I still think our attack inside the opposition 20 leaves a hell if a lot to be desired. We had a few nice set plays against the bunnies but once again we should've finished more opportunities. Too many times dce was handing it to a flat footed forward or getting caught with the ball. Our play inside their 20 needs to be much faster, and we still had our classic "let the opposition back into the game" 20 minutes on Monday night.
I'm glad you're so optimistic about Barrett, I don't think I am.
I was only illustrating the positives over the past month that deserved to be promoted after all the backlash the team has received from impatient fans, some deserved other times way over the top.
Red zone attack is the most difficult to execute and the easiest to defend against---the best structured attacking teams set themselves apart from the pack in this area of the field as it is a higher difficulty level to get an outcome.(due to the set and shallow distance of the defense line and that defenders are not going backwards)
Manly have a long way to go in this area but are making strides, for most of the year there was hardly a structured attacking play or set worthy of being displayed in the year 2000, now there are a few structured plays and sets on show with a little planning behind it.
Too often in the red zone we have pointless "settles", a lazy under pass to a lone running forward so DCE can flay his hands around as if "he is organizing and displaying a million dollar composure level" when it is all for show.
Take for example the early set of six when Starling drops the ball. Green takes a hit-up pass from DCE with no real support options or danger element to the play(i don't accept there is ever a good enough reason in the modern game for a no support hit up in the red zone) settles have to offer a deeper plan otherwise they are just wasted hit ups.
Next tackle a power-play hit-up with Vave coming from the open to the short side but one out again.
Next tackle DCE to Lussick with some support options but basically a hit-up.
Next a long pass from dummy half with no decoys or dangers centrally with Starling at first receiver dropping the ball(yes he had a power forward in Vave off his hip and would of either hit Vave but most probably take the safer second man play to DCE that was on display)
There needs to be more science/thought behind each play so if you are using a power-play it is being setup in the previous tackles for isolation purposes or sucking in defenders so the next play has more space----not just for the sake of a power-play due to a lack of ideas.
All this takes time and planning, the longer a team is settled and together the more intricate and prepared the plays will become but Manly are improving and it is nice to see the development of the squad.
I think some people are just being overly negative with Barrett due to how Toovey was treated, give the guy a chance.
If by the end of next year Manly are not entrenched in the eight given a good run without injuries obviously the knives will be out but for now there is the expected line of improvement in the second half of the year.