Northampton are themselves a club struggling for success and their excellent supporters probably expected to go home tonight with (possibly) a bonus point but not much more. Grabbing all four points and denying their opponents a bonus point may be the fillip they need to move forward this season. But what can Bath do to kick-start their game in to something resembling Premiership rugby?

The forwards don't look as fresh or confident as they did last year and one has to question whether, after two seasons of destroying opponents, they've finally been found out. All tactics have a short shelf life, particularly given all the video analysis that goes on these days, and John Connolly's grinding style may now be old hat and ready for some radical refurbishment.

The backs look as out of sorts as they ever have been since the Aussie contingent moved in to our fair City. Chris Malone had an absolute "mare" and on this form I can't see him starting again unless injuries force the hands of the coaches. Olly Barkley looks as though he could do with a complete break from rugby, perhaps for a whole season, to regain his confidence. He looks like a Hollywood child prodigy who hit the top so young he's now burnt out at 23. 

Bath has been renowned for great kickers over the years, Barnsey, Webby, JC to name three and both Barkley and Malone have been up there with the best in recent seasons. To see their kicking reduced to a shambles is almost unbearable to watch and of course it contributes to two games lost. Did I see Barkley's new kicking coach, Fred Karno, slink out of the ground as his trainee scuffed a penalty some 3 yards along the ground? Watching the lad walk disconsolately back to his mates after this awful attempt at goal was heartbreaking and I see no point further destroying his confidence by picking him to play at Welford Road next week.

The one bright spot for Bath is Frikke Welsh, yet he is consigned to the wilderness of the wing whilst Barkley and Higgins lack the ability to feed him the sort of ball needed to break down opposition defences. What does Frikke have to do to get picked in the centre? Wasn't last week's dazzling run a sufficient nudge to the coaches to let him play in a position where he can get the ball? New signing Finau was binned after two minutes, failed to make anything of the one high catch that came his way and certainly didn't make me feel that we've signed a new saviour who can score tries. Great!

Wood and Malone are still not gelling. Wood failed to get a single ball in to a Bath scrum without waiting, pointing and chatting to the referee. Had David Rose wanted to, he could easily have penalised the Bath scrum-half for slow play. Wood's passing was also erratic, from daisy-cutters to shoulder-high passes: criticse Malone all you like but look at the service he has to cope with!

The abysmal weather for much of the match just about made my day. Soaked to the skin at half time, it was a tough call to stay for the second half. But I did, hoping to see an improvement. However all I saw was more of the same from the first half: Bath enjoying the majority of possession but without a clue on how to break through the Saint's defence. Poor kicking and the sort of passing of which most junior sides would be embarrassed.

I want to see some radical changes at Bath Rugby. I want the forwards to be banned from driving more that three times in one phased attack to speed up play. I want the scrum half to get the ball out flat first time and to his fly half and to be banned from talking to anyone other than his pals - any back chat or slow scrum feeds should be rewarded with a fine. (Perhaps some old Richard Hill videos might help!).

I want backs in the back and on the wings and forwards to stay in the pack. I want attacking players to turn the opposition defenders by mixing up play between long and short chips, grubbers: basically anything that forces the opposition to think about what Bath will be doing to them. At present the opposing coach can almost stand on the side and predict the next four Bath plays. I want clearance kicks to find touch, which may mean taking 5 yards off the distance. Most of all I want Bath Rugby to look like a co-ordinated, professional outfit because from the perspective of these tired old peepers they look as disjointed a team as you are likely to see in the league this year and you know what that usually means - relegation!

Bath is now in a situation whereby we could lose the first five games in the Premiership. Next week's game at Leicester is already a damage limitation match. Instead of heading up there on equal terms both players and supporters will be looking to stop the Tigers humiliating us rather than worrying about winning the match.

I am so disappointed with our play today that it has been a real struggle to write this report. For the first time in as long as I can remember I felt sick of Bath Rugby as I tramped home, my sopping wet trousers leaving a snail-like trail in my wake. I'll wager I'm not the only one.

Never mind, a few beers will put things right for me. However I think John Connolly and his crew need a bit more than a few beers to solve their problems!

I'm sure some of you will agree with my comments and others will be critical for me not supporting the players when they need it most. Fine, that's ok, we all have different ways of dealing with the current situation. All I'll say is that I'll still be watching, cheering and being frustrated by Bath Rugby many years after the current employees have moved on.

Right Bath Rugby, it's time to step up to the plate and start winning a few matches. Make me eat my words, make me humbly apologise for not believing in you, make me realise that you know best. Please!!

Bath: Perry; Finau, Higgins, Barkley, Welsh; Malone, Wood; Barnes, Mears, Bell, Borthwick (capt), Grewcock; Beattie, Scaysbrook, Feaunati.
Replacements: Dixon, Stevens, Delve, Fidler, Walshe, Davis, Williams.

Northampton: Reihana (capt); Lamont, Clarke, Mallon, Cohen, Spencer, Robinson; Smith, Hartley, Sturgess, Lord, Browne; Soden, Fox, Browne.
Replacements: Thompson, Budgen, Rae, Lewitt, Howard, Davies, Rudd.

Referee: David Rose

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