Quote: Magic Superbeetle "I'd phrase it differently to our recruitment is poor - the focus of our recruitment is wrong. We have sacrificed a game breaker for depth - and even though we've not had to throw kids in at the deep end (whether that's really a good thing or not is another debate...) not being able to change momentum in a game is really affecting us. Coupled with poor negative coaching ("Walsh is a much better player now he doesn't throw the ball about"icon_wink.gif, and certain senior players not being able to just focus on the role they're given (*cough*Wilkin*cough*) were left with mediocre backup outside backs left wth no space and little ball.
The fact it's taken KC until Easter to realise we need to play a halfback at standoff (and let's be fair, Fages has generally been a bright spot recently) says a lot out where we're at as a club'"
I think thats a fairly accurate summary with the addition of availability of strike players through the present season.
Availability Sample:
Lomax Not played a game yet
Percival Only played one full game
Turner Lost in Project played 3 games in strike mode.
Swift Played 5 games out of 9
Burns Not selected played one long spell game.
Fages Only played 2 games
Roby Played 7 games
Wilkin Played 9 games (50% underperformed)
Walsh Played 9 games (50% underperformed)
Just looked at the stats we are the worse team in Superleague for the amount of strike players losing game time. We could have done a lot worse result wise, Leeds last year the best attacking side and Huddersfield the best defensive side are now the worse in that category, both can't buy a win at the moment with the exception of charitable donation from a saints side.
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The loss of strike players is not to be taken lightly, the early front runners Salford lose 2 strikes and go on a losing streak, Castleford lose 2 strikes go on a losing streak, Widnes lose 1 strike go on a losing streak, Leeds lose 3 strikes and are in free fall. Saints lose strikes and can't get out of boring mode.