Matty Johns On WT

[TigerSJ]

I want to see the team up and in the faces of the opponent in defense. All the good teams do it, to the point i wonder how they are onside. We, on the other hand seem to wait and hold back in defense which allows forwards to build up steam and a smart half back time to either get a smart kick away or time to run a creative play. It needs to change, I'm sick of seeing it every week.

100% correct. I hate watching us get back the 10 (very slowly i might add - especially the guys who have just made the tackle) then jog up 2-3 metres, stop and jockey waiting to see what the opposition is going to do. By doing this we allow a team or player that runs on to the ball to gain momentum and the opportunity to break our line. If he passes at our line we have to scramble to stop the receiver- then we are already backpedaling. (Watch a guy like Keary in attack - he’s a master at hitting the ball with speed and playing at the line).
The top teams are up in the face of the attack meeting the opposition with aggressive momentum in Defence that does not allow time and space. LINE SPEED!!
Its worse when we are near our own line, then we move sideways and backwards with no hope of stopping a team that is moving forward from scoring.
At this point I am generally screaming at the TV!!!
Another thing while I’m on it - our markers are often just plain dumb. Drives me crazy watching the lack of urgency at times.

 

[Geo]

Going by that, the Tigers can barely take a risk because they can’t defend errors.

Hmmmm


Funny that; I'd say any team that has Benji Marshall knows all about risk.
And I say that in a good way.
You gotta risk it to get the biscuit!

Yes ..but when you can't defend errors you just end up with crumbs..

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Going by that, the Tigers can barely take a risk because they can’t defend errors.

Hmmmm


Funny that; I'd say any team that has Benji Marshall knows all about risk.
And I say that in a good way.
You gotta risk it to get the biscuit!

Yes ..but when you can't defend errors you just end up with crumbs..

Benji kicking on the third tackle for which he has been criticised is a good option. Good teams get field position and defend waiting for an error.

 

[supercoach]

Agree we need to up our line speed and aggression in defence, but I see our poor yardage game as a big factor in our poor form. Every set we struggle to make yards, so we are putting up a Hail Mary mid field bomb on the last every set, rather being right up in the attacking zone where you can force restarts and other attacking options. Of course it also means the other side are usually starting their set from about 30m out and it’s a easy ask to get down near our line in 5 tackles. That’s why we need a front rower like Welchwho churns out the yards

 

[jadtiger]

Benji kicking on the third tackle for which he has been criticised is a good option

I hope you are joking because it is a terrible option unless it is a set move and even then dosent work too often

 

[Masterton]

Benji kicking on the third tackle for which he has been criticised is a good option

I hope you are joking because it is a terrible option unless it is a set move and even then dosent work too often

Gould, Johns, Sterlo etc. are always praising a team brave enough to do it. Of course, doesn't work without some enthusiastic defence pinning them down.

 

[bbobb]

I kind of agree with Matty but think our problems go back to our inability to go forward. Too often oppositions start their sets in good field positions meaning that we are forced to defend try scoring attacking plays (kicks, block plays etc). I think if teams last tackle options were outside our 30 we would fair much better. We seem to also become vulnerable when decisions go against us - that is more a mental-resilience thing.

 

[851]

Going by that, the Tigers can barely take a risk because they can’t defend errors.

Hmmmm


Funny that; I'd say any team that has Benji Marshall knows all about risk.
And I say that in a good way.
You gotta risk it to get the biscuit!

Yes ..but when you can't defend errors you just end up with crumbs..

Benji kicking on the third tackle for which he has been criticised is a good option. Good teams get field position and defend waiting for an error.

Benji done a little toe poke through the line to no one on the 3rd tackle after we had defended for ages, in no game plan ever is that a good move

 

[jadtiger]

Benji kicking on the third tackle for which he has been criticised is a good option

I hope you are joking because it is a terrible option unless it is a set move and even then dosent work too often

Gould, Johns, Sterlo etc. are always praising a team brave enough to do it. Of course, doesn't work without some enthusiastic defence pinning them down.

As i said it needs to be a set move,Benji just does it because he seems to think its a good idea but nobody else seems to be aware he is going to do it so it usually backfires badly

 

[Telltails]

I think blaming Benji is setting up for further disappointment when he is gone - similar to the notion that all would be better when Farah was gone.
Maloney was guilty of missing more tackles than any half in the comp Mitchell Pearce currently has the highest missed tackles in.the NRL and yet both were/are carried by their clubs - be cause they had players around them to absorb that. And although plenty don't like the way Benji runs plays he has the results on the board. Not for a minute suggesting that we should re -sign him.
Our problems go way further than removing Benji and starts in the forwards and goes on from there. Until we remove at least two of highest paid players we are in for more of the same imo.

 

[Fade.To.Black]

Can't argue much with what he's had to say. Hopefully Madge can talk him into coming in during preseason to help out.

Matt Johns is the definitive definition of a bandwaggoner. He only hangs around teams having a bit of success. He wouldn't want to lessen the myth by taking on our car-wreck of a halves pairing in whatever form it takes next season.

 

[Tcat]

I want to see the team up and in the faces of the opponent in defense. All the good teams do it, to the point i wonder how they are onside. We, on the other hand seem to wait and hold back in defense which allows forwards to build up steam and a smart half back time to either get a smart kick away or time to run a creative play. It needs to change, I'm sick of seeing it every week.

Most of the time these teams ARE offside, way offside. If you can do that and the biased officials let you get away with it then it's a huge advantage. We aren't allowed to get away with it unfortunately....it would be a great help.

Yeah, it does seem that way, however thats where we need that influential captain to put pressure on the refs. I haven't seen any of our recent captains having that chat to the ref as they come off the field for half time. If our leaders on the field ask those questions, challenge the 50/50 calls, the refs might think we aren't the pushovers we normally appear to be.

 

[bbobb]

I think blaming Benji is setting up for further disappointment when he is gone - similar to the notion that all would be better when Farah was gone.
Maloney was guilty of missing more tackles than any half in the comp Mitchell Pearce currently has the highest missed tackles in.the NRL and yet both were/are carried by their clubs - be cause they had players around them to absorb that. And although plenty don't like the way Benji runs plays he has the results on the board. Not for a minute suggesting that we should re -sign him.
Our problems go way further than removing Benji and starts in the forwards and goes on from there. Until we remove at least two of highest paid players we are in for more of the same imo.

Excellent post mate - I know Benji has his faults but who is going to take up the mantle when he is gone?

 

[Russell]

Going by that, the Tigers can barely take a risk because they can’t defend errors.

Hmmmm


Funny that; I'd say any team that has Benji Marshall knows all about risk.
And I say that in a good way.
You gotta risk it to get the biscuit!

Yes ..but when you can't defend errors you just end up with crumbs..

Benji kicking on the third tackle for which he has been criticised is a good option. Good teams get field position and defend waiting for an error.

Yes but if you are going to give up three tackles - you have to make the kick count.

 

[Krammy]

Agree we need to up our line speed and aggression in defence, but I see our poor yardage game as a big factor in our poor form. Every set we struggle to make yards, so we are putting up a Hail Mary mid field bomb on the last every set, rather being right up in the attacking zone where you can force restarts and other attacking options. Of course it also means the other side are usually starting their set from about 30m out and it’s a easy ask to get down near our line in 5 tackles. That’s why we need a front rower like Welchwho churns out the yards

Good point Supercoach. What perplexes me is we had that speed and aggression in defence for a good period of time this year. This is why I was feeling we were a great chance for the finals. We all know this attitude changed during the the Warriors game and really hasn't come fully back. I'm keen to see if the team will get back to this attitude this week. I'm quietly confident they will - don't know why - perhaps getting things that you are feeling out in the open may gel the players again??? I really don't care so much about whether we win the games over the next four weeks. For me if we see line speed and aggression in defence it will be a good lead in to 2021.

 

[Tigerbuck63]

Agree with the following points.

Some weeks it’s ‘exciting’.

Some weeks it’s ‘disappointing’.

But mostly, it’s ‘inconsistent’ and ‘under-achieving’.

Every club leaks information, but it’s alarming how intimate the details of dressing room discussions at the Tigers.

But the question remains can Brooks really take charge of the team, had opportunities but under delivered so far.

No Benji next season ownership will be on only him???

Like most supporters there is a huge ? mark now.

 

[Strider]

I kind of agree with Matty but think our problems go back to our inability to go forward. Too often oppositions start their sets in good field positions meaning that we are forced to defend try scoring attacking plays (kicks, block plays etc). I think if teams last tackle options were outside our 30 we would fair much better. We seem to also become vulnerable when decisions go against us - that is more a mental-resilience thing.

Agree. Our forwards struggle to compete every week

 

[Tigrrs]

If Brooks hasn't realised this fact himself by now, he most likely never will.
Having Benji gone should be great for Brooks in this respect, he won't have Benji overcalling him now. If he does not stand up next season and be a dominant playmaker, get rid of him whatever the cost. Sick of hearing this dribble about him year after year.
Was Benji here when Brooks won Dally M HOTY? I can't remember.

There is only two problems at WT and they are Brooks and Benji.Take last weeks game as an example, we're in front of the competition leaders, with a bit of luck could be in front by 3 tries. The defence is great. All we need is to retain posession and keep applying pressure. Not one repeat set. Worst kicking game in the comp. How many 5th tackle options worked in our favour? If you're making 100 tackles more than the opposition you're going to run out of gas at some point. All the talk in these forums about JAC, Tamou, Christian Welsh...they'll all run out of gas too unless we get a half with a kicking game. In fact, let's get Tamou for his kicking game. Even he kicked for a repeat set last week, one more than either of our numpties.

Post of the Year, possibly the last five years.

 

[Strider]

If Brooks hasn't realised this fact himself by now, he most likely never will.
Having Benji gone should be great for Brooks in this respect, he won't have Benji overcalling him now. If he does not stand up next season and be a dominant playmaker, get rid of him whatever the cost. Sick of hearing this dribble about him year after year.
Was Benji here when Brooks won Dally M HOTY? I can't remember.

There is only two problems at WT and they are Brooks and Benji.Take last weeks game as an example, we're in front of the competition leaders, with a bit of luck could be in front by 3 tries. The defence is great. All we need is to retain posession and keep applying pressure. Not one repeat set. Worst kicking game in the comp. How many 5th tackle options worked in our favour? If you're making 100 tackles more than the opposition you're going to run out of gas at some point. All the talk in these forums about JAC, Tamou, Christian Welsh...they'll all run out of gas too unless we get a half with a kicking game. In fact, let's get Tamou for his kicking game. Even he kicked for a repeat set last week, one more than either of our numpties.

Post of the Year, possibly the last five years.

Ridiculous. Look at Manly forwards better than ours. Like every club! Two problems ! As if

I can't believe people can't see how weak our forwards are. Possibly worst in the game.

 

[jadtiger]

If Brooks hasn't realised this fact himself by now, he most likely never will.
Having Benji gone should be great for Brooks in this respect, he won't have Benji overcalling him now. If he does not stand up next season and be a dominant playmaker, get rid of him whatever the cost. Sick of hearing this dribble about him year after year.
Was Benji here when Brooks won Dally M HOTY? I can't remember.

There is only two problems at WT and they are Brooks and Benji.Take last weeks game as an example, we're in front of the competition leaders, with a bit of luck could be in front by 3 tries. The defence is great. All we need is to retain posession and keep applying pressure. Not one repeat set. Worst kicking game in the comp. How many 5th tackle options worked in our favour? If you're making 100 tackles more than the opposition you're going to run out of gas at some point. All the talk in these forums about JAC, Tamou, Christian Welsh...they'll all run out of gas too unless we get a half with a kicking game. In fact, let's get Tamou for his kicking game. Even he kicked for a repeat set last week, one more than either of our numpties.

Post of the Year, possibly the last five years.

Ridiculous. Look at Manly forwards better than ours. Like every club! Two problems ! As if

I can't believe people can't see how weak our forwards are. Possibly worst in the game.

Having all of the ball helps their forwards