Quote ="Phuzzy"I think Jonh's post covers pretty much everything from last night but I'd like to add a few more general points that are not necessarily to do with yesterday's game but can equally apply to it.
Firstly, our right edge doesn't work. Moreso without French. I don't think the AK/Miski partnership works as it stands as there is no disruptor. That's not a pop at either player individually but I think it's showing up in Miski's indifferent form. King, whatever his limitations, was a disruptor. His strong carries meant that he and Miski together were able to put us on the front foot and often attacking an unorganised defensive line. We have lost that now and Miski on his own is struggling to make an impact. King's offload, or even the potential to offload, also commited defenders and often caused broken field play. We see the same on the left with Wardle's footwork. Last night we had Faz there which just compounded the issue. Without French there is no one on that left edge capable of disrupting defences. We can be nullified on that edge through simple defensive systems.
It's not a lost cause though. Nsemba getting back to making his offloads, allowing Farrimiond more latitude to run, Eckersley to centre, Fields return and, of course, when French comes back all negate the problem there. I also think we need to use AK differently. He doesn't have the power or offload of King or the footwork of Wardle but he's played regularly at 6 so has hands. We need to utilise this more when he's back or, alternatively, a Eckersley/Miski or Keighran/Douglas partnership is a more balanced fit in my opinion.
Apologies for the long post on a single issue but I think it's been a problem that a winning team hasn't perhaps needed to address but, with French a long term absentee, it needs to be sorted now or we'll remain one dimensional with the threat only coming down the left.'"
Agree with most of that BUT if O'Neil is out long term that could really hurt us as we lack a really good cover player unless Leeming can realy step up - both in defense and in playing long minutes without picking up niggling injuries. O'Neil offers so muc solidity in the middle which we will miss.
Also we really need to cut out the stupid errors and penalties - the last few games these have crept in and cost us dear, if that means playing a more basic game then so be it until we get players back becuase we can't keep gifting the opposition easy yards, it is so frustrating. We seem to have developed the bad habit of starting halves poorly.
