By Scott Morgan. Coventry Telegraph.
October 24 2013

Coventry coach Scott Morgan admits concerns over his players’ ability to stick to the team game-plan have forced him to introduce a more simplistic strategy for the next few weeks.

Morgan is especially critical of some of his forwards who, he says, are neglecting the necessities of their positions, to concentrate on niceties and are undermining the whole team in the process.

Indeed Morgan’s mantra for the whole season, in which Coventry have won five of their seven games, has been about each individual player doing his allotted job to make the machine run smoothly. In short that means forwards not standing out in the back-line.

And he has decided to tie them in by altering the team’s previously expansive approach. “We have to become more direct,” the head coach said. “If our forwards’ mindset is to be standing out in the 13 channel then we’ll take away the excuse for them to do that.

“That play for the next month does not exist, their role is to be around the breakdown, hitting rucks and carrying the ball up and over the gain-line. It's going to be very straightforward and anyone who doesn’t stick to it will get a rollicking.

“The biggest disappointment of the last few weeks is that we have got a big set of forwards with some strong characters in there but we just don’t see them imposing themselves on a Saturday.”

With that in mind Morgan has brought in former Dragons academy player Sam Pailor from Swansea.

The versatile lock or back row has played at Bedford and spent last season at Doncaster as they were relegated from the Championship.

“He is different to everyone else we have got in the back row,” Morgan said. “He’s certainly not a footballing back row but he’s a real character and someone who is going to occupy the opposition with what he does around the park.

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Morgan admits Cov will have to become more direct...

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 24/10/2013 16:17

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
24/10/2013 16:17

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rustyroof
24/10/2013 18:49

I agree wih Scott. Although our backline are definitely a step up from previous seasons, we now need the pack to show a similar improvement. Hopefully, the new signing can add a bit of metal and help focus the minds of those not pulling their weight in the basics of forward play. If we could develope an aggressive, dominant forward unit, I am confident we have the attacking ability to figure near the top of the league.

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covkid53
24/10/2013 20:17

Scott is a rugby man and wont be taken for a fool. The Welsh take their rugby very seriously and when he says players will get a rollocking... you know what, I believe him.

Time to front up guys !!!

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Nige H
24/10/2013 21:15

Did he give himself a rollicking after last weeks loss?? He played for the first half didnt he?

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OldNick
24/10/2013 22:25

I wasn't in a position to listen in, obviously enough, but he certainly had words with the team after the final whistle. From what I've seen he'd have been as honest with himself as he would be with them.

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bigm/ mark harrison.
25/10/2013 07:35

Personally I find it hard to understand how many times does it take to be told to do something a particular way which enables you to win and you all buy into, especially when it appears to be more than one or two people. Also another recruit for the back row, this certainly sends out a message to the squad and an area I thought we were well served already

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Kimbo
26/10/2013 12:12

I'm assuming that the new fella is an indirect replacement for the legendary J. Tyas?
I wonder if the club is ever going to be honest re. the latter?
Did he actually sign? Will he ever figure in the team plans? Does it involve the Official Secrets Act?

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tom snr
26/10/2013 18:37

nothing to do with cov kimbo-yes he did sign.

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Kimbo
26/10/2013 22:43

And the following two questions?

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tom snr
26/10/2013 23:00

Sub judice

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Roger Fox
27/10/2013 12:51

Thanks for the PM Tom.

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