Quote:I just hope that the day comes when we can get all 23 of them fit and on the pitch!
Quote:Shawshank
Even our best team on paper is no better than 10th/11th. With plodding coaches,, that’s our realistic level.
Eg. Tom Homer wouldn’t get into any else’s first team, our centres are very average, 9&10 are utter enigmas wrapped up in conundrums , and our star signing talks a mighty lot but hasn’t played a full 80 mins for about 2 years now.
Disappointing as it may be but if we finish 11th it wouldn’t be a bad result.
Quote:franciscorrigan
Won't be seeing Rob Simmons for a while, as he's on the bench for Oz this morning v New Zealand.
Australia's last International is December 6th, so I doubt he will be playing for us until the New Year.
Not entirely unexpected, but we need him here. Just hope he doesn't pick up an injury.
Quote:Bazzo
I would agree with Shawshank summary. Just genuinely can’t see us being any higher than 11th
We will be better than Falcons imo. But Worcester will be similar to us and I just can’t see Tigers being as bad again with the players that they have. The Bristol game killed my confidence, as I pointed out well over half that team were good first choice players and remember that you will never get all your top players on the field at once (Coleman can get injured at any time too, will Naholo stay fit or be the same player after his knee operation?) It just killed me. The policy of going for big salary stars has been poor recruitment and bad value for money, it is a squad that lacks depth and can’t take the injury toll that will come.
Quote:BlarneyQuote:Bazzo
I would agree with Shawshank summary. Just genuinely can’t see us being any higher than 11th
We will be better than Falcons imo. But Worcester will be similar to us and I just can’t see Tigers being as bad again with the players that they have. The Bristol game killed my confidence, as I pointed out well over half that team were good first choice players and remember that you will never get all your top players on the field at once (Coleman can get injured at any time too, will Naholo stay fit or be the same player after his knee operation?) It just killed me. The policy of going for big salary stars has been poor recruitment and bad value for money, it is a squad that lacks depth and can’t take the injury toll that will come.
I keep seeing this comment about Tigers not being as bad again. What is this based on? Is their squad really that strong? Genge and Ford will be with England for the first third of the season and they're losing some of their Argentine internationals as well.
On paper, we should be aiming to finish above them, Falcons and Worcester. If we can get our act together, we could also target the woefully inconsistent Glos and Saints.
I'm still expecting us to lose more than we win, but with something to actually play for next season, I'm hoping we won't see as many late game capitualations- bonus points will be vital.
Quote:I think that you will find that its the second row that has been letting us down post covid, with not enough grunt to stabilise the props. That being said, an additional LH is required. Dell has not lived up to his International billing and Elrington is great on his day but can be hit and miss. Coleman and Simmonds will be great but we drop off massively if they are out. Guss and Cornish give us great options at hooker and Kepu and Hoskins cover the TH as well as any pair in the comp. In regard to the backs, Hep's replacement will be good but Naholo on one leg is a worry so for me, OHC will be vital coverage on one wing. With the team laid out in this thread, we have a side that can beat anyone, barring Exeter, who seem to be on another level after watching their demolition job on the weekend.exileray
Lots of people here know more than me , but I think we need 2 props with the same attitude and effort as Gus creevy, we all know if the pack is weak the backs will only get scraps so 2 props Argentinian or south African tough as they come and we will go forward in the pack , allowing our backs to attack.........simple .