sandow to parra

[Guest]

I don't know who told Pearce he needs to get bigger to threaten the line, because they're kidding themselves.

Pearce has the most predictable change of direction in the NRL. Him "taking on the line" consists of a massive left foot step telegraphed by a customary head wobble. His step is so big that his final movement isn't even forwards, it's lateral - he goes big left foot to the side, then a big surge towards the right hand touch line. The defence just watches then hammers him. Watch Soward's line break today - all it is, is a little shift of weight one way, and bang you're in a hole. If Pearce ran straight at gaps and developed better feet his running game would fine.

What shits me is that we're all sitting here coming up with coaching options, and what the players need to work on... yet we see the same garbage week in week out. What the **** is Smith doing?

[Guest]

That is the coaches fault - he's encouraging mini to play like a five eight. Smith is an idiot.

That's rubbish fred.

I'm certain Smith wouldn't be saying to Mini to take all those blind side runs.

Surely a senior player would know better even if he is given some freedom, the guy has only played first grade for 12 years.

Anyway it's bloody frustrating.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Yet he out paced Soward in a foot race to score in Vs Dragons................

No he didn't... Soward had him for pace but Pearce changed direction. It also wasn't a line break, he picked up a loose ball.. Acceleration for a player is more important than speed, you see when Pearce tries to step through a gap, he just can't do it. He isn't slow but takes a while to build up to top speed. This is why he struggles to make line breaks.

[Guest]

That's rubbish fred.

I'm certain Smith wouldn't be saying to Mini to take all those blind side runs.

Surely a senior player would know better even if he is given some freedom, the guy has only played first grade for 12 years.

Anyway it's bloody frustrating.

It's not rubbish mate. Smith has told mini to get involved like a second five eight. That's how he's got them training, that's his tactics, that's how they play on the weekends.

It's sad, it's horrific, it's stupid but it's true.

[supermario]

No he didn't... Soward had him for pace but Pearce changed direction. It also wasn't a line break, he picked up a loose ball.. Acceleration for a player is more important than speed, you see when Pearce tries to step through a gap, he just can't do it. He isn't slow but takes a while to build up to top speed. This is why he struggles to make line breaks.

That can come down to poor off the ball work. No decoys or players running angles to put the defence in 2 minds. A player can step like he is dancing a jive, but it means nothing when 3 defenders have no worries in leaving their defensive assignment to stop the playmaker because there is no risk of a player running off his hip.

Take the FPN try, when pearce has the 2nd rowers running the lines into the gaps there are 2 things that can happen, pearce passes and 2nd rower scores, or pearce sucks in the defender to take the 2nd rower and he steps through (which he has done before)

the point i am trying to make is Pearce is capable, he has the speed, strength and skill to be a brilliant roosters half. Currently out of form, but we have seen what he can do, line breaks and all, and we will see it again.

[Guest]

Thats it Muz. I couldnt give a flying **** if we lose any of our forward pack, apart from Kennedy, Myles. A few of the other young blokes like Arona and JWH should be kept and then fill the gaps. Players like JJ, Carney and SKD for the backline with a few more signings and we have a good team. I forgot Friend.

Pearce is a must and to lay the blame at his feet is bullshit. The idiot outside him is the cancer of our attack. Thank god he plays in the forwards so much last year. People say he doesnt get involved. Thank god he only has 4-5 runs a game.

[ism22]

Who are Souffs replacing him with?

[Hawkeye]

Who are Souffs replacing him with?

after the first page, I forgot this was a thread about Sandow !

[Guest]

after the first page, I forgot this was a thread about Sandow !

He was pissed he had to wait a whole year to have a dig, yet his coward mate feared he was about to get tackled in the shower by a reporter, and wanted to towel up.

[Guest]

Lets not excuse Pearce altogether.

He must shoulder quite a lot of the blame.

He is not a rookie anymore. He has been to the GF and played Origin.

He has the ability - he needs to apply it. So far this season he has been on struggle street.

Champions want the ball in their hands when the game is on the line. Pearce needs to learn that.

[Guest]

Lets not excuse Pearce altogether.

He must shoulder quite a lot of the blame.

He is not a rookie anymore. He has been to the GF and played Origin.

He has the ability - he needs to apply it. So far this season he has been on struggle street.

Champions want the ball in their hands when the game is on the line. Pearce needs to learn that.

Yes, Pearce must shoulder the blame, and he is not in career best form.

BUT, we must remember that he is playing in a team of passengers. Who in this side, apart from SKD, poses a legitimate threat to the line? FPN? Maybe, once every three weeks. Mose? Probably, but for some reason he's never charging at it as a short runner close to the try line.

Pearce has no options.

Not even Thurston could carry his Cowboys to anything decent until they bought him some support this year. Prince is struggling now that his support is ageing.

Yes, Pearce could be doing better. But I really don't think that's where the problem lies.

[melon....]

Lets not excuse Pearce altogether.

He must shoulder quite a lot of the blame.

He is not a rookie anymore. He has been to the GF and played Origin.

He has the ability - he needs to apply it. So far this season he has been on struggle street.

Champions want the ball in their hands when the game is on the line. Pearce needs to learn that.

Well then he's going to have to tell Mini and Anasta to **** off and get their hands off it. They keep ****ing up the play like Ricko and Fitzy used to. They are just bumbling and getting in the way. And if Smith is coaching this shit, then **** him off.