Just watched interview with Tanya Arnold on BBC web-site. He was asked about possible new playing structures under Brian Smith and he replied 'the current structures we are playing to are working...'.

Well if that's what the players think, god help us speccies and good luck to BS!!! - are they made to watch match DVD's?? I'm still shaking my head after that interview, and his whole body language appeared defeatist. A lovely lad but we need some steel in a captain. Is Ray Price still on our playing rosta???

I watched it and thought the same as you. Danny didn't seem to want to be in front of the camera. It must be hard trying to think of some thing new to say when you are being asked the same questions every week.

Dickens said the same about the structures during his post match interview. I hope Smith doesn't agree with them.

Interesting to here Kirmond say that he players did find out he was joining before kick off. I would have hoped that the news would have given them a boost, as it was normal service was resumed.

Tbf, it isn't exactly the structures, it's just the player's seeming inability to be d to organise them/execute them with any kind of willingness/urgency.

What was that? We're playing to structures?

To be fair, from a purely technical stand point, the structures are fine.

Unfortunately, half of the team are exhausted and walking back into the line and not making the ten. If half of your team are behind the play the ball then your defensive line gets spread a little too thin. This then means that players are afraid to move up too quickly for fear of leaving any more gaps. The other team make easy yards, we do more and more defending and before you know where you are, the game has got a away from you.

The best strategic minds in the sport can only do so much with unfit players who look like they simply don't care anymore.

So, can players get fitter mid season or has all that hard work to be done pre season? Will flogging them take too much out of the tank regarding weekends games?

It's a balancing act.

Players can absolutely get fitter during the season but, it's very tough so, you have to really want to do it.

Think of a player coming back from a serious injury. The guy loves the game, lives and breathes it, just wants to get back on the field and help his mates out.

Case two however, you think your fine and you work really hard. A few of the fans who know nothing about rugby think you're over weight and unfit. Your putting your body on the line for their team and they're slating you.

Motivation is crucial. If you don't have it internally, it's very difficult for someone to force it on you.

Are we Hellers like playing to a structure!

Against Widnes five minutes in and 4 points down, Widnes bomb a nailed on try by sliding into touch in goal without a defenders hand on him.

Structure = think yourself very lucky, knuckle down and work yourself upfield, put in a good kick and chase, then try to force an error.

Rudderless rabble = Go for a ridiculous high risk/low percentage play kick the ball directly into touch and hand them another chance to score the try with a full set on our own 20.

This lot would not recognise a structure if it bit them on the arris.

Kirmond ought to spend less time talking ballcocks to the bbc and start trying to lose that belly that he is dragging around, then when the ball goes out wide he might drag himself over there to lend a hand.

Which structures are technically fine?

All the structures are technically fine.

The problem is that they are not being executed correctly. Whether that be through lack of skill, lack of enthusiasm, lack of fitness or all three.

They are attempting the most basic structures and plays in rugby, to say they are no good is just wrong. They are tried and tested. There is no point trying to be too clever with your game plan when they can't even do the basics right.

This is not how they are playing though. It's aimless throwing the ball anywhere and ad hoc kicks that no one can predict or prepare for.

Under kear we got five drives and then contest the kick, because there was no quality in the side to do much else. Pretty boring admittedly but at least that was the structure and everyone knew it.

And if we have a defensive structure, I for one cannot identify it.

I think everyone can agree whether structures, tactics, fitness or attitude or all four then Brian Smith has got one hell of a job to do to address the slump and change this rabble into a genuine SL quality team in 4 months.

Our "structures" are obviously working.... NOT!!!

Worst attack and worst defence in the league.

What's he smoking?

Nothing wrong with the structures the other week in the Coffee Shop. Brilliant ordering & paying for execution. Completion rate of 100% in drinking the coffees.

The coaching staff imposed the same structures on the under 19`s who surprise surprise also have the worst defensive record in their league. I heard that a one point during the season the under 16 / under 15 coaching staff were approached by first team staff and asked to use the same structures as first team, the response was ; are you kidding and don`t you you think it would be a good idea for Dickins and Webster to come and speak to us to offer them advice !!

Don't think it's got anything to do with smoking.

More like a high caffeine intake at Costa.