Plea to Lam : Sat Apr 20, 2019 2:26 am  

Do not play Isa or Tautai again.

Even with injuries, we have better young lads who will offer more these thee two jokers. Isa is a nothing player, offers nothing but ineffective hit ups. We know what Tautai can do when he wants to but he looks to be just turning up for his wages and does not look like he wants to be here.

Re: Plea to Lam : Sat Apr 20, 2019 3:34 am  

Tautai made one great run in attack but defensively he’s an absolute disgrace. I’ve never seen a player who is just consistently struggling to get back in the line and who’s discipline is so poor due to always being in scramble mode.

Isa I’ll support. He’s no superstar but he’s not a bad player to have in your squad.

Re: Plea to Lam : Sat Apr 20, 2019 6:16 am  

Isa is useless and doesn’t warrant a place in the squad never mind the team. If fans are happy with this type of player then we are on a slippery slope of mid table mediocrity

Re: Plea to Lam : Sat Apr 20, 2019 6:56 am  

hatty wrote:

Isa is useless and doesn’t warrant a place in the squad never mind the team. If fans are happy with this type of player then we are on a slippery slope of mid table mediocrity

Absolute rubbish (had a longer reply typed out, but then thought the original 2 words just about sums that up).

Re: Plea to Lam : Sat Apr 20, 2019 7:33 am  

Slippery slope to mid table mediocrity? At the moment it would feel like the dizzying heights of mid table mediocrity.

Our season is over, let's not beat around the bush (don't mention the challenge Cup we ain't gonna get past Wire away never mind go on and win the thing). I'd take mid table now, f**k this season off and start again in 2020.

Re: Plea to Lam : Sat Apr 20, 2019 7:42 am  

What Lam needs to do is :

1 - Work on our goal line defence with regards how we are organised especially after a scramble, teams are getting to our line and just scooting over, this is down to spreading the defence too wide leaving Hardaker on his own at A defender with B defender too far away, they need to be touch tight, on their knees to stop the scoot. It’s so basic it’s unbelievable that teams are just nicking tries off us.

2 - Have our forwards run in twos and try a tip on, this will kill the opposition line speed, as will offloads which will deplete their energy. Our fitness is crap so we need to tire ‘them’ out.

3 - The team is playing some good rugby, we are scoring attractive tries and we are good to watch again but with the experience and loss of Sammut I don’t see the young kids being able to make their debuts, organise a team and not have a plan to work to and expect to play off the cuff. If we are to give the likes of Harry Smith his debut, then let’s make it easier on him and play a little bit more structured, just a little bit more.

4 - You need to nobble Lenagan for another player to come in, maybe a couple. I’m thinking of a prop to replace Hamlin, a second rower to replace Farrell and play when Lockers is injured and maybe now a winger and a half. Whether on loan or buy or whatever. There’s players in the squad who can become makeweights or can be released to go play elsewhere, Hankinson for example just isn’t good enough at all. Some of the younger lads who have come into the team don’t offer much else either, I think it would be wise to get at least 2 players in who are experienced.

5 - Work on defence. Yes we were mightily bored with Wanes obsession with defence but after judging our performances we need to muscle up in the middle with defence, also need to work on goal line defence as I mentioned before but also communication in defence, the lads look lost when the pressure is on and they look to have no faith in each other.

6 - Sort out the crap behind the scenes, is Lenagan selling us? Is Williams going? Is Gildart going? Have other players been done for drugs or is that a rumour? Is Hardaker behaving himself and gelling with the squad as he looks to lack the support of his team mates on the field despite trying his hardest? Are we unfit? Work on it. What’s happening with the coaching for next year? Sort it out.

Re: Plea to Lam : Sat Apr 20, 2019 8:02 am  

Isa is a hard worker and I feel sorry for him in some respects. He was signed to play down the middle and do a particular job there and has ended up spending more time as a back row forward and sometimes filling in at centre.

He's never a second row forward though. I honestly can't see why he continually gets picked there when we now have other options. He hasn't got an offload, he can't pass at all, he doesn't know how to take players on the outside - basically he seems to offer absolutely no threat in the back row whatsoever and just gets the ball and either cuts back inside or runs straight after a bit of footwork close to the line. It's predictable and so easy to defend against. He does have a bit of pace, so if someone else does the work and creates a gap then he should be able to go through it as well as anyone, but generally we stick him out wide and he offers nothing.

Playing down the middle he occasionally had effective games as his style was similar to our wingers. Down the middle is where you can afford to just run it and use a bit of footwork a little more. Out wide you generally need someone who actually has the ability to give the ball to someone else once it's in their hands.

Oh, and why do the club keep using him to fill in at centre? He's never done well there. Even when he was considered an outside back he wasn't a good centre. He cannot pass the ball and his defence is all over the place. We'd have been better off sticking him on the wing yesterday and keeping Hankinson at centre, as Hankinson doesn't appear to know how to play wing.

So generally, I don't mind what Isa brings as a squad player, but he's probably one of many earning too much compared to what they offer and no way should he be playing second row (watch him have a blinder on Monday).

Re: Plea to Lam : Sat Apr 20, 2019 8:05 am  

If everyone is fit neither will be in the 17. We have a significant number of injuries and need to supplement the youth that are being given the chance with older heads.

Given the choice I’d happily not pick either but beggars can’t be choosers.

Re: Plea to Lam : Sat Apr 20, 2019 6:40 pm  

Isa isn’t a world beater but he’s a very valuable squad member, a good player to have on the bench to cover the forward and backs because though he may lack the skill, he doesn’t lack the will.

Re: Plea to Lam : Sat Apr 20, 2019 10:15 pm  

Jukesays wrote:

Absolute rubbish (had a longer reply typed out, but then thought the original 2 words just about sums that up).

Your entitled to your opinion just like I am and I’ll stick to my original comment in that he is utter garbage and doesn’t warrant a place in the squad.