Mixed feelings really



I [ihope[/i that the last five games have given the team a confidence that can be taken forward into 2010. But, as other people have said, the wins only started coming when we were extremely unlikely to make the 8, and in truth we'd have long been out contention if not for the total collapse of teams.



I think there is good grounds for optimism with the likes of Scruton, Langley, Platt and Nero showing good form lately, as well as the development of Halley, Whitehead and Donaldson over the second half of the season. So with good recruitment there is every reason to be more optimistic about 2010



Having said all that, there are still huge question marks over the quality of the coaching, tactics and motivational skills of our coaching team. Obviously Steve Mac will be here at the start of next season, but I think the make up of the coaching team needs to be addressed and announced as soon as possible. We also need some sort of statement about whether Burgess is going or staying - Mondays Awards Evening would be an obvious good opportunity.



Above all, I hope that the playing squad sit down in front of their Sky TV to watch the play offs and realise that they could and should have been involved. Forget Catalans winning last night, the real reason we didn't make the Top 8 was our abysmal performances in that middle part of the season. Hopefully they will sit there and realise that their abject performances against Celtic, Castleford (x2), Salford etc cost them the prospect of a decent Play Off surge.



Apart from any feelings of having let themselves down, they've let us supporters down.

So, let me get this straight. WITH Sam B., we really challenged this year, right? Not that I want him to go, but at least try to work out the simple points.

Not at all but IF he stays the rebuild wouldn't be as big because you nearly made the 8 whereas without him you'll need to spend hell of a lot more.

Hang on. Lousy season, yes, but when did we last have a lousy season? We have no right to be top four.





You could say that if we had lost the last 5 to go with what has gone before. I wouldn't agree but you could at least have had a point. However how is a team that has won its last 5 "in freefall"? Have you got a bag on your head?

No, its not though. Is it?



Go talk to Hull or Quins - THAT is "freefall".



We had all the signs of being in freefall for much of the season, especially in the third quarter of the season when we were worse than freefalling. The absolute nadir for me was that unacceptable loss to a poor Quins side at Odsal. But, had we but known it at the time, that WAS the nadir. Winning 5 from 5 (or 6 from 7) shows that the fall was arrested and - for now at least - the recovery started.



What matters now is whether the recovering trend will continue into next season, or whether we will experience a "double-dip". Seems quite a few on here are assuming the latter - although against the trend of results. I don't see now how anyone - unless with an already-closed mind - can see what next season will bring, until we see the 2010 lot out on the park, and playing in earnest.

I think you are one with a bag over your head, another blinkered fan taken in by five wins against bottom of the table teams. Let me make it simple for you:



2007 - 3rd

2008 - 5th

2009 - 9th



[size=200FREEFALL[/size

Please god stop it, my sides are aching

Yes, I really do think that he has learned a lot about being a coach this season. I think in the past six weeks he's learned how to motivate his players and I believe it will carry through to next season.









See above.







To preform with the same amount of passion and agression as we have seen on the decent run. If we show these then we will go along way to getting back into the playoffs.

Since when were Hudds a bottom of the table team?



Hull and Quins were above us until this run of wins. NOT "bottom of the table teams".



We still finished above Wire.



Whilst no-one should be getting excited about us being out of the woods now - its clearly too early to see yet - equally, its disingenuous to discount the recent improvement because it does not suit the argument!

Nail. Head. Hit.



Spot on.

Don't you know, they will always be a bottom of the table team because - well they just are





Nooooo, we [ican't [/ihave done. Didn't they appoint the guru of coaching gurus who showed us all how it should be done? Least that's the conversation I remember having on here. ('Oh but they won the cup so thats OK

)





Improvement? We're "in freefall" aren't we?

My mistake, I forgot one of the teams was Huddersfield.



It is not an arguement, it is a fact. Whether we started the season well then it went down hill like Hull or we started the season poorly and finished well like we did it really doesn't matter. The only point that matters is that our finishing positions are getting worse, it's simple as that.