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Eight days that will decide Glaws season

DR - pressure
By Cherry Picker
April 14 2009
After eight months of drama on and off the pitch, Gloucester go into the most important eight days of their season on Saturday, and by the end of it they will know whether all the hard work and heartache has been worth it. The season has been a frustrating one at times, and opponents are hoping it all ends in tears.

But the optimists in the dressing room and in the stands at Kingsholm believe it will be better than that.
The eight-day season decider starts with the EDF Final against Cardiff Blues at Twickenham on Saturday, a great day out for Glaws fans with Hartpury College and Moseley also featuring in the three-game show at the place Peter West* used to refer to as “HQ”.
Then on Tuesday April 21, which in our view is far too soon after what is sure to be a bruising game against the Blues, the rearranged game against Wuss is played at Kingsholm.
The final day of the regular GP season sees Glaws travel to deposed champions Wasps, and the chances are that this game will decide not only whether they are in the play-odffs, but also whether they are at home or away.
There’s no doubt that Dean Ryan and his players would not have chosen to end their season with three such big games in the space of eight days, but that’s the way it has fallen and at least they had a weekend off over Easter to get themselves ready both physically and mentally.
Whatever happens in this dramatic finale to the season, though, it has been confirmed that the revolving door at Kingsholm is liable to pick up speed as the close-season looms.
Shareholder Martin St Quinton, who appears to be far more willing to speak about the sort of stuff that interests the supporters than Dean Ryan and Tom Walkinshaw are, has told the Citizen that the comings and goings are liable to increase in the weeks to come.
He said: “We will be getting more players in and more players will be leaving.
“We will sit down with Dean at the end of the season and have a look at what we need. April is always a time for speculation because of the way contracts are in professional rugby.
“But Dean hasn’t made his mind up in all departments yet.”
Those comments suggest Ryan will not be one of those going through the Kingsholm exit, but many fans believe that the next three games should be his big test – if Glaws fail, his future at the club will be questioned by the fans, if not by the powers-that-be.

*If you don’t know who Peter West was, ask your dad. Or your grandad.

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14 Apr, 2009 12:00 Report
Shedloads (IP Logged)
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Eight days that will decide Glaws season
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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14 Apr, 2009 12:29 Report
cheerycherry (IP Logged)
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Re: Eight days that will decide Glaws season
The problem I see is Glaws getting to the payoff semi and being so battered from the effort of getting there that they fall apart come the game.

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14 Apr, 2009 21:14 Report
the gaffa (IP Logged)
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Re: Eight days that will decide Glaws season
Thats the problem cherry, thats the need for a big squad if you are going to fight on all fronts.Injuries, suspensions, International call ups etc.
6 props 4 second row 6 back row with 2 each in every other position, plus 3 top class place kickers as a minimum.

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14 Apr, 2009 23:57 Report
cheerycherry (IP Logged)
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Re: Eight days that will decide Glaws season
Totally agree Glaws SHOULD have the squad to cover 3 games in 8 days but there are individuals in key areas who maybe, possibly wont be totally committed to the Glaws cause. One thing is for sure, the three games will give big clues as to which players are leaving!

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15 Apr, 2009 07:28 Report
drifter (IP Logged)
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Re: Eight days that will decide Glaws season
well you will not get battered against us. I suspect a very youngside to come over to you. We have scraped to safety in the prem and cannot improve our position. We could however rest the walking wounded in one final push for a HC place through the challenge cup.

What would you do in our position?

will 5 points help you? its yours!!

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15 Apr, 2009 08:26 Report
cheerycherry (IP Logged)
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Re: Eight days that will decide Glaws season
Im not sure I would be sending a young side to Kingsholm for a game Glaws must win. Would be handy though with Glaws most definately needing to look for 5 points.

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15 Apr, 2009 11:14 Report
Two Sheds (IP Logged)
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Re: Eight days that will decide Glaws season
Thanks Drifter ... that's a great gesture. Have you told the coach and players yet? And can you persuade Wasps and Blues to do the same?

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21 Apr, 2009 20:38 Report
KevinTheB (IP Logged)
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Re: Eight days that will decide Glaws season
Well, it's going to plan so far ...

KevinTheB

www.justgiving.com/kevinbroadbent

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21 Apr, 2009 21:09 Report
Hooker Stewart - Wendover Wasp (IP Logged)
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Re: Eight days that will decide Glaws season
Easter meltdown more like....?

Take nothing away from Wuss as they must have put the effort in to get a result at Castle Grim, but what of Glaws? Where has the grunt, bully and cajole gone? Let's hope it doen't re-appear before next Sunday i.e after the Wasps game

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21 Apr, 2009 21:42 Report
tyke93 (IP Logged)
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Re: Eight days that will decide Glaws season
I hope you make the play-offs guys, what was looking like a good season is now looking like it could go pear shaped.

Good luck Gloucester! (Sm128)

LEEDS CARNEGIE TYKES - MARCHING ON TOGETHER TO THE PREMIERSHIP

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22 Apr, 2009 15:05 Report
drifter (IP Logged)
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Re: Eight days that will decide Glaws season
oooopppps sorry

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk75/Worcester_Warriors/tim-rugby-new.gif

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22 Apr, 2009 20:42 Report
PhilH (IP Logged)
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Re: Eight days that will decide Glaws season
"The final day of the regular GP season sees Glaws travel to deposed champions Wasps, and the chances are that this game will decide not only whether they are in the play-odffs, but also whether they are at home or away."

Definitely not, at least until next year.

Phil

http://pws.prserv.net/phil-harrison/wasps/wasps_signature.jpg

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22 Apr, 2009 23:29 Report
cheerycherry (IP Logged)
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Re: Eight days that will decide Glaws season
Saturday could turn into a proper drown your sorrows fest for two sides who have disappointed this season for differing reasons.

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