One Swallow does not make a Summer!
Big Shiftworker?
By Wildwillie
November 2 2011
Leeds Carnegie returns to Headingley Carnegie this weekend for an interesting league fixture against Nottingham. It is interesting because both teams qualify for AP status in that their grounds meet the AP criteria but both are lounging in the lower half of the table. This weekend’s fixture is an important opportunity for both sides to close the gap on the top half of the table…..
Anyone who saw Leeds run riot at Goldington Road last weekend would not accuse the squad of lounging anywhere. Beating one of the top sides in the division on the road with a winning bonus point for good measure was a remarkable achievement, made all the more so by the club’s erratic form this season.
Certain aspects of their game gelled on Saturday enabling the lads to demonstrate their true potential. Whilst Thornley and Bell have epitomised consistency all season they were supported at Bedford with good performances from many of their team mates , notably Sean Hohneck who put in a “big shift”. It was also nice to see that wee Stevie McColl bagged a brace of tries to get off the mark for the season.
This week’s visitors are no mugs. They have already won at Doncaster and drawn against the Pirates and the Titans. Their goalkicker, Eric Hallet, is lethal. Anything less than a top-drawer performance from our squad will see the East Midlanders take the spoils and leave us firmly rooted in the bottom six.
We still have players to come back from injury including MacDonald, Pendlebury and Burrows. However I am less concerned at their absence due to the performances of the kids who appear to be growing in confidence as the weeks go by. They also appear to be quite versatile. Beck, Barrow and Rowan have all played in multiple positions without it having a notably adverse effect on performance. Meanwhile Chris Walker is doing such a good job in the 7 shirt that he can make it his own.
One good win does not make a winning season but a second win on the trot against strong opposition will definitely indicate that the ‘Neegs are back on track for a top half finish and a chance in the playoffs. Leeds to win by 8, whatever team Diccon picks!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:11:07:05:32:23 by Wildwillie.
I agree with you. The kids must be brimming with confidence after the last month's results, (despite the moments of madness whic h occurred occasionally!)
It surely must enhance their performance being back at Headingley after last weeks game, to go on and do good things in front of 'their' fan base, depleted though it may be in some peoples eyes.
Onwards & upwards guys!
Up the Carnegie TYKES !
COME ON YEW 'NEGIE-TYKES!!
Miserati - and Proud to be!
Quote:farmertyke
Leeds have a habit of good game, bad game.....lets hope not this Sunday. They must surely tighten up the defence, we still gave away 4 tries last week.
Careful FT! I got shot down when I suggested that our defence needs to improve.
Waiting for the good times ...
..and waiting ....
... and waiting ...
Come on you Tykes!
Quote:farmertyke
Well WW, we can form our own little cabal and agree that Leeds defence is poor and unless it gets a lot better we will not be successful in the play offs........I think I have nailed my colours to the mast.
The "North Stand Negativistas" Hax will be desperate to join!
Quote:Bittern
For gods sake! One lapse in 85 minutes of brilliant defence against a bigger and stronger team. I dispair. I really do...
It wasn't one lapse it was FIVE. How many tries have we conceded from 40 yards or more this season? Too many.Overall, I agree we did defend well, but Nottingham had a very limited game plan and a fairly cumbersome pack.
We struggle defending driving scrums and rolling mauls, and this is one area where we definitely need to improve.
It was interesting to see a ref who was keen to ping at the break down but let the scrum go further sideways than it ever did forwards. It looked unsafe and I think our props might agree with that. btw Sam Lockwood looks like a prop and he looks keen to play - sign him up now on a proper contract.