Northland vs BOP
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One big difference i think has happened which has exposed a few areas is the other teams are showing northland more respect this year, not resting too many players etc, and northland are not getting the turn over ball from 50/50 plays that they have lived off over the years. The positive thing i want to say tho is that if the teams are now showing respect then thats well earned for the last few years of grinding on the park but unfortunately it looks like this has exposed weaknesess that have been there for a while. I know we have some young players but if structures were in place that were proven worked then the team would be still very competitive weather winning or loosing. To me our 2 playmakers in Nock and Debrizini are not bying into the gameplan or some of our team are not capable of executing it. Its a shame as that is
good team and i would say some coaches out their would lick ther lips if they had that squad. -
@Nath-Jac from what I have heard, Nock is certainly into the structured type of play Whitcombe prefers...which when you see him play, probably has some truth to it.
Whereas for me, better players are able to play in multiple systems, adapt on the fly, play what is in front of them, using smarts and instinct.
I think it is more likely we just dont have the cattle to pull off whatever gameplan we supposedly have right now...
As to your first point re respect, nah, we are just in a big old hole this year...BOP went for the corner with a garanteed 3 on the cards on Sunday...showed a team full of confidence knowing they were going to get over a team with no confidence and cohesion right now.
Have heard we can add Matich and Matiu to our injured list, so that makes 8 starters, er, not starting
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@taniwharugby I think you hit it on the head - the strategy for this team is not working.
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@taniwharugby bugger injuries are like a cancer when loosing,
