Re: RD 25 | Wigan Warriors (H) : Sun Sep 10, 2023 4:02 pm  

ploinerrhino wrote:

That just about sums up the attitude at Headingley , even some supporters are accepting the below average performances

Christopher can't see much wrong with anything. Let me tell him the whole club on the pitch side is an utter embarrassment and will b until Hetherington pis£ies off. Penny pinching old Draconian git he is.

Re: RD 25 | Wigan Warriors (H) : Sun Sep 10, 2023 4:28 pm  

christopher wrote:

We don’t have a better squad because 3 of the high level players have left during the season.

We weren`t doing that well when they were here and like it`s already been said 2 of our better players left the club less than 3 weeks ago.
So basically we are saying we have a better squad now but have failed to make the play offs this year but got to a GF with an inferior squad last season admittedly both squads coached by Smith.

Re: RD 25 | Wigan Warriors (H) : Sun Sep 10, 2023 4:32 pm  

ArthurClues wrote:

Really? Are you watching any Rugby at present? You keep banging on about the coach being the most important role at the club as if it's some fundamental truth. I couldn't disagree more. The most important people are the ones who take the field and actually play the game, always. Coaches aren't wizards. Our current playing staff (certainly todays) just doesn't measure up. That's far and away the biggest problem we have, and hopefully we'll take some big strides in that direction in the coming weeks. If we get some real quality and Smith can't get results he'll be judged accordingly. Until then patience is required.

There's a saying you can't polish a turd but you can wrap it in glitter I believe that is the coaches job but Rohan is fresh out of glitter.

Re: RD 25 | Wigan Warriors (H) : Mon Sep 11, 2023 12:11 am  

Once were Loiners wrote:

I'm still going to back Smith for next season, as I think we have to show some sense of long-term focus. I only hope the players leaving during the season - which I think must be almost unique in modern history at Leeds? - is just part of the bottoming out process and not a sign of something worse with him as coach.

My issue is... what If things don't improve next season? Then we have to go through yet another "rebuilding phase" the season after.... vicious circle...

Re: RD 25 | Wigan Warriors (H) : Mon Sep 11, 2023 7:20 am  

FlyingScottyDonald wrote:

My issue is... what If things don't improve next season? Then we have to go through yet another "rebuilding phase" the season after.... vicious circle...

That’s sport for you, we could change all the players and all the coaching staff and still have a bad season, there is no guarantees.

Re: RD 25 | Wigan Warriors (H) : Mon Sep 11, 2023 7:29 am  

You're right, there are no guarantees in sport. All you can do from CEO to scholarship player is work as hard as you can to improve. I'm not sure that enough of our players, coaching team or the CEO himself could answer that question honestly with a "yes, I've done everything I can to help us to improve".

In professional sport, the harder you work, the luckier you become. Too many at Leeds are resting on their laurels or just don't recognise what hard work actually is.

Re: RD 25 | Wigan Warriors (H) : Mon Sep 11, 2023 7:42 am  

Poor day at the office it happens - the Cas hammering etc.

My concern is that the players don't appear to be improving under Smith. I accept we have a poor squad but it rarely performs to its potential. I would be very vary of filling the squad with players that Smith wants - we need to think will he be here. We only have to look across to Beeston to see what happens when you do this.

Re: RD 25 | Wigan Warriors (H) : Mon Sep 11, 2023 9:39 am  

Lots of players have improved under Smith, and most of his signings have been good - even the second string signings have done a job, Olpherts aside. Some players have improved and then gone backwards (Bentley), or have been unable to arrest their decline for some reason (Oledski). The squad looks shot right now given some high profile injuries (unavoidable) as well as several departures that should have been better managed. It's easy to blame one or two individuals (i.e. Smith) but in reality it is probably a lot messier and multi-faceted.

I can handle results like Saturday's if the first team is genuinely moving in the right direction. The signs are cautiously positive for recruitment and retention but we're obviously missing at least two big signings, and a third if Nene is not coming back (which doesn't look promising). Whoever wears the shirt next week, whatever the opposition, we need to see a reaction performance - and for what remains of the season.

Re: RD 25 | Wigan Warriors (H) : Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:01 am  

leedsbarmyarmy wrote:

Bang average? They’re joint top

I agree with ESR. Individually I think there is only Wardle in that team who is a stand otu international. Possibly French if he was British & Havard if he was fit. Otherwise it is stacked with good quality SL players, not a patch on years gone by. What they have is unbelievable team spirit, a consistent side & look, as Phil Clarke mentioned, like they have been training together for a season. Huge credit must go to Matt Peet, who has done a brilliant job. Man for man, Leeds are not that much different, apart from probably stand off & FB.

Re: RD 25 | Wigan Warriors (H) : Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:03 am  

Our depth is better in a number of positions to cover injuries everywhere except halfback. What we couldn't handle is players leaving as well. Not excusing earlier performances, but right now I think the team is in far worse shape in terms of available players than some would like to admit.

Of the team vs Wigan maybe only 10 will be in the first 17 next year - Fusitu'a, Newman, Martin (somewhere), Handley, Oledzki, O'Connor, Holroyd, Lisone, McDonnell, Smith. So a completely new 1,6 and 7 and maybe a centre and another front row to come, plus Bentley, Goudemand and Sangare to add.

The problem we have to the end of the season is that 1,6 and 7 are the most important players there are. Hooley may be passable but I can't see us doing much more than compete gamely at best from now on in. The squad is busted, has nothing to play for and in some positions we're beyond reserves. I don't like Gannon or Martin in the backs, but I'm not sure what other options we really have?