Expectation for this year

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Across all the Souths forums, expectations for this year are running at an all time high. This is saying something considering how high expectations at Souths generally are anyway at this time of year. The couple of new boys we've picked up have the faithful counting down the days until season start.

Time for us all to start putting away the romantic notions and to actually sit down and have a good think about what our chances are for this year.

I hope I'm wrong, but I can't see us being a better side than the Storm, Eels, Dogs, Dragons & Titans. All had good years last year and considering that most of those sides have maintained or even strengthened their rosters, all things remaining equal, I just can't see us finishing above them on the ladder.

We have some good young blokes in the side and all things considered, we are definitely stronger than last year. The question is, how much stronger are we? Two places on the ladder? Three places on the ladder? I reckon at absolute best, we should be about middle of the 8.

This leads me back to expectation. If I take off the red and green glasses for a minute and get down to brass tacks. I would be ecstatic if we finish around 5th or 6th. Bottom of the 8 would be acceptable. Anything less than that without solid reason (i.e. season ending injury for a couple of our key players) and we should be baying for blood come November.

I'm going to set it in stone right now and say that with the roster we have this year, we should be expecting a top 8 finish. Anything more and we overperform in my eyes, anything less is a failure and should see a shake up at the club.

Do you agree with my synopsis?

What are your expectations this year and why?

I'll be very interested to hear from anyone / everyone on this subject.

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Across all the Souths forums, expectations for this year are running at an all time high. This is saying something considering how high expectations at Souths generally are anyway at this time of year. The couple of new boys we've picked up have the faithful counting down the days until season start.

Time for us all to start putting away the romantic notions and to actually sit down and have a good think about what our chances are for this year.

I hope I'm wrong, but I can't see us being a better side than the Storm, Eels, Dogs, Dragons & Titans. All had good years last year and considering that most of those sides have maintained or even strengthened their rosters, all things remaining equal, I just can't see us finishing above them on the ladder.




We have some good young blokes in the side and all things considered, we are definitely stronger than last year. The question is, how much stronger are we? Two places on the ladder? Three places on the ladder? I reckon at absolute best, we should be about middle of the 8.

This leads me back to expectation. If I take off the red and green glasses for a minute and get down to brass tacks. I would be ecstatic if we finish around 5th or 6th. Bottom of the 8 would be acceptable. Anything less than that without solid reason (i.e. season ending injury for a couple of our key players) and we should be baying for blood come November.

I'm going to set it in stone right now and say that with the roster we have this year, we should be expecting a top 8 finish. Anything more and we overperform in my eyes, anything less is a failure and should see a shake up at the club.

Do you agree with my synopsis?

What are your expectations this year and why?

I'll be very interested to hear from anyone / everyone on this subject.

Hit the nail on the Proverbial DKOR.Hard to argue with any of your thoughts.Obvioulsy not making the eight will lead to.........,well I dont even want to think of that possibility.

 

[Ttime]

We will finish 4th

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Last few years, whenever I've watched us play one of the top sides, even if we've lead out of the blocks, I've always had a feeling we couldn't put them away and that the other team would make their way back into the game off the back of something we'd do later in the game. Most times, that feeling would come to fruition.

Sides like Melbourne, just seem to have that bit of class that we lack. That ability to be in the game even when they should be out of it. We don't have that yet. The makings are there, but it's not quite there. Melbourne, believe they can beat any team in the comp on any day of the week and the reason they believe that is because they have that class x-factor. Those one or two game breakers who snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. I think Burgess and Taylor can provide some of that for us. But I also think it will take a good year or so of them doing that before we will start to believe.

Anyway, mid top 8 this year and the sky could well be the limit in 2011.

 

[redandgreenduck]

Across all the Souths forums, expectations for this year are running at an all time high. This is saying something considering how high expectations at Souths generally are anyway at this time of year. The couple of new boys we've picked up have the faithful counting down the days until season start.

Time for us all to start putting away the romantic notions and to actually sit down and have a good think about what our chances are for this year.

I hope I'm wrong, but I can't see us being a better side than the Storm, Eels, Dogs, Dragons & Titans. All had good years last year and considering that most of those sides have maintained or even strengthened their rosters, all things remaining equal, I just can't see us finishing above them on the ladder.

We have some good young blokes in the side and all things considered, we are definitely stronger than last year. The question is, how much stronger are we? Two places on the ladder? Three places on the ladder? I reckon at absolute best, we should be about middle of the 8.

This leads me back to expectation. If I take off the red and green glasses for a minute and get down to brass tacks. I would be ecstatic if we finish around 5th or 6th. Bottom of the 8 would be acceptable. Anything less than that without solid reason (i.e. season ending injury for a couple of our key players) and we should be baying for blood come November.

I'm going to set it in stone right now and say that with the roster we have this year, we should be expecting a top 8 finish. Anything more and we overperform in my eyes, anything less is a failure and should see a shake up at the club.

Do you agree with my synopsis?

What are your expectations this year and why?

I'll be very interested to hear from anyone / everyone on this subject.

I think your a little too generous to the Eels,Dogs and Titans.I am tipping the Dogs and Titans to come back to the field and see Parra in the bottom 1/2 of the eight.

I have been a supporter for 45 years and always look through those rose coloured glasses in the pre season but I cannot see any reason why with the pack,the coach and the natural improvement in our younger players,that we cannot be top 4 material imo.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Eels pack is as impressive, if not more impressive than ours. Add Poore and Shackleton to Moi Moi, Mateo, Hindmarsh and Cayless and thats a fantastic pack of forwards.

Dogs lost Eastwood, but have picked up a couple of very capable young blokes to fill the void. They will be in it up to their eyeballs.

Titans are basically as they were last year + Greg Bird. They also have a very imposing pack and the benefits of a home stronghold. Any side who can basically pencil in almost all their home games as a win at the start of the season, has a very big advantage. The only difference I see between them and us is they have one of the best number 7's in the game. Apart from that, their roster and specifically their forwards are equally as impressive as ours if not better.

 

[MattJ]

Inconsitency killed us last year, realistically we could have been somewhere in the middle of the 8 had we played to our potential all season and possibly had a more experienced coach at the helm.
I believe we will finish 5th, however anything lower than 8th would be a massive dissapointment and barring serious injuries, this would not be acceptable.
If the backs fire like they did last season, there is no reason we shouldn't be top 4 contenders, as we have a forward pack that should match it with any team in the comp, and an experienced premiership winning coach with a full pre-season under his belt.
Highest expectations i have had on our side since re-admission, hopefully they are met and possibly even surpassed.

 

[Dave Q]

No other side comes close to matching us for forward grunt and sheer unadultered backline strikepower.

Depth not sighted since the 1970's.

This is our year, our time, our day in the sun.

This is how it feels to have a competitive side.

The whole league world is trembling, they will be on theirs knees in the face of their masters.

Top 3.

Concerns: injuries.

Only one club rules them all and this time lads, this time we shall show them no mercy.

Do you want to live forever or die in red and green?

Nobody wake me up from 2010.

 

[Sonic Star]

I think the Eels are highly over-rated.

They should make the 8 but won't make top 4.

We on the other hand should make it some where in the top 6.

Frankly I would be happy to make it anywhere in the top 8.

So that's my expectation making the finals.

 

[Dave Q]

The ghosts of South Sydney have awoken.

The greatest name in any game within South Sydney grew.

None of the other teams mentioned come close for spirit and drive and thats why we will succeed.

You cant buy heart.

 

[Dogmatix]

Well betting markets have Souths 7th-8th fave and that is probably a fair estimate of a par finish for Souths in 2010. 6th or better will be above expectations, 9th or worse below expectations

Myself I think Souths will do a bit better than expected in 2010 so a bit better than 7th or 8th. Better coach and better forward pack will see to this

The Four Nations tournament did show that the backline does matter. England pretty much matched Australia in the forwards in the last game but Australia had a big edge in the backline and ended up winning easily. So you do need more than good forwards. But Souths backline is OK without being anything special

The obvious possible weakness for Souths is No 7. Sandow had a poor 2009. But I am hoping either he does better under Lang in 2010 or that Lang will find another player who can do better

 

[Ziggy the God]

No doubt that there will be some thinking that we are morals to make the finals, but I think quite a few sides have improved their players this year.

Bottom line is that we need to ensure that we don't have runs like in 2008 (7 losses in a row) and 2009 (no win in 6 weeks).

If we stay healthy, IMHO we should make the top 8, and there can be no excuses.

How far into the eight will depend on many factors, but I will also be happy just to make it.

That said, it is certainly difficult to bottle it up at the moment, and after speaking to my mate in Holland today (Souths fan), even he was going nuts!

 

[Dave Q]

Sandow isnt called "the truth" for nothing.

He will show up all his critics once and for all.

 

[Sonic Star]

A lot of people blamed Sandows performances on Jason Taylor, which may be true.

Under Lang there should be no excuses if he doesn't perform.

In saying that I don't think he performed that bad last year, his second half of the season he started to improve a lot.

He has a classy kicking game that won us matches in 2008 so if he can get those kicks on target we should be in for a good year.

 

[philgood]

Seriously i hope Souths do well this year. I really like J Lang. Took mediocre Cronulla teams to the finals, and then won a comp win Penrith.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

All the way through last year, I said we were light on in the Forwards. I remember a few games in particular where this was heavily exposed. Part of that was poor selections on behalf of the coach and a great example of this was a game where we played Canberra (who had one of the largest packs in the comp) and we picked a side with Stuart and Asotasi playing prop and 3 second rowers and a hooker on the bench. We were absolutely monstered that day and you could see it coming from a mile away as soon as the side was picked.

The other part was lack of quality front rowers to pick from in the first place. Imo Geddes and J. Lowe are bench players at best.

With a much bigger pack this year and much more versatility, this should ensure that we are the team doing the monstering in most cases. With the amount of go forward we have, I expect Sandow to shine.

However, when you have a big pack like we do, its vitally important that the halves get the kicking game right. The last thing you want are big forwards marching down the park chasing kicks, only to have to turn around and march back because the kicks gone out on the full or because its found the fullback on the full and he's made 35 or 40 metres back at you.

You need your halves to capitalise on the ground made by your big pack with a great kick to finish each set. Your halves kicking game either maximises the petrol in the Forwards tanks or burns it all up depending on its quality.

This is where Sandow really needs to stand up. We know he has the kicking game, he just needs to show it. This is the most important aspect of his game for 2010 imo.

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

My take on it. - Howdy Souths fans long time no speak.

I think you's will be with the knights around the 4th-12th position.

Your forward pack is the best I have seen on paper since the Dogs in there 2004 era.... Scary stuff.

Your backs while not the flashest in the NRL are good enough. Wesser, Merritt, Champion, Best and others are solid especially in defence and know how to find a try line.

The weakness and you's will be sick of hearing it is your halves..... I am not convinced that Sandow is a first grade player reminds of the numerous almost good enough's that have floated around...... Your Josh Lewis's & Matt Heads who show flash's of brillance that have you going WOW! then they'll make 10 terrible decisions.

Plus if Sandow goes down who will fill in?

Very, very worrying. Its okay to make great ground but if u cant get over the line well..........????

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Seriously i hope Souths do well this year. I really like J Lang. Took mediocre Cronulla teams to the finals, and then won a comp win Penrith.

First time in a long time that we have had a former premiership winning coach at the helm. In fact, I can't remember the last one. May well have been Jack Gibson all those years ago...

 

[Appin Rabbit]

A lot of people blamed Sandows performances on Jason Taylor, which may be true.

Under Lang there should be no excuses if he doesn't perform.

In saying that I don't think he performed that bad last year, his second half of the season he started to improve a lot.

He has a classy kicking game that won us matches in 2008 so if he can get those kicks on target we should be in for a good year.

Tend to agree Sonic in 2008 our forwards stood up a little better it gave Sandow more room to move & his kicking game was spot on last year our forwards crumbled under pressure so with the acquisition of Taylor & Burgess this should be remedied and there will be no excuses for Sandow it is make or break for him this year.One thing for sure if he falters Lang will replace him quickly not like Taylor who gives players to long to come good.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

All the way through last year, I said we were light on in the Forwards. I remember a few games in particular where this was heavily exposed. Part of that was poor selections on behalf of the coach and a great example of this was a game where we played Canberra (who had one of the largest packs in the comp) and we picked a side with Stuart and Asotasi playing prop and 3 second rowers and a hooker on the bench. We were absolutely monstered that day and you could see it coming from a mile away as soon as the side was picked.

The other part was lack of quality front rowers to pick from in the first place. Imo Geddes and J. Lowe are bench players at best.

With a much bigger pack this year and much more versatility, this should ensure that we are the team doing the monstering in most cases. With the amount of go forward we have, I expect Sandow to shine.

However, when you have a big pack like we do, its vitally important that the halves get the kicking game right. The last thing you want are big forwards marching down the park chasing kicks, only to have to turn around and march back because the kicks gone out on the full or because its found the fullback on the full and he's made 35 or 40 metres back at you.

You need your halves to capitalise on the ground made by your big pack with a great kick to finish each set. Your halves kicking game either maximises the petrol in the Forwards tanks or burns it all up depending on its quality.

This is where Sandow really needs to stand up. We know he has the kicking game, he just needs to show it. This is the most important aspect of his game for 2010 imo.

You're on fire mate. Thats my concern for you guys. Sandow and Sutton are mercurial, off the cuff players. You can have all the forward power you like, but if you don't have a disciplined, consistent kicking game, then it means squat.

Do Sandow and Sutton have the discipline to just play a grinding game, playing to your strength in the forwards & playing football later in the game against a tiring team? The way I see it, if you base your game on the way the Dragons played in 09 - ie mistake free, disciplined, grinding go forward with an astute & planned kicking game coupled witha relentelss kick chase, then you are definite top 4 material or better.

I have my concerns over your 6 & 7 being able to provide this support to your forwards.