SyCoTiC said:
Age is not a limit in this game.
Poor performance shouldn't be blamed on how old a player is whether a veteran or a rookie. If you aren't good enough to be chosen for a run-on side in the top rugby league competition in the world then you're not ready and should be dropped.
In saying so, the Roosters' inability to gel and a horrendous run with injuries for the past 2 seasons is a reason why they're having trouble stringing a win together. Rugby League is a team oriented sport and I think they should go back to the basics rather then try to experiment with something which they don't think would work (eg. the one marker policy). They boast one of the best and largest forward packs in the game and that should be enough for a go ahead and get some confidence, have the older leadership group become more vocal and get your basics right because in the end, it's what keeps you in the game for the full 80 minutes. Teams that try to play too much razzle dazzle do not complete sets unless they are bursting with talent (like the Storms and even so, they are playing a structured game with a lot of basics done right). Possession is a team's best friend. The more you defend, the more lacklustre your effort becomes when it's your turn to attempt to score and I think this is where the Roosters are having problems.
So in a nutshell, the Roosters need to:
1. Play the basics of the game.
2. Work combinations with both forwards and backs. In their case, plenty of work for the backs because most of their forwards are very established and recognised players who need their rookies to lift in their support.
3. Stick to the one team that works best for you rather than chopping and changing. An unsettled side will never work in this competition.
4. Back themselves. Grab the chance if you think there is one during a game rather than playing safe, of course do not over-do this because you'll just turn over the ball every so often.
5. Discipline. The team needs to follow the game-plan. Look how successful the Storms were last year playing a structured game and look how good the Tigers were in their premiership season.
with age comes experience. occasionally there comes a player who is beyond his/her years, they are rare. no doubt, pearce has great ability, furthermore he is the son of a rugby league great. however, pearce is placed where he is because he has too. other options, e.g soward, lewis have not worked, therefore he has been put there before his time. anasta is not at his best, wing and minichello are also below best form, more pressure will now be placed upon him. even worse minichello and co will be selected for origin,adding pressure for a good start to the season to compensate. we dont want to kill these guys, chris lawrence is one player that comes to mind, was still playing for st gregs when he made his debut, he aint dead but will he get a second chance?
the roosters are similar to the panthers, the last two seasons have been awful, both teams have new coaches, new captains and new styles. penrith had many problems, to a lesser extent injury, their biggest problem was their predictable style of play. we were living in the past, the same 'one off the ruck' tactics, we were overweight and predictable, players like swain, puletua and clinton were no longer as threatening, you could see what would come next. what saved penrith was matt elliott, he has done an unbelievable job. the roosters obviously struggled after fittler, his leadership was sorely missed and it cant be replaced. injury took its toll, origin was also massive, key players in key positions were still been picked, even with their side out of form.
you mention their 'inability to gel', painfully evident even this week as well. soliola back in 1st grade, roberts not named in the starting side. their foward pack is not performing either, last week against manly only fitzgibbon made over 100m. it is the foward pack that must stand up, the halves cannot do it all themselves. this is why many roosters fans blame finch for the bad years, sure blame the nsw halfback it is all his fault, the fowards didnt go foward, he was good at origin level, why? because the fowards laid the platform. 21 handling errors also supports what you say, its almost cliche, all clubs must do the basics right and have confidence.
we will see come friday against the broncos, a massive chance to get a win, against a side in the exact same position.