Quote: Puig-Aubert "The propensity to concede penalties - relative to other teams - has been worsening since well before Mclennan's arrival.
The style of the infringements does seem to fit with fatigued or, more likely in my opinion, frustrated players. From what I've seen it doesn't seem to be a policy from the outset but that PTB infringemens are a response that comes all too quickly when things aren't going to plan.
All teams are like that to a degree - a tired or under pressure team/player will concede a penalty. The difference is that this team tends to respond that way simply when things don't go according to plan and create pressure on themselves. I'd put that partly down to the arrogance of being champions 2 years on the trot and partly to the players under performing collectively this season.
A few weeks ago Leeds had conceded far more penalties than the rest. Before yesterday's match they'd improved to 2nd worst and were only 3 ahead of the 3rd. Overall, the relative performance was improving - possibly on the back of 6 wins on the bounce.
At half time yesterday the count seemed pretty even despite being away from home in front of a large partisan crowd playing in a what seemed to them to be a bit of a cup final. Although its a bit of a vicious circle it looke to me like Wigan upped their performance - not in the script - and Leeds responded with penalties, a couple a little harsh but for the most part fully justified for petulant conduct.'"
This assessment is spot on. We hear every week they need to work harder and improve. It's not rocket science, improve the discipline and the performance will follow. It seems to me that Bluey is not having any effect on the team which seem to please themselves what they do. It is true a sense of arrogance is being displayed through being champions. If the players cannot apply discipline then Bluey has to impose the same on the players but he won't or can't. Tony Smith would never have stood for this, during his time players were pulled off for indiscipline or even committing a string of errors in a short period of time.
It is time Bluey took a stronger line and stopped trying to be the nice guy!
Though the standard of refereeing has deteriorated, (this due more to what they don't pull up against what they do) Bentham had a decent game last night.
