Quote BartonFlyer="BartonFlyer"I think Sean McC bears a heavy responsibility for a lot if our players going backwards, not just Luke Adamson. His attitude was that if you've not got the greatest talent in the squad then you just play percentage rugby meant everyone became fearful of making mistakes and never prepared to take any risks which in turn resulted in the dull fare we were presented with. It was obvious on the occasions when he first went off how much more expansive we could have been and hopefully will be this season.'"
When Adamson first broke in to the team I recall him being moved to the centre due to injuries and he looked very promising in attack. I also recall an excellent try he scored from distance against Huddersfield at the Galpharm.
The question is why when he was showing so much promise has he not developed that early potential? I can only put this down to the coaching tactics of McRae by implementing a safety first ‘damage limitation’ game plan. It seems he (and others) was discouraged from playing anything other than a percentage game where having a real go and making the odd handling error or stray pass was considered criminal. The point is, how can any player improve his attacking skills when he’s been instructed not to try things and learn from his mistakes in a match situation?
If you look at the top sides in Superleague they often play ‘off the cuff’ rugby and often make errors but they seem to counteract these errors with solid defence, winning the collision, territory battle and having a better kicking game. The problem with the percentage game is it relies on getting everything right and once you fall behind you aren’t asking enough questions of the opposition in defence.
Reflecting back on a few occasions where Salford has played a more cavalier style has resulted in some memorable and highly entertaining wins against Saints a couple of times at the Willows over recent years and Hull KR and Bradford last year.
Let’s hope under PV he realises that Salford are in the entertainment business unlike McRae who feared the opposition and the potential damage to his own personal reputation. If we have a real go and fall short or get the odd hiding but entertain so be it. If we are going to lose I'd rather lose 52-32 than 12-4 in a dull game.
No more cautious 'percentage game' tactics please!
