Re: Stop the Rot : Sun Aug 04, 2013 5:02 pm  

League table never lies I'm afraid. Leigh game was a bruiser and costly for a Fax team bereft of quality and creative half backs and centres! Sorry but we are in true position now with our current squad. Confidence is a key factor and losing 3 out of the last 4 at the business end of the season is recipe for' let's get this season over with asap and start again next year etc.' Big year for Karl next year and the club.If we don't perform when it really matters then karl is really under pressure.
We are just on a roller coaster ride this season now as to where we finish and what happens in play off.
Fax have my support win lose or draw but am not sure about others!

Re: Stop the Rot : Sun Aug 04, 2013 5:11 pm  

chris_smith wrote:

Part of the answer LR is play your best team consistently, stop chopping and changing all the time, playing players out of position. Patto at FB?? We signed Heaton as a FB from Oldham, we've converted him to centre. Surely it makes sense to play a FB in such a specialist position??

I'm sure Harrison will be given another year but tactically I just don't think he's up to it. When his back was up against the wall at Salford their fans constantly moaned about boring rugby, route 1 etc (sound familiar??). His player recruitment is questionable, I grimaced as soon as he announced Thackeray and Handforth as his "dream team" as I'd personally never rated Thacks and Handforth had always kicked around mid table Championship sides at best. Admittedly he always stood out....

I think KH as a big job to turn this around and the problem the club faces is that whilst he doesn't fans will turn off. In 34 years of watching Fax I've never been so non plussed about watching them and in fact drag myself to home games currently. I used to attend away games as religiously as home games but now go to the odd game. Some if it is down to cost, some down to my family and kids but mostly the fact that I don't enjoy watching them currently. How can we attract new fans when our main event is poor and the match day experience is no better currently with little pre match entertainment. I know this is down to cost but we should do more in my opinion.

The club needs to start telling fans about the exciting stuff for next year, who we've signed (other clubs do it) to whet the appetite and make a big song and dance about our push for SL. Maybe offer a voucher that gives you a % off a season ticket for new or lapsed ST holders but they only get it by getting a card stamped at the turnstile at the remaining home games?? Announce the new ST price at the last home game, signings etc and get people to sign up now. This gives fans longer to pay etc...

I don't know but my major worry is fans getting turned off and not coming as I know how I feel right now. If Harrison doesn't do something he could cost us a few speccies.

I have to say I found myself agreeing with your post. Go back a few years and I never missed a game home or away, whatever day it was on. I didn't go to Leigh and there was no way I was going to drag myself up to Cumbria today and I'm certainly glad I didn't go to either game. But I have found myself not missing the day out. I remain committed to the home games, and thankfully our remaining away game is just a few miles away. I guess I have mentally wrote off this season and I am looking for some big changes for next season.

Re: Stop the Rot : Sun Aug 04, 2013 5:15 pm  

spanishbob wrote:

I have to say I found myself agreeing with your post. Go back a few years and I never missed a game home or away, whatever day it was on. I didn't go to Leigh and there was no way I was going to drag myself up to Cumbria today and I'm certainly glad I didn't go to either game. But I have found myself not missing the day out. I remain committed to the home games, and thankfully our remaining away game is just a few miles away. I guess I have mentally wrote off this season and I am looking for some big changes for next season.

"OLE , OLE , OLE ", Spanishbob .

Re: Stop the Rot : Sun Aug 04, 2013 5:31 pm  

chris_smith wrote:

Part of the answer LR is play your best team consistently, stop chopping and changing all the time,

That is what I find frustrating. dropping Rob & Tyrer, bringing them back the next week, dropping them again - too much chopping and changing. The side never looks settled. Whilst not wanting to drag up the olden days but under the 1980's Anderson side I always felt that in the home matches we'd win - against Saints, Leeds and even Wigan. It was expected (although we rarely turned Wigan over). Now? I haven't a clue what is going to happen. So inconsistent but in the past month the only consistency has been the moribund stuff. On Monday i'd get the players in and start a meet and greet conversation thusly:

"Paul, this is Anthony, Anthony, this is Paul. You're each others' half back partner. Say hello. Scott, this is Patto and say hello to Craig and Rob. Everyone mingle and get to know each other - you all play for Halifax RLFC".

Re: Stop the Rot : Sun Aug 04, 2013 5:39 pm  

littlerich wrote:

That is what I find frustrating. dropping Rob & Tyrer, bringing them back the next week, dropping them again - too much chopping and changing. The side never looks settled. Whilst not wanting to drag up the olden days but under the 1980's Anderson side I always felt that in the home matches we'd win - against Saints, Leeds and even Wigan. It was expected (although we rarely turned Wigan over). Now? I haven't a clue what is going to happen. So inconsistent but in the past month the only consistency has been the moribund stuff. On Monday i'd get the players in and start a meet and greet conversation thusly:

"Paul, this is Anthony, Anthony, this is Paul. You're each others' half back partner. Say hello. Scott, this is Patto and say hello to Craig and Rob. Everyone mingle and get to know each other - you all play for Halifax RLFC".

Better still do a Sugar. Point the digit and tell them they're FIRED.

Re: Stop the Rot : Sun Aug 04, 2013 5:56 pm  

littlerich wrote:

That is what I find frustrating. dropping Rob & Tyrer, bringing them back the next week, dropping them again - too much chopping and changing. The side never looks settled. Whilst not wanting to drag up the olden days but under the 1980's Anderson side I always felt that in the home matches we'd win - against Saints, Leeds and even Wigan. It was expected (although we rarely turned Wigan over). Now? I haven't a clue what is going to happen. So inconsistent but in the past month the only consistency has been the moribund stuff. On Monday i'd get the players in and start a meet and greet conversation thusly:

"Paul, this is Anthony, Anthony, this is Paul. You're each others' half back partner. Say hello. Scott, this is Patto and say hello to Craig and Rob. Everyone mingle and get to know each other - you all play for Halifax RLFC".

As much as I agree it sadly also comes down to ability and Thacks, Handforth and the Ashall Bros aren't good enough for a top side in the Championship. Rob in my opinion is the most improved player at the club over the years. His eagerness to help the forwards out and his try scoring prowess are enough for me to play him week in week out. I still don't get the affection for Rettie yet Rob gets dropped. Craig Ashall has been dire for weeks but gets picked no matter what....

I think our coaching has to be looked at but who will do that?? We don't have a bottomless pit of cash to keep swapping and changing coach and I'm not sure now is the time anyway. However questions need asking and quick. If we get found wanting next season it could cost the club massively....

We are at a crossroads currently and we just have to see what happens but in Rhino I trust is not the slogan I'm thinking right now.....

Re: Stop the Rot : Sun Aug 04, 2013 6:09 pm  

For me as I have said elsewhere Karl has to show he knows what he is doing and he has to get both individuals and the team back to being able to challenge the top 2. Right now we have no idea, no confidence and as others have said chopping and changing for no real reason. I expect Karl to do something and the team to show signs of wanting to improve. If he cant do that before the seasons end then the club should start looking both in Europe and Australia for the next coach. Right now where we finish doesnt matter that much as the big pay days are gone. The play offs wont bring much money in. Next year though could be very different and we cant afford to play boring rugby and miss out on a few pay days. Its over to you Karl to show us what you can do.

Re: Stop the Rot : Sun Aug 04, 2013 6:13 pm  

Some good points made . Didn't go today so can't comment about the barrow game but was surprised to see yet again different combinations used. It can't help keep chopping and changing especially at half back and centre although it was good to see Bowman back who I rate very highly- he is I think tremendously gifted. That aside it was his first game for a few months , he's never played with Murrell which can't help . I presume it was Craig Ashall at hooker and not his brother who is the only specialist hooker we have , who has quick hands and goes from dummy half etc . In mitigation perhaps the Leigh game took more out of us than expected . I was chatting to someone at work a couple of days ago who is close to a player at another club - I won't mention out of respect to him and he questions the fitness of some of our players - a few of them are carrying a bit of extra weight . I've no idea how true this is so don't shoot the messenger but interesting nonetheless . I also think with reference to the Leigh game perhaps a couple of drop goals in the first half could just have giving fax a bit of confidence and got the scoreboard ticking over.

Re: Stop the Rot : Sun Aug 04, 2013 6:39 pm  

To me Bowman is seriously over rated, has never shone at Wigan, the Championship,or the second team. As you say, how many times will the same players underperform, without getting dropped or sent packing?

Re: Stop the Rot : Sun Aug 04, 2013 7:03 pm  

we are so predictable and any half decent team have us worked out. if u are going to play a basic forward game then you need to have forwards that can bust the line, i dont thnk we have. And u need a good hooker to set up the next phase or scoot when the chance arises. and we certainly dont have one of them. it woud also be nice to have some decent centres and play your fullback. the other week i think all our back 5 were wingers, pathetic!

Karl is one of my alltime favourite players, but i never fancied him as a coach and was warned to expect some dreary games, well we've certainly had them!