Rd 10 - WestsTigers v Knights

[Harvey]

That team sheet is a defacto resignation letter.

 

[Guest]

Do you guys think he will drop Brooks and play Madden and Mmbye with simpkin as 14 ?

I don't think so. Simpkin looked cooked last week - he needs to learn the ropes about what it takes to play NRL week in, week out. Having said that, I would have kept him on the bench to interchange Liddle.

Saw Mbye on the news, he was genuinely surprised to be named at 6 so it sounds like it was very much a surprise to him...But he sucked in the centres last week and it may be strategic to line Doueihi up against Best. The forward pack will have its hands full. We were lucky to beat the Knights last time and their forward pack dominated ours. I see the same thing happening again here unfortunately.

Willow,

Do you believe there is a lack of communication between Maguire and team?

I ask this because despite all the darts being thrown at Mbye, he is a senior member of the team. For him not to be aware of a significant positional change is extraordinary. I wonder if players are fully aware of what is required of them and maybe this is one of the reasons we are performing indifferently. The disconnect between Tamou and Maguire on Doueihi is another example.

Yes, and I think it is becoming more and more obvious the further this season drags on. You wouldn't necessarily see it if we were winning and in the top 4 for example, but where we are, all the little problems magnify into bigger problems. Communication is one of the most important ones. We see it on the field every week - players not communicating in defence, lack of structure in attack half the time...this all comes back to communication. Now if you're not getting your communication on the field correct, then that to me says you're not getting it right off the field either, because that's where most problems start.

 

[Telltails]

The reaction to Maguire selecting the clubs two highest players in their preferred positions for fear that we will get a flogging for doing so shows exactly what's wrong with this team - the successful clubs highest paid players are their best players and their challenges happen when they are not playing.

 

[sleeve]

This year is over for us as far as finals are concerned. I think what we will see now, is players given a chance to perform in the top grade to assess their potential for the long term.
We are far to generous in our appraisals of some players,who are average at best. Expect many without contracts will be shown the door.

 

[BAGNF05]

That team sheet is a defacto resignation letter.

My first thoughts also

 

[Demps]

That team sheet is a defacto resignation letter.

My first thoughts also

? Shane Flanagan & John Morris

 

[avocadoontoast]

That team sheet is a defacto resignation letter.

My first thoughts also

? Shane Flanagan & John Morris

That would be an excellent combo and would improve the team immediately.

 

[Tigerdave]

I'll be going to this game, went to the last magic round vs the Panthers, and I started thinking about some of the players I haven't seen play live in our team.

Went and checked, there's only 4 players in this team that I saw in our colours only 2 years ago....that's a hell of a lot of changes.

 

[Madge]

Found it interesting when Mbye was questioned about the Doueihi to centre move. His response was 'to get a different view of the game.'

Might be related to not giving any ball to the centre.

 

[jirskyr]

That team sheet is a defacto resignation letter.

My first thoughts also

? Shane Flanagan & John Morris

That would be an excellent combo and would improve the team immediately.

Peptides incoming

 

[happy_tiger]

Found it interesting when Mbye was questioned about the Doueihi to centre move. His response was 'to get a different view of the game.'

Might be related to not giving any ball to the centre.

you can do that in a training session ..and then if you don't listen ...the bench gets pretty uncomfortable after a while

 

[avocadoontoast]

That team sheet is a defacto resignation letter.

My first thoughts also

? Shane Flanagan & John Morris

That would be an excellent combo and would improve the team immediately.

Peptides incoming

Probably better than the valium the guys seem to be taking now

 

[851]

That said only a poor coach moves his best player.

Bennett has Cody Walker playing fullback


Yes still in a play making role. Thats the difference.

They also got beat 50-0, so it is no genius plan either

 

[happy_tiger]

Disappointing team. Only positive is Blore in.

Are we building for the future or are we trying to win now? This team is simultaneously managing to achieve neither.

We're 2 and 7. Admittedly we've had a tough schedule, but I think it's time to call a spade a spade. We're not going to win 10 games and lose only 5 to close the year out. Not with this squad. So let's try and build the best team for the future while being competitive.

Is Mbye our long-term 6? No. Is Doueihi? Quite possibly. A completely nonsensical move.

Why are we keeping Talau on the wing? Is that where we see his future? If we do, then fair enough, he's been adequate. But I don't think it's where he wants to play and I think he's got the skills to be a gun centre. If need be I'd rather run Cini out again and play Talau and Doueihi in the right positions rather than accommodate for Mbye. Sure Cini had a shocker and there's every chance he never ends up first grade standard, but the guy can clearly play well at reserve grade level. He's not going to make 5 errors again and he proved he can do a job vs. the Dragons, so what's there to really lose?

Why was Tamou made captain? I get the logic, but surely there had to be some kind of foresight that we'd be in a situation where not only aren't we competing for the finals, but he's also the weakest link in the pack. We've backed ourselves into a corner which is forcing us to play the oldest and worst player of our props because he's the captain. Poor decision. There's no reason whatsoever for Utoikamanu to not be in first grade given his age and the fact his performances haven't warranted being dropped.

I don't know how after 8 years of terrible performances, Brooks can't be dropped. Josh Papalii was the best prop in the game last year and has been dropped this year. Brooks has been the worst 7 in the game for the best part of 7-8 years and hasn't been dropped from first grade once. It's truly remarkable.

Geez I would have loved to watch your reaction when you first saw the team list. Sounds like you are a bit disgruntled. Welcome to the club.

Personally I think Madge is waving the white flag, I think behind closed doors he’s been trying to build a better roster but Wests Tigers in their current iteration just can’t do it. One more flogging and he’ll pack up his things and collect 600K.

Supported the team through the Sheens lineup selections. It won't get worse than seeing halfbacks moved to fullback and centres at prop lol.

I tend to agree re: Madge. I think he's happy to cop the sack at this stage and leave while he can blame the club rather than stay for the next 2 years and the cat's out the bag that he's got nothing as a coach.

And SOO hooker to 7 or 6

 

[BAGNF05]

I'll be going to this game, went to the last magic round vs the Panthers, and I started thinking about some of the players I haven't seen play live in our team.

Went and checked, there's only 4 players in this team that I saw in our colours only 2 years ago....that's a hell of a lot of changes.

I was up in two head land for that one, we played good. Off to a flyer.

 

[851]

That team sheet is a defacto resignation letter.

My first thoughts also

? Shane Flanagan & John Morris

I certainly hope so, end this nightmare now

 

[Cairnstigers]

Found it interesting when Mbye was questioned about the Doueihi to centre move. His response was 'to get a different view of the game.'

Might be related to not giving any ball to the centre.

That would be the only excuse I could except
Because moving Doueihi to Centre does not make any other sense
We now have Gidart coming to play centre next year you would assume
And I would imagine Talau would be the other centre
So if Madge doesn't like Doueihi in the Halves, where does that leave Doueihi now

Maybe we will see a Hastings Brooks Halves paring
If that's the case the only other spot for Doueihi is Lock or Wing