: Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:23 pm  

Hetherinton said in the Yorks evening post.
"I think it is a bit of a concern for the game that coaches are coaching to stop the opposition and they are getting really good at it.

His concern for the game is admirable, but is it rather his concern over the Rhino coach's inability to match the legal tactics employed by other teams?

: Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:30 pm  

Hetherington just likes to see Leeds in the press nothing else and during the last few weeks that hasn't happened as much.

[Bullseye]

: Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:32 pm  

Don't agree with what he's saying and must confess I'm struggling to understand why he said it!

: Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:32 pm  

bobsmyuncle wrote:

Hetherinton said in the Yorks evening post.
"I think it is a bit of a concern for the game that coaches are coaching to stop the opposition and they are getting really good at it.

His concern for the game is admirable, but is it rather his concern over the Rhino coach's inability to match the legal tactics employed by other teams?

I think, like Hetherington points out in the article, the skill level of SL to defeat such defensive tactics is poor and his (and mine) own club is a glaring example of this at present.

[Bullseye]

: Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:34 pm  

tvoc wrote:

I think, like Hetherington points out in the article, the skill level of SL to defeat such defensive tactics is poor and his (and mine) own club is a glaring example of this at present.

Hopefully this isn't just an attempt to influence the refs to speed up the PTBs again.

: Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:39 pm  

bobsmyuncle wrote:

Hetherinton said in the Yorks evening post.
"I think it is a bit of a concern for the game that coaches are coaching to stop the opposition and they are getting really good at it.

His concern for the game is admirable, but is it rather his concern over the Rhino coach's inability to match the legal tactics employed by other teams?

Pretty well every time something does not go his way, or some other club steals the march on him, he throws the teddy out in public saying its not good for the game.

I did hear it said, a while back and by someone with very considerable knowledge in the game, that he was just firing the bullets that someone else puts into his head. That may or may not be so, but its every time its something that's not to Leeds' benefit, isn't it?

Or, if he gets his way over something, its "good for the game".

I suspect that with the welcome (yes, welcome) rise to prominence again of clubs like Hull KR and Wakey and Cas, and more clubs anyway able to compete at the top level now - and the memories of Chairman Chris fading round the board table at Rot Hall - he's not getting things anything like as much his own way nowdays?

When CC was here and the dodgy bookie was at the Piedome, they were easy targets and lightening rods for a salesman like GH to exploit. Now they have long gone, he's may increasingly attract the lightening back on himself?

: Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:43 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

Hopefully this isn't just an attempt to influence the refs to speed up the PTBs again.

You can HOPE, but....

And anyway, its only for when Leeds are attacking. He's clearly no problem when they are defending, as we continually see.

: Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:51 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

Hopefully this isn't just an attempt to influence the refs to speed up the PTBs again.

I agree with that and I hope it isn't either. I see nothing wrong with holding a player up, then putting him to ground before releasing him in the time honoured fashion. Just as there is nothing wrong with an attacker going to ground on his front and getting a quick play the ball.

I'd prefer to see the attacking side of the game improve to counter the tactic rather than rely on the refs to do the job.

: Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:53 pm  

tvoc wrote:

I agree with that and I hope it isn't either. I see nothing wrong with holding a player up, then putting him to ground before releasing him in the time honoured fashion. Just as there is nothing wrong with an attacker going to ground on his front and getting a quick play the ball.

I'd prefer to see the attacking side of the game improve to counter the tactic rather than rely on the refs to do the job.

I have to grudgingly admit, Leeds seemed to do this very effectively. I said at the time, we should learn from that - excellent discipline and tactics, even though it pains me to say so!

: Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:02 pm  

Adeybull wrote:

You can HOPE, but....

And anyway, its only for when Leeds are attacking. He's clearly no problem when they are defending, as we continually see.

As the report is in the Leeds evening paper I'd say it's intended to quell the disquiet among his own team's supporters, wondering where the recent tradition of free flowing attacking rugby has gone this season.

His use of the term 'cops and robbers' indicates he has a target audience in mind.

Adeybull wrote:

I have to grudgingly admit, Leeds seemed to do this very effectively. I said at the time, we should learn from that - excellent discipline and tactics, even though it pains me to say so!

Hanley made a career out of it but it's clearly now being employed on a squad wide basis rather than by a select few individuals.