Are we on the right track?
By WW
January 25 2016
After a successful break from league action when they recorded two more wins to top their B&I cup group, the lads return to the main event on Saturday with a trip to the Richmond Athletic Ground for a league match against London Scottish. Carnegie fans will remember the home game earlier in the season....
...when we were beaten at the start of our autumn slump. Since then we have beaten the exiles twice in the cup but LS will be looking for a home win to improve their league position from its current 10th. This comes as a surprise to most people as the Exiles, until this season, had made staedy progress up the Championship and were favoured to reach the play-offs again this season. As things stand they are 16 points behind 4th place Bedford so if they are to make a move up the table they need to start putting a run together very soon.
Is their revival about to start this weekend? I think Brush will have something to say about that. He has managed to turn our "autumn horriblis" into a six game winning run in two competitions. So are we where we want to be at this stage of the season?
It seems to me that our pack has become a formidable unit. The intense competition for places has seen some fine performances and a barrowload of tries. As players return from injury the options for the forwards increase and I have no doubt that the pack will lead us into the playoffs.
Behind the front eight I still have a few misgivings. There is no doubt that Sinfield is adapting to the 15 man game rapidly - his best games have been with Leonard at 12. Casson and Forsyth were brought in to add experience in the centre midfield and the former has just managed a full game after an injury hit season. Will Brush continue to experiment with his back division? Ideally we would know our best lineup by now but I certainly could not name the first choice backs. Jonah at fullback. Doc & Stegmann on the wings? Casson & Forsyth in the centre? The halfback pairing on Saturday will, as ever, be crucial. Pilgrim, Dudman or Hodgson at 9? Sinfield, Leonard or Hodgson at 10? I hope Brush has it clear in his own mind.
Will the weather influence selection on Saturday? I recall the pitch at the RAG was in good condition last time that I was there but I am not sure how it has stood up to the winter weather. We need to focus on every game now. The play-offs will be upon us before we know it. A win on Saturday will see us on our way.
C'mon Yorkshire!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:02:11:05:25:26 by Wildwillie .
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
You need players who you would like to have next to you in the trenches. There are a handful of selections I would have doubts about. I would rather play the lads who may not be the "names" but will give you everything all the time. And I don't think you lose out on quality.
I still don't think we're that far away to be honest. I remember saying after the first couple of games forget about backs playing like they have done over the last few seasons because that is not our game plan. Get used to the rolling maul. Boring but effective.....until you get to the play offs where you need more strings to your bow to do something outside the box.
I think we will make the play offs and then anything can happen, but we need to start improving now. If we can beat Donny away that will say an awful lot.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016:01:31:17:39:53 by Gelbel.
Quote:Beeston Lion
The toughest test will come on the 13th at Castle Park and, as the table currently sits unless Bristol implode the match against them on 28th does not anywhere near match this in importance.
In my opinion the emphasis on the games that matter has now switched. Our initial aim has to be top four, thus beating Pirates next week to effectively eliminate them from the equation is now priority. I will look upon beating Donny now as a bonus, and maybe give us a chance of the top 3, but for me, next week, and the matches against Bedford aand Notts have far greater significance.
We do not want to be going to Jersey at the end of the season knowing we must win.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
Quote:.North needs success
To me it all went downhill when we lost that significant lead at Bedford back at the beginning of November.
You need players who you would like to have next to you in the trenches. There are a handful of selections I would have doubts about. I would rather play the lads who may not be the "names" but will give you everything all the time. And I don't think you lose out on quality.
Good point NNS. Have you noticed which players give the interviews after the narrow defeats we have had? Usually the home grown players, who say, 'yes, we blew it today, but we know what we need to do'. Where are the so called leaders and senior players giving their opinions, or are those who do speak chosen to avoid conflict? Just a thought
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.