What or whom is the missing link?

[Steve Slater]

I won't be at York today due to my wife's illness, in fact I haven't been to many games this year and had to give up my position as match reporter for League Express. BUT I have been lucky in that Rovers have put up a good display on the few occasions I have been able to get down, especially at home to Toulouse and the games against Wakey. I have seen some woeful performances on RoversTV however, and initially put that down to lack of strength in depth amid a crippling injury list and a glut of suspensions. I thought we had turned the corner against Toulouse at home and Bradford and Widnes away, which makes the recent displays against Swinton and Sheffield incompehensible.

So this got me thinking about last season when we ran away with the league, and looking back at how that Dad's Army squad managed to win week after week with so many injuries, and asked myself whether the strongest side last year was really much better than the side we will put out today afainst York (minus Danny Addy of course)? We will still have Aekins, Hardcastle, Lacans, Bussey, Day and Lockwood back of course, and isn't Reynolds every bit as good as any half-back we had last year?

I know the budget's not as big and more players are now part-time, so if we're not as good as last year, what or whom is the missing link?

In view of all that I believe that these players will stand up and be counted to steer us safely into the play-offs. 

Edited September 29, 2024 by Steve Slater
Mistake in topic header

[The Phantom Horseman]

An excellent post/topic for discussion. Of course many will cite the coach but I think the squad size is an issue too. Last year we had a huge squad and (other than at half back) when someone was hurt or even carrying a knock we had a player of equal ability to come in.

This year we've either had to draft in DR players or players who wouldn't have got near the squad in the last couple of years. And perhaps the one unknown - how often have players turned out this year carrying knocks which with a bigger squad would have seen them rested?

Not saying it's the only factor by any means, but I definitely think a few players have played through the pain barrier this year.

 

[marklaspalmas]

Given that Hall, Kopczak, Lacans, Yei, Chisholm, Longstaff and Hau all missed out on slecetion for the last match of last season whilst being available, not counting the injured Springer, Hardcastle and Hepi, I would have to say last year's squad depth was much stronger.

The best 17 2023 v the best 17 2024? Fit and in form, last season's squad wins too. The results of the league campaign suggest that too.

Thread title from from the grammar police: Who not Whom  

I hope you are keeping well Steve, best regards to you and your family.

[Michael Bates]

A decent coach.

[Fevrover]

1 minute ago, Michael Bates said:

A decent coach.

More chance of me getting a c@$  season ticket then that.

[lingaro]

Can't remember a scoot from acting half from Jones since he came back from Australia.   Lacans managed it when he went off on Sunday and nearly went through.  One of out potent attack weapons and he doesn't do it anymore. Coaching?

[roversspud]

1 hour ago, lingaro said:

Can't remember a scoot from acting half from Jones since he came back from Australia.   Lacans managed it when he went off on Sunday and nearly went through.  One of out potent attack weapons and he doesn't do it anymore. Coaching?

It’s definitely more difficult for him to do that when playing the full 80 for obvious reasons and he got through a tremendous amount of tackling on Sunday. (He was picked out by the York forwards as the man to run at on loads of occasions.). He did attempt a couple of runs from dummy half one of which he appeared to be brought down by an offside York defender who hadn’t got back on side. I think we all think he’s better running fresh at tired defences but the coach clearly wants him there for the full 80 as it saves him a substitution which he can use on a middle.

[The Phantom Horseman]

1 hour ago, roversspud said:

It’s definitely more difficult for him to do that when playing the full 80 for obvious reasons and he got through a tremendous amount of tackling on Sunday. (He was picked out by the York forwards as the man to run at on loads of occasions.). He did attempt a couple of runs from dummy half one of which he appeared to be brought down by an offside York defender who hadn’t got back on side. I think we all think he’s better running fresh at tired defences but the coach clearly wants him there for the full 80 as it saves him a substitution which he can use on a middle.

^ this
Also all hookers these days are coached to look at the markers before deciding to scoot. If one or both are out of position then they tend to scoot and take the easy yards available, but if both markers are in position it's not really a percentage play to scoot (unless as roversspud alludes to one of them isn't square and you're looking for a penalty.)

So whilst I agree that he hasn't scooted much lately, as well as the factors mentioned above, I think we haven't had enough plays where the ball carrier has made a half-break and achieved a quick PTB for him to scoot so much.

[J Phil Loxton]

2 hours ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

^ this
Also all hookers these days are coached to look at the markers before deciding to scoot. If one or both are out of position then they tend to scoot and take the easy yards available, but if both markers are in position it's not really a percentage play to scoot (unless as roversspud alludes to one of them isn't square and you're looking for a penalty.)

So whilst I agree that he hasn't scooted much lately, as well as the factors mentioned above, I think we haven't had enough plays where the ball carrier has made a half-break and achieved a quick PTB for him to scoot so much.

That's the key word 'quick' TPH. Usually the opposition are in place by the time Fev play the ball. Noticeable more against Sheffield, we were far too slow out of the blocks and as poor as Sheffield were they found it easy in defence. Hence the result. Look how easy it was at Bradford when Springer decided on taking a quick play the ball. He took the Bulls by surprise. Jones is a top notch player but he needs quicker play the balls to show how really good he is.

[gazza77]

Ignoring the five drives and a kick tactics, how is the strength and conditioning of the players? Are we being impacted by too many players with a knock, or are there general fitness issues perhaps?

[roversspud]

Suddenly this thread has become interesting. Instead of the usual “we were sh*t” rubbish being spouted, we are actually analysing why things are happening. It makes for a better interaction between fans and consequently a much better forum! Well done, everyone!

[David Shepherd]

7 hours ago, lingaro said:

Can't remember a scoot from acting half from Jones since he came back from Australia.   Lacans managed it when he went off on Sunday and nearly went through.  One of out potent attack weapons and he doesn't do it anymore. Coaching?

We're not using Jones properly. He's at his best coming on late in the 1st half against tired legs.

[Les Tonks Sidestep]

2 hours ago, gazza77 said:

Ignoring the five drives and a kick tactics, how is the strength and conditioning of the players? Are we being impacted by too many players with a knock, or are there general fitness issues perhaps?

Tbh I've thought we've looked 'unfit' (or more accuratey, not as fit as in previous seasons) for a while.

[Featherstonerovers2000]

For me this season consistency in all positions has been bad we have had 

5 different fullbacks that I can remember 

7 different half backs mixed playing together 

and had 11 players sign and leave just this season 

and 3 loan players come and go 

and finally 6 dual reg players used this season

hell of a lot coming and  going in a short season 

[roversspud]

2 hours ago, Featherstonerovers2000 said:

For me this season consistency in all positions has been bad we have had 

5 different fullbacks that I can remember 

7 different half backs mixed playing together 

and had 11 players sign and leave just this season 

and 3 loan players come and go 

and finally 6 dual reg players used this season

hell of a lot coming and  going in a short season 

Could help explain why we’ve been so disjointed at times.