Quote: upthecats "The problem with our fans is expectation has risen too high, with the mid season success we all enjoyed! The old line about fitness coach is just plain boring now...there has been absolutely nothing wrong with the fitness of the lads the last two matches....there was nothing wrong with the fitness when going over and winning in France in searing heat....
Our problem through our recent run was quite simply down to the injury crisis...is it any coincidence we've been far more competitive the last two matches when key components of our pack have slotted back into place? Grafters like Ashurst and Molloy have got back fit and healthy and there's been much needed go forward added to Fifita with Simon & Anderson back in...
No disrespect to the youngsters, or fringe players but through that tough period when there is 3 or 4 of a combination of youngsters and the likes of Yates, Walker, Walton in the pack then there has been the problem! When we've had what you would consider a strong and healthy squad on the park we've played pretty well on the whole...
That says to me the strength in depth isn't quite there yet and the nature of the modern game dictates that if you go into any game patched up you can quite easily be on the end of a hiding...62-0 against Wigan proves that....the strides we have made in the last 12 months though is staggering....the next step on the ladder to the slow process of turning us around is to build that quality of depth through shrewd signings and hopefully the likes of Crowther and Batchelor to name two, to step up to regular first team players like Jowitt and Johnstone have done this year...
It won't happen all in one season...patience has to be key...I'm more than happy how things are going at present though...it's nowhere near as bad as some make out! The comment about coffee shop culture is just laughable!'"
No what has been laughable is some of the teams performances and the fact you don't think there is anything wrong with the conditioning when it's plain to see we play at a pace far slower than pretty much every other team in SL and can't get off the defensive line half the time
If you want to kid yourself that injuries were the only reason for not being competitive thats your prerogative but I think you will find attitude and fitness have been reasons in a number of games