Re: RD 5 | St Helens (H) : Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:25 am  

KaeruJim wrote:

We should still be a top six side this year, but on this evidence we are 3/4 players off the top sides.

More worrying for me is that three of our new signings have problems, and Frawley has been poor both games against Saints.

It’s alright RS blaming the referees but like I said last week, the difference is that Saints just don’t make the slack errors we do.

We are miles off competing with the top teams based on this season so far and the last 2 weeks in particular. Yes we beat Catalan, but spent most of that game defending our line. Last week for 30 minutes we ran harder, moved up quicker and tackled harder than the opposition and looked the better team. Unfortunately that type of performance has been a rarity under Smith. That 30 minutes apart we have shown no improvement in our style of play from last season.
We may need 3/4 better players to compete with the best teams, but the players we have rarely play to the best of their ability as a team under Smith.

Re: RD 5 | St Helens (H) : Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:56 am  

We were that slow around the ruck area Saints didn’t have to slow the play the ball down. We managed superbly to do that job for them. Another master class in coaching from Smith-the best returner of a ball in super league is Welsby. So let’s kick the ball to him, wonderful.

Re: RD 5 | St Helens (H) : Sat Mar 23, 2024 9:02 am  

You’re not going to see a transformed style of play while the same coach is in charge. RS style can be very effective but errors cost us second half last week and whole game this week.

RS doesn’t coach players to drop the ball, pass it into touch or kick out on the full etc. Leeds sides have been prone to stupid errors like this for years now though.

I’m more bothered about selections/benches not working out, and the new players underperforming.

Re: RD 5 | St Helens (H) : Sat Mar 23, 2024 9:06 am  

The Magic Rat wrote:

We are miles off competing with the top teams based on this season so far and the last 2 weeks in particular. Yes we beat Catalan, but spent most of that game defending our line. Last week for 30 minutes we ran harder, moved up quicker and tackled harder than the opposition and looked the better team. Unfortunately that type of performance has been a rarity under Smith. That 30 minutes apart we have shown no improvement in our style of play from last season.
We may need 3/4 better players to compete with the best teams, but the players we have rarely play to the best of their ability as a team under Smith.

Yep, pretty spot on assessment that. The next 5 are huge. We need to see this side clicking and performing much better and with more intensity. If not serious serious questions need asking of Rohan. This season is his last chance saloon. He’s been backed as much as possible in the transfer market.

Re: RD 5 | St Helens (H) : Sat Mar 23, 2024 9:21 am  

The last time we beat Saints at home was in 2017 and since Brian McDermott left in mid 2018 we have only won once away, last season’s late drop goal by Blake Austin.

We’ve been miles behind them for a long time and that is mainly due to Hetherington’s incompetence managing the football side.

Losing Walters to Wigan and having a pack riddled with plodders is the perfect example of the fact he is well, well past his sell by date . He needs putting out to grass

Re: RD 5 | St Helens (H) : Sat Mar 23, 2024 9:30 am  

We need to get Rowley in whilst we can , he at least can improve players and has structures . Unfortunately Smith can do neither

Re: RD 5 | St Helens (H) : Sat Mar 23, 2024 9:35 am  

KaeruJim wrote:

You’re not going to see a transformed style of play while the same coach is in charge. RS style can be very effective but errors cost us second half last week and whole game this week.

RS doesn’t coach players to drop the ball, pass it into touch or kick out on the full etc. Leeds sides have been prone to stupid errors like this for years now though.

I’m more bothered about selections/benches not working out, and the new players underperforming.

He may not coach them to drop the ball, kick out on the full etc, but what does he coach them to do?
Lack of line speed, players receiving the ball stood still, no organisation in attack are all issues that he hasn't been able to address. It is not only new players underperforming, the team as a whole have been underperforming for the last season and a bit under Smith.

Re: RD 5 | St Helens (H) : Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:07 am  

The No 7 for Wests putting in a good kicking performance this morning

Re: RD 5 | St Helens (H) : Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:34 am  

The Magic Rat wrote:

He may not coach them to drop the ball, kick out on the full etc, but what does he coach them to do?
Lack of line speed, players receiving the ball stood still, no organisation in attack are all issues that he hasn't been able to address. It is not only new players underperforming, the team as a whole have been underperforming for the last season and a bit under Smith.

On last night’s performance I’d agree with you.

Overall though I do think the side has progressed from last year. Frankly I just want to get out of this crappy weather and see what we look like further into the season.

Handley, Croft, Smith, Ackers, Martin, Newman, Mik, Sangare have been in decent form this year. Bentley has been better than last year. Miller has had lots of good moments.

Holroyd, McDonnell, Mom look undercooked.

We aren’t playing well enough as a team though and we have a couple of individuals struggling for form.

Re: RD 5 | St Helens (H) : Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:55 am  

KaeruJim wrote:

On last night’s performance I’d agree with you.

Overall though I do think the side has progressed from last year. Frankly I just want to get out of this crappy weather and see what we look like further into the season.

Handley, Croft, Smith, Ackers, Martin, Newman, Mik, Sangare have been in decent form this year. Bentley has been better than last year. Miller has had lots of good moments.

Holroyd, McDonnell, Mom look undercooked.

We aren’t playing well enough as a team though and we have a couple of individuals struggling for form.

And O'Connor needs to be in the reserves next week. Two huge defensive errors in consecutive weeks. Nowhere near good enough from a player who's main strength is defence.