An odd beast : Tue Sep 17, 2019 8:51 am
I didn't bother posting on here for a good two weeks before Friday's game. I wasn't sulking I just didn't want any arguments as I was that certain we'd win, even though earlier in the season I wasn't. This is not me being cocky it's just what I'm used to. I started watching in earnest in 2004 but I was at the Salford game a few seasons earlier and I remember it well.Since then I've seen us escape relegation or win those must-win games loads of times, we always win them, we are always up for them and if avoiding relegation is an artform then we are the masters.
Not a bad skill obviously but it makes you wonder why we can't do it the other way around. In the same time that I've seen us win all those games I've only ever seen us play well at the other end of the table three times, Hull and Wigan in 2004 and Saints in 2017, where I thought we were far the better team but for that Grix error.
The rest of the time it's been damp squib stuff where winning silverware is concerned. I thought we were poor in both CCup semis, in fact, I don't think we've ever played really well in that competition in my time supporting the club. Ditto playoffs, other than the two I've already mentioned.
Now I realise that winning at the top end will always be more difficult in terms of the quality you need to show, something we haven't always had. However, effort, belief and team spirit can be created. All of these we have in abundance when playing to avoid relegation but lack completely when seeking glory. I'm no expert but I'd have thought going for gold with all you have should be just as important as avoiding the drop and a lot less stressful, yet we never seem to rise to those occasions, often producing some of that season's worst performances.
If I'd like to see one thing change at Trinity its that mindset, yes keep the ability to avoid the drop, all teams need that. But let's develop a hunger to win the prizes, the good stuff, raise our game for the top teams and big games as much as we do for the battles at the bottom. Easier said than done but personally I'm sick to death of lame exits from the CCup in particular, hell even London fans have been to Wembley in living memory! The players owe it to themselves, to the club and to the fans to change this state of affairs, especially after this season, one that promised so much, one that even taking in the huge doses of bad luck failed to perform at its best.
I think the squad we have or will have for next season can do it if they try, they just need to be up for it, all of them! The only thing in their way is lady luck as proved this year, but then it is for all teams, so she can bog off.
Up the Trin
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