Looking at where we are after 8 games and the fixtures w have had then I think we have done okay. We have a won a couple of tough games but lost a couple of winnable ones so all in all we are about even. My issue is have we improved from last season? The squad is better and so is the proffessionalism but playing wise I don't think we are doing much different. We still look laboured in attack and whilst in defence we have improved. The ball movement, angles of run, offloading, support play etc etc has not improved and when the summer kicks in I feel our pack will be exposed a little for pace. We still have very little width to our game and still try and coast through games instead of trying to dominate them.

The big factor is consistency, we were not beaten by a better side tonight, we simply did not turn up to play and in SL when you do that you lose. There was defensive intensity, we slow and laborious in attack and we out enthused from start to finish. We look a different when playing away to our home performances and we seem to struggle with motivation. Once again we have coem up short because of our attitude, the coach should be sending them out spitting blood, but we come out like we don't care.

For me this boils down to the coaching team. Agar has done okay, he cleared out deadwood and recruited well but he has not improved us as a team and we are not playing better rugby. There are no real clear tactics either and we often rely on a big play from someone. He is a decent coach but for me is out of his depth at this level, I think he coaches well enough but cannot develop a player. We have young players like Briscoe and Hall who for me have not improved at the rate they should have.

Coaches like McGuire and Brown have taken decent players and improved them through their coaching abilities and they also play to a definate gameplan. If we are to achieve our potential then I feel we must recruit a top NRL coach for next season. I believe players like Hall, Briscoe, Yeaman, Washy, Horne etc etc can all improve uinder the right coach.

I am not having a go at Agar but simply stating my opinion and I have been on the fence about him for a while. We will never progress with Agar as coach and I think the board need to recognise this and start looking for his replacement so we can get the right man.

Hallelujah!!!

Spot on, I'd move him on now, it won't happen though and by the time we do, our season will probably be beyond repair. I'd take millward now, I think he motivates players as good as anyone and that's what we need right now.

well reasoned, and very true. We have the players, but there's still a problem, so it must be the coaching team.

Paul, I must say that is an intelligent and considered opinion which is hard to find fault with !

The board need to stop blaming everything but him for our failings. It is now HIS squad and it is performing way below the standard than it should be.

Make the decision now before it's too late and look for a replacement.

Surely we cannot be thinking about new contract negotiations can we ??

Very hard to do anything other than agree totally.

The most frustrating thing for me is that we know the necessary changes to the team won't be made, so there's a bunch of players who have nothing driving them to sort themselves out. Too many 'untouchables' with Agar, it's bordering on reason enough on it's own to get rid and shake the players up for a response.

IF Nathan Brown or Michael Maguire had the calibre of the players
we have, at their disposal , they would easily win the Grand Final.

I think that sums things up very well Paul.

I would add I think the balance of the team is wrong too much investment in forwards, half backs injury prone and the backs are far too slow and or inexperienced. Alright but too many of our forwards give to many penalties away or throw away poccesion in vital area's.

The writing is now on the toilet wall for all to see just like it was the last two seasons, it depends now on who's nerve gives first.

have to agree

it is very strange how it is now our home form that is strong, and we can't play well on the road...which the opposite of the last 2 years.

of our performances this year I'd say that

Saints: undoubtedly good performance
Hudds: good hard performance against a team I feel will be right up there this year
Crusaders: shocker
Quins: Quins look Championship quality this year, easy win
Castleford: ok win, but I don't think Cas will make the 8 this year
Wigan: completely outclassed
Bradford: poor 1st half, recovered in the 2nd, but Bradford were more dull and lifeless than we are
Salford: Dire

the downward trend started in round 3. And because of having 2 games next weekend, we could be out of the 8 and out of the cup in just a few weeks time if we don't watch it.

I'll excuse them slightly for that, as due to the salary cap and lack of quality players noone has a 'perfect' squad, even Leeds are struggling with a few injuries this year.

we needed a better pack so that is where the investment went. Long was also the only halfback of any quality available (Orford is only here for silly money)

the backs are undoubtedly weak, but there wasn't much they could do this winter with the cap.

Totally agree Paul. I also think that we are quite predictable in our set plays. All too often you can see the dummy runner and know that its into the second line of attack. Tonight, two tries came from kicks that were unpredictable to opponents (Long and Yeaman). We need that ruthless streak to put a side to the sword and then be arrogant enough to rub their noses in it. This is something Huddersfield do very well.

You have nailed it right there Paul. I have kept patience with Agar until now, but, with the squad of players he has at his disposal, I would expect to see a distinct improvement in on field performance. He may be a fine coach, but as a head coach he just can't cut it. Like most fans, I can handle my team losing if the effort & application is there. Tonight was woeful.

and to add Huddersfield have a bunch of players who noone else really wanted, such as Brown and Robinson, who have really upped their game since Brown arrived

Crabtree has developed from average to international also.

Wigan meanwhile have become much fitter, and whilst aren't the best side to watch, are playing a very modern, arm-wrestle type of rugby which plays to the refereeing/rules and they are reaping the rewards.

Home - decent. Away - ordinary.

All the rest is over analysis.

Final position 7th or 8th. Better if Long & Fitzgibbon stay healthy, worse if they don't.

Simple.