It was blatently obvious last season that we no longer have the pack to play the power game and run over other teams and don't have the slick passing and pace to around them ....Nothing has changed in the off season! We are stuck in no-mans land again i'm afraid.
We have a big and powerful set of backs who are not magically going to become speedsters (ie. they are relatively slow) so going with plan A and looking to out muscle the opposition is the obvious way to go without completely dismantling the threequarter line. With so many players out of contract at end of the season the whole ideology may change next year with a raft of quality signings but with a distinctly average pack this year we look like a very mid table team to me. If Taylor gets injured were left with an aging Paea, Mini, Manu, Washy, a lightweight Thompson & Fash and a Bowden & Green who have no real preseason behind them and might take many months to find some form. The youngsters in Matongo, Lane, Levy and Beinik etc show real promise but they are a long way from being ghe finished article. Poor recruitment this year particularly in the front row leaves us with another year of transition ahead.

The Club have rested on their laurels.
We needed a couple of signings who would make the first 17. Not players for a Reserve grade .
Their is some quality in our squad, but also some players needed moving on . Sentimental attachment seems to rule our recruitment and retention policy.

I just get the impression a lot of you on here think the failings of our team are a result of Radford personally telling the players to be as bad and lethargic. He has spoken numerous times in interviews about our lack of energy, that tells me it's not his wish for that to be the case.

We don't play expansive enough for my liking but I dont think we are terrible, I've being around the block enough times to know a pre season game with 20 plus players is not going to be a benchmark for your season.

Radford is under pressure and rightly so but I don't feel like all this gloom is helpful TBH the season hasn't even started, thats what I struggle with. What would you deem an acceptable start ? Because many have us as 0 - 4 before a ball is kicked, hardly supporting is it just adds more negative to a squad lacking confidence. That is our problem a lack of confidence, your not going to start playing like cas or saints after 11 losses, it takes time. Mind you id rather not play like them because its a proven fact throwing the ball about is no good when it comes to the business end. We know Radfords style when it goes right with a fully fit squad delivers.

YEH ok Lee, whatever

Fantastic contribution.

Maybe next time use your other half of a braincell to indulge in a debate.

On your 1st point regarding lack of energy, is that a players fault for not listening or the coaches fault for not energising or enthusing the team and getting his point across knowing this is a continual failing?

Secondly I also don't think we are terrible but I think we are boring and predictable. Yes Saints was only a friendly but I look at the system we play not the players available and our system has not evolved or changed. That was Saints first hit out also with a squad of 20 and they beat us comfortably. So whilst winning a friendly is not important the wider structure does concern me.

On your last point there is no such doom and gloom merely a concern. I'm not sure how we'll go come the start of the season but I'd like to be entertained and excited win or lose rather than just think I'd rather have watched paint dry for 80 minutes.
So yes I would like to play like Saints, Wigan, Cas, Leeds because at least they win LLS and grand finals. A cup win whilst fantastic isn't the be all and end all for a measure of success as even Cats won it last year and they were a terrible team who raised themselves for a cup game.

Radford's style as you call it, well what is it exactly? Without the personnel on the field to execute the biff and bash game we come unstuck.
I was a big advocate of Lee when he took the job but I'd like to see us evolve as a team and unfortunately we remain static for now.
I'll still be there first home game cheering us on regardless however.

I'm saving that one , for someone who deserves more than a couple of sentence response , not for your nonsense. It really his, where you get this stuff from

The signing we thought we had in the bag has collapsed, sums it all up at the minute!

Who was that then? or is it a secret that only you knows about ?

I heard it was Abdul.

don't say that some will believe it

Sorry but did make me laugh.

If you read my previous post you’d know I said I didn’t have a name . Do keep up ...

So, aint got a clue comment then?

correct

If it was Javid Bowen then thats a good thing, Michael Jennings is available if the price is right.

Seems to be a lot of people with trust issues on here , probably starts with spending to much time on here I guess .

So in other words you can't come up with a response.

I guess it's easier to say nonsense then come up with a structured arguement.

I share and understand your concerns but I guess I am more patient to see things out, comparing us to Saints is a no go from the off considering they have played to that structure for 18 months. We wont match them after a couple of months thats for sure.

Energy is not something that is coached and if players can't get themselves up they need moving on IMO. Which is easier said then done.

I feel we are making out that we are worse then we are, we just need some wins on the board get some confidence back into the squad. Still think we are short of winning the league but we should make the play offs.

I'm not comparing us to Saints but why can't we be as good as.Yes they've played that structure for 18 months when a new coach came in and implemented that style. Five years down the line we are no nearer that style of play. They dispensed with Cunningham a legend at their club because they were not achieving the results and playing the right way, sentimentality didn't come into it, so we have no excuses.

Also Woolford at Hudds came in and rejuvenated a club near the bottom of the league and transformed their season so again proving not a player issue but rather a coaching and motivational issue.

A structured argument to you saying , people on here think radford sends the team to go out and play poorly on purpose! Seriously not one person thinks that , you talk nonsense, can't have a debate with a =#FF0000Less of the name calling please. Karen, sorry

Not convinced about Woolford, he took them from terrible to average, I don't think it was any coincidence that they started get players back when they started to win games. Then they lost there last 5 games. I think they might struggle without Brough, Rankin and Hinchcliff they have a lot of cap tied up on their wingers.

Aaaand they’re both out for a while.

Connor suspended?

So the RFL want the season to start with a bang, and they are going to ban one of the better players, despite the fact that the referee on the day only deemed it to be a sin binning offence??!!