Northampton Saints
News: GP: Saints vs Gloucester - Preview
By Gloucester Boy
April 1 2009
You know what its like, you are reading the Message Boards, passing the time of day and after more Red Wine than is healthy for you, you find yourself responding to one of those cries for help that occasionally get published… “Yes, I will write a preview for you – no problem”...
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs GLOUCESTER
GP: SATURDAY, 4th APRIL 2009 – 3pm
FRANKLIN’S GARDENS
MATCH PREVIEW
Saints v Gloucester, Preview
By Gloucester Boy, April 1st 2009
You know what its like, you are reading the Message Boards, passing the time of day and after more Red Wine than is healthy for you, you find yourself responding to one of those cries for help that occasionally get published… “Yes, I will write a preview for you – no problem”. The harsh reality (which I’m discovering as I type) is that this is not easy for me. I do not have Howlin’s literacy skills, Broonie’s knowledge or Mr. Gleadall’s mastery of the English Language. So, my fellow COYS type people, you will have to grin and bare it and put up with my ramblings (107 words so far and no mention of the game). Not so much a ‘preview’ but some reflection on a game that I’m am really looking forward to.
Having reminded myself of the current Table, Gloucester seem to need a result more than we do. Sitting in 2nd place with 56 points, next years European place has more or less been secured but a top four finish is yet to be guaranteed. Saints, however, as we all know, with 39 points and no ‘realistic’ chance of a top 6 or 7 finish only have one remaining competition to focus on – and it’s not the Guinness Premiership. With ‘nothing’ to play for apart from the pride of wearing the GB and Gold I just think we are in for a cracker on Saturday afternoon. The Current Table
If you look at Gloucester’s remaining fixtures, and consider the team’s aspirations for a top four finish then, you can understand the comments being made over in the ‘West Country’.
“If we don't beat Wuzz at home we don't deserve to be in playoffs, my biggest fear is Wycombe away, the amount of times i've been there and we've not even been in the game. Granted they are not the team they used to be but Wycombe without a care in the world throwing the ball about is bad news for us. I think the Northampton game is the most crucial.”
To consider the outcome of the game, you have to look at recent form. Well, that’s what they say – ignoring the EDF , Gloucester have only won one of the last three games – that narrow win against the Pests, Saints have secured two out of three victories . Of course, all this was going on when the 6 nations was being held so form book goes out of the window – so they say. Perhaps this accounts for how a woeful Worcester side managed a victory against all the odds. So, perhaps and maybe and all that, perhaps Gloucester are not the force we think they are?
I thought it was interesting to read what is occupying those Tractor boys as they prepare the Massey Fergussons for the trip on Saturday. It is interesting that one of the debates seems to focus on Carlos Spencer. Apparently, he doesn’t kick that well, kicks away good pocession and you need Barkely in the side if Carlos plays – well I never – where have I heard that before.
Sinbad4England4Sure
“I would give Lamby a chance, Carlos on the bench, after all some competition for the No 10 spot could be good. As long as he stops kicking away usefull chances he could be v usefull. What do people think about No. 12 Shirt? Allen or Barkley?
I thought Allen played well, bar a few handling errors, tackled well and looked like he was coming back to some form. If Barkley starts we have another kicking option-pressure off Lamb and also may fill in for Tinds depending on injury. Should be a great match Morgan vs Foden! Cant wait”
Tuffty31
“Would stay with the same starting 15 as the EDF semi-final and, injury’s aside, would continue to play this same 15 for the rest of the season. That's only 3 GP games and 1 EDF final. If we are then in a position to be part of the GP playoffs then, again, keep the same side. This will give stability, game time, match fitness, confidence, etc.
At this point in the season you want consistency - not chopping and changing.
The fly-half vs kicker situation is an interesting one.
If you start with Carlos then you must have Barclay at inside centre for kicking duties, therefore Allan is on the bench. Or you start with Lamb and Allan. Simple.”
It’s Wednesday morning and so who am I to predict who I think the teams will be. No doubt we have players who received a few knocks from last weeks bruising encounter in Coventry and so maybe Mr. Mallinder will take this opportunity to rest a few ahead of what I think is a far more important game next week against Connaught. Both Tindell and Simpson Daniel’s are injury concerns for the Cherry and Whites.
Reflections
Of course, its always good to reflect on games gone by and previous attempts to write these previews. Who could forget, the award winning report that was posted in 2006 – I read this article again to seek inspiration and failed miserably – there are some things in life that you simply can not compete against – this was one of them.
“I can’t put my finger on why exactly, but I always feel a certain degree of trepidation before games against Gloucester.
Saints v Glaws 2006 According to RED SAINT
A year later, a certain Mr Richmond stepped up to the plate and offered us hope following a significant victory against the Tigers
“With the Saints being buoyed, not only by the return of the club skipper Bruce Reihana but also the form of “the next big thing” (copyright David Lowrence) Stephen Myler, the lads were able to stick their heads in the lions mouth and steal a few gold fillings from the gapping jaws of death.”
I doubt if we will ever see a result such as this again – but, boy what a cracking gameSaints 58 Gloucester 21... Oh for a repeat on Saturday!
“The Cherry and Whites' wretched away form was again ruthlessly exposed as Northampton's incisive running and midfield invention tore the visitor's defence to shreds.”
Having said that, the 2003-2004 game saw another convincing victory for the Saints
Saints 30 Glaws 17
“Pre-match predictions of a finely-balanced contest between two of the Zurich Premiership's form teams were rubbished at Franklin's Gardens as Northampton destroyed Gloucester with a stunning first-half display.”
Match reportIn the NEWS
“Ryan Lamb kicked Gloucester into the EDF Energy Cup final – but serious question marks still remain over his Kingsholm future.”
“Andy Hazell believes Gloucester's new-found defensive resilience could be the key to them winning the Guinness Premiership title.”Referee: Andrew Small
Touch judges: Andy Watson, Paul Emerson
Assessor: Brian Campsall
Television match official: Anthea Turner
The Result?
So, how will this game pan out. There was a time, many moons ago when I was quite rightly labeled the King of Visionaries. That is just a distant memory now, I can hardly remember things that happened yesterday let alone what will happen tomorrow – that’s age for you. The key to this game for me is at number 10. We suffered a little last week by indifferent displays by both Smyler and Bazzer and can not afford a repeated performance. Perhaps more interestingly, who will be wearing the 10 shirt for Gloucester? Will the “mercurial “Carlos Spencer turn up with his box of tricks and provide us with a ‘this is what you are missing guys ‘ type performance. Who knows? I think the game will be high scoring and very close and maybe Gloucester have more to play for than us. As I said, ‘maybe’ – what do I know; I am just a pseudo Welshman with family roots deeply entrenched within Gloucestershire.
I’m off to look at tractors...
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:04:05:08:49:54 by St Marlowe.
Like you Im not sure how this one will go but heres to a Saintly victory!
Saint til I die
Always good to see a variety of styles, and I thought this was a particularly good effort. Of course, I'm not only saying that as you linked to one of my previews...
Like StBleach, I normally read back through the old previews/reviews of the fixture I'm set to write about, and every time it's always a pleasant surprise to find just how good the contributions from everyone on this site are. The advertisers have it right, the stories are what make the site tick...
Diolch yn Fawr
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