By Moorsman
March 1 2016
Having faced two of the bottom four sides in recent weeks the Chiefs now face one of their top four rivals in Leicester Tigers.
Tigers v Chiefs
Having faced two of the bottom four sides in recent weeks the Chiefs now face one of their top four rivals in Leicester Tigers. Here's how the table looks with Chiefs holding a 9 point lead on Tigers. Tigers themselves have been going well recently and the table shows just how valuable bonus points are as things would be a lot closer without them. In fact Chiefs have picked up points in every game so far this season and I don't really see this changing as they're a tenacious bunch these days. Even with what can be seen to be something of a dip over recent weeks the Chiefs have continued to add points to their tally.
P | W | D | L | F | A | BP | Points | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sarries | 14 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 372 | 246 | 6 | 52 |
2 | Chiefs | 14 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 343 | 210 | 9 | 49 |
3 | Wasps | 14 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 356 | 251 | 6 | 42 |
4 | Tigers | 14 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 290 | 263 | 4 | 40 |
5 | Saints | 14 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 295 | 231 | 9 | 37 |
6 | Quins | 14 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 337 | 342 | 7 | 37 |
Tigers have been something of a bogey team for Chiefs as we've only won three times and lost eights since joining the Prem. Until our win earlier this season Chiefs haven't defeated Tigers since 2012 when we completed a double over them. Both sides have changed considerably since then and Chiefs have a trio of ex-Tigers to call on now with Julian Salvi, Geoff Parling and Thomas The Tank Waldrom likely to feature this weekend. Tigers will have been hoping that Manu Tuilagi would be on the teamsheet as would Chiefs that Dave Ewers would be available but both have been called into the England training squad and may be on International duty. That will take two hard hitting players out of the equation but there's still plenty of talent in both sides to make for a powerful encounter.
Tigers have been looking to play a more expansive style but are still not seeing huge rewards for this although their points difference seems to indicates their well known ability to come out on the right end of a close game. Tigers are averaging 20.7 for and 18.8 against whilst Chiefs have 24.5 for and 15 against coming into this game so the stats would suggest a close game. Chiefs have shown an ability to score though both forwards and backs with Thomas The Tank and James Short leading the way.
It's going to tale a big performance from the Chiefs to win at Welford Road but I think the guys are in the right frame of mind to pull it off.
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Quote:Wills
As I said earlier - Exeter were not that great at home against us
If the Thompstone try had have been awarded - I think we would have got something from the game
Perhaps we did turn a corner against Quins - I just hope we can boss the forward battle on our terms this weekend & burst the rather inflated Exeter bubble
I think if we really get in to them - our backs with quick ball will potentially have a field day against Dollman, Short & Co who are hardly outstanding players
I just feel we need to see the power, devil & bite that we showed a lot in the last 2 seasons when little else was working
The balance has shifted to more expansive back play - that's fine as long as it does not undermine Tigers traditional forward pack strengths
Put the 2 elements together & we are in business
Exeter at home is a good place to start, let's hope we do have our best, most threatening & physical pack out at the weekend - after all - we know what Exeter will bring
Quote:Moorsman
Though this from the Tigers forum might prove motivational:
Quote:Wills
As I said earlier - Exeter were not that great at home against us
If the Thompstone try had have been awarded - I think we would have got something from the game
Perhaps we did turn a corner against Quins - I just hope we can boss the forward battle on our terms this weekend & burst the rather inflated Exeter bubble
I think if we really get in to them - our backs with quick ball will potentially have a field day against Dollman, Short & Co who are hardly outstanding players
I just feel we need to see the power, devil & bite that we showed a lot in the last 2 seasons when little else was working
The balance has shifted to more expansive back play - that's fine as long as it does not undermine Tigers traditional forward pack strengths
Put the 2 elements together & we are in business
Exeter at home is a good place to start, let's hope we do have our best, most threatening & physical pack out at the weekend - after all - we know what Exeter will bring
Quote:Zyder headQuote:Moorsman
Though this from the Tigers forum might prove motivational:
Quote:Wills
As I said earlier - Exeter were not that great at home against us
If the Thompstone try had have been awarded - I think we would have got something from the game
Perhaps we did turn a corner against Quins - I just hope we can boss the forward battle on our terms this weekend & burst the rather inflated Exeter bubble
I think if we really get in to them - our backs with quick ball will potentially have a field day against Dollman, Short & Co who are hardly outstanding players
I just feel we need to see the power, devil & bite that we showed a lot in the last 2 seasons when little else was working
The balance has shifted to more expansive back play - that's fine as long as it does not undermine Tigers traditional forward pack strengths
Put the 2 elements together & we are in business
Exeter at home is a good place to start, let's hope we do have our best, most threatening & physical pack out at the weekend - after all - we know what Exeter will bring
either a wind up or this person doesn`t venture outside of Leicester to see what the rest of the world smells like......
Its a tough gig this sunday for sure and we will have to raise our game a notch or two but that's what the challenge of being second in the table is all about,keep raising the bar. I am sure Cockers and the Leicester team will have a bit more respect for us.
Quote:Jon T
We'll have to play better than any other game this season to get anything v you, this weekend. Heres to a cracker, and a game decided on the pitch and not by Ref or tmo.