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Quote:Cantabrian
The criticism of Flood is indeed harsh. At Toulouse, he played a lot at 12 and it will take him some time to adjust both to the Premiership and playing at 10. He was standing like a 12 instead of a 10 which was too far away from Takalua and this led to a disjointed attack.
Nevertheless he played with great spirit and will only get better.
Quote:steve1888
There was a bit in the build up comparing Hodgson and Flood in attack against Gloucester showing that Hodgson was making it far easier to defend.
I didn't think Flood done bad really and the quick drop was great.
I thought Harris was very good and in the forwards Robinson and Graham put a good shifts.
Tough and at times scrappy game but both teams really needed and wanted the win so great that we ground it out at the end just a shame we're now back into euro break.
Quote:NorfolkFalcon
We did scrummage well, even managing to push Northampton back which was impressive. Despite this, due to the lack of competition and Vickers age, props have to be high on the shopping list.
Quote:DB23
I rarely look at other teams’ forums but have had a look at the Saints board.
If you think it was doom and gloom on here over the last few premiership games, take a look over there.
There were nice comments about the Falcons in that we deserved to win and our forwards outplayed theirs, contrasted with comments such as we were average and ordinary.
Mostly, the Saints fans were piling into their players, coaches and the board (of directors) and the quality of rugby they are playing.
Reading other forums helps to give some perspective as to where the Falcons are in our development as a team and club in general at the moment. We should take
confidence from wins such as last night and acknowledge the upward curve we are on, accepting that there will setbacks too.
As long as we are balanced in our comments, I like to think I am generally, praise when due and criticise when deserved our forum will be a sensible place to read and post.
Quote:digitalsys
don't underestimate the home crowd - it was like a pantomime - not sure if that came across on tv. Boos galore - home fans were not impressed with their team.
Quote:Monkey1
Craig Maxwell-Keys eh! You have to feel sorry for both teams really.
Quote:alas
If the Falcons still played on a heavy pitch it would make sense to spend big money on powerhouse props. Given the surface at KP it's better to spend most of the money on players who can create and score tries. As you can feed and pick the ball out of the scrum plus referees don't give as many scrum penalties as they used to, a dominant scrum isn't as crucial as it used to be. South Africa proved the point at Cardiff today.
Quote:manninQuote:alas
If the Falcons still played on a heavy pitch it would make sense to spend big money on powerhouse props. Given the surface at KP it's better to spend most of the money on players who can create and score tries. As you can feed and pick the ball out of the scrum plus referees don't give as many scrum penalties as they used to, a dominant scrum isn't as crucial as it used to be. South Africa proved the point at Cardiff today.
But we're using a 36 year old LH who despite being deadly from a 1 yard, offers nothing in open play...
Quote:Falc Dancer
Harris came off the bench for the last 7 mins
Quote:aidanb
I’m a little bit puzzled by the requests for a bigger second row. Whenever I see the likes of Witty and Robinson on the pitch they do a decent amount of work and get some carrying done. Not sure I can remember a Green carry at all.
But the puzzlement comes in the fact we are a backs focused side at the moment.
We have pace and power out wide so why would you want the forwards taking it up? I get that we need to punch a few holes around the fringes but the damage is done by pace getting in behind them. Our setup at the moment Is geared to securing decent ball whilst keeping the defence honest and then doing the damage out wide, why slow the ball down with a trundler ?
Quote:The problem with that is it can be predictable and Gloucester defended it really well, that's why I like the idea of forwards doing some grunt work round the rucks so the backs don't get double - tackled and have a bit more time and room.aidanb
The break by Harris which allowed Sinoti to get on his shoulder and Matavesi to score was the perfect example of our MO. He forwards provide good ball but our centres are doing the damage to get in behind.
Quote:Bedlington LadQuote:The problem with that is it can be predictable and Gloucester defended it really well, that's why I like the idea of forwards doing some grunt work round the rucks so the backs don't get double - tackled and have a bit more time and room.aidanb
The break by Harris which allowed Sinoti to get on his shoulder and Matavesi to score was the perfect example of our MO. He forwards provide good ball but our centres are doing the damage to get in behind.
Quote:upwardonward
Flood without doubt is a quality player but still needs to stand up to the mark.I believe he will.
Quote:Monkey1Quote:upwardonward
Flood without doubt is a quality player but still needs to stand up to the mark.I believe he will.
A comment from Dave Walder last week may shed some light on the Flood situation. We are playing a totally different game in the backs this season, & due to his time out at the beginning of the season he will take time to slot in, be in the right places at the right time & speed etc. I too have faith that he will come good but he needs game time to get there, the training pitch only gives half the story.