Quote: KaeruJim "Hooley, Olpherts (who was directly responsible for errors leading to their first three tries IMO), Ruan, Sinfield, Donaldson are all reserve/back up players. That’s 5/17.
In addition we have a back rower at 6 and a winger in the centre.
Most of the players didn’t lack effort. The team is busted and falls apart under pressure in the circumstances.
Oledski was the player running back to try to take their winger into touch for that first try. McDonnell and Holroyd always give 100%. Smith tried hard too.
It does annoy me when people make broad brush statements like players are all 3/10 when we lose and 9/10 when we win. It’s just rubbish. Of course we should have performed better last 2 games but some of you would sack Hetherington, JJB, all the players, all the coaching staff and Betty the tea lady.'"
Definitely wouldn't sack Betty the tea lady as a good cup of tea is probably the only potential pleasure at Headingley currently. I have always tried to he balanced about it and you cannot change every role at once in an organisation however clearly as a club we have issues at all levels and many where there before RS was appointed.
The last 2 games are just the culmination of issues that have either been there for a number of years at board and organisation level or that have steadily got worse at coaching and playing level all year.
I thought RS did well last year but this year has been a creeping disaster and I fear he is probably not the right man now however it's very hard to change at this stage although personally I would try and get Sean Wane.
The key worries regarding RS this year for me are as follows.
Coaching team according to Gary the coach picks them Walker and Grix not for me!
No proper pre-season and team seemed underprepared.
Experimenting with players out of position.
Passive Defense
Lack of clear attacking structure.
Poor communication and no leaders on the pitch possibly recruitment issue but Smith is passive as well.
Dealing with poor discipline. (Newman)
Appears to have lost the dressing room.
Now it's not all RS fault as I think Gary has thrown him under the bus a bit but if he picks the coaches and is in charge of recruitment and who stays and go's then somebody needs to stand up and take some responsibility