: Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:37 pm
I'm ignoring the whole centre debate because I think the club's doing the right thing there. I think we lack some destructive running in the forwards, with really only Laut'iti and Leuluai as hard hitters with the ball - and Ali is often not that fit and Leuluai only plays in spells. If Hock had better hands and discipline I'd have him in a second.
The 'pace' stuff's b*lls IMO. The backs are reasonably quick as a unit, and McGuire-Burrow are probably faster than most halfback pairings. In any event everyone looks a yard faster when the attack is working and pedestrian when its not.
My issue is that the structure of the team looks poor. When you get near the opposition line, there should be a clear plan for the 5 tackles, which only changes if an opportunity arises or someone stuffs it up.
With Leeds it appears that whilst the 'elements' of a planned set are there (i.e. a couple of drives to suck in the forwards then start moving wider) this really doesn't seem to be done with the clear intent of dragging the defence around and with a full understanding by the team of what plays will be run on each tackle.
I'd like to see McGuire and Burrow in at first receiver more often, with Sinfield further out. He provides structure but the other two need to take more responsibility for the team than they do, and McGuire in particular out wide seems to run his centre out of space quite regularly (another reason why Gibson may not be looking the best).
As I say, I think it's pretty poor that with thiose three plus Webb and Diskin/Buderus that we aren't the most dangerous side in the league close to the opponents line.
To be fair that was also something I felt at times when Smith was coach as well. I do wonder if it's down to our 'plan' being more around making sure all of our 'playmakers' get the ball. All I know is I've seen sides with a single attacking ball handler look more structured and therefore dangerous near the tryline than Leeds.
