The Glaringly Obvious

Quote: @airlie_bird "Having seen us play in every final since 1979 I can honestly say that was our worst performance in a final in all that time. (I might argue that a 2nd div play off at OT against Huddersfield was on a par but we had achieved our goal that year) As a result there is bound to be a lot of soul searching going on.
Bottom line is we would have taken a Wembley final at the start of the season. Unfortunately since last November we have had a world class half mickey us around only to take big bucks in Oz. (yes we may have been a little green thinking he would come, but none of us knew exactly how negotiations went so we can't comment) We have not had a settled half back pairing as a result of that and injuries all season.
Horne is regularly out for about two months a season and however well he was playing when in the team (and he was by far and away our best player) it was inevitable that he would be out soon enough.
We are then left scratching around for a replacement. Miller whilst potentially being the answer is simply that "potentially". He is 21 now and finding his feet in a foreign country away from home and trying to gel with a new team and more importantly Holdsworth who has also been injured a lot of the time.
Now not one of us on here raised doubts about their ability when we were beating Warrington again. If you did then stick a link on here. I have no doubt that this season is now virtually over but come February when these two have had a full PRE season under their belt and I predict vast improvements in their ability to work together for the good of the team. Then we will have the problem of keeping hold of them as the NRL beckons again. But that's for another day.
As for the pack well we can argue about size. PG wants a mobile pack that can do big minutes. We appear to be losing some experience this season. I hope Lynch does not go but if he does well we will move on. I have seen arguments about next seasons pack but what people are failing to mention is that Watts Pitts Westy Green etc are all a year old in terms of experience. They will continue to improve. Have a little faith in them. We have seen enough of them to know that they have what it takes at SL level. What we need is consistency.
The backs are showing signs that they can be exceptional. The jury for me is still out on Crookes but the rest I am confident in. Arundel seems a natural successor to Yeaman and I expect him to be playing more than Yeamo next year providing they are all fit. Briscoe is a loss so I would be looking for a decent replacement for him. The fight between Shaul and Shannon will be good next year. Shaul maybe accommodated on the wing for periods. Who knows.
All in all we ARE moving in the right direction from where we were under Agar. Still not 100% sure PG will take us all the way or if we need someone with a little but of the X factor to come in and kick us on. But who that is lord only knows.
All good sides over the many years I have watched RL are built on a solid foundation of defence. We have that foundation. We now need the off season to kick on from basic attack. We have seen evidence recently of that side improving Whitings try in the semi was an example. It all takes time.
So yes its time for soul searching especially after such a poor performance on a big stage, but lets not be aggressive and abusive about it. Take a step back a deep breath and stand tall and proud together. Rome as was said was not built in a day.
Yes examples of vast improvement have been seen t other clubs. Wigan under McGuire but come on Kath and co ran us into the ground. It will take more than a few quid to get over night success.'"

Well said