I was very optimistic at the beginning of the season buoyed by pre season form and good selections. But Siebold has gone into the natal position (conservative and cautious just like Des did last year) and we have our feet stuck in mud again.
Our spine is busted. A fullback who can't run at full speed and is playing with no confidence. A 5/8 unfit and injured (and a fill in that offers very little), a half back who kicks the ball away early in the tackle count, makes poor last tackle options and frequently holds onto the ball when in the opposition red zone then stepping back inside and passing it to someone flat footed instead of giving good early service to the men outside of him (thank goodness he can tackle) and a dummy half that offers very little in attack (thank goodness he can tackle but he is busted).
Our side just doesn't have the discipline or smarts to get into the grind and play smart footy. Its a simple game. Finish your sets and put the ball into the corner on the last and belt them in defence forcing an error. Repeat sets, possession and minimal errors are the key but we just don't get it done.
Compare our spine to Souths - Mitchell, Walker, Ilias (good steady half back much like Tanner Boyd of the Titans) and Cook (plus class and speed in the centres and on the wing) , Brisbane - Walsh, Mam, Reynolds and Walters (uber speed and skill in the backs), Penrith - Edwards, Luai, Cleary and Kenny (their only weak link at the moment), plus great backs, Sharks - Kennedy, Moylan (in form), Hynes and Brailey and add powerful fast backs. These are the spines of the top 4 sides at the moment.
Penn can't be serious when he describes out our group as a top 4 side. Our recruitment and retention has been diabolical to say the least. particularly in the respect of outside backs (who's defence is feeble) and the absence of a specialist dummy half. The pack can't do it without a competent and fit spine. I agree the pack at times lacks grit and goes missing in action when the going gets tough. I don't believe they have confidence in the spine and I really question their fitness.