By T
January 27 2006

Out of Europe and showing no sign of form (yet still only a maximum points win off 5th place), it’s vitally important that a victory this weekend is achieved to put more space between the dreaded trapdoor and closer to Heineken Cup qualification. Without wishing to stoke the flames or be accused of tabloid style hysteria, this game is make or break time in what is proving to be a tough season for coaching staff, players and fans alike. With rumours of discontent in the camp failing to go away Sarries season looks to be fizzling out faster than a toddler on a sugar rush.Without wishing to stoke the flames or be accused of tabloid style hysteria, this game is make or break time in what is proving to be a tough season for coaching staff, players and fans alike. With rumours of discontent in the camp failing to go away Sarries season looks to be fizzling out faster than a toddler on a sugar rush.

Saracens go into this game with a severely depleted squad, for the players it’s a case of those fit will be in the traveling squad for the long trip North. For the fans Dream Team predictions are easy this week, just pick the remaining 17 uninjured players in the 38 man first team squad and any 5 from the academy!

Aside from finding enough fit players, the difficulty for Messers Ford and Diamond now is the decision of whether to play a tight game in the hope of progressing up the table or play a more relaxed open style where the players dictate the game rather than the bench. Perhaps the answer lies somewhere in between? Coaching staff and players could hold Biarritz up as the blue print of the style of rugby we want to play, combining grunt work upfront with attacking at real pace out wide. One things for sure this weekend, whatever the game plan Saracens will be eager to get their season back on track. Despite Saturday’s heavy loss there were alot more positive signs than were evident against Gloucester and Treviso it’s important that these are built upon and progress is made against the Falcons.

Having spent the last few weeks running in hatfuls of tries against the minnows of European Rugby Newcastle will be eager to have a crack at another team short on creativity and confidence. The Falcons, always blessed with quality runners out wide, appear to have finally found the hard edge upfront that has been missing from their game for such a long time. Since being well beaten at Vicarage Road in November (our last win against an English side) Newcastle have been on a constant upward curve which has included wins against Worcester, Leeds, Wasps as well as the destruction of their Challenge Cup pool. Anyone thinking Newcastle are the same soft touch that turned up in Watford last year are sadly mistaken...

This weekends game seems a tight one to call. Kingston Park is always a tough place to go as Wasps and Sale will testify this season, Newcastle are showing form and Saracens by their own admissions are playing poorly, however you never know what can happen in the Guinness Premiership! A win will mean Sarries go into the Six Nations period on a high and with the return of key players the team should start looking up. A loss and we’ll be looking over our shoulders and praying that Andy Farrell is the new messiah…