Our defensive structures are sh*thouse, I don't see much changing under the current coaching set-up unfortunately
Maybe you just nailed the biggest problem at Manly, that seperates us from the better teams and cripples the Manly side in general - "Predictability"
Firstly I rate Des a great motivator, but as a tactical coach, nowhere near the best, as he fails to change when things are not working.
The better sides have a plan B and can change their game to adapt to the opposition threat, where Manly are picked apart 10 times over like Groundhog Day once the better teams/coaches find a weakness im the defence.
The defensive Line speed and numbers making tackles, which come down to energy, fitness, desire and attitude are so far behind the top 4 maybe 6 teams it's incomparable.
The no changes with certain players also takes away accountability, every successful team sets standards and unfortunately, we also suffer in this catagory.
The persistence with team selections, down to defensive structures and the players are often playing as individuals rather than a team, with 1 out attack and 80's style defence which was a great tackle back then, but almost ineffective in the modern game, where applying numbers and slowing the momentum in the middle, is the key to everything, including helping your edge defence have time to reset against the wide shift....and I will add this is a fitness thing also, as the Manly line speed is on empty after 10 minutes each half and just maybe the early mistakes and penalties gifting 80/20 possession at times is not helping, especially after continuous defence on our own try line, then getting smashed coming out of our own end due to terrible field position.
Certainly an improved attitude adds energy also, let's get some of that for this NZ game and hopefully fight for the form expected of a Manly side - yes even without Tom the players are more than good enough to hold their own against most sides.
