I feel like no one really keeps the Warriors honest. No one really takes a good hard look at how the club is operating, how they went this season, how they'll go next season, how they're recruiting and who's coming through the production line. All those type of things.

On the one hand, the Warriors get a bit of an easy ride. Why? In my humble opinion, in New Zealand there simply aren't enough knowledgeable media folk asking the right questions. But then again the Warriors get a rough deal, since there's no sporting team in NZ that suffers such a mass jumping off of the band wagon when things aren't going so swell. It's a tricky situation for a rugby league club that simply hasn't delivered.

They've delivered a few Grand Finals, but nothing much more. Why? It's the same reason they often struggle and the reason why they couldn't make the top 8 this season. They simply don't have the consistent determination or execution to compete with the very best. That's the sad thing, we can all see that the right signs are there but for whatever reason they can't do it consistently.

Andrew McFadden is beginning to stamp his mark on this squad. As soon as he became the top dog, there was a change in effort. There was a noticeable improvement in the little things that make an NRL team a great NRL team - line speed, clinical half play and error free footy. The worrying thing is that when push came to shove, the Warriors simply didn't put their balls on the line.

It looked as though McFadden wasn't quite sure of the make up of his best 17. We saw Chad Townsend play reasonably well all season despite being a bit up and down, only to be given the cut late in the season. Guys like Sione Lousi, John Palavi, Sebastine Ikahihifo and even Ben Matulino seem to be in murky waters with how their used. While Ben Henry certainly has utility value, he hasn't nailed down a position as of yet. We saw Matulino play like the beast we know and love on the edge only to spent much of the season in the middle. For a variety of reasons consistency was kicked out the door, sure injuries happen (they happen a fair bit with the Warriors #JustSayin) but there are many ways to juggle things so that there is a certain level of consistency with team selections each week. For whatever reason that didn't happen, I'm picking that McFadden didn't know his best team.

They have recruited reasonably well which goes hand in hand with who they have let go. Every Warriors fan wants a tough Aussie to lead the way and besides Jacob Lillyman we simply didn't have that tough edge. Plenty of big boys, but no tough edge. Many fans had unrealistic expectations of Feleti Mateo, I love him but he isn't exactly the player you want to bring in to set an example. There's a few players in the NRL that I would want to do that job, Ryan Hoffman is one of them. All we hear from commentators is how he leaves nothing to chance, preparation is the key. Boom, I've got no issue with Hoffman being a bit of a dick and giving a few of the lads a serve if needed. Most importantly, he'll bring a super professional attitude.

Matt Allwood? Who knows, he's a bit of a project.

I don't wanna speculate on who the Warriors could or might be signing. That's silly, we'll deal with the players we have but of course, Steve Matai would look beautiful in a Warriors jersey. Not to mention the attitude he'd bring.

The few signings the Warriors have made seem efficient. Good use of the dollar. Especially when we look to the players coming through. There isn't a need to go crazy on the player market, but there is a need to buy wisely. Looking at the young crop coming through, expect Sam Lisone to make the most of his opportunities. He's the type of player that the Warriors need, instead of the back row/prop hybrid type of play, Lisone is a true blue prop.

There seems to be a bit of a sense of entitlement at the Warriors. Too many players are extremely comfortable and have been given easy opportunities without really knocking down doors for the chance. This is where Lisone is important. Same with Solomone Kata, David Bhana and the likes of Charlie Gubb come in to play. In the past, many of our young players have either been gifted a first grade jersey or they've been pushed to the back burner by a new recruit. Middle ground must be found here. The younger players need to know that there is a hierarchy and they've gotta wait their turn, but they've gotta keep putting pressure on the first grade lads. If a first grader slips up a few times then sorry mate.

Being friendly and nice and catering for the unique dynamic of the Warriors simply hasn't worked. Neither has the their style of play. The Warriors haven't really nailed any sort of signature style nor have they attempted to commit to something. I'm not sure whether this is because the players simply don't execute what the coach tells them to (a very real possibility) or whether the club is just confused.

The outside backs always get the Warriors off to a great start with powerful hit ups, but it looks as though the forwards know that this is the case so they wander back and do nothing. There is no reason why power and speed through the middle can't be the main goal. I like the idea of simple plays around the middle which allow powerful ball runners a bit more time and space. Add some footwork and off loads to the mix and now we're rolling forward. Last season the Warriors either did too many easy to dominate 1st receiver hit ups, or looked to hit the edges early on without doing any work to earn that right. The mix, well there wasn't really a mix it was one or the other. Opposing teams are able to load up and send numbers in to a tackle, slowing it down and making it hard to gain any field position. The Warriors need to get their forwards in between defenders, send 2 or 3 guys to the line so defenders have to stay alert and then get the dummy half runs and set plays going.

For such a skillful team, support play was almost non-existent. Any player carrying the ball up needs to be joined by a team mate, every time. Not when you feel like it, but every time so defenders are unable to load up and if there's any sort of off load it's pounced on.

The Warriors have the weapons to put points on any team but last season it didn't feel that way. However, I'm optimistic. Sam Tomkins will continue to build the chemistry with his play makers and should blossom. Many teams don't have the options that the Warriors do and are predictable, but the Warriors can attack through the middle, can hit short balls to their edge back rowers (Hoffman and Mannering are great hole runners ... mmm Matulino 1 on 1!?), go out the back to Tomkins or hit either of our dangerous centres (Konrad Hurrell and Ngani Laumape). The play book should be thick, they should have a tool belt full of tools but last season they played a few games where they would just put bombs up. Throw in to the mix a half who can run the ball like Shaun Johnson and shit, you wonder how they could look so plain on attack.

The off season provides a great opportunity to build on whatever foundation was laid in 2014. What needs to happen this off season? Fitness, get em fit, torture them. Light a fire under the backsides of the forwards, there was never any sense of anger or aggression or alpha male domination besides Lillyman. Give Johnson and Tomkins a few days rest, but get em spending lots of time together like besties. A telepathic understanding between these two would give the Warriors a huge edge. The off season needs to be used to turn this team in to a fast, powerful and angry group of lads who have skills in abundance.

I've got the faith. McFadden has already shaken the joint up a wee bit, but too many times I've had this hope heading in to the off season, hearing how hard the Warriors are working, blood, sweat and tears - all that bullshit only for the same old Warriors to be served up to their fans.