B**h

The lineout, whilst not as flaky as last season did have a few problems.  Linklater's throwing was, from the two lineouts I could see accurately, absolutely dead straight down the middle.  Perhaps this is the problem?  The new issue in the scrum is more worrying and caused our half-backs a number of problems.  Our defensive organisation left much to be desired, particularly in the first half

For the first time I heard mutterings about our coaching and the role of Richard Hill.  Is this wrong?  … We are seeing apparent signs of a lack of organisation, determination and, dare I say it, passion in our team.  Surely the coaching and overall management of the club have an impact here?  …Something must be changed and … we must win our next home game

Sale

A far better performance than against ‘Quins.  Committed, aggressive, organised.  Individuals stood up to be counted.  The scrum was solid, the lineout reliable.   …The referee [should be back in] ND1 … as Bristol might be if the don't win games like this. 

Newcastle

A bitter defeat for Bristol … they looked unlikely to score throughout.  Bristol seemed to have few options and executed those poorly… Lack of consistency in selection policy combined with an apparent absence of strategic and tactical thinking.  Even up here in the North East we hear rumours of discontent in the Bristol camp.

London Irish

The first half, on the other hand, was a dismal effort with poor decision making and shocking kicking

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Glos

Aspects of Bristol's play were still quite good, but all too often the ball carrier is isolated and unsupported.  This means that our backs get little chance to show if they are any good as they get slow ball and the opponents defence has reorganised.  This lack of support at the breakdown seems to indicate a lack of pace or dynamism in the forwards

Northampton

… A sad lack of ambition combined with the inability to carry out even limited objectives.  The kicking game is terrible ...  The chase is poor…  The pitiable quality of our support play; with the ball carrier too often isolated and lacking options… planned moves carried out despite the necessary players not being in position… The team is tired and leaks tries towards the end of the game… Playing conservative and timid rugby.  Things must change and I hope that we will stun Saracens next weekend…  The players … were smiling and laughing.  Richard Hill was not.

Saracens

It was clear that Bristol were never going to be in contention…. typical of this season, Bristol then gave away points just after scoring themselves.

Newcastle

This was a shocking performance… Bristol failed individually and collectively… Any sign of a strategy was largely invisible and our tactics to carry one out were inadequate… We kicked possession away… The defence was poorly organised…Fitness isn't where it was…Tactically we seem to have few ideas …The kicking from hand is woeful…Support play is too slow…Where do we go from here?  Logically; to National Division 1.

Sale

Respectable performance…  Defensively…better organised… kicking game was much improved… In attack we are limited… We obviously lack confidence.

Quins

The first game of the official post Richard Hill era saw a much improved performance… Increased sharpness at the breakdown and a more organised defence…Some of our younger players took the chance to show their skills; Dave Attwood and, especially, Redford Pennycook (who looked good against Sale last week).  Will we be able to hang onto them with relegation seemingly inevitable?

Wasps

Wasps…outscored three tries to two you know something is going right.  With just the one penalty at the end of the first half proving decisive this is the sort of performance Bristol can build on.  The next game, against Worcester, might see Bristol relegated.  If so, we look to have a good core of players for ND1 (much better than the single player we had last time!) and maybe we will live to fight on in the Premiership.  I still think we've got one really good performance in us.  When will it come?

London Irish

Our challenge is to regroup for a campaign in ND1 or the Championship.  Whether we come straight back up is an interesting question.  If we assume Leeds are promoted then we will still face a strong line up.  It is patronising to assume that a team of Exeter's quality and strong infrastructure are just there to provide target practice for Bristol.  After all, as pointed out above a large number of our squad originally came from that league in the first place.  Clearly we'll be losing a few more players before next season starts and we'll only recruit a couple of replacements.

Leicester

Bristol depart the Premiership on the back of a spectacular hiding that epitomised so many of the problems this season.  The kicking from hand was woeful.  The box kick out on the full made an unwelcome return after a brief disappearance at the start of Hull's reign.  Hopeful passing leading to interceptions and the absence of supporting players when breaks were made.  The turnovers conceded killed Bristol… Next season in the Championship, and anyone who thinks we will waltz straight back up is patronising the likes of Exeter and Doncaster.  Even if we do get back, what do we need to do to stay more than a couple of seasons?