SQUAD v TITANS

[Steggles]

I don’t defend the coach blindly. Just as you are capable of analysing the situation and coming up with your own opinion, so am I. Just because my opinion is different to yours does not mean I haven’t put sufficient thought into it.

You’re the one that said ‘you can’t defend or support the coach on this forum apparently’, not me. My point is that nobody takes issue with you or anyone else supporting the coach, none, zip, zero.
Defending his recent performance is another matter.

[Qld Chook]

The Raiders are 4th... so anyone saying this side being in the Top 4 is unrealistic is laughable. We have had plenty of injury setbacks but not enough to justify the position on the ladder.

The worrying thing is this season is the exact same as last season, except we haven't gone on a massive run at the end of the season. I do think we win this weekend but. Tino out is huge for them.

It blows my mind that people can’t grip just how poor a year it is. We lost to the dragons who are fighting for the spoon and beat the dogs unconvincingly by 1 point. We are fourth bloody last! How does it not sink in for some.

[mightyrooster]

You’re the one that said ‘you can’t defend or support the coach on this forum apparently’, not me. My point is that nobody takes issue with you or anyone else supporting the coach, none, zip, zero.
Defending his recent performance is another matter.

This is funny. My response was in response to your comment (or someone else’s as I’ve lost track as to whether it was you or QLD Chook) that no one can speak out against the coach on this forum. I was pointing out the irony in that comment, because many in here actually already do speak out against the coach. Many. As for the rest, I disagree that no-one takes issue with posters defending the coach, because they actually do. My thoughts are that everyone is entitled to their opinion, no matter which side of the fence they sit on. It’s the personal insults and sarcastic put downs I don’t like.

[mightyrooster]

What’s your defence for Robbo’s decision making this season based on your analysis?

I’m genuinely curious.

My thoughts are mixed. He left Joey at 6 way too long. He left Suaalii at centre for way too long. I didn’t agree with the Smith signing as I thought Verrills was good and capable enough for dummy half. I was not a big fan of the Lodge signing, not because of his ability but more of his reputation as a divisive figure. I agreed with the Walker dropping at the time, so long as it was only going to be a short stint in NSW cup. Then he got injured which screwed the whole thing up and so we’ll never know if it was a good decision or not. We’ve had lots of distractions with Gus and the Suaalii bombshell signing. We keep getting injuries at regular intervals. We haven’t fielded our best 17/since 2019 I swear. It’s been constant for 4 years now and I’m over it.

On the other hand I worry that our style of play hasn’t evolved. Should it? Is this the problem or is it the disruptions I mention above that makes the attack look so clunky? The longer the season has gone on the more frustrated I have become but I still have faith that Robbo will turn it around. There are no coaches out there any better than him that can fix this.

[Chook2]

The Raiders are 4th... so anyone saying this side being in the Top 4 is unrealistic is laughable. We have had plenty of injury setbacks but not enough to justify the position on the ladder.

The worrying thing is this season is the exact same as last season, except we haven't gone on a massive run at the end of the season. I do think we win this weekend but. Tino out is huge for them.

Exactly, if we won the 4 games we lost by 2 points we would be sitting 4th
we have just looked clunky all year, and our attack worst I have seen for some time
some things robbo can’t control like injuries but Many things he has stuffed up again this year like last year so needs to take accountability

[ism22]

It blows my mind that people can’t grip just how poor a year it is. We lost to the dragons who are fighting for the spoon and beat the dogs unconvincingly by 1 point. We are fourth bloody last! How does it not sink in for some.

Oh it's sinking in for all of us I'm sure. However, I think everybody acts differently.

Lotsa people seem to just vent and keep repeating their opinion that the coach and marquee players should all be sacked because nothing's 'good enough'.

I've said it elsewhere... the only thing we've got going right now is 'family'. We're not bleeding talent YET but we will be if we keep up this kinda form as lotsa guys would be taking unders on the basis that we're capable of growing their value & winning premierships. If we started sacking the coach and senior players then fark me!!! Not a scenario I wanna think about frankly.

To me this is starting to feel like a 2008/09 scenario. We've bought a lot of good players and something's not clicking. I'm as frustrated as everybody else but I WANT our current squad to click! I'm a FAN so funnily enough I support the team that we field no matter what.

We're all on the sinking ship together and there's still a tiny glimmer of hope that we're gonna make the 8 by winning 5 of our last 7 games. Logic says that's impossible but again as a FAN... my mind says that if we can show just a LITTLE bit more composure then our squad is capable of beating the Tigers, Titans, Dolphins, Manly, Eels and Souffs. IF... and it's a big IF we can win 5 or 6 of the next 7... then we stand a chance in the finals. A very narrow chance, but as a FAN (you'll see me keep repeating that word!!!) I make no apologies for believing in such miracles.

Last week against the Storm we showed that we can play toe-to-toe with the better teams. We just can't farking score points!!! I don't think it's incorrect to say that when scores were in the balance, a split second of timing made the difference. I dunno who threw that intercept but if they'd held it up for another split second then we're dealing with a situation where a defender's shot off the line and we can run through for a try. IMO that's the sorta timing Robbo's talking about in the pressers. There's a narrow gap between brilliance and stupidity. Our attack just needs to be THAT much sharper and we're gonna start seeing tries in such situations rather than disappointment. Then once confidence kicks in the flood gates will open. I know it's a desperate hope but as a FAN I believe we can do it over the next few weeks. Don't be too disappointed when we beat the Drongos...

[Recky62]

mrs Recky and moi are thinking of catching the train down to CBUS...if nothing else, that giant mug Tino wont be there to break anymore jaws

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Exactly, if we won the 4 games we lost by 2 points we would be sitting 4th
we have just looked clunky all year, and our attack worst I have seen for some time
some things robbo can’t control like injuries but Many things he has stuffed up again this year like last year so needs to take accountability

Actually we lost 3 games by 2 points,
and won 2 games by 2 points
and won 2 games by 1 point......
so based on your IF theory
IF we lost those 4 games we won by 2 points or 1 point
we could easily be 8 points LESS than we are
on 12 points and equal last.

[Montana]

My thoughts are mixed. He left Joey at 6 way too long. He left Suaalii at centre for way too long. I didn’t agree with the Smith signing as I thought Verrills was good and capable enough for dummy half. I was not a big fan of the Lodge signing, not because of his ability but more of his reputation as a divisive figure. I agreed with the Walker dropping at the time, so long as it was only going to be a short stint in NSW cup. Then he got injured which screwed the whole thing up and so we’ll never know if it was a good decision or not. We’ve had lots of distractions with Gus and the Suaalii bombshell signing. We keep getting injuries at regular intervals. We haven’t fielded our best 17/since 2019 I swear. It’s been constant for 4 years now and I’m over it.

On the other hand I worry that our style of play hasn’t evolved. Should it? Is this the problem or is it the disruptions I mention above that makes the attack look so clunky? The longer the season has gone on the more frustrated I have become but I still have faith that Robbo will turn it around. There are no coaches out there any better than him that can fix this.

Best summary of our season I have read! I would also add that there is indeed a conscious effort by the NRL to put our players, coach and club in "our place".

[BillyBonkers]

The question to be asked is why is this team 4th last?????????????????

Dud team with a dud coach !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HunchoRooster]

It blows my mind that people can’t grip just how poor a year it is. We lost to the dragons who are fighting for the spoon and beat the dogs unconvincingly by 1 point. We are fourth bloody last! How does it not sink in for some.

Yeah mate, to also think we beat the Dragons on Anzac Day despite scoring less tries and conceding 26 points or whatever it was. Then beating the Dogs by 1pt who then proceeded to lose by 50 multiple times. We are a bad side! The worst is when we played the Riff, who are the yardstick of the comp and didn't lay a glove on them despite them not even being at full strength. We are MILES off the pace and where the club should be.

[Steggles]

This is funny. My response was in response to your comment (or someone else’s as I’ve lost track as to whether it was you or QLD Chook) that no one can speak out against the coach on this forum. I was pointing out the irony in that comment, because many in here actually already do speak out against the coach. Many. As for the rest, I disagree that no-one takes issue with posters defending the coach, because they actually do. My thoughts are that everyone is entitled to their opinion, no matter which side of the fence they sit on. It’s the personal insults and sarcastic put downs I don’t like.

Mate, you’ve misunderstood. I said no issue supporting the coach, not defending the coach.

[mightyrooster]

Best summary of our season I have read! I would also add that there is indeed a conscious effort by the NRL to put our players, coach and club in "our place".

Thanks. I agree, I should have added the NRL / refs have completely destroyed Radley’s confidence, He is a shadow of the player he once was. He goes out there every game wondering whether this will be the next game he is sent to the bin / sent off / put on report, costing the team. Why do our players get so many fines and penalties for things that go unnoticed for other teams? Six agains and penalties, why do we continue to be an outlier here and always have the worst record of penalties and 6 agains RECEIVED? I don’t understand. We cannot overcome this statistical bias the way we used to because the 6 again rule has made sure of that and our kicking game is terrible meaning we are constantly defending our own end. The Storm were allowed to wrestle and turtle our players constantly in the last game but if our players hang on a split second too long then the whistle blows or bell rings. That’s the way it seemed to me. Maybe it was just the frustration making it seem worse. I don’t know.

[King Salvo]

Basically the season has been cruelled by a host of players not in great nick form wise plus throw into the mix injuries that has tested the squad depth.

I am sure they are working hard at training and on areas Individuals and the Team need to improve on but sometimes even that doesn't bare fruition.

As an example I am sure David Warner is working hard on his batting with the batting coach/video analysis and in the nets - sometimes no matter how hard you work on improving it doesn't always pay off.

The Coaching staff can only do so much and they don't have a magic wand to magically put a player back into form. - The player has to take ownership of their form when they cross the white stripe

I am still confused with the view of posters on here who don't rate a whole raft of players either wanting them in NSW Cup/Retired or Banished from the Club but then on the flip side bang on saying it's the best squad and it's the Coaches fault.

That's illogical to say the least.

[Qld Chook]

My thoughts are mixed. He left Joey at 6 way too long. He left Suaalii at centre for way too long. I didn’t agree with the Smith signing as I thought Verrills was good and capable enough for dummy half. I was not a big fan of the Lodge signing, not because of his ability but more of his reputation as a divisive figure. I agreed with the Walker dropping at the time, so long as it was only going to be a short stint in NSW cup. Then he got injured which screwed the whole thing up and so we’ll never know if it was a good decision or not. We’ve had lots of distractions with Gus and the Suaalii bombshell signing. We keep getting injuries at regular intervals. We haven’t fielded our best 17/since 2019 I swear. It’s been constant for 4 years now and I’m over it.

On the other hand I worry that our style of play hasn’t evolved. Should it? Is this the problem or is it the disruptions I mention above that makes the attack look so clunky? The longer the season has gone on the more frustrated I have become but I still have faith that Robbo will turn it around. There are no coaches out there any better than him that can fix this.

All good points. My frustration with it all, is why did he take so long for leaving Joey at 6 and Suualli at centre. It was obvious it wasn’t working and as soon as Suualli decided he wasn’t here long term he would’ve went straight back to the wing.

I never understood Walkers dropping. Can anyone explain it to me? Robbo talks in riddles. Anything he needed to work on surely you let him do that in first grade so we continue our combos. We are not a club that can afford to be making unforced changes when we are constantly struck with injuries.

I don’t think Gus getting help for a period and being unavailable and a player signing elsewhere are big enough distractions to de-rail our year either.

I’ve said it before but the fact that there are no obvious candidates to take the reins off Robbo shouldn’t let him off the hook. I back our board to get creative and find someone if they NEEDED to. Someone mentioned Websters affect at the warriors, what a hidden gem he was. I’m sure there are others, so I think that is just a really poor excuse tbh. I want to see Robbo bounce back. But I want to see growth too. I don’t know how many more slow starts I can endure. You need to start fast to have any chance, so you can afford the luxury to rest players and freshen them up for the proper season in September like Penrith have.