Chester has put faith in the same line up three times now against SL opposition.
We are matching teams for a half but then seem to have a 20 minute spell where we fall to pieces. During those 20 minute spells we seem to lack a combination of discipline and resilient defence.
Something needs to change. There are a few key issues with what is happening on field.
Our 9 options are absolutely killing us. I won’t bag Crowther too much as it’s not his natural position but Josh Wood offers absolutely 0 in attack or effective distribution. We have been playing a 13 at 9 for 3 weeks now when we have a natural 9 in the stands who had a good spell against Dewsbury in pre season. I’m truly scratching my head on that one. I fear if Josh Wood is injured then we will see Crowther and Ashurst at 9 next week. It might be worth looking at the championship or for a decent 9 to bring in because if Wood is out long term and we are relying on a 33 year old 9 who hasn’t been able to run in 4 weeks to solve our roblems we are in deep baba.
The forwards just aren’t doing the business especially the second rowers. Again today Ashurst throwing all his body into a wall of players running his lines on the inside. I don’t know whether Miller is also the issue here but these two seem to have a magnet to find each other. When the ball needs to miss out Ashurst it hits him in the basket and he gets clobbered. Pitt’s always seems to be driving it in but not actually getting very far. We then have Green who along with Pitts/Ashurst can’t break a paper bag atm. It’s gone on for a few weeks now and we have players like Walker/Aydin sitting games out probably would bust a gut to play and offer something different at least. At this stage I’d play Eseh in front of Green.
Arona (like him and good player) isn’t a prop. Square peg I’m afraid.
Tupou is making terrible decisions on the break. Leeds he passes into full back with a clear run to line and today he didn’t draw the winger who was stood flat footed in no mans land and got an early pass away which was simply the wrong call. A lot of the players I’ve mentioned are the wrong side of 30 too and living off past glory. In Tupou case we have Arundel in the wings and Croft and there needs to be some serious consideration to bring in some fresh bodies.
So, blunt forwards (I’ll excuse Fifita and Westerman), no actual 9 and a few players off form. It’s a recipe for struggle.
With 6 days to saints I do t envy the coaching team as it seems like a hell of a mountain to climb looking at the next 3/4 fixtures. I think we need to switch a few things up and get some fresh bodies in like Walker/Tangata/Aydin/Arundel/Bowes/Kaye for starters and saints is probably the best game where most will expect us to get a pasting.
I can’t handle much more of seeing us not been in a contest when the final quarter is upon us. It’s soul destroying.
Unfortunately we are in the habit of losing yet again.
