinctively last season seem slower and more considered. A desire to get it right takes a split second longer and then the chance is gone.
b. The winger/centre combinations. Last season Goulding, Carmont, Pat and Gleeson were fit available, fit and firing for the majority - with Amos and others able to slot in. For whatever reason, neither Pat or Gleeson are there and the plays and combinations are not working. I think Goulding looks very tired too - the England selection has reduced his off season and he looks sluggish. Added to this, Goerge is a year older and these things have definitely caused a drop in our attacking prowess. I'd find a centre place for Charnely but I don't think Marsh will make it here.
c. Off field activities and rumours. Gleeson saga, Roberts involvement or not, Madge back to Aus. All destabilise.
d. Fielden. Just as he got to the level we hoped for, he's out and how we are missing him.
e. Deacon-v-Finch. Neither are the right 6 for us and I'd keep Sam at f/b. Not everyone's fave but I'd have a Brough type playing of Tommy.
f. Anyway, we've lost one game. We'll finish 2nd at worst and come September some of this early season difficulty will be forgotten (well, I hope so).
Hello, by the way.
Interesting times at the moment and the performances are definitely 'down' quite a bit on last season but I'd rather they be there now than at the business end. Some reasons, maybe?
a. Expectation. The fans (or a majority) have been rightly buoyed by the success of last season but now expect victories and performances week on week. This creates a pressure that I think the players are feeling - things they were doing instinctively last season seem slower and more considered. A desire to get it right takes a split second longer and then the chance is gone.
b. The winger/centre combinations. Last season Goulding, Carmont, Pat and Gleeson were fit available, fit and firing for the majority - with Amos and others able to slot in. For whatever reason, neither Pat or Gleeson are there and the plays and combinations are not working. I think Goulding looks very tired too - the England selection has reduced his off season and he looks sluggish. Added to this, Goerge is a year older and these things have definitely caused a drop in our attacking prowess. I'd find a centre place for Charnely but I don't think Marsh will make it here.
c. Off field activities and rumours. Gleeson saga, Roberts involvement or not, Madge back to Aus. All destabilise.
d. Fielden. Just as he got to the level we hoped for, he's out and how we are missing him.
e. Deacon-v-Finch. Neither are the right 6 for us and I'd keep Sam at f/b. Not everyone's fave but I'd have a Brough type playing of Tommy.
f. Anyway, we've lost one game. We'll finish 2nd at worst and come September some of this early season difficulty will be forgotten (well, I hope so).
Hello, by the way.
