21 replies to this topic

[shoey]

I probably should have taken notice of the opinions on this forum.

First game of the season and I wasn't expecting to find free flowing,skillful rugby league but I also wasn't expecting to see a team that
were so short of ideas,ability and seemingly effort.
The response to the first Knights try gave me a warning of what to expect - a spirited but held back applause.
Leigh didn't have to work for barely any of their trys. 3 in the first half came on the Knights right hand side where Pryce seemed to be left against at least 2 Leigh players on each occasion. It just seemed so EASY to score against that defence. I would have fancied my chances of running from the back of the pop stand, across the track, 30m down the pitch and through the gaps that were being left everywhere.

I lost count of the number of times I turned to those around me and just said things like "he didn't attack from deep", "the defence isn't in a line", and "there's no movement". It just appeared that the tactic was to get as far forward as possible on tackles 1-3, dish the ball to Olds on tackle 4 and hope that something happened before tackle 6. This was the way forward on at least 8 sets in the first half - there was no attempt (perhaps not the ability) to try anything different. Thorman did the same kickoff every time in the first half as well. It was like consistently rewinding and playing a DVD.
When Sullivan did run onto the ball from deep - he scored. But it didn't happen again in the entire game.

Olds, Garside and Elliott stood out for me. Bush stupidly got himself binned, the ref indicated on at least 3 occasions for him to shut up before issuing the yellow card. Another inconsistent ref with regards to offside and head height decisions. But he didn't have any major impact on the score. The ref doesn't drop the ball, miss tackles or leave gaps in the defence.

Not convinced Leigh ever really got out of first gear but still stuck 60+ points on us. I could just hear my P.E teachers from school in my head, shouting "run onto the ball at pace". Some of the things that aren't being done really are schoolboy stuff.
I don't like slating players especially with the number of players who are out injured/unavailable but reading this forum over the season, it seems to be the same issues week in, week out, which leads to the question, what gets covered in training?
I bet Mr Thornton is wondering what on earth he has let himself in for next season! As the second half went on, it did seem as the players had given up, I know it was hot weather for a game of rugby but the apparent lack of effort was awful. Perhaps many of this squad know already they will not be kept on for the new season?

I turned up hoping for a game that was at the least entertaining even if a large Knights defeat was inevitable, I left feeling the most deflated I ever have after a Knights game. HUGE respect to those who continue to go week in, week out.
Things can only get better right?

*Prepared to get absolutely slated for this*

[KNIGHTS2009]

I probably should have taken notice of the opinions on this forum.

First game of the season and I wasn't expecting to find free flowing,skillful rugby league but I also wasn't expecting to see a team that
were so short of ideas,ability and seemingly effort.
The response to the first Knights try gave me a warning of what to expect - a spirited but held back applause.
Leigh didn't have to work for barely any of their trys. 3 in the first half came on the Knights right hand side where Pryce seemed to be left against at least 2 Leigh players on each occasion. It just seemed so EASY to score against that defence. I would have fancied my chances of running from the back of the pop stand, across the track, 30m down the pitch and through the gaps that were being left everywhere.

I lost count of the number of times I turned to those around me and just said things like "he didn't attack from deep", "the defence isn't in a line", and "there's no movement". It just appeared that the tactic was to get as far forward as possible on tackles 1-3, dish the ball to Olds on tackle 4 and hope that something happened before tackle 6. This was the way forward on at least 8 sets in the first half - there was no attempt (perhaps not the ability) to try anything different. Thorman did the same kickoff every time in the first half as well. It was like consistently rewinding and playing a DVD.
When Sullivan did run onto the ball from deep - he scored. But it didn't happen again in the entire game.

Olds, Garside and Elliott stood out for me. Bush stupidly got himself binned, the ref indicated on at least 3 occasions for him to shut up before issuing the yellow card. Another inconsistent ref with regards to offside and head height decisions. But he didn't have any major impact on the score. The ref doesn't drop the ball, miss tackles or leave gaps in the defence.

Not convinced Leigh ever really got out of first gear but still stuck 60+ points on us. I could just hear my P.E teachers from school in my head, shouting "run onto the ball at pace". Some of the things that aren't being done really are schoolboy stuff.
I don't like slating players especially with the number of players who are out injured/unavailable but reading this forum over the season, it seems to be the same issues week in, week out, which leads to the question, what gets covered in training?
I bet Mr Thornton is wondering what on earth he has let himself in for next season! As the second half went on, it did seem as the players had given up, I know it was hot weather for a game of rugby but the apparent lack of effort was awful. Perhaps many of this squad know already they will not be kept on for the new season?

I turned up hoping for a game that was at the least entertaining even if a large Knights defeat was inevitable, I left feeling the most deflated I ever have after a Knights game. HUGE respect to those who continue to go week in, week out.
Things can only get better right?

*Prepared to get absolutely slated for this*

People have been saying that most of this season and it never has got better but still have to hope for it to get better for what is a tough end to season Featherstone,Batley, Halifax and Hunslet.
Hope we make some real decent signings as this team will not stay up next season.

[ANDYPK]

Jack,

You should have rung me, I'd have told you to stay away this season, so demoralising, if games were only 20mins long we'd easily be a top half side but as we know our dear game is 80mins and this side simply do not have the engine to play 80mins. The player who stands out week in week out all season is Jack Aldous, he's the only one who consistently gives his all and really puts his body on the line when tackling, hope he's signed on for next year, Elliott, Bush, Pryce & Fordy are the only players I would retain from this team, the rest could all walk for me. Think Thornton will already be making plans, depends on funding. Plenty round me for weeks been shouting for big Jack Stearman to get a run, well he did for 10mins and no wonder ! He simply looks well out of shape and dropped off every tackle he attempted, real shame as I always thought he had so much potential, cannot see him doing it at this level if that's how he doesn't take his chance. Too early to really comment on Esposito, can't be any mug based on the level he played at in Oz.
To me the sheer lack of pride in playing for the shirt today was awful in fact painful for the last twenty minutes, you could say disrespectful to us paying fans, the seasons gone now completely, hence I would release Thorman and let him think about his new role at the Giants, got to say I really hope he makes a go of it as hardly set things n fire here has he. IF? Davies has signed elsewhere stop paying a match fee for him and save the dosh. The prospect of three out of the last four games is daunting, Fev, Fax
and Batley plus no easy game against the Hawks as they will desperately what to double us again despite their own shocking form.

I simply do not look forward to watching rugby at the moment and that is a growing concern.

[Spanish Knight]

Jack,

You should have rung me, I'd have told you to stay away this season, so demoralising, if games were only 20mins long we'd easily be a top half side but as we know our dear game is 80mins and this side simply do not have the engine to play 80mins. The player who stands out week in week out all season is Jack Aldous, he's the only one who consistently gives his all and really puts his body on the line when tackling, hope he's signed on for next year, Elliott, Bush, Pryce & Fordy are the only players I would retain from this team, the rest could all walk for me. Think Thornton will already be making plans, depends on funding. Plenty round me for weeks been shouting for big Jack Stearman to get a run, well he did for 10mins and no wonder ! He simply looks well out of shape and dropped off every tackle he attempted, real shame as I always thought he had so much potential, cannot see him doing it at this level if that's how he doesn't take his chance. Too early to really comment on Esposito, can't be any mug based on the level he played at in Oz.
To me the sheer lack of pride in playing for the shirt today was awful in fact painful for the last twenty minutes, you could say disrespectful to us paying fans, the seasons gone now completely, hence I would release Thorman and let him think about his new role at the Giants, got to say I really hope he makes a go of it as hardly set things n fire here has he. IF? Davies has signed elsewhere stop paying a match fee for him and save the dosh. The prospect of three out of the last four games is daunting, Fev, Fax
and Batley plus no easy game against the Hawks as they will desperately what to double us again despite their own shocking form.

I simply do not look forward to watching rugby at the moment and that is a growing concern.

Your not alone Andy there were loads of regular fans missing today and we wont have won any new ones on todays performance.

[Shadow45]

Your not alone Andy there were loads of regular fans missing today and we wont have won any new ones on todays performance.

Sorry to say that I'm one of the missing regulars this season, been to about half a dozen games this season but have had to put earning a living above watching the Knights! Hopefully next season my working rota will allow me to attend more matches as I miss the game, Coach Thornton will have his work cut out, so will be an interesting close season with who stays, who goes and who we sign.

[Peter G.]

Two good things about today, the sunshine and hearing on the way home that Dave Sutton is conscious again and seems ok.

Comments overheard from a group of Leigh fans on leaving the ground:

" After travelling over was hoping to see a match today".

" At least it will bump up our points difference".

" Yes but they were that bad we should have put eighty points on em today".

Whilst these comments could be regarded as disrespectful to the opposition, after the shambolic display I had just witnessed it would have been extremely hard to disagree with them. The only thing I might have asked was were they St. Helens in disguise cos the gap between the sides looked that big today that it was hard to believe they were in the same division!

[shoey]

it's a shame the schools have broken up for the summer as a P.E lesson of rugby about running forward with the ball, running from deep and being a defensive line
would probably benefit the squad.
I still quite can't believe how bad it was today. I reckon, I could turn up at training with 3/4 pieces of A4 filled with things you can notice from the sidelines.
Not sure a player/coach can work that well as you just can't notice as much as you do from being in the stand.

Perhaps we could invite Ramsden/Cook to come stand on the terrace with us?

[ANDYPK]

it's a shame the schools have broken up for the summer as a P.E lesson of rugby about running forward with the ball, running from deep and being a defensive line
would probably benefit the squad.
I still quite can't believe how bad it was today. I reckon, I could turn up at training with 3/4 pieces of A4 filled with things you can notice from the sidelines.
Not sure a player/coach can work that well as you just can't notice as much as you do from being in the stand.

Perhaps we could invite Ramsden/Cook to come stand on the terrace with us?

Jack
or, perhaps we thank Rammo and Cook for their efforts and committment over the years (undoubted from Rammo) but let Thornton bring in his own coaching team? Sometimes a complete change although tough is necessary to get some new momentum going and new ideas, we have looked completely inept in game plans most of this season, Cooky was brought back for his defensive specialism I believe ? Cant say I have noticed any impact he has had.
Tough call but if I was Chairman that is what I would do.

Andy

[shoey]

Must agree there really. Complete overhaul in coaching department. I doubt Ramsden/Cook will last the full season even if they are currently "staying on".
Cook brought in for defensive specialism? Oh dear...

[Spanish Knight]

How many were at the game?, Leigh brought a fair few.

[andyacko]

806, John.

[Spanish Knight]

806, John.

Thank you Andy.

[SuperYork]

We awful today, can't blame the ref, he missed a few things but he doesn't help us defend!
I do feel for CT a bit, he has been on his own all season at halfs, he never has any runners from when he passes it. Also we have been so unlucky with injuries this year.
Next season, the position we need to improve in is: 2 half backs, 2 centres, 2 props (ones that run on to the ball), 2nd rower and loose forward. Just to start with.

[shades2]

Can't add a lot to that, really good start again, then total collapse.
If some of those players out there are playing to get contracts next year,
then god help them, only Jack Aldous puts his body on the line game after game.

Coaching wise, pretty simple for me, if the players put the same commitment, fight,
proffesionalism & desire to represent York City Knights as Rammo & Cooky do, we
would not be in this position.

Got to add this & hope It doesn't upset my fellow pop-stand halfway liners, but
the language used at times by some really does need curbing in my opinion,

I'll be the first to hold my hand up & say I do occasionally used the 'wrong word', but soon
get told aout it if I do, there are loads of women & some children in that area & they should
not have to put up with the F word (and worse) been shouted every few minutes.

Know very well that its not easy when you have idiots like yesterday reffing, but pretty sure we
wouldn't be hearing that sort of language if we were winning every week, we as a group have got
to be bigger & better than that.

Edited by shades2, 23 July 2012 - 07:23 AM.

[Simon Hall]

Got to add this & hope It doesn't upset my fellow pop-stand halfway liners, but
the language used at times by some really does need curbing in my opinion,

I'll be the first to hold my hand up & say I do occasionally used the 'wrong word', but soon
get told aout it if I do, there are loads of women & some children in that area & they should
not have to put up with the F word (and worse) been shouted every few minutes.

Know very well that its not easy when you have idiots like yesterday reffing, but pretty sure we
wouldn't be hearing that sort of language if we were winning every week, we as a group have got
to be bigger & better than that.

I blame the parents...

[gazza77]

How has Nathan Freer gone for you guys since returning from Fev?

[Simon Hall]

How has Nathan Freer gone for you guys since returning from Fev?

Honestly? Very poor indeed.

Edited by Simon Hall, 23 July 2012 - 08:17 AM.

[shades2]

I blame the parents...

Really hope they do something about it...
Because if some people carry out their 'threats', I'll be stood on my own.
Lost enough fans from the area that try's to get behind the team, don't need to lose anymore.

[ladyknight1967]

Can't add a lot to that, really good start again, then total collapse.
If some of those players out there are playing to get contracts next year,
then god help them, only Jack Aldous puts his body on the line game after game.

Coaching wise, pretty simple for me, if the players put the same commitment, fight,
proffesionalism & desire to represent York City Knights as Rammo & Cooky do, we
would not be in this position.

Got to add this & hope It doesn't upset my fellow pop-stand halfway liners, but
the language used at times by some really does need curbing in my opinion,

I'll be the first to hold my hand up & say I do occasionally used the 'wrong word', but soon
get told aout it if I do, there are loads of women & some children in that area & they should
not have to put up with the F word (and worse) been shouted every few minutes.

Know very well that its not easy when you have idiots like yesterday reffing, but pretty sure we
wouldn't be hearing that sort of language if we were winning every week, we as a group have got
to be bigger & better than that.

Well said Shades, seems to have been getting worse over the last few weeks, I don't pay my money to listen to foul abusive language. I'll be one of those moving if people don't learn what is acceptable behaviour at a family game

[barlby knight]

Rovers seem to have ruined Nathan , not the same player at all