we have lost 4 games this season in the last 10 mins (some may say the games were already lost by that time!)

do we have a fitness issue?

wigan last min
leeds last 5
wakey last 5
salford last 5

we are getting in the position to win games but not closing them out, but that has been an issue in the past too!

Equally could be a mindset problem.

We don't have the bottle to finish games off, like every year at the end in the season in the play offs. Would love to see us at old Trafford but can't see it happening for a while

Most likely just confidence issues. Getting into a winning position with an injury hit squad and something inside starts pushing the panic button. Start thinking about about the hooter for the sigh of relief rather than that extra bit of winning determination that for many seasons in the regular rounds we have had.
We'll come good if we get a couple of wins back to back, regardless of performance I'm sure.

There's been talk on other posts about about how possibly bringing Tickle in is a bad option. How I see it for this season it could be a great move.. He's experienced and won't have confidence issues. It could rub off on the other players.
By no means do I think he'll come in and steal anyone's place long term.

The problem I do have is our second row players have been our most consistent-
tickle sustained a "life changing injury" of a fractured skull and hasn't played since- his last club has binned him off- I'm not sure his confidence will be any greater than any of our own players! if he comes in and takes their place short term it may not rub off on players but rub them up the wrong way! Secondly If he's not going to come in and take someone's place then why are we wasting our money?

Concentration is the issue, not fitness, we've haven't exactly been battered and run ragged, the games have been close like you say. It's playing smart, game management thats the problem.

First post,so be gentle in your responses!

I believe fitness is playing a part,you just need to see the way the players are desperate to gasp for air at every break in play,hands on heads,not in disappoint but in order to recover. I think strength in general has suffered,much like it did a few years back,we start to play touch rugby rather than tackling with any gusto.

I think the other major factor,as mentioned in some other discussions,is a lack of a genuine leader. We concede then go and stand together behind our sticks in near silence,there's no one rallying them,no positive re-inforcement,no one pushing us on to respond. People seem to believe Danny wasn't the man for this,but from what I have seen in the past,he would be in among the group,fist clenched and pushing us on. In my opinion,Hinchcliffe isn't really even justifying his place let alone the captaincy and I think the team are looking around for someone. When Hinchcliffe was off the field against KR, the ref asked for the captain,looked at brough who was our furthest man left,he said it ain't me (unexplained by the club?),and then everyone looked across the line and nobody wanted to step forward,nevermind knew they were in charge!! I know we have lost Robbo's voice for good and Grix for a big chunk,but where are the characters looking to progress and take some control?? Where is the 'leadership group' that Anderson was so keen to instil when he took over?? It is a big problem. Some teams don't need a captain as they have leaders all over the pitch. We have neither at the moment.

i have noticed too how slow we have become to form scrums even when we are losing and to save time!

why brough lost the captaincy has been mentioned a few times on here now

hinchcliffe i agree is starting to become disappointing

Agree with much of this. Complete lack of leadership and fitness is absolutely an issue, seen obviously by how sluggish players appear in the second half.

It's confidence as much as anything. You're low on confidence and you start to look sluggish due to your body language. You fail to defend your line in those last few minutes as you don't have the belief you can keep them out.

If we win a few games it will be amazing how quickly those fitness levels will appear to improve.

It's disappointing how many people can't see what Hinchcliffe brings to the team. He's come from playing alongside the best players in the world, in one of the top teams, with top facilities. He's come half way around the world to a completely different way of life with his immediate family, whilst leaving his friends and other family members behind. To a team with, moaning fans and bottom of the league- he's probably wishing he didn't bother!
Remember Taais first few months, or fui's. He's demonstrating how hard working he is and how few errors he makes. For me he's proved a solid aquisitiion and I think he will get better.

It's a result of Grix getting injured (he truly must be blamed for everything ). It's left some fans without anyone to target so it's the spray effect. Review this and the most recent threads - there's barely a player or member of the coaching team that isn't a disappointment.

By the way, I 100% agree you - he's been solid through difficult times and a difficult transition who will only get better and better.

Completely agree. I think on the whole most of the team have played well individually, just not collectively

At 38-34 today I was shocked when, with 40 seconds left on the clock today none of your players rushed to form the scrum. They simply stood around and didn't pack down until there were 7 seconds left. I can take defeats etc, but that would have had me fuming. Come to think of it there was a knock on a couple of minutes prior to that and I thought you were slow to form up and the ref actually stopped the clock before your loose was even at the formation.

i bet him and repaira r wondering where the f##k have we come too hinchcliffe t me seem too good for sum of r players hes seeing things n other players aint on the same wave length as him