I think we have to remember that Addy, as already mentioned, is [ireally[/i a back-rower and he tackles like a back rower. As one of the 'bigger lads' he is, to some extent, exposed when playing in the halves against opponents who are usually both much shorter and nippier than he would usually confront when playing in the pack. It might just be me, but I find it hard to be too critical of lads who are doing pretty well in trying circumstances not of their making.

I don't want to appear as getting on the backs of the players, whose effort I can't fault. However I do think that Addy isn't that much of a "bigger lad" and other players of comparable size are capable of doing better in defence even wider out in the defence. We mustn't excuse poor play when we see it. Addy's improved his attacking game a fair bit but if he really wants to make something of his career his defence needs attention. If you look at Farrell at Wigan he's made rapid strides in all parts of his game since last season, that's a good example to follow.

As for Whitehead his defence seems to have been the same for the past few seasons. He's another who could do with improving.

51 missed tackles against Hudds,51, never seen a stat like that for a team in the top 8

Beginning to wonder if that was actually the tackles made

Looks like this thread was worth starting after all.

Sometimes it's not what you say it's the way you say it...

And that's what gets results.

Ah, but more "angry" posts provoke more responses. Keeps the board that wee bit more vibrant, which is what we all want in essence.

All deliberate Mr Bullseye.

If you say so!

I don't necessarily agree. It is all the fashion to be dissatisfied, over the top & angry with everything. Someone blamed it on 24 hour news coverage which goes completely OTT to try & grab people's attention, I think there is something in that. 99.9% of those involved in RL are there because they love the sport & as long as they are giving their best we shouldn't be getting angry, frustrated maybe. Save that for people who are deliberately exploiting people & screwing people into the ground.

Well said.

Also I sometimes wonder (well, not, actually) whether some of the posters have the first clue about man management.

You f*** off.

and you too.

Haha it's quite funny on here tonight

You get em told Eddie

Where's Joe Tamani when you need him

Joe f**k off

Overall I'm saying that our ruck defenders (the front row + loose forward) are collectively not getting off the line quick enough to shut down the opposition play. It's not that we don't have good defenders in the middle, it's that overall we don't have enough and Langley and Diskin, two of our best ruck defenders have struggled this year. Hence, the opposition is getting to our edge defence far too often. Best part of 400 tackles for a ball playing 21 year old half/back row plus the same for a 23 year old strike second row is far too many. As we've fatigued due to games plus injury we've got worse. It's about quality plus numbers and we don't have enough of either in the middle.

I'm not saying 50 MTs is OK just that there's a lot more to it.