Quote: Backwoodsman "Initially I was against summer rugby but by and large I am reasonably happy with the summer format.
Like several other posters on here I am not enamoured with the rugby I have observed over the last few seasons.
My main complaint is the obsession with statistics ,any reasonable criticism of a player and people refer you to his documented stats . One thing for certain is the lack of general talent/skill , you don't see many players with the ability to side step. Most of the centre threequarters don't have the ability to draw a man and pass. Hence briscoe wandering up and down the touch line like a lost soul.
Maybe the modern coaches are obsessed with territory. Or is it the modern trend of players playing in several different positions. The hooker scenario with burrow springs to mind. This I have always thought to be bizarre in the extreme.
As for our season we managed to motivate ourselves for two games, the wire semi- final and cas at wembly.
The rest of the season was poor. I am not sure how anybody expects us to win anything next season with virtually the same squad of players who will be a year older.'"
Several valid points here.
We all want our game to thrive, don't we?
I agree about the obsession with statistics - they are a curse of our modern world!
Relying on computers is what has brought us all to our knees about so-called "Global Warming"
Predictions constructed from the past can never be accurate - the past is history and will never happen again. I suppose it gives employment to boring old has-beens (eg Phil Clarke) with his visual preposterous predictions and meaningless block diagrams.
Like the Met Office, Clark is rarely right. (Same disease)
The Leeds plight has been created by this very over-reliance on the past - it is nothing short of disgraceful that we go on doing the same thing and expecting different results, with the same players who have steadily been wearing out and are now well past their best.
This points out a dire need for a new coach, doesn't it?
Leeds used to be famous for their nursery, "A" team and youth development.
Now, because they almost never get a game in the first team, we are gradually losing them.
A new coach who isn't afraid to take risks is the answer.
I hate the Arch-Thug Shaun Wane and all he stands for in the win-at-any-price culture, but you have to admit he is skilled at bringing on brilliant young players! This in turn attracts the talent that knows there is a good chance of getting games in the top-flight.
As for the training ethic, do we not live in the age of specialists?
What on earth drives some coaches to attempt to produce "Utility Backs" and "Utility Forwards"?
Teaching the unique skills needed in each position takes time, effort and capability and, once they are learned, polishing these skills as diamonds rather than rocks can produce real stars, to beat the Aussies, Kiwis, etc...
Skills as mentioned by Backwoodsman like the art of sidestepping, drawing the man etc simply have to be learnt and practiced until they become second nature. Playing men out of position and expecting them to do a different job just doesn't work.
McDermot has produced a side of rocks, rearranging them to his own taste, and watching them get steadily worn down. This has given us a recipe for ultimate failure.
We will not start winning again until a fresh new coach is given his head by Gary Hetherington, together witha loosening of his tight purse-strings!
As far as the desired thriving of our great game, the sooner that thye fat fraud, Nigel Wood and his parichial-minded cohorts are removed, the better in my opinion.
Rant over - resign yourselves to more of the same next year I suppose...
