Capey, I would play Baker at loose forward but compared to some of the selections from FC (e.g Whitley at centre then dropped, Runciman on the wing) playing him at prop doesn’t seem that illogical.
Suspect we will get beaten this weekend, hope to be wrong. York by 14 where the pin falls.
Capey, I would play Baker at loose forward but compared to some of the selections from FC (e.g Whitley at centre then dropped, Runciman on the wing) playing him at prop doesn’t seem that illogical.
Don't get me wrong MT, Franny was utter gash as a coach, but SF looks even more clueless after only 6 games! As regards Whitley, he often plays centre for Catalans.
As for this weekends 80 minutes of comedy, if York score early on, I reckon we will see another 50 point pasting. If they don't score within 15 minutes, I'll go for a 40 point pasting!
I completely disagree that SF is worse than FC but agree that he has a lot of work to do to prove he is up to the job. He’s correctly identified what the main problem is, now he has to show he can fix it.
It’s down to the players in my opinion. I actually feel sorry for Finnigan, he’s obviously been thrown in at the deep end without much support by the looks of things.
Personal pride and professionalism has to come into play surely.
At least SF actually puts some props on the bench when he has some available, Franny can’t be topped for baffling team selections and ridiculous positional switches.
Quality MT, SF puts props on the bench, but starts with Kenny Baker playing prop!
I agree that Baker is best at loose forward, but he has featured as a prop in previous games. Perhaps Finnegan wanted to start with the more experienced players and bring on the less experienced players as replacements. Not sure it is that big of an issue and he probably had little flexibility in his selections with the size of our squad and injuries.
At least SF actually puts some props on the bench when he has some available, Franny can’t be topped for baffling team selections and ridiculous positional switches.
Quality MT, SF puts props on the bench, but starts with Kenny Baker playing prop!
He plays loose forward which is basically another prop nowadays
At least SF actually puts some props on the bench when he has some available, Franny can’t be topped for baffling team selections and ridiculous positional switches.
Quality MT, SF puts props on the bench, but starts with Kenny Baker playing prop!
He plays loose forward which is basically another prop nowadays
I suppose it is if you have a decent set of forwards around you...................
You can't level playing Baker at prop as a criticism, yes we had 2 props on the bench but they are both kids aged 20 and 21 and in my opinion are not ready to play every week in the Championship. At that age they need to be eased in a few games at a time and also not both together. However with the small squad we have and Doro suspended needs must.
Problems as I see it;
1. Squad is too small, 5 or 6 injuries and we are down to the bare bones.
2. For whatever reason quite a few of the players have not come back in suitable physical condition to perform in the Championship.
3. If players don't perform, like they aren't doing now, we can't replace them as we have no one else.
4. We have a very inexperienced coach who was used to working with Betts last year. He is unproven as a head coach in the Championship.
5. With Finnigan being a new coach, and everyone needs to start somewhere, he doesn't seem to have any experienced support staff to be able to lean on.
6. With the small squad and limited budget we have gone in to the season with one of our best players, so you would assume highest earners Tompkins, long term injured in a key position with no real back up. We are currently relying on an 18 year old loanee. We also signed Jewitt who hasn't really played for 2 years and has so far spent nearly all his time with us injured. Again we are relying on youngsters playing at prop, the toughest position in the team to play from a physical perspective.
I think Widnes will compete on Sunday simply because they can’t NOT have a good go.York 34 Widnes 8.That’s competitive.
I think they have proven that they " can not have a good go ". Coach has stated clearly they gave up when losing the second half against Batley 38 - nil. I agree with the coach.
Coach has stated they lacked in effort areas when losing 70 - nil to Toulouse. I agree with the coach.
People have blamed fitness but they lost the first half 30 - nil against Toulouse. What were they doing conserving energy for the second half in case they ran out of steam.
Coach has already fired the verbal bazookas. Short of dropping the players he feels are lacking effort. Which looks like he can't do because their are no replacements. He can only single them out and name them which could make matters worse.
I hope we are competitive. I have low expectations.
I cannot see anything other than another hiding. I sincerely hope I am wrong, but from what I've seen from the players and the coach this season, I can see only one outcome.
If we get within two scores of them I will be surprised.
Its a good point made about the coach already firing his verbal bazookas, nowhere for him to go in that regard if it doesn't work now, especially because he doesn't have the squad to make the sort of changes he may need or like to.
People talking about us not affording to sack him. Maybe not. And I think it, despite the dire season so far, is too early and he probably deserves at least another month. But it may come to the point where we can't afford not to sack him if things continue.....
If we get within two scores of them I will be surprised. Its a good point made about the coach already firing his verbal bazookas, nowhere for him to go in that regard if it doesn’t work now, especially because he doesn’t have the squad to make the sort of changes he may need or like to. People talking about us not affording to sack him. Maybe not. And I think it, despite the dire season so far, is too early and he probably deserves at least another month. But it may come to the point where we can’t afford not to sack him if things continue…..
I don't expect a win against York, but a decent performance with some effort, would be welcome. Hopefully, we have hit rock bottom and Finnegan should be given a chance to turn things around, but if not the Board will have to consider whether we can afford not to sack him as you say. My guess is that he is on a warning to get things sorted. I also think some of the players have to look at themselves and their contribution to this dreadful start to the season.
I think a win would be a minor miracle, SF knows where the problem is - lack of line speed in defence, falling off tackles, no creativity in the halves
line speed - is it fitness levels? That takes time
tackles - is that technique or application
creativity - maybe drop smith ?
How bad is it when we are talking of miracles if we beat York at home ?