Quote: thebloodbath "We have seen a number of games this year that have been away from us and slipped away, slipped away, slipped away.
When Mac tactically changes something on the pitch mid-game, a change of pattern, a different play, a change in ethos etc then he can't be blamed IMO. But he has failed to show any kudos as a coach in this area as yet.
There was the Bulls game, first game up, but I think the players thought that Bluey was still coach.
Look at both games at home against Giants 2010 + 2011. Last year the game was away from us and it was a classic comeback, this year it was never on the cards.'"
Too many differences this season to make any comparison meaningful. Hudderfield are a much better side this year (their coach also needed time!) Our key players that have been performing this year (Sinfield, Buderus & JJB) were feeling the effects of tremendous individual efforts in recent games and were not as effective. To have the classic comeback needs a classic offload game the one that many here have done nothing but criticise.
Why I am defending Mac is that he has had a set of problems that are not of his making and I believe that none of the other coaches in SL would have done any better given the same set of circumstances. He may turn out not to be the best man for the job but to put all the blame at his door at this stage is wrong.
Consider the following:
1. We started off with 2 wins and were playing some attractive rugby and topped the try & points scoring list. So this would indicate a reasonable pre-season and players understanding the coaches game plan.
2. He has started off without 2 of the 3 most influential players in the squad plus Bailey.
3. Our new injuries started in the 2nd game at Hull and have continued almost evey week since.
Remember he had no props for one game!
Remember how BJB was setting the SL on fire early doors - out on long term
injury.
Remember Delaney made such a good start in the 2nd row - out injured 2nd game.
Remember how well Burgess started the season and had been our best prop - out injured.
Also we have had to play matches withoiut Lauitiiti, Burgess, Kylie, Smith, Hardaker, Ablett, Cross, Clarkson, etc in addition to JP & DM and Bailey.
4. New signing Hauraki has had a terrible start with missed tackles and handling errors galore, matched by Senior whose form has deserted him. You cannot blame the coach for this yet these two between them have cost us victories.
5. We were unlucky to play Harlequinns when they were in a purple patch and top of the table.
So our problems are many and complex and added together are the reasons for the bad start. But no worse a start than last season when we did not have the above set of factors. What is now compounding our problems is the players know the supporters are unhappy and critical and this only puts further pressure on them leading to a further loss of confidence and a downward spiral. Soon they will prefer to play away than at Headingley.
I cannot overstate the serious set of injuries this year and I feel this is the main factor.
Despite all this we should have beaten Wigan and we showed for most of the game excellent attack and well organised defence but basic errors from Webb and Senior cost us the tries that would have sealed the victory despite the Wigan comeback and the switching off in defence in the last 15 minutes. This was not the coaches fault but the players.
These sort of errors are not down a a style of play they are players errors that they normally would not make.
Everyone knows that we have some real serious defensive issues but they are not new and were evident last season too. Some say the coach should have fixed it by now but the injuries have meant a constantly changing side with players out of position and him having to select some out of form and I guess also some not fully fit players because of neccessity.
Since our back to back GF wins too many posters seem to think it is our God given right to win everything now. Winning silverware should always be our target, but as there is only one GF winner and one CCup winner the odds will always be against this happening. If your only definition of success is silverware you are going to be disappointed for most of the time. (or go support Man U)
IMO what is more important is to watch attractive rugby and for Leeds to be in with a chance of victory as often as possible. St Helens have missed out on silverware so often but must be considered one of SL's most successful and entertaining sides- whats wrong with that.
That is why I say we should encourage our team to play thrilling rugby rather than one up stuff so we can enjoy the entertainment even when we lose.
SL is all about momentum. Not just during a game but in sequences of games. The other sides will have their turn and IMO we will improve enough to be round and about at the end of the season. I hope that the standard of play improves soon so that we can all get behind the team as having the crowd behind you is always worth a few points and improves the players confidence.
