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Spring foward or fall back?
Discussion started by PG Tips (IP Logged), 15 March, 2014 11:11
15 March, 2014 11:11
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 26/03/2014 12:28 by TCM2007.
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 26/03/2014 12:28 by TCM2007.
It will only be a good season if we finish in the top four imho.
The LV we played a strong team up until the the semis when we were found wanting.
Their has been massive investment in the playing staff and their has been improvements but for me it counts for nothing if we don't get into the play offs.
The LV we played a strong team up until the the semis when we were found wanting.
Their has been massive investment in the playing staff and their has been improvements but for me it counts for nothing if we don't get into the play offs.
Our perspective changes through the season. For most of us before it started HC qualification would have been a solid step forward. Very few thought we would make the playoffs. There was a thread on predictions and there was quite a consensus about 5th.
Obviously it would be a disappointment not to get there now. Given the run ins I think it's 50/50.
Glad you now agree about the AP being the most important thing.
Bri, you are wrong about the LV; the semi final team was of the same strength as the majority of the pool games.
Stuart
Former ed.
Obviously it would be a disappointment not to get there now. Given the run ins I think it's 50/50.
Glad you now agree about the AP being the most important thing.
Bri, you are wrong about the LV; the semi final team was of the same strength as the majority of the pool games.
Stuart
Former ed.
As I said a lot stronger than other LV teams until we played Exeters full strength side.
Quote:Bri
As I said a lot stronger than other LV teams until we played Exeters full strength side.
Sorry Bri, can't understand what you are saying?
Stuart
Former ed.
i think what he's saying is that we took it seriously, playing our best 'A' string players and development squad. We did fine until we met a team playing their first choice players to win the only trophy they had a shot at
What he's saying is we played our best A string players but unlike Quins last year we failed to deliver against a better team.
Thinking back to the start of the season I would have personally been pleased with HC (or whatever it'll be called ) rugby next year, that's it, with anything else coming as a pleasant but unexpected surprise. With the way we've played so far this season I would now expect more but still be happy with my original target.
With so many players really exceeding the expectations of so many of us on this board, OD, JJ, KE, MG, LH, GF,(Francois is still bloody good but not at his best and Matt B needs to have a good chat with himself) I only wonder what changes we need to make to compete in the future, against the big 2 - is it recruitment or tactics orientated? Ie, we have a strong team but unless we acquire the likes of Giteau etc I can't see it happening internally.
Hope I'm wrong by the way.
And For what it's worth Bri, good to have you still!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 15/03/2014 21:11 by Purns.
With so many players really exceeding the expectations of so many of us on this board, OD, JJ, KE, MG, LH, GF,(Francois is still bloody good but not at his best and Matt B needs to have a good chat with himself) I only wonder what changes we need to make to compete in the future, against the big 2 - is it recruitment or tactics orientated? Ie, we have a strong team but unless we acquire the likes of Giteau etc I can't see it happening internally.
Hope I'm wrong by the way.
And For what it's worth Bri, good to have you still!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 15/03/2014 21:11 by Purns.
One of the "big 2" actually finished fourth in each of the last three seasons; we always think these things are fixed but actually teams move around a lot.
Stuart
Former ed.
Stuart
Former ed.
Fair shout Stuart, then replace 'big 2' with 'the standard of rugby the two teams who occupy positions 1 and 2 in the league play'!
Last year the LV was probably the limit of our expectations; this season it’s a distant third. That, to me, is the measure of the progress this team is making.
That said, its like being in the red zone - if you don’t return with points/rewards it will be seen as a failure.
That said, its like being in the red zone - if you don’t return with points/rewards it will be seen as a failure.
It's not the same team as last year,we had massive injection of players,it's only a successful season if we make the top 4 or win one of the minor cups.
It's a successful season if we've made positive progress.
Stuart
Former ed.
Stuart
Former ed.
Quote:FourSticks
That said, its like being in the red zone - if you don’t return with points/rewards it will be seen as a failure.
We very very often panic when in the red zone, it's frustrating to watch. So many chances butchered.
Like most I'm fearful of the 'failure' to keep our momentum going
I'm encouraged by the return of Attwood and Ford mostly. I think Attwood's showing in the last 2 games for England will have given him great confidence to lead the pack.
Tom's nowhere near George at the moment as we saw against Exe last Sunday.
Agree Leicester are beginning to fire, but not so Harlequins and I would like to think we could beat them away this Season. Bet it'll be a game where either team reaches the top 4! The other ends up 5th.
I'm encouraged by the return of Attwood and Ford mostly. I think Attwood's showing in the last 2 games for England will have given him great confidence to lead the pack.
Tom's nowhere near George at the moment as we saw against Exe last Sunday.
Agree Leicester are beginning to fire, but not so Harlequins and I would like to think we could beat them away this Season. Bet it'll be a game where either team reaches the top 4! The other ends up 5th.
Failure in the Red zone is no doubt the main reason Sam Burgess is recruited for next season. The defence is a worry but I feel when Fearns is back we will be tougher to score against.
Quote:Number 6 Garvey, Number 7 Louw , Number 8 Fearns? The strongest Bath back line.Bri
Fearns back?drop who Garvey?
Drop one of our stand out performers Leroy?Consistanly.
He's up their with the Welsh 8.Its not all about a couple of big hits in a game.
He's up their with the Welsh 8.Its not all about a couple of big hits in a game.
Quote:Bri
Drop one of our stand out performers Leroy?Consistanly.
He's up their with the Welsh 8.Its not all about a couple of big hits in a game.
Agreed, Leroy is quicker round the park and stays on his feet better than Carl who seems to go to ground as soon as contact is made
Out of all our recruitment Leroy was a undiscovered gem,everybody knew about the other but Leroy wow what a player he's turned out for us.
He said he loves it here and I hope he's here for a while.
Well done Gary Gold.
Fearns for me is also outstanding and I hope theirs still more to come from him but for me he's not a 8.
He said he loves it here and I hope he's here for a while.
Well done Gary Gold.
Fearns for me is also outstanding and I hope theirs still more to come from him but for me he's not a 8.
The disappointment for me is that while our pack is strong it isn't the dominant force it was at the beginning of the season - maybe because of the absence of Atwood, Fearns, Wilson & Webber- but even with them it had declined. That together with a leaky defence leaves us vulnerable to teams we would have crushed earlier in the season. We have now lost 2 matches from bad defending & almost those against Wasps & Exeter. The game against LI will probably be a good indicator as to how the season pans out. We could remain in 3rd as a no doubt resurgent Leicester have tough games ahead or mixed results could see us in 5th which would now be a step backwards.
Maybe other teams are finally adapting to the new rule changes with re. the scrums. I'm interested to see how we perform in that area next week with David and Paul packing down. Two world class international props, some fantastic recruitment there.
Fearnes is a great impact sub to come on and smash holes in tired defenders. His versatility makes him perfect for that too. But Leroy has been unreal so far this season so will always been the starting 8 for me. What a character too...I don't think he ever stops smiling.
Fearnes is a great impact sub to come on and smash holes in tired defenders. His versatility makes him perfect for that too. But Leroy has been unreal so far this season so will always been the starting 8 for me. What a character too...I don't think he ever stops smiling.
Houston is a very good reliable 8 who is improving with the harder grounds and more game time and starts.
I struggle to see Fearns as a better player in a back row of Garvey, Louw and Leroy, that seem to complement each other and are better ball players and faster than Fearns. He may offer more strength but his lack of pace and handling ability may be one of the reasons we leaked more tries this season? Not saying all his fault but IMHO Not in the same class as the aforementioned 3. Also he has been injured quite a lot which also does not help the continuity of the team. Who would people drop to accommodate him and why?
I struggle to see Fearns as a better player in a back row of Garvey, Louw and Leroy, that seem to complement each other and are better ball players and faster than Fearns. He may offer more strength but his lack of pace and handling ability may be one of the reasons we leaked more tries this season? Not saying all his fault but IMHO Not in the same class as the aforementioned 3. Also he has been injured quite a lot which also does not help the continuity of the team. Who would people drop to accommodate him and why?
I don't think Fearns would significant weaken that back row. But it wouldn't strengthen it.
Stuart
Former ed.
Stuart
Former ed.
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