Re: Lessons from Leigh and Bradford, 2016 : Sat Nov 12, 2016 10:14 pm  

and replace you next year (only kidding)

Re: Lessons from Leigh and Bradford, 2016 : Sat Nov 12, 2016 11:09 pm  

THECherry&Whites wrote:

Our first attempt at trying to gain promotion started off like a house on fire. We built our team around a young and exciting, unpredictable back line that ran up the points and excited the fans. We took a few SL scalps along the way in the challenge cup. As we approached the middle 8's we started to pick up a few injuries and SL sides had worked out how to stifle our backs and dominate our pack. Both our coach and owner would, throughout the season, belittle our opposition and alienate the club with the RFL and in the media with outlandish statements.

Year two, we appeared to have learned from our mistakes at all levels within the club. By chance the previous arrogant coach had been poached by the Canadian club and we were presented with the opportunity to rebuild from roots to tips. Our owner embraced the RFL and built bridges with opposition directors and the media. Our assistant coach was promoted to head coach and he quickly built an experienced pack that would go on to dominate the league. The style of play was changed to be forward dominated, possession domination style, completing sets and pressurising the oppositions red zone. The season was treated as a "pre-season" to practice the Super League style of play. We regularly rotated the squad to ensure that any player could step in and wouldn't be Afraid of dropping an out of form star player. More than anything we built up a team that saw themselves as a SL side in waiting. They believed that they should be playing rugby at the top table and went for it. Players that decided that they couldn't take the risk of fighting for a chance of Super League rugby with Leigh were quickly replaced by superior players who were prepared to give it a go. It didn't matter that it was June/July, if you were looking to get a contract elsewhere for the following season you were dumped out of the squad and replaced by someone who was prepared to fight to get the club a Super League place. (Make sure you keep enough space on the cap to do this!).

All in all, build a Super League pack from day one, don't get involved in the Championship spoiling tactics, keep building your squad throughout the season and ensure that your fan base believes in what you are doing. The championship is an enjoyable comp, give it the respect it deserves and enjoy the ride!

Long post, but very insightful and articulate. Many thanks.

I like the "lesson learnt from the failures of the season before" mantra. Let's hope the same lightning strikes twice.

Re: Lessons from Leigh and Bradford, 2016 : Sun Nov 13, 2016 12:55 pm  

Need to learn from your own clubs mistakes first& never sign a squad like last years if you ever get back in SL.

Re: Lessons from Leigh and Bradford, 2016 : Sun Nov 13, 2016 1:20 pm  

easthull fc fan wrote:

Need to learn from your own clubs mistakes first& never sign a squad like last years if you ever get back in SL.

On paper the backs were pretty good just our half backs were injured or bother it was the pack that let us down really but if the halves had played all season we'd have probably still been in SL

Re: Lessons from Leigh and Bradford, 2016 : Sun Nov 13, 2016 6:54 pm  

fun time frankie wrote:

easthull fc fan wrote:

Need to learn from your own clubs mistakes first& never sign a squad like last years if you ever get back in SL.

On paper the backs were pretty good just our half backs were injured or bother it was the pack that let us down really but if the halves had played all season we'd have probably still been in SL

We probably would be....having already signed Addy, Scruton and Clark for next years SL..., food for thought when we are been asked to pay SL money to watch pretty far from SL rugby.

I know optimism is the buzz but the club really do not seem to have learned anything at all. Its just carry on as before and hopefully nobody will notice we are playing Rochdale , Oldham and Swinton...

Unless there is a massive sea change, years of struggle await should we be even able to get back up.

And lets not mention the academy decision...Pearson certainly ran rings round us on that one...

Re: Lessons from Leigh and Bradford, 2016 : Sun Nov 13, 2016 7:55 pm  

Peter Mannion wrote:

We probably would be....having already signed Addy, Scruton and Clark for next years SL..., food for thought when we are been asked to pay SL money to watch pretty far from SL rugby.

I know optimism is the buzz but the club really do not seem to have learned anything at all. Its just carry on as before and hopefully nobody will notice we are playing Rochdale , Oldham and Swinton...

Unless there is a massive sea change, years of struggle await should we be even able to get back up.

And lets not mention the academy decision...Pearson certainly ran rings round us on that one...

I have to agree with that. I was extremely confident we would not even be in the MPG and that was with Campese, Kelly, Sio, Walker, Mantellato, Green, Thornley, Allgood and Larroyer. All of these Super League calibre. To say we can lose them all, replace with players from Bradford, Wakefield, Doncaster and 4th choice halves from Hull and Huddersfield and just have to turn up with a couple of new players available mid season to secure promotion is delusional. I find it strange that my confidence with last year’s far higher quality roster was mocked yet some are thinking promotion will be straightforward. Fortunately Sheens should have some pulling power but the mountain to climb is underestimated by a lot of fans.

Re: Lessons from Leigh and Bradford, 2016 : Sun Nov 13, 2016 8:11 pm  

You didn't mention Kieran Dixon.

Re: Lessons from Leigh and Bradford, 2016 : Sun Nov 13, 2016 8:26 pm  

Once we ended up in the middle 8 I said at the time there was every chance we would be relegated, poor coach, a one legged half, another who was behaving like an idiot, no game plan that used Sio as an attacking weapon etc. With this in mind, and zooks post above have we really lost that much? Best prop and both wingers are our big losses imho, gains are everyone who is here is here by choice, we have a top coach, loads of young talent, no Charlie at full back, team spirit (hopefully) now the tit is radders problem. If we start well our great fans will get behind us and who knows, no doubt it will be hard getting back but after the last 2 years I'm looking fwd to being entertained while we try. Top 2 for me with minns and whoever plays outside him scoring a shed full.

Re: Lessons from Leigh and Bradford, 2016 : Sun Nov 13, 2016 8:27 pm  

Zook Ema's Hose wrote:

I have to agree with that. I was extremely confident we would not even be in the MPG and that was with Campese, Kelly, Sio, Walker, Mantellato, Green, Thornley, Allgood and Larroyer. All of these Super League calibre. To say we can lose them all, replace with players from Bradford, Wakefield, Doncaster and 4th choice halves from Hull and Huddersfield and just have to turn up with a couple of new players available mid season to secure promotion is delusional. I find it strange that my confidence with last year’s far higher quality roster was mocked yet some are thinking promotion will be straightforward. Fortunately Sheens should have some pulling power but the mountain to climb is underestimated by a lot of fans.

You were mocked for the worst set of predictions in living memory seriously I understand what your saying regards players but I'd rather have a team that's wants to play for the club with a world class coach than a bunch of individuals who can't be arsed but look decent on paper

Re: Lessons from Leigh and Bradford, 2016 : Sun Nov 13, 2016 8:41 pm  

We hear every year that we have brought in players that only want to play for us. Usually that they are young and want to prove themselves or "know the club" like Cockayne. The harsh reality is that quality wins games and promotions. Do you think Leigh or Salford are top flight through players whose ambition had always been to play for them? Take Scruton. He's a solid pro but never stood out and dropped down a level for a reason. Yet now he'll be a success for his desire to play for Hull KR and will help run over packs of Salford or Widnes? I hope so mate. But..