Whilst we resolve whatever it is that ails us long term.

Take the two. Every single time. We're not good enough to refuse them. Game after game it drives me mad that we decline kick-able penalties, squander the opportunities and then find ourselves scrambling late with desperate kicks. When we get things clicking again think about reintroducing the run every penalty policy.

Remind Adam Cuthbertson that he is a prop, not a stand off. Which is actually quite a worry because he is our most creative player and, alarmingly, seems to be our last tackle option more and more. But he is a prop. Last season he was useful successful because he took us forward and offloaded. This season he is not taking us forward. He is not alone in that respect but he is better than most at it and he should be leading us in that direction.

Speaking of last tackle options, just kick it. Stop the Harlem globe trotter last tackle shenanigans.

Agree with most of that, we should definitely start taking the two.

I think in some games Cuthbo has put his head down and just put some graft in. He does look less effective, part of this is other teams shutting him down, but I also think he is having to do more donkey work at the minute, others need to step up a bit.

And couldn't agree more with the kicking, I'd be much less frustrated if we at least tried to force a mistake or repeat set. All our options, including the more experienced ones seem scared worried, quick to pass the responsibility on, which leads to what we've got now.

This

Agree with all that the OP said. In fact if they did what he opened with I would bet at least another two victories would be under our belt.

The Cuthbertson one frustrates, because even this season we know he can do it. The Watkins try at Cas, where he ran hard with a bit of footwork, found the floor and allowed Falloon to get out and put Ablett away was a perfect example. Just needs to be reminded that's his job. not organising runners and putting on plays from first man.

Maybe the latter is the job that McDermott has given him? If not why is he not stopping him?

Hopefully now we have one half back players might be able to get back to what there good at like hardaker and cuthbertson

you don't have to be amazing to beat half the teams in this SL.with the players we have we should be able to overwhelm most sides simply with the sheer individual quality we posses accorss the park.doing the basics right and sorting out the ruck which is awful at the moment, and we would be well on our way to picking up wins and competing with the top teams again.

Someone who you actually have confidence can take the two helps as well.

Cuthbertson needs to be playing 13. He played his best rugby when played there.

What are the differences between Prop and Loose Forward in the modern game though?

I know what you mean but I guess there's more of a need for the prop to do grunt work. I don't think it's a coincidence that Singleton has often looked good when playing 13 too. It gives the player that little bit extra freedom to pick and choose when he gets involved as the grunt work is being done by 8 & 10.

RL is a simple game. You need to get the basics right before you can do the flash stuff. If anything on attack the mantra must be completing sets and getting the kick away. In terms of actual attacking moves one thing I've heard suggested by Joey Johns is to add depth to the line and don't try to be over-intricate. This gives more time to everyone to decide what options to take.

I think the issues with defence suggest that motivation is a factor as much as anything else. Pro players simply shouldn't be letting the tries in Leeds currently are.

Can't find the thread Widdopp was mentioned, but given that he's just led his team to a second consecutive clean sheet (sadly in the "For" column), he's probably not a fix we want*. I'm not sure he's actually set up a try with a pass over the season yet.

* In case anyone missed it, this is how I've linked this topic to a completely unrelated one.

I don't get what everyone sees in Widdop - very average player, to suggest he is better than Carney doesn't make sense on the visual evidence.

In the Melbourne set up with a very structured way of playing he was OK but as a creative force he lacks any kind of creative ability