Avoiding relegation : Mon Mar 10, 2014 11:48 am  

It looks like a 4 way battle to avoid relegation between Bradford, Catalans, Wakefield and London.

Having seen Bradford play I cannot see them getting past zero points in the near future with their next 9 matches including home and away games with Huddersfield whilst they also have Salford, Leeds, Warrington & Saints amogst their next 5 home games whilst they are also playing Hull KR, Widnes, Wigan all away. I'd be genuinely surprised if they get past zero prior to the end of May.

I would suggest that Catalans have an easier run of fixtures coming up with plenty of home games, however they have a lot of older imports in their 30s and a fair number of injuries to key players and I do not see them winning too many games; once their players return they will be facing harder opponents. Their home games will be key as always.

With Wakefield they are a gritty side with a bit of quality and I would expect them to pull clear of Bradford and Catalans in the coming weeks.

It looks like our three matches against Catalans, the home game v Bradford and the two matches against Wakefield are all 4-pointers.

Where I do have some hope is that we will improve, it looks like we'll have Vea next week and the top brass at the club have assured me that we are still in the market for front rowers and perhaps a halfback, though it will probably be 4 or 5 weeks into the NRL season before we'd have a good chance to make signings. I can't see us being too far adrift that is for sure.

I'm really thinking that we can stay up, perhaps I am on my own in this.

Re: Avoiding relegation : Mon Mar 10, 2014 12:15 pm  

A good preseason would have seen this team looking quite good, alas that ship sailed.
This London team really needs a good strength and conditioning coach, in fact I'd go as far as saying it's essential andshould be DH's next big signing.
London competed well in the 1st half but looked tired in the 2nd and just kept dropping off tackles.
The game plan is there, the personel on the field are there but they need to match teams for a full 80 not just 40 mins.

Re: Avoiding relegation : Mon Mar 10, 2014 12:20 pm  

Wire Yed wrote:

they need to match teams for a full 80 not just 40 mins.

Last year we couldn't match Wire for 5 minutes let alone 40.

This team has spirit so maybe relegation isn't a foregone conclusion

Re: Avoiding relegation : Mon Mar 10, 2014 12:31 pm  

Cowgirl Nostalgist wrote:

Last year we couldn't match Wire for 5 minutes let alone 40.

This team has spirit so maybe relegation isn't a foregone conclusion

Amen to this.

Re: Avoiding relegation : Mon Mar 10, 2014 12:44 pm  

Cowgirl Nostalgist wrote:

Last year we couldn't match Wire for 5 minutes let alone 40.

This team has spirit so maybe relegation isn't a foregone conclusion

For me the team spirit is the biggest improvement over the last two seasons.
Right at the death when their winger ran the length of the field four of our players followed and while they didn't prevent the score they did force him to ground it in the corner, making for a difficult kick that was missed.
Last year they'd have all given up after 20 minutes and 20 metres and it would have been grounded under the posts.
In short, they looked bothered, and that's something you can build on. Certainly an improvement after two seasons of watching a team that seemed not to care.

Re: Avoiding relegation : Mon Mar 10, 2014 12:48 pm  

Perry wrote:

Certainly an improvement after two seasons of watching a team that seemed not to care.

The fact that half the players we released immediately retired is a damning indictment.

TR has wisely plumped for players with a point to prove.

Re: Avoiding relegation : Mon Mar 10, 2014 2:04 pm  

Have to say I enjoyed it more than I expected. It did make a pleasant change to see 17 men trying - what a damning indictment of recent teams.

I struggle to see us surviving on the pitch and gates to date suggest it may be a battle for survival off the pitch. If this is to be the end at least we look likely to have a team giving their all on the pitch. It's all we can ask of them when they cross that white line. I won't make every game but if they keep battling I'll try to make a few more than I previously expected to.

Re: Avoiding relegation : Mon Mar 10, 2014 3:07 pm  

Halfdan of t'wide embrace wrote:

Have to say I enjoyed it more than I expected. It did make a pleasant change to see 17 men trying - what a damning indictment of recent teams.

I struggle to see us surviving on the pitch and gates to date suggest it may be a battle for survival off the pitch. If this is to be the end at least we look likely to have a team giving their all on the pitch. It's all we can ask of them when they cross that white line. I won't make every game but if they keep battling I'll try to make a few more than I previously expected to.

It my first game of the season yesterday and I came away with similar feelings, it will be a struggle but if the players we have give their all then I'm prepared to back them by getting to as many games as I can.

Re: Avoiding relegation : Mon Mar 10, 2014 5:41 pm  

markrammond wrote:

I'm really thinking that we can stay up, perhaps I am on my own in this.

you are not alone, but I believe you are mistaken.
8 wins may well be enough to stay up......this side doesn't have 8 wins in it...in fact, I still think this side will struggle to get 1 win!

Re: Avoiding relegation : Mon Mar 10, 2014 5:43 pm  

We need to win a game in the next 3 or 4 to have any chance, the season soon gets away from you when you think you're doing ok but not getting results.