Kenny Dowall MUST GO!!

[Guest]

we conceded 28 points or more on a total of 9 occasions in 24 games in 2010 - 37.5%
we have conceded 28 points or more only once in 12 games so far in 2013 - 8.33%

we scored 28 points or more on a total of 9 occasions in 24 games in 2010 - 37.5%
we have scored 28 points or more 5 times in 12 games so far in 2013 - 41.67%

yes, sack the coach.

[Guest]

And we leaked 24 points against the wooden spooners on Friday night, does that make our defence poor also? Teams have off games, it's called an anomaly.

Like I said in the back half of the season our defence was the second best in the comp, your statement that our defence 'stunk' is only partly right and it's limited to the first half of the season.

Please stop arguing. Sometimes I have a feeling that you do it just for the sake of arguing.

We leaked points all season, in early rounds as well as the later ones. Did we have good defensive games? Sure. However they were sporadic, just like our bad ones.

That can be called mediocre.

[Guest]

What will Moga do???

He struggled in defence himself last season in his few games and he's been injured since day 1 of preseason training, he can't possibly have learnt defence and attitude sitting in a moon boot on the sidelines.

I'm not defending The Doufus in any way. I'm just amazed what people could expect Moga to do???

I'm sure MK is responsible anyways.

Too true.

Put Maubs there for now and let Moga work from newtown.

[Newcroosters]

Sentiment has no real place in professional sport however I do feel for skd , looking at the boys celebrating next to the Jack Gibson Cup I noticed he looked somewhat dejected .For the sake of his immediate confidence and career he needs to re-establish himself in a lower tier of footy .Whether he plays for us next year or not [though obviously id rather him NOT] I wish him all the best . Ive never been a fan of Aubs in the centres, but its the most sensible way to go for the short term .

Agree 100%, I'm not sure if there is another answer to skd, if there was I'm sure robbo would have gone there already. I hope skd can get some confidence soon.

[liver1971]

He trialled with the Philly Eagles after about a season with us after he came from PNG - no luck at the Eagles but was a kicker for the Montreal Allouttes - he returned after about a year I think. He was a top centre as too was his centre partner John Brass a dual international. Brass was class and Aubo though not in his class is still close to being a complete footballer yet without Brass' hands and speed. Amazing duo were Brass and Harris - am probably same vintage as your dad haha and born and bred easts fan

Its a tradition in our family , once a rooster always a rooster , my son once questioned if he could follow Manly -im sure you can guess what my answer was

[Matty_C]

I use the analogy of Alex Rodriguez. In his early career, his skill, ability and the execution of that skill and ability made him a champion. Now the effort to execute that skill and ability (combined with injury) is getting beyond him.

Alex Rodriguez the Bolivian coca leave picking champion three years running in the early to mid 90s?

[liver1971]

Agree 100%, I'm not sure if there is another answer to skd, if there was I'm sure robbo would have gone there already. I hope skd can get some confidence soon.

question ????- Why do you think Robbo has shown perseverance with skd ? does he think he will come good still playing in first grade or is it because he is the best we have in the that position ? im at a loss , i know the coach is far more knowledgeable than me , but im curious about the mentality behind it .Its a fascinating insight to man management of a football team Obviously skd and robbo are under enormous pressure for different reasons in regard to this situation . Until we start losing [cant see it happening] consistently maybe things wont change . Could that be a Smith's influence on our coach ? I hope not

[Johnny.]

Alex Rodriguez the Bolivian coca leave picking champion three years running in the early to mid 90s?

Ah, no. If I didn't know you were being fatuous then I would lay some Yankees history on you.

[Rooster_6]

Please stop arguing. Sometimes I have a feeling that you do it just for the sake of arguing.

We leaked points all season, in early rounds as well as the later ones. Did we have good defensive games? Sure. However they were sporadic, just like our bad ones.

That can be called mediocre.

If someone states something that I don't believe is true what's wrong with disagreeing with it?

It's not like I've come out and abused you without even backing up my assertion...

You're incredibly think skinned.

[bondi-boy]

i havent said much about skids but the past few weeks he has had his relaxes in defence.
last night wasnt just him but also the guy next to him in pearce.

Amen

Coach Robinson should get Pearce to stand away from SBW, wider out closer to SKD & RTS so they can stay in position in defence.
SBW is doing tackling that Pearce should be doing and as a result there's no evenly spaced defensive line.

[Guest]

Amen

Coach Robinson should get Pearce to stand away from SBW, wider out closer to SKD & RTS so they can stay in position in defence.
SBW is doing tackling that Pearce should be doing and as a result there's no evenly spaced defensive line.

Easier solution... get Pearce and SKD to stand very far apart, Pearce at link and SKD in NSW Cup.

[Guest]

If we can get wighton as a replacement, I would do it in a heart beat

[elo]

Amen

Coach Robinson should get Pearce to stand away from SBW, wider out closer to SKD & RTS so they can stay in position in defence.
SBW is doing tackling that Pearce should be doing and as a result there's no evenly spaced defensive line.

We play a sliding defence which means it should be the other way around with SKD in tighter and sliding ACROSS the field towards the sideline with a slight inclination towards our own goaline. Instead he's standing too wide and either jamming in like an idiot or sliding back too sharply as he's on top of RTS. It's very very frustrating watching Shaun get it so wrong when there's been examples of him getting it so right just a mere month ago. (against Dragons and Penrith) There's no reason for his confidence to be this slow when we have the best defensive record in the comp and have racked up 9 wins out of 12 games. He's either being lazy or has issues off the field which are impacting on his on-field performances, whatever it is please sort it out NOW.

[John Corey]

Agree 100%, I'm not sure if there is another answer to skd, if there was I'm sure robbo would have gone there already. I hope skd can get some confidence soon.

question ????- Why do you think Robbo has shown perseverance with skd ? does he think he will come good still playing in first grade or is it because he is the best we have in the that position ? im at a loss , i know the coach is far more knowledgeable than me , but im curious about the mentality behind it .Its a fascinating insight to man management of a football team Obviously skd and robbo are under enormous pressure for different reasons in regard to this situation . Until we start losing [cant see it happening] consistently maybe things wont change . Could that be a Smith's influence on our coach ? I hope not

U bring up some good questions but Robbo is his own man and has nothing to do with Smith.

This is not just about SKD. Its about Pearce and SKD. Their communication in D is diabolical. Pearce is not showing enough faith in his inside man, being influenced too much by the decoy runners. So then u have poor old SKD, who is not the smartest read in defence as it is (it'd suck to have him on your trivial pursuit team ) and he absolutely $hits himself and doesn't know what to do.
Pearce is very capable in one on one defence but his reading of late has been poor which doesn't help a guy who already has major defensive liabilities.

Maybe they may separate them defensively. Maybe SKD will get dropped soon. No one here knows what Robbo is saying to SKD but does anyone actually believe Robbo is not aware of the issue. I think he knows what SKD can do to teams when confident, so is probably trying to work him thru it. But I think the patience wil be getting thin.

And don't be thinking Moga is the answer just yet. That kid has all the physical attributes, but at this stage not the mental.

[Spirit of 66]

Wow. The level of concern here about our defensive deficiencies is intense. Two weeks ago our defence was considered the best in the NRL.

Hang on... it still is.