The Side
Are we bad? Of course not.
A few weeks back, we beat the CC holders and regular GF winners, at a canter.
The week later, we came up short (a) against the current SL champs. Yes, we can all see that we had "issues" at HB in those games, but we were competitive in both.

Fast forward one week, and I'm nursing a particularly fine Welsh whisky, watching Widnes get demolished by an average Salford side, thinking we could have a great Easter campaign, starting with a win v Hudds.
What did we get? 80 minutes of nothing. Very little creativity. No kicking game, and the players generally looking disinterested.
According to those who went (I couldn't be ar53d) last night, we stunk the house out (glad I watched the Hull derby).
The side has gone from competitive to clueless in a fortnight. Not promising for the paying Wire fan.
From what I see, we have 20 odd players who can be put into these catagories

doing enough (a few of them)
going through the motions (more than a few of them)
stealing a living (a few of them)
not good enough (again, a few of them)
quality (Chris Hill)

time for 20 odd players to look at themselves in the mirror

Coaching staff
Smith. If "rumours" or "those in the know", Smith's day to day involvement at training isn't what it was, preferring to watch videos and be more office based. Time to get your boots and tracksuit on, Tony. We have issues.

Agar. Since he's come to our club, all our flair (not the type that gets thrown onto the pitch by penisauruses) has been extinguished. We look a shadow of the side of yesteryear. Coincidence???? I'll let you lot decide.

Briers. Is he being paid for his efforts? If so, he's not deserving his money

Moran/Smith recruitment
Is Moran's interest waining?
Our transfer policy has been poor/shocking, since King went home in 2011.
Average/overinflated reputation Aussies signed.
A "MoS" who looks anything but, and looks disinterested.
Players who've fallen on bad times, and he's decided to "take a punt" on them (Wheeler/Russell/Penny)

Add to this, the loss of Carvell (I still scratch my head over that one) and Wood (not to everyone's taste, but I was a fan), and our pack automatically looks weaker.

That custard smells like it's been made with milk that's gone off

best thread title EVER

Good post. Agree with a lot that has bee. Said.

Time for a new approach. Wire have become complacent if not soft.

Strikes me that Mr Smith may have more say at the club than a coach would normally have.

I still think it comes down to how they are currently being trained. Either they are not enjoying it hence not following its direction, or simply not understanding what is being asked of them.. Either way it ain't good. The way confidence has dropped off since that Leeds win is shocking.

We haven't seen the same consistency of custard since the departure of Morley.
He led by example in training fitness and on field intensity.

If I was doing something a particular way and it was working, then thought I could do it better. I'd try to do it better.

When it goes wrong, I'll go back to the way I was doing it before instead of sticking with the way that isn't working. I don't see how that's so hard for Tony? Whatever he's changed recently, it isn't working.

Declan Patton at NW Crusaders is kicking the team to try after try. Get him in the team and give him a shot instead of fielding an unfit Bridge. Mind you Mylers back now so no Patton.

I do think suggesting Moran's interest is waning based on the players signed is unfair; whatever the various shortcomings of Asotasi, Clark and Sims are, as far as I am aware they are all still being paid good money and are we significantly below the salary cap? Surely he has just paid good money for players as advised. It brings to mind the late Keith Barwell, who bankrolled Northampton Saints RU when they went professional. An irate season ticket holder complained that it was costing him £20 to see a game. "It costs me £20,000" came the reply.

Hey c'mon things are bad atm, but there is no excuse for quoting anything yawnion-based in our mails

Please can we stop harping on about the Leeds game now. It was ages ago! Whilst the squad isn't the best we've had in recent years, it is still more than capable of beating Widnes. The problem for me is a cocktail of frustration and a lack of tactical training.

Totally agree, I don't think some members of the team are 100% happy on gameplan or at times playing out of position,, when they cross the line ,,

The SL is a lot tuffer this year and there isn't room for any passengers on pitch which there has been since Leeds, our team is good enough to beat widnes 9 times out of 10,,
It was only 3 months ago we hammered them in a friendly 38-0 , we niled them,,
It's no excuse but that pitch is aweful,, so for me it's about this Monday at cas, home tie, great pitch ,now let's see if they have the character to turn it around,,
Just hope I'm right, lose Monday and not sure where we go from there???

The problem for me is confidence.

We need to recreate that winning habit.

We need to go back to a structure we were confident with.

From thereon we can tinker with the side to accommodate youth or rotation.

The title thread intended as a puss take endorsed with a bathtime buddie, but I will embrace it... Smell the custard.

Ratchford and Bridge at hb. Get back that winning habit and move onwards.

There's every chance we will beat Castleford after having a days extra rest with home advantage and in real terms an easier game.

Each Wire player gave about 30% of what they are able to v Widnes. We will be in better shape than Castleford.

We may have Myler back in the team when we win, but the win will likely be down to circumstance and not really a true reflection of our state.

Unfortunately I think a win with Myler, and him keeping a hb position in the side with GOB, will see us not reaching that height of confidence and winning mentality we would achieve with Ratchford and Bridge.

I await the reply from Batman and Robin.

If my memory serves me right you said same thing regarding Hudds + Widnes.Should win but didn't by a long streak.We've no god given right to beat teams on the assumption that you view our side better on paper than others and I'll say it again this team is lacking in leadership,direction and most importantly desire which is what Widnes had in abundance on Thurs night which proves that a great team on paper can so easily lose against an average team with desire.

But hasn't Myler been top of the scapegoat list for past losses as was Anthony England for a while. At least Myler can tackle.