BR - on trial

By Cherry Picker
September 2 2009

It will be a new-look Gloucester that kicks-off the 2009-10 Guinness Premiership season against old rivals Bath at Kingsholm on Sunday, but it will be some time before we know whether there will be a change in fortunes. The summer may have helped to dull the pain of last season’s disappointing finale, but the memories are still there and both fans and players are desperate to see an improvement.

Whether they will get one remains to be seen.
Whatever the result and whatever the level of performance against Bath, the first game can’t be relied upon to give us an accurate guide on the prospects for the new season.
With so many players departing and several new ones coming in, the squad need to knit together to become a team, not the collection of individuals that did so much damage to the finishing position and the run of poor late-season performances last spring.
To make matters more interesting, there’s a new coach, too, with Bryan Redpath stepping up to take over from the departed Dean Ryan.
Will his approach to the game produce more attractive rugby, better team-work and, most importantly, better results? Hopefully he will have signed the new players he has recruited because he wanted them and felt they would improve the squad, rather than because he didn’t want any other club to have them.
Coaches need to keep an eye on the opposition, but not to the point where they become obsessed with what they are doing rather than with their own team.
Redpath is on trial, his new squad is on trial, his tactics are on trial … Gloucester as a club are on trial.
Don’t expect a reliable verdict until at least the end of September, by which time Glaws will have played four games, two at home and two away.

Meanwhile, a win over Bath is always good … on Sunday it could be very good.

Will new-look Glaws have a new-look season?

Discussion started by Shedloads (IP Logged), 02/09/2009 10:56

Shedloads
02/09/2009 10:56

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Two Sheds
02/09/2009 13:55

Getting a good start could be vital. Beating Barff is very important (and very possible) and after that we can hopefully gather pace. Cross everything.

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cheerycherry
03/09/2009 02:47

For me, Sunday is an opportunity for two sides who have had an eventful close season to get some needed confidence and belief. A Glaws win could go a long way to restoring the faith of fans who may be less than believing at the moment.

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CountryMike
04/09/2009 08:05

Difficult to call this one, as are most opening fixtures, and the 19-all result doesn't really tell us anything. Although I think it will be a pretty close scoreline.

Whichever way the points head I reckon both teams will be up there fighting for top four come the end of the season.

All the best, except on Sunday obviously!

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Two Sheds
04/09/2009 11:54

CountryMike - I really admire your optimism for both clubs. But I bet you're wrong in both cases re the top four, though again I'm hoping it's me who is wrong.

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CountryMike
06/09/2009 17:46

Oh well, not that close in the end! Well played Glaws (said through gritted teeth)

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