Lads are playing well so far, few mistakes that Saracens are making the most of but overall not a bad performance, 2 More tries are more than possible and a win is not off the cards yet.
Keep it up lads.
Keep it up lads.
How's our defence. See we've no conceded 4 tries in the first half so can't be wonderful, however not watching.
Can someone explain why we aren't utilising press defence, is it tactical?
Not so sure to be honest. 5 tries conceded in First half. 20 points down at half time and staring down the barrell of another humping by Sarries.
Malinder not playing well at all. Weak defense and flustered on the ball. Hope we see Smiler out for the 2nd half.
Look good with ball in hand, precious little last 20 mins though. Not had the best of luck with bouncing ball or some 50/50 decisions. Sarries ruthless when they get a sniff
Defence has been inconsistent but as I said they are not playing badly its just that Sarries are taking the opportunities when they present themselves.
5 Tries scored against us before the break but we have also scored a couple of good efforts ourselves.
I have a feeling that Saracens may come out for the second period thinking the job is done but that would most definitely be their undoing.
Keep going guys we are not completely out of this game yes. 40 more minutes to pull it back.
5 Tries scored against us before the break but we have also scored a couple of good efforts ourselves.
I have a feeling that Saracens may come out for the second period thinking the job is done but that would most definitely be their undoing.
Keep going guys we are not completely out of this game yes. 40 more minutes to pull it back.
Messy. We just can't contain Saracens' power when they have the ball in hand and keep conceding ground. Then add in the errors and penalties.... Like being penalised at our attacking line out near the Sarries line only to infringe in the next lineout, conceding the length of the field as territory.
A shame, because we've had some spells of really slick handling. Need to keep the ball more in the second half. Courtney going sick probably isn't helping (but not much we can do about that!)
The game's not over yet though!
ACTUAL TRAINING FOOTAGE FROM
BEHIND THE SCENES AT SARACENS:
A shame, because we've had some spells of really slick handling. Need to keep the ball more in the second half. Courtney going sick probably isn't helping (but not much we can do about that!)
The game's not over yet though!
ACTUAL TRAINING FOOTAGE FROM
BEHIND THE SCENES AT SARACENS:
Two of Sarries tries did have what looked like forward passes in the build up. Need to tighten our defence
Quote:smitferbrainz
Uhm.....5 tries before HT.
22 tries conceded to Sarries in 2.5 games...
Quote:smitferbrainz
Uhm.....5 tries before HT.
22 tries conceded to Sarries in 2.5 games...
Thought this as well. Amazing how the referee could see Ben’s ‘forward’ pass from 30m away but can’t see Earle passing to wigglesworth or the pass to Goode. Still, poor defending and forward passes don’t matter anymore.
Both with momentum, I'm afraid.
ACTUAL TRAINING FOOTAGE FROM
BEHIND THE SCENES AT SARACENS:
ACTUAL TRAINING FOOTAGE FROM
BEHIND THE SCENES AT SARACENS:
Quote:MarchingIn
Malinder not playing well at all. Weak defense and flustered on the ball. Hope we see Smiler out for the 2nd half.
Are they reading this LOL
Must says feels a bit like one step forward and two back. Sarries the better team but we do seem to have a knack of making them look like superhumans. Yes they have pressured us into mistakes but we simply have to put more pressure on them, esp in contact. Ref hasn’t been kind to us. And not particularly enjoying usual BT sport sarries love in.
The BT love in is a little over the top. But fair play to Sarries they're giving us ANOTHER spanking in some style. 60 points this time? I can see it happening.
Don't think we're going to win the second half somehow*
It seems the law to pass backwards has been scrubbed from the law book
The frustration is that on several occasions the game has been changed by forward passes and dodgy bounces on the plastic pitch.
That maybe Whiston but it does not account for such an horrific scoreline yet again.
To think we used to give these guys as good as we got, including wins at their place. Very tough watch now.
Quote:ElySaint
60 points this time? I can see it happening.
And...there it is.
Now the most points we have ever conceded in Europe.
@#$%& poor second half and appalling scrum
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 20/01/2018 16:51 by MarchingIn.
@#$%& poor second half and appalling scrum
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 20/01/2018 16:51 by MarchingIn.
Not good. We got thrashed against Scarlets last week so many know how it feels.
Not seen the game, but from the scoreline it's pretty unacceptable
And Sarries have been kicking penalties not kicking for the corner.
Quote:Bucksaint
To think we used to give these guys as good as we got, including wins at their place. Very tough watch now.
We had ball carriers then, and decent props. Now we do not.
No doubt someone will give us the aggregate score this season v Sarries. Boy that's got to look awful.
Sarries +123 over us this season...so far
Pathetic effort today after not too bad a start. Do we not employ psychologists? If so, it hasn’t worked!
Write this one off and lets see what we can do next week, we could have won this one if we played consistently like we did in the first half, the guys knew we couldn't go any further in Europe so we were playing for pride. No real damage done, use this week to correct some of our shortcomings and lets try and put in a good performance in the Anglo Welsh. After that we need to ensure Premiership survival.
The first 20 Minutes was an example of what we are capable of and we now need to work on making that an 80 - 85 minute performance.
We have talent throughout the team we just need to find the formulae that works.
Chin up lads lets kick on next week and play to the potential that is out there.
The first 20 Minutes was an example of what we are capable of and we now need to work on making that an 80 - 85 minute performance.
We have talent throughout the team we just need to find the formulae that works.
Chin up lads lets kick on next week and play to the potential that is out there.
The aggregate score from the games this season smitferbrainz is 174-51
Quote:Barnetsarrie12
The aggregate score from the games this season smitferbrainz is 174-51
Thanks Barnet. Oh wow! A reality check for Mr Gaffney.
Fair points jdusty. But assuming we can’t save everyone the hassle by agreeing a 40 point walkover (joke!), we really have to target our home league game against sarries this season and try and make a statement. Go out and hit them with everything we’ve got. Important for pride, mental strength and give fans some hope for next season.
Let's hope this isn't the end of a dead-cat bounce for us, and more that we just haven't figured out how to stop Sarries yet.
ACTUAL TRAINING FOOTAGE FROM
BEHIND THE SCENES AT SARACENS:
ACTUAL TRAINING FOOTAGE FROM
BEHIND THE SCENES AT SARACENS:
I really hope that there are some serious props on their way in the summer, because our scrum is still a complete embarrassment and we'll go nowhere without sorting that out. Whilst we started off well today, it ended up like the Exeter game as we fell away and got totally overpowered by a better side. Minus the ball carrying prowess of Courtney and Tei we were feeding off scraps and unlikely to cause Sarries many problems. Bringing Myler on was like raising the white flag, sadly he offers very little in terms of invention and imagination these days.
Bad day for sure but Sarries are two classes above us, they wanted/needed it more and we rested players by our own admission. We are in a re-building process and todays result was always on the cards. What we need is a resolution of our DOR situation so that the club, its players, coaches and supporters ve some idea in which direction we are heading for next season.
I can only agree with comments about the BT adoration of all things Saracens and especially Itoje !!!
Oh, and the Cobblers won and are out of the relegation zone......
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 20/01/2018 17:32 by Mobbs.
I can only agree with comments about the BT adoration of all things Saracens and especially Itoje !!!
Oh, and the Cobblers won and are out of the relegation zone......
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 20/01/2018 17:32 by Mobbs.
We were beaten up in the forwards. We need power in the forwards. Saracens accuracy and lack of mistakes consistently. They were just class.
Quote:Mobbs
Bad day for sure but Sarries are two classes above us, they wanted/needed it more and we rested players by our own admission. We are in a re-building process and todays result was always on the cards. What we need is a resolution of our DOR situation so that the club, its players, coaches and supporters ve some idea in which direction we are heading for next season.
I can only agree with comments about the BT adoration of all things Saracens and especially Itoje !!!
Oh, and the Cobblers won and are out of the relegation zone......
Agreed - but Itoje does earn the adoration, don't you think? I wish we had a couple like him. Isiekwe not far behind him. They can afford to off-load/lose Earle. They bring on a tank at No.8 to replace a Springbok who in his retirement plays better than anyone in our back row. And the one Vunipola who could play carried 14(?) times?
Pumped again. Exactly what I wanted us to avoid.
We were lucky to finish second in that match, typical that a misfiring team fire against us, it will be interesting to see Mr Gaffney deals with this.
We were lucky to finish second in that match, typical that a misfiring team fire against us, it will be interesting to see Mr Gaffney deals with this.
Quote:Abington Adam
I really hope that there are some serious props on their way in the summer, because our scrum is still a complete embarrassment and we'll go nowhere without sorting that out. Whilst we started off well today, it ended up like the Exeter game as we fell away and got totally overpowered by a better side. Minus the ball carrying prowess of Courtney and Tei we were feeding off scraps and unlikely to cause Sarries many problems. Bringing Myler on was like raising the white flag, sadly he offers very little in terms of invention and imagination these days.
A ridiculous comment about Myler, with Harry totally overrun in the first half. In the 2nd half we could have had the All Blacks back division and it would have made no difference because we barely saw the ball. Forwards win games and backs decide by how much.
We need some Props or a Forwards coach who will work very hard on technique (not an ex-Leicester 9 to 5 man like we currently have). Despite 2 massively improved games, we still have the same falability in the forwards.
Well said Whiston, pointing the figure at the fly half on such a day is laughable.
Can we also make our minds up if it’s Wests fault or the props aren’t good enough? Scrum seemed to be ok for most of the first half. Out of our 6 front row players in the squad 4 are internationals
Can we also make our minds up if it’s Wests fault or the props aren’t good enough? Scrum seemed to be ok for most of the first half. Out of our 6 front row players in the squad 4 are internationals
Quote:Whiston SaintQuote:Abington Adam
I really hope that there are some serious props on their way in the summer, because our scrum is still a complete embarrassment and we'll go nowhere without sorting that out. Whilst we started off well today, it ended up like the Exeter game as we fell away and got totally overpowered by a better side. Minus the ball carrying prowess of Courtney and Tei we were feeding off scraps and unlikely to cause Sarries many problems. Bringing Myler on was like raising the white flag, sadly he offers very little in terms of invention and imagination these days.
A ridiculous comment about Myler, with Harry totally overrun in the first half. In the 2nd half we could have had the All Blacks back division and it would have made no difference because we barely saw the ball. Forwards win games and backs decide by how much.
We need some Props or a Forwards coach who will work very hard on technique (not an ex-Leicester 9 to 5 man like we currently have). Despite 2 massively improved games, we still have the same falability in the forwards.
Precisely what about my comment is ridiculous? You think that he offers invention and imagination? Really?! The only positive about bringing him on is that it protected Harry, who was not having a good day at the office but was our only hope of contributing anything positive in attack.
As soon as Myler came on we went from side to side with little forward penetration giving Sarries the easiest defensive sets they could have wished for.
Desperately need some new props. Those that we have seem unable to improve scrummaging - but maybe coaching. I wonder how long some are contracted for? Brookes off by all accounts thank heavens.
Desperately need some new props. Those that we have seem unable to improve scrummaging - but maybe coaching. I wonder how long some are contracted for? Brookes off by all accounts thank heavens.
Quote:Walks11
Well said Whiston, pointing the figure at the fly half on such a day is laughable.
Can we also make our minds up if it’s Wests fault or the props aren’t good enough? Scrum seemed to be ok for most of the first half. Out of our 6 front row players in the squad 4 are internationals
It wasn't Myler's fault, far from it, but once he came on there really was no hope. That we scored no points at all in the 2nd half was not solely down to him, but he's no longer a player who can influence the direction of a game.
Dead rubber, players out, away at double European champions.
Forget about it and move on.
But Mr West, your scrums are an utter embarrassment
Forget about it and move on.
But Mr West, your scrums are an utter embarrassment
So disappointing
Have we really slipped so far that a hammering by Sarries is to be accepted as the norm
Jim’s legacy is getting very dark
Let’s hope we can regroup during LV and make achieving 8th or 9th in the league a target or possibility
While Brussow may add something in the forwards he can’t cover one to eight - we may have misplaced expectations
I need a drink
Have we really slipped so far that a hammering by Sarries is to be accepted as the norm
Jim’s legacy is getting very dark
Let’s hope we can regroup during LV and make achieving 8th or 9th in the league a target or possibility
While Brussow may add something in the forwards he can’t cover one to eight - we may have misplaced expectations
I need a drink
Quote:Walks11
Well said Whiston, pointing the figure at the fly half on such a day is laughable.
Can we also make our minds up if it’s Wests fault or the props aren’t good enough? Scrum seemed to be ok for most of the first half. Out of our 6 front row players in the squad 4 are internationals
I've been totally underwhelmed by our new props JFR and Van Wyk sadly. Ma'afu and Brooks seem to give away endless penalties at the scrum and poo Hill doesn't seem to get much look in. Area needs some serious attention.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 20/01/2018 18:02 by ElySaint.
Quote:LongersQuote:Mobbs
Bad day for sure but Sarries are two classes above us, they wanted/needed it more and we rested players by our own admission. We are in a re-building process and todays result was always on the cards. What we need is a resolution of our DOR situation so that the club, its players, coaches and supporters ve some idea in which direction we are heading for next season.
I can only agree with comments about the BT adoration of all things Saracens and especially Itoje !!!
Oh, and the Cobblers won and are out of the relegation zone......
Agreed - but Itoje does earn the adoration, don't you think? I wish we had a couple like him. Isiekwe not far behind him. They can afford to off-load/lose Earle. They bring on a tank at No.8 to replace a Springbok who in his retirement plays better than anyone in our back row. And the one Vunipola who could play carried 14(?) times?
I agree with everything you said. I watched the game and i did not think sarries were given any more adoration than the deserved considering the game ended 62-14, why would they not give adulation to that team.
The Itoje thing is the same, he is one of the best players in the world so again, why would he not be given adulation.
I just think the two teams are at different stages of their journey. Sarries already have a well oiled machine and even though there has been many bad points this season, we have been able to blood young players like Isiekwe and i think you played some good stuff in the first 20 minutes.
I just think this off-season, your new coach has to come up with a new plan to suite the players you have and also a bit more tactical nous, I think Biggar will help, a few more forwards like Lawes and you will be on your way.
Scrum was dismal but some of that was the referee allowing Saracens to drive forward before the ball was even put in.
We started with confidence, made a couple of errors that allowed them to get in front, they then lost belief and went into their shells fearing another hammering which confounded issues and delivered the outcome they feared.
The decision to bring on Myler was probably a damage limitation exercise that backfired because we then had no creativity going forward.
We started with confidence, made a couple of errors that allowed them to get in front, they then lost belief and went into their shells fearing another hammering which confounded issues and delivered the outcome they feared.
The decision to bring on Myler was probably a damage limitation exercise that backfired because we then had no creativity going forward.
I am sitting down and trying to work out how some other posters can have watched so many games of Rugby and not understand the fundamental basis of the game....Possession and territory.
We had lost by half time, Harry would have done no better than Myler in the 2nd half because we had virtually no usable possession. No ball means no points. He spent a lot of the first half like a rabbit caught in the headlights, running backwards and sideways.
We had lost by half time, Harry would have done no better than Myler in the 2nd half because we had virtually no usable possession. No ball means no points. He spent a lot of the first half like a rabbit caught in the headlights, running backwards and sideways.
Quote:Whiston Saint
I am sitting down and trying to work out how some other posters can have watched so many games of Rugby and not understand the fundamental basis of the game....Possession and territory.
We had lost by half time, Harry would have done no better than Myler in the 2nd half because we had virtually no usable possession. No ball means no points. He spent a lot of the first half like a rabbit caught in the headlights, running backwards and sideways.
"We had lost by half time". So my comment about waving the white flag was in fact pretty accurate, wasn't it? (Waving the white flag is a metaphor for surrendering/giving up)
Quote:ElySaint
I've been totally underwhelmed by our new props JFR and Van Wyk sadly. Ma'afu and Brooks seem to give away endless penalties at the scrum and poo Hill doesn't seem to get much look in. Area needs some serious attention.
I am assuming poo Hill is a misspelling and not an analogy of our scrum *
He was getting run over so from a defensive perspective had to do something at half time. Similar to the Grayson scenario against Falcons. I’m afraid as talented as he is he needs to do something about his defence because teams are just going to do that all afternoon
Just finished watching the game having been out. A load of rubbish for 60 minutes, wrong tactics and countless errors and penalties. I didn’t think we would win but I thought we’d put up a fight after the last two games. Never mind, out of a cup we had no real business being in in the first place.
There was a time when we had two great props in Tiny and Mooj but they were just going beyond the peak of their powers and they chose to go for some pension payments in France. We took on PDJ who came with some potential but failed at the Gardens turning into a penalty machine. We have Alex Waller who is enormously experienced for his age but who peaked a long time ago when perhaps, just perhaps he should have gone on to full international honours. Danny Hobbs and Ethan Waller never really had the chance to develop and perhaps were simply not good enough. Keiran Brooks and Paul Hill are full Internationals but both appear to have gone backwards at a rate of knots. Campese and latterley Salesi Maafu added some south sea grunt but neither would challenge for a position in a top four side. We then sign Van Wyck and JFR who appear to fall into the same category. For some the shining exception either side of Dylan and Mikey was Alex Corbiseiro who was a class apart but predictably injury prone. There was a time when our pack and set-piece statistics were the envy of the Premiership. Our forwards coach is old school, a true Leicester man through and through; if rumours are to be believed Dorian appears reluctant to accept new ideas from the likes of Matfield, Picamoles and Hartley.
Thus if forwards win matches and backs decide by how many points......a look at the position of our principal forwards coach seems rather necessary.
Thus if forwards win matches and backs decide by how many points......a look at the position of our principal forwards coach seems rather necessary.
Missing this match today but the result and comments are disquieting. We were up there with Sarries four years ago now we’re so far behind. We needed this match to prove we’ve turned the corner. Perhaps those who wanted Alan Gaffney to take over full time might think again. Now the Anglo Welsh and Six Nations approach it will be difficult to assess where we are other than in the bottom half of the Premiership. I think next season will tell us if and when we can dream of the play offs again.
Quote:Stevie Myler's right bootQuote:ElySaint
I've been totally underwhelmed by our new props JFR and Van Wyk sadly. Ma'afu and Brooks seem to give away endless penalties at the scrum and poo Hill doesn't seem to get much look in. Area needs some serious attention.
I am assuming poo Hill is a misspelling and not an analogy of our scrum *
It was auto-incorrect. But am considering using Poo Hill as a term for our scrum lol
One final point; Harry is a great prospect but as a 12 or 15. I still shudder at him kicking the ball away to Gloucester when were trying to win that match. I believe in Stephen Myler and please pick him at 10 if he’s fit. Yet to see much of Piers Francis who seems to be injury prone.
Harry’s game management and defence imo is not good enough for a 10 but his attacking talents are better than Mylers. We have compromise 10s atm and am looking forward to seeing Biggar next season. To be successful in this league, a 10 needs to be bagging 15 points a game
Like I say a reality check for Mr Gaffney. Now one objective - avoid relegation. Simple as that.
Every team has a bogey team, where all of their players attributes, exploit all of the opposing players weaknesses. Where their style of play exposes all the oppositions short comings.
I'm not dwelling on this result too much.
Saracens are good. Very good.
We are a club in a period of change, we are the lowest we've been since relegation.
I used to get upset and annoyed at our performances during Jim's last couple of years, but now I've got my head round the fact we aren't the powerhouse we used to be, the club has reacted and instigated change.. and that now we have admitted there's a problem , we are starting to address it.
Results like this don't bother me as much. It can be the worst European result we've ever had. I don't care. It was always going to be a big ask to change so much so fast in such a short space of time. And again I refer to the fact, they're just our bogey team.
Let's just be happy they're the reigning double European champions. It could be worse. I remember once upon a time London Irish with a certain "Mapletoft" were our bogey team.
We have made big improvements under Gaffney & I believe the team just need our support after this. We know it was bad, they know it was bad. But sh*t happens. I'm confident In the team and the direction Gaffney is taking us.
We will have bad times , but I'm confident we will enjoy the good times again soon. Let's not over react and let's support the lads during this hard rebuilding period. I'll be there for our next home game vs Irish shouting proud & ready to watch us get a nice 5 pointer. !
It might feel like deja vu again tonight, but the futures bright, the futures BG&G.
COYS!
I'm not dwelling on this result too much.
Saracens are good. Very good.
We are a club in a period of change, we are the lowest we've been since relegation.
I used to get upset and annoyed at our performances during Jim's last couple of years, but now I've got my head round the fact we aren't the powerhouse we used to be, the club has reacted and instigated change.. and that now we have admitted there's a problem , we are starting to address it.
Results like this don't bother me as much. It can be the worst European result we've ever had. I don't care. It was always going to be a big ask to change so much so fast in such a short space of time. And again I refer to the fact, they're just our bogey team.
Let's just be happy they're the reigning double European champions. It could be worse. I remember once upon a time London Irish with a certain "Mapletoft" were our bogey team.
We have made big improvements under Gaffney & I believe the team just need our support after this. We know it was bad, they know it was bad. But sh*t happens. I'm confident In the team and the direction Gaffney is taking us.
We will have bad times , but I'm confident we will enjoy the good times again soon. Let's not over react and let's support the lads during this hard rebuilding period. I'll be there for our next home game vs Irish shouting proud & ready to watch us get a nice 5 pointer. !
It might feel like deja vu again tonight, but the futures bright, the futures BG&G.
COYS!
Bogey teams are a psychological problem not so much a playing problem. We've played them enough times now that we should have had a plan to combat them. Either we just didn't have one or the players bottled it. I say they choked and reverted to type. We're mentally fragile. I don't mind the loss in itself but the manner in which we reverted back to being Sarries doormats. Were did all that grit and fight go? Why did we just wait for them to run over us rather than put any defensive pressure on them? We're mentally fragile. Gaffney seemed to acknowledge that we reverted back to bad old habits. The reason being. Yep, we're mentally fragile. Bogey teams are in the head.
The Saints I saw playing Clermont should have done miles better than that performance today. We seemed to start well but from 0-7 up we lost 64-7. I hope this doesn't put the team back again. We seemed to be coming forward again but this result is a real blow. Now what was that about 50-1 odds? Seemed pretty accurate.
Quote:smitferbrainz
Like I say a reality check for Mr Gaffney. Now one objective - avoid relegation. Simple as that.
here here
In my opinion Saints now have far too many players who are not good enough. Gaffney should view this match and the performance of the acid test of who should be retained going forward.
I am not a supporter of Harry Mallinder he just has not got the killer instinct or mental toughness required at this level. He is a nice player but not one who would win u anything. Look at Bruce when he used to catch the ball from full back and charge forward full of intent and likewise Mike Brown. I have never seen that in Harry and we should have by now. Wish I had.
Forwards well others have already highlighted our shortcomings. Well at least we had a brief respite from our poor season to date.
I am not a supporter of Harry Mallinder he just has not got the killer instinct or mental toughness required at this level. He is a nice player but not one who would win u anything. Look at Bruce when he used to catch the ball from full back and charge forward full of intent and likewise Mike Brown. I have never seen that in Harry and we should have by now. Wish I had.
Forwards well others have already highlighted our shortcomings. Well at least we had a brief respite from our poor season to date.
I think today was all about the top 2 inches & not much more
Given what's gone before this season it was always going to be psychological & I don't think we should pay too much attention to it
Given what's gone before this season it was always going to be psychological & I don't think we should pay too much attention to it
We have been sucked into a sense of euphoria having got the wish of Jim’s departure and instantly 2 wins arrive with an interim coach. This is not a quick fix and we were never going to go an unbeaten run through to the end of the season, there was always going to be bad performances on the way. At the end of the day today doesn’t matter other than a bit more hurt pride.
Give Gaffney a chance and see where we are in 4-6 weeks. Target for me is to to win against bottom half and be competitive against every one else and sneak the odd losing BP or even a win.
Give Gaffney a chance and see where we are in 4-6 weeks. Target for me is to to win against bottom half and be competitive against every one else and sneak the odd losing BP or even a win.
Quote:St.Sinner
Every team has a bogey team, where all of their players attributes, exploit all of the opposing players weaknesses. Where their style of play exposes all the oppositions short comings.
I'm not dwelling on this result too much.
Saracens are good. Very good.
We are a club in a period of change, we are the lowest we've been since relegation.
I used to get upset and annoyed at our performances during Jim's last couple of years, but now I've got my head round the fact we aren't the powerhouse we used to be, the club has reacted and instigated change.. and that now we have admitted there's a problem , we are starting to address it.
Results like this don't bother me as much. It can be the worst European result we've ever had. I don't care. It was always going to be a big ask to change so much so fast in such a short space of time. And again I refer to the fact, they're just our bogey team.
Let's just be happy they're the reigning double European champions. It could be worse. I remember once upon a time London Irish with a certain "Mapletoft" were our bogey team.
We have made big improvements under Gaffney & I believe the team just need our support after this. We know it was bad, they know it was bad. But sh*t happens. I'm confident In the team and the direction Gaffney is taking us.
We will have bad times , but I'm confident we will enjoy the good times again soon. Let's not over react and let's support the lads during this hard rebuilding period. I'll be there for our next home game vs Irish shouting proud & ready to watch us get a nice 5 pointer. !
It might feel like deja vu again tonight, but the futures bright, the futures BG&G.
COYS!
Well said.
Blimey I have found a comrade in Flyhooker re Harry Mallinder !!!
I realise I am still in the minority but I just don't get what the majority seem to see. We keep hearing he is young and will be wonderful but in amongst an ok performance versus Clermont (still dodgy kicking) he throws in nightmares v Quins and Sarries ; sorry not goid enough if we really have ambitions to challenge in the future.
I realise I am still in the minority but I just don't get what the majority seem to see. We keep hearing he is young and will be wonderful but in amongst an ok performance versus Clermont (still dodgy kicking) he throws in nightmares v Quins and Sarries ; sorry not goid enough if we really have ambitions to challenge in the future.
Men against shrimps!
Those bookies giving even money against a 25 point defeat turned out to be wildly optimistic!
Those bookies giving even money against a 25 point defeat turned out to be wildly optimistic!
Quote:fleetg
Blimey I have found a comrade in Flyhooker re Harry Mallinder !!!
I realise I am still in the minority but I just don't get what the majority seem to see. We keep hearing he is young and will be wonderful but in amongst an ok performance versus Clermont (still dodgy kicking) he throws in nightmares v Quins and Sarries ; sorry not goid enough if we really have ambitions to challenge in the future.
I find it hard to argue with your assessment fleetg. I see a young player with great potential. At 6'5" and well over 17 stone he has the physical attributes to build a good defence but does not seem willing or able to. I agree he has blown hot and cold and he really needs to find consistency because next season he'll be 22 and with everyone fit I don't see him as having enough to be considered first choice at 10, 12 or 15.
I will temper this criticism with acknowledgment that he has filled the breach at 10 commendably with seemingly endless injuries to Piers and Myler.
Just a note of reality..
We chose to rest Harrison, Api and Wood from the pack that beat Clermont
We lost Mitch to injury - Dylan ended the game playing #8
Our bench cover to change lock ended up being Ludlum - we replaced a tired lock with a tired lock.. no wonder the scrum imploded - Sarries brought on Skelton at the same time
We lost Courts pre game and played Ribbans at 6 alongside a very unconventional (talented but different style) Gibson - vs Burger, CC (who needs no introduction) and Maro in his usual England slot
Sarries, conversely - had signed a young but capped Tongan number 8 to cover their one weak spot (money talks) and got him on the pitch for impact with a full pack around him within a week of Billy being out
Props - agree - something has gone wrong, surprised we haven’t seen something tried (consultant or different view) as replacing 4 props is ££££s
We beat Glos - that was a big line in the sand for me, we aren’t top 3-4 nor can we be for anything more than a one off as we don’t have the financial means to keep everyone - but we can be top 5-8
We chose to rest Harrison, Api and Wood from the pack that beat Clermont
We lost Mitch to injury - Dylan ended the game playing #8
Our bench cover to change lock ended up being Ludlum - we replaced a tired lock with a tired lock.. no wonder the scrum imploded - Sarries brought on Skelton at the same time
We lost Courts pre game and played Ribbans at 6 alongside a very unconventional (talented but different style) Gibson - vs Burger, CC (who needs no introduction) and Maro in his usual England slot
Sarries, conversely - had signed a young but capped Tongan number 8 to cover their one weak spot (money talks) and got him on the pitch for impact with a full pack around him within a week of Billy being out
Props - agree - something has gone wrong, surprised we haven’t seen something tried (consultant or different view) as replacing 4 props is ££££s
We beat Glos - that was a big line in the sand for me, we aren’t top 3-4 nor can we be for anything more than a one off as we don’t have the financial means to keep everyone - but we can be top 5-8
Just finished watching again and our defensive line speed was non existent - we went back into our shell and were stationary so they constantly had easy metres over the gain line every phase - for me it was the top 2” and it’s now physiological with Sarries
Quote:St tub
Sarries, conversely - had signed a young but capped Tongan number 8 to cover their one weak spot (money talks) and got him on the pitch for impact with a full pack around him within a week of Billy being out
I'll go with that post being lack of knowledge rather than sniping.
Sarries have been looking for a backrow addition since it was obvious early in the season that both Billy and Rhodes would be out for a significant period of time. A number of options have been looked at and Vailanus signing isn't the result of Sarries splashing the cash a fortnight ago but rather a search that has been going on for months.
He looks a talented young chap but is 22? with one International cap and has been playing 7's for the past 4 years. If he's on half what Mitch Eaddie is on I would be very surprised.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
