So, what do we reckon then? : Sun Jan 09, 2011 6:57 pm  

Very rusty first half, it showed that Rochdale had a couple of games under their belt already.

Second half was a lot better and encouragingly, we found a way to win the game.

Positives, our tackling technique looked better, we were putting ball carriers on their backs slowing the PTB down. In the second half our PTB was quick also.

Paul Drake looks a cracking goalkicker and Ryan Smith looked a decent scrum half.

Physically we looked very strong.

Negatives, we lacked leadership on the field, passing was erratic and we dropped. a lot of ball.

We gave away too many dumb penalties and 2 of them led to tries.

Re: So, what do we reckon then? : Sun Jan 09, 2011 8:19 pm  

Our first game, so obviously we were rusty, but it confirms that this division will not be easy.

On the positive side, we mainly held them in their half until we made mistakes.

On the negative, our passing was too slow and at times inaccurate.

I don't think we can make too many judgements until we've played a few more games.

Re: So, what do we reckon then? : Sun Jan 09, 2011 9:25 pm  

My initial thoughts are related to Jermaine's performance and how we cannot afford to play, someone with his ability, for only half a game.

His pace resulted that the speed of the game picking-up noticeably when he was on the pitch. I still feel, and always have felt, that he must play for 100% of the game.

HE IS, AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN IN MY OPINION, A 'FIRST CHOICE' PLAYER and, if 'Buster' needs a rest then an alternative combination needs to be found.

WE cannot afford to have Jermain sitting on the bench unless he's been injured during a game.

Great kicking today - all from wide-out. Let's hope that it continues!

Re: So, what do we reckon then? : Sun Jan 09, 2011 9:57 pm  

666 wrote:

My initial thoughts are related to Jermaine's performance and how we cannot afford to play, someone with his ability, for only half a game.

His pace resulted that the speed of the game picking-up noticeably when he was on the pitch. I still feel, and always have felt, that he must play for 100% of the game.

HE IS, AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN IN MY OPINION, A 'FIRST CHOICE' PLAYER and, if 'Buster' needs a rest then an alternative combination needs to be found.

WE cannot afford to have Jermain sitting on the bench unless he's been injured during a game.

Great kicking today - all from wide-out. Let's hope that it continues!

I certainly agree that Jamaine needs to be on the field for longer. We look a different side when he's out there. So much more dynamism, more go forward. It brings the crowd in to the game. To expect any modern hooker to play for 80 minutes is asking too much though.

I feel he is more effective when he comes off of the bench as an impact player. Those gaps he exploits around the PTB open up more when players are tiring.

Likewise Buster's qualities shouldn't be underestimated. He's great defensively and puts in a hell of a lot of tackles for the cause. I wouldn't mind seeing Jamaine doing 60 minutes at hooker and Buster filling in when he's off the field and moving to the 2nd row when they're both on.

Re: So, what do we reckon then? : Sun Jan 09, 2011 11:56 pm  

666 wrote:

HE IS, AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN IN MY OPINION, A 'FIRST CHOICE' PLAYER and, if 'Buster' needs a rest then an alternative combination needs to be found.

!

sorry IMHO but the way Jamaine looks so good coming on as a sub is the fact that he hits defences when they tire out with a different style of running and point of attack from the norm , and more importantly a different lower centre of gravity to tackle ,that forces our opposition into a radical rethink into their defensive style .

You are never going to go out to win a game of RL with 5 foot 4 players,but the process that is involved in an already mentally fatigued player having to constantly reassess how they will bring an attacking player to the floor and the difficulties they encounter ,when they attempt to stop Jamaine or a player of his stature /build , is totally out of their comfort zone,. If we have Jamaine coming on on 20 mins into a game we exploit that situation to our advantage ...

Buster is defensively amazing .. the defensive work he (and our starting forwards do) build the foundations for Jamine to do his tricks and should be in no way be underestimated

Both players complement each other and we should be glad to have em both ..not put one against the other

Re: So, what do we reckon then? : Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:36 pm  

You could tell, it was the first game of the season in the first half.
Things seemed to improve when Wray came on the field. I have to agree with Rach. The impact he has against a tried defence really can make the difference. One criticism i had of Barry Eaton, was he could have used sooner than he did in most games.

It was very clinical, the way he was taken out of the game for a while. Late high hit.

It will be interesting to see which combination of half backs, JD goes for in the end. The same can be said about the fullback.

I think JD will end up playing loose forward. So that will give players a chance to move about.

Knowing Paul Royston as i do, the fitness levels were never going to be a worry.

I wonder if JD is thinking of bringing new players in?