Quote: bewareshadows "
But of all the games I've seen this season for a portion of the game Saints have seemed to be managing well. We will defend high up the field and territory wise look well in control. Then as soon as we give away a penalty or drop the ball that tight defence just falls apart. It's as though one call is enough to scupper any confidence that they once had.
I would not say we were a good side, but at the start of the season I thought we looked like an average side that could punch above it's weight. But as the season has gone on that averageness has been found out.
I don't think it's a lack of effort by anyone, but a lack of skill and ability. If you keep winning then that lack of skill and ability will be masked by enthusiasm and energy. But once we have been found out we are now just playing like any other average side. And when those average sides loose their best players time and time again, those average sides struggle.
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Defensively this is probably the worst we've ever been in the super league. Lots of observations showing very bad structure and technique.
1. Slow line speed allowing the opposition to generate more force on impact.
2. Not tackling at centre of gravity to slow momentum, opposition allowed to keep generating leg speed.
3. Bad tackling technique one on one allowing offload or tackle bust.
4. Amor and Vea have pretty bad positioning on the edge of the ruck area, I think most teams are aware of this weakness.
5. Both centres/wings finding it difficult to read switch plays when opposition try to create the extra man.
6. Giving away a penalty on the 4th or 5th tackle, usually LMS or Wilkin.
Biggest problem the players are not in tune with one another and not operating as a defensive unit, we rely on a sliding defence too much and get overworked and lose energy when we should be up on play and stopping near the source of play to stop the opposition being expansive.
