It's no secret

[maxta]

Manly are letting these sides who physically dominate - to play footy at their pace...which is 200mph in attack and then slow it like the matrix in defence
Last night - Melbourne controlled this area and led easily til South's controlled this area with 25 mins to and levelled up almost winning
Roosters played touch footy 1st half and Manly only saved face by improving this area 2nd half
It's an obvious issue and hope Manly can actually get involved in wanting to compete in this area - getting frustrating see the players scrambling on the back of losing the battle in the middle

 

[Snake]

We don't beat the top sides because we have an unbalanced squad. You need a fast and mobile side. Sure, we can beat the also rans because we have some freakish talent in certain areas, but we don't have a premiership winning squad - Croker at 9? Big, slow forwards? Reserve grade centres? Not gonna happen.

 

[davohan123]

We don't beat the top sides because we have an unbalanced squad. You need a fast and mobile side. Sure, we can beat the also rans because we have some freakish talent in certain areas, but we don't have a premiership winning squad - Croker at 9? Big, slow forwards? Reserve grade centres? Not gonna happen.

And I just hope we don't waste this group of players going through.. our squad I agree looks so unbalanced and has been for years.

We have tried the storm system of investing in a big 3-4 players and filling the gaps but it hasn't worked for us in years.

I really feel we need a another adjustment to our squad we are no where near a premiership with this squad.

I hate that we have been talked up so much this pre season a few of our boys have been reading there own press.

 

[maxta]

We don't beat the top sides because we have an unbalanced squad. You need a fast and mobile side. Sure, we can beat the also rans because we have some freakish talent in certain areas, but we don't have a premiership winning squad - Croker at 9? Big, slow forwards? Reserve grade centres? Not gonna happen.

We don't beat top sides for plenty of reasons, but number 1 is that ruck area, whatever you think

 

[Snake]

And I just hope we don't waste this group of players going through.. our squad I agree looks so unbalanced and has been for years.

We have tried the storm system of investing in a big 3-4 players and filling the gaps but it hasn't worked for us in years.

I really feel we need a another adjustment to our squad we are no where near a premiership with this squad.

I hate that we have been talked up so much this pre season a few of our boys have been reading there own press.

100%. To have Tom and Jake go through their careers and potentially miss out on a premiership because we put garbage around them...terrible.

 

[Snake]

We don't beat top sides for plenty of reasons, but number 1 is that ruck area, whatever you think

Yeah and the ruck area is ****ed because we don't have the right mix of players to win it. We might win the ruck with a better 9 that can get the forwards onto the ball in good positions (a bit of variation and deception). Sometimes it can just be one good run and you get a few off the back of it. Then we've got outside backs who are not adept at yardage and just get rag dolled. Then you've got big cumbersome forwards who take forever to get up and play the ball quickly. Even our best tonight (Haumole) has an incredibly slow play the ball. You've players gassing early because they're big.

 

[maxta]

Yeah and the ruck area is ****ed because we don't have the right mix of players to win it. We might win the ruck with a better 9 that can get the forwards onto the ball in good positions (a bit of variation and deception). Sometimes it can just be one good run and you get a few off the back of it. Then we've got outside backs who are not adept at yardage and just get rag dolled. Then you've got big cumbersome forwards who take forever to get up and play the ball quickly. Even our best tonight (Haumole) has an incredibly slow play the ball.

That's fair mate
Without a first class 9 is a struggle, Shu coming back will help....but a long way off

 

[The Who]

Unless there is a huge improvement in their form, Kapow and DCE are past their best and will be lucky to still be playing First Grade by season's end. As great as they have been, time has dimmed their powers.
While Kieran is still playing good football we won't be a serious contender until all three are replaced which won't be until 2023.

 

[sheridanstand78]

The gap at hooker is the real problem that has not been addressed. It is holding back the team. We looked really disorganised tonight and the Roosters were sharp and purposeful. It is an attitude problem in my book. Many pundits had us for sure to make the top 4. That is a long shot right now. It is down to some hard work and getting on the front foot as we have spent game 1 and 2 behind the 8 ball!

 

[bob dylan]

All good thoughts here.