There are more questions than answers.....
By Wildwillie
October 29 2012
Leeds Carnegie went down to a second lacklustre defeat on consecutive weekends at the Mennaye on Sunday. The manner of the defeat, spurning chances and gifting the opposition breakout tries has left the supporters with many unanswered questions.
I find that I am asking myself "Are the current players good enough/do they have the potential to be good enough?" The answer is yes, on their day, they are as good as most of the top teams in the Championship (I exclude Newcastle). The obvious next question is why are they so inconsistent? The answer is not so easy. It cannot just be inexperience as most of the squad have either played one or more seasons in this division or better. So is the answer that they will become more consistent the longer thay play together? Possibly, in which case supporters need to be patient. If this is the case then there should be signs of improvement as the season progresses.
Is the squad big enough? No is the simple answer. Starting the season with only one established stand-off was/is a mistake. At least DE appears to be using most of the players available. Morale amonst the players is good and would furtherl improve if we had cover at 10. Why bring in an 8 mid-season (where we have cover) when we are crying out for a backup for Joe?
For this season to mean anything we have to get into the playoffs. Newcastle and Bedford have set the pace. Albion and Nottingham have been consistent. Bristol and Pirates have yet to put a string of results together but will undoubtedly get better. This means that there could be seven teams competing for four play-off spots (assuming Leeds, Pirates and Bris get their acts together).
What about this coming weekend? Well the lads have got to put in a decent performance and DE can help by getting the gameplan ( and plan B) right. We need Ryan Burrows to be fit. Our backrow lacks beef when he is missing. He is also punching his weight this season. Whoever start at lock need to put in a big shift, in both the loose and the set plays. If they are fit then the backs pick themselves - this is partly down to form but also the lack of cover.
Can we win? Much has been made recently of our poor form away from HC. However every game for the next two months is on the road so we need to get the mindset right - step forward DE + coaching team! I think we will win at Richmond but which Leeds team will turn up? Like I said - there are more questions than answers......
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:11:04:18:32:42 by Wildwillie .
Aside from the performance I'll be keen to see evidence of a clear game plan and sound commitment.
I can't quite put my finger on it but something doesn't seem quite right about the club (defeats aside). It seems impossible to get an inside line on how things are developing and what the strategy is. A few clichéd soundbites before and after the match from DE doesn't really shed light on how things are developing and what the issues are.
Anyhow - I'll continue supporting.
Miserati - and Proud to be!
But Knavesmire has a point when he says something isn't right with the club - and i think the key word is 'club'.
There is little communication from the office if you like to those outside. Phil Davies and Lanny understood that a club is about more than the team and employees and always made a point of chatting to people - where does that happen now. Some of us go to huge cost (time and readies) to support but where is anyone from the club after the game to acknowledge that (I excuse the players here - they're shattered after a game and do spare a word/acknowledge us - but from 'management' its appalling.
Seems to me we'd put up with a lot more with a few small gestures.
Sorry, rant over - good luck to the guys on saturday (annoyingly I can't make this one) and i believe they will come good and win handsomely.
Have enjoyed (some) of our performances this season - others less so.
On our day we are a match for anyone - except perhaps Newcastle, but hope we would be a lot closer to them at home than we were away.
Still a long way to go though - hope for a win tomorrow
Quote:Carnegiette1
hope for a win tomorrow
Motion seconded!
Miserati - and Proud to be!