What has really gone wrong with the Bulldogs

[Izzy Forreal]

Earlier this season we were leading the competition with a healthy for & against points buffer. This was built on tough stonewall defence, incredible mental toughness, a will to win and the ability to always score enough points.

Then came the Origin and injury times. The Origin is long gome and although Pritchard, Browne and Stanley are still out, that isn;t the end of the world, we have a big forward roster.

With all the things that had us as competition leaders and genuine premiership contenders gone we start losing what would have been "easy" matches culminating in last night's humiliating 41-10 (seven tries to two) loss to the Broncos.

A major implosion like this doesn't happen unless there is something seriously wrong inside the club from the CEO/Board of Directors down.

So what has really happened inside the Bulldogs?

 

[Chris Harding]

You're right, Izzy; something smells, and we're not being told. The slide started earlier than the last four losses. Even our recent wins have been half-hearted. We have not stamped our authority on any club since early this season; and the likelihood is that we won't for the next few rounds, or into 2015 with the current roster.

It would be nice to hear something from the club, rather than meaningless spin that pretends we are sailing along wonderfully.

 

[Bulldog_NJ]

It comes down to the way we are currently being coached at the moment. Our attack is very pedestrian, our back line is below average, our coach has big men passing, rather than running, and our steely defense has been replaced by shirt pulling. Des has also showed that he can't make the tough calls, with regard to dropping out of form players.

Our management has a lot to do with our predicament too. Ben Barba should never have been granted a release, before a suitable replacement was secured. The way the modern day game is played, a mediocre fullback won't win you a comp. Look at the top 4. Stewart, Inglis, Slater, Moylan.

 

[Bakes]

We lack dominant halves, we have a fullback trying hard who is a specialist winger. I fear similar problems in 2015

 

[Chris Harding]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a few more players seeking early releases. Can't understand how every one we've let go suddenly gets back their enthusiasm and passion. It seems that the Bulldog style just dulls players' ability.

The fans are the only ones still keen to be Bulldogs; and even they are being tested by the performance of some of our elite players.

 

[Slick]

I feel there's something seriously wrong. Not sure it's what the guy posted from his source inside the club, but something definitely has to be wrong.

 

[Kayser]

It comes down to the way we are currently being coached at the moment. Our attack is very pedestrian, our back line is below average, our coach has big men passing, rather than running, and our steely defense has been replaced by shirt pulling. Des has also showed that he can't make the tough calls, with regard to dropping out of form players.

Our management has a lot to do with our predicament too. Ben Barba should never have been granted a release, before a suitable replacement was secured. The way the modern day game is played, a mediocre fullback won't win you a comp. Look at the top 4. Stewart, Inglis, Slater, Moylan.

I regards to your fullback comments I couldn't agree more. Look at the Broncos, there'd rather have 3 fullbacks than grant a release. We should have said to the broncos, Barba for Hoffman otherwise Barba can see out his contract in Ron Masey Cup. At the end of the day, our back line is weak. Morris and Lafai yes, the rest no.

 

[Slick]

Look at the top 4. Stewart, Inglis, Slater, Moylan.

Hayne?

 

[mearsey]

I feel there's something seriously wrong. Not sure it's what the guy posted from his source inside the club, but something definitely has to be wrong.

You are right Slick , we have 17 imposters posing as an NRL team

 

[jamescairns2]

There must be something internally wrong. Attacking everything about the players and their mettle is not fair. I know they've been pathetic the last month. But how amazing did we all feel after beating Melbourne both times, manly, rabbitohs, roosters, the warriors twice. The same players we have now gave us those moments of joy this season.

 

[jamescairns2]

Also, those who cite manly dealing with their issues? Its insane that they are able to do that, we can't expect everyone to act the same

 

[Horny Wog]

Also, those who cite manly dealing with their issues? Its insane that they are able to do that, we can't expect everyone to act the same

Thats true because its quite evident that some players in our squad do not have the mental capacity to let there footy do the talking on field and whatever shit, if there is any shit going down off field, to be left off field

 

[speedy2460]

Theres been a lot said about the Bulldogs. Most of it is correct in varying degrees.
Theres two reasons why things are not happening.
1) The players lack ability.
2) The players are not putting in, to their ability.
I think its a combination of the two.
The third reason, in my opinion is that they have lost respect for the coach. It appears that Hasler is a very aggressive coach. That is not acceptable. Hasler also cannot seem to put a sentence together. He has made some ludicrous selection decisions by promoting people to incorrect decisions. Sometimes that works, most time it doesnt.
I believe that Jim. Dymech should take over. And take over now.
First thing is to rid the club of the nuffies that have been recruited and to rebuild from ther start.

 

[ninja_h]

I think sometimes it might be better if the Club just lets out the dirty laundry let it go off steam like Manly rather than trying to cover the stink but Belmore's too conservative for that.

 

[BaYry Ward]

Our early season form was fools gold. We won a couple of lucky games by a point. Any of those games we could have lost and we easily could have gone into origin outside the 8 and in trouble.
The other strong teams started slowly and are now coming into form at the right time of the year because they are genuinely good teams.
This rubbish that Barba was the root of our problems has been exposed as a load of rubbish, and the real issues in out game are being unearthed.
We're now stuck in a situation where the players have totally lost confidence in their defense, as well as the fact out attack is completely toothless.
Hard to see anything changing this year or next to be honest..

 

[blueyedsamurai]

Our early season form was fools gold. We won a couple of lucky games by a point. Any of those games we could have lost and we easily could have gone into origin outside the 8 and in trouble.

Hard to see anything changing this year or next to be honest..

Pretty much, the experts said we were lucky to win those games and the other sides were better. 2015 is looking grim

 

[doggieaaron]

Cleanout needed mitch brown/ trex/ inu already gone mbye will make it very hard for josh to get back in

 

[piggy]

We lack dominant halves, we have a fullback trying hard who is a specialist winger. I fear similar problems in 2015

That's exactly the problem...we don't have creative halves....Hodko is a turtle who can't create enough and our kicking game is pathetic.....we need to make a play for Daley Cherry Evans. If we can't get him, then sign Foran and get rid of Reynolds. Our attack is pathetic because our halves lack spark to create anything. And why is it that our backs are never standing deep in attack to give us options?

 

[Izzy Forreal]

Cleanout needed mitch brown/ trex/ inu already gone mbye will make it very hard for josh to get back in

That is interesting. When and where to did T-Rex decide to shuffle off to?

 

[Raikkonen]

When we were winning I got crucified for saying that were weren't actually playing that well, and we would need to improve if we were serious about going all the way.

I think we got extremely lucky with some games (Warriors and Nights for example), and other games it felt like we were just trying not to loose, rather than win.

Add all the disruptions that we have since encountered, and I can't say I'm surprised at where we are.

Although I expected us to be brought down to reality at some stage, I'm still bitterly disappointed.

It hurts.