Bath may need a miracle to come away from Franklin’s Gardens with any points on Saturday afternoon. After 9 Premiership rounds, Saints are within reach of the heavens in 4th, while Bath remain stuck in the purgatory of 13th place. In winning 5 out of 8, Saints have mixed efficient set piece and driving forward play with fluent attack well, most recently in a try bonus 20-36 triumph over Bristol at Ashton Gate. Bath, without a try bonus and only 15 scored so far, seem badly in need of a miracle.
Saints have endured mixed results over the past 5 seasons under DOR Chris Boyd, but are showing signs of the all-round game he planned on arrival from Wellington Hurricanes. Their game starts with the basics, founded on a big pack and the tactical control of Biggar at fly half. Once they gain the edge in territory or possession, their transition to attack is swift, aggressive and executed at speed, with plenty of support runners backing up any break. Danger men are Ribbans, Ratuniyarawa, Ludlam and Lawes up front (the latter in the form of his life as stand-in England Captain) and Mitchell, Procter, Furbank and Skosan in the backs. Visiting indiscipline is ruthlessly punished by Biggar’s reliable boot.
Of 3 defeats, 2 have come away from home, at Sale and Wasps, neither easy venues to snatch a result. More worrying for Saints was a heavy home defeat, conceding 7 tries to derby rivals Leicester Tigers. Two months ago they were also given a shock at home by London Irish who made hay with driving mauls exposing Saints vulnerability on retreat. The result was 2 yellow cards for the home team and 3 tries for Irish -1 a penalty try. Perhaps that offers Bath a glimmer of hope?
Whatever was said behind closed doors seemed to galvanise Bath last Friday night. In a performance of character and defensive grit they harassed Exeter into error, led for most of the game and, with a little more composure -and luck- could have scored twice more to seal the game. They did not largely because Chiefs’ replacements were stronger than Bath’s in the final ten minutes.
Supporters though remain sceptics, especially about the thin output so far revealed of the Griffith’s report. They want results as well as improvement – that is what professional sport is all about. Fans will look to Ben Spencer, pivotal in so much of Bath’s good play, and the returning internationals to lead the search for salvation.
An all-out, eighty plus minute effort from the whole 23 will be needed. Or perhaps Bath can belatedly discover a patron saint to deliver a miracle?
Possible Teams: Bath Rugby: Boyce, Dunn, Stuart, Ewels (Capt.) McNally, Ellis, Underhill, Bayliss. Spencer, Bailey. Muir, Ojomoh, Joseph, Rokodoguni. De Glanville. Replacements:, Du Toit, Cordwell, Rae, W Spencer, De Carpentier. Fox, Cipriani, McConnochie.
Bookies have Saints at 6/19 for the win, Bath 18/5 this morning, it may change when teams are announced...
Adopted players: 24/25 J Bayliss; [24] O Lawrence; [23] J Cokanasiga; [22] M Green; [21] A Watson; [20] T Faletau; [19] M V Vuuren; [18] T Faletau; [17] D Denton; [16] H. Agulla; [15] L Houston; [14] W Spencer; [13] F. Louw
joethefanatic Totally agree about Courtney Lawes. Form of his life and a VERY good captain.
Saints by 15.
Bookies [Paddy Power] have a 9 point spread...
Adopted players: 24/25 J Bayliss; [24] O Lawrence; [23] J Cokanasiga; [22] M Green; [21] A Watson; [20] T Faletau; [19] M V Vuuren; [18] T Faletau; [17] D Denton; [16] H. Agulla; [15] L Houston; [14] W Spencer; [13] F. Louw
They were right last week about the Exeter spread. I am taking heart from a much improved defensive performance last Friday but feel we will leave FG with nothing...
Adopted players: 24/25 J Bayliss; [24] O Lawrence; [23] J Cokanasiga; [22] M Green; [21] A Watson; [20] T Faletau; [19] M V Vuuren; [18] T Faletau; [17] D Denton; [16] H. Agulla; [15] L Houston; [14] W Spencer; [13] F. Louw
I think 'travel in hope rather than expectation' just about covers it.
I have close family who are Saints STH including a keen grandson. Saints have had a rather poor couple of years but now revived. I have in the past decade or so always travelled up to FG and never ever had a Bath win (hope I am correct in this but that's how it fels). Even in the good old days of Borthwick n Grewcock etc.
So I await the usual 'commiserations' crowing...........
But in sport one just never knows and I expect Bath to at least keep the score within a reasonable range!
Edit: I was wrong. Bath won in 2016 and 2020. Two matches I wasn't able to attend so apologies.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:12:03:10:50:10 by annie blackthorn.
Every weekend is a match closer to Bath getting that first win of the season.
Saints, unfortunately, have a habit of under-estimating teams and don' t be too surprised if a couple of 'names' are rested with Europe just around the corner.
Might be a lot closer than you think.......safe travels
Aberavon Wizard Couple of points from The Gardens.
Every weekend is a match closer to Bath getting that first win of the season.
Saints, unfortunately, have a habit of under-estimating teams and don' t be too surprised if a couple of 'names' are rested with Europe just around the corner.
Might be a lot closer than you think.......safe travels
I think it's significantly likely that Bath will write this game off and rest a lot of players ahead of the European games.
Aberavon Wizard Couple of points from The Gardens.
Every weekend is a match closer to Bath getting that first win of the season.
Saints, unfortunately, have a habit of under-estimating teams and don' t be too surprised if a couple of 'names' are rested with Europe just around the corner.
Might be a lot closer than you think.......safe travels
I think it's significantly likely that Bath will write this game off and rest a lot of players ahead of the European games.
I'd very much prefer we approached it the other way around.
Team largely picks itself - will be half decent with some consistency from last week.
You never know, I would never completely write off a tesm along the below lines: tdg, rmc, jj, mojo, muir, cips, spencer, boyce, dunn, stuart, mcnally, ewels, ellis, underhill, bayliss.
Absentees are felt a but I'm terms of depth.maybe cordwell, du toit, rae, spencer, rdc, fox, bailey, roko.
I personally would have richards on the bench and have him in the 23 most weeks with a view to next season
Can't cut and paste the team as they insist on making it a jpg, so here's the unavailable XV instead - Joe C as emergency no8 and Redpath filling in at 9.
Beno Obano, Tom Doughty, Juan Schoeman
Taulupe Faletau, Ethan Staddon
Miles Reid, Jaco Coetzee, Joe Cokanasiga
Cameron Redpath, Orlando Bailey
Tian Schoeman, Max Clark
Jonathan Joseph, Ruaridh McConnochie, Anthony Watson
Happy that Butt is getting an opportunity around some genuine 'first teamers' in the backs. Cippers needs to show that he's still got premiership rugby in him. Bench doesn't look strong enough, but good to see Richards included - I've got high hopes for him.
He's been pushed from 4th choice lock, to 4th choice lock.
Hardly a revelation
Behind mcnally, ewels and williams?
He is a much better lock than williams imho and needs some game time. Bizarre he didn't come on last week to bolster the scrum given he is an excellent scrummager.
I would say I trust hoops when it comes to second rows....but I don't....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:12:03:14:03:36 by CoochieCoo.
I seriously hope Spencer doesn’t decide to go on a box-kicking fest all afternoon. I’d rather see us give it a lash. Cipriani could put Will Butt on some nice hard lines, and if he can hold on to the ball he ought to do some damage.
One of these days we'll click. There are still too many good players in that team not to come good at some point ... he says, wearily, hopefully, against all odds'ly.
Clarkey3k Bookies have Saints at 6/19 for the win, Bath 18/5 this morning, it may change when teams are announced...
Now 1/4 for Saints and 4/1 for Bath; points spread out to 11...
Adopted players: 24/25 J Bayliss; [24] O Lawrence; [23] J Cokanasiga; [22] M Green; [21] A Watson; [20] T Faletau; [19] M V Vuuren; [18] T Faletau; [17] D Denton; [16] H. Agulla; [15] L Houston; [14] W Spencer; [13] F. Louw
Please remember folks, don’t post any streams of the match on this thread. Not because it’s illegal, mostly because there’s a risk I might see the game.
hemington Will you feel better for getting it right or wrong?
I want Bath to win. Every match. I'm realistic enough to know when this is not likely to happen. I want the necessary changes to be made to the club as quickly as possible, so that this no longer remains a continually recurring matter.
Murty7 It must be you Annie as the last 2 games without crowds at FG we have won.
This BBC preview states we have "done the double over Saints in each of the last 4 campaigns" [www.bbc.co.uk]
I didn't think that was the case & I would be delighted if we can maintain this record. Just can't see it tbh...
Adopted players: 24/25 J Bayliss; [24] O Lawrence; [23] J Cokanasiga; [22] M Green; [21] A Watson; [20] T Faletau; [19] M V Vuuren; [18] T Faletau; [17] D Denton; [16] H. Agulla; [15] L Houston; [14] W Spencer; [13] F. Louw
You haven't answered my question. Bath lose and you feel exonerated. Bath win and you accept that you got it wrong. Which would you prefer? Sounds like you want us to lose so changes will be made.
The Bear Why does McConnochie not start these days? No slight against Roko or Muir but McConnochie is more accomplished on his day.
And the best option for a switch to fullback if our 15 is injured...
Adopted players: 24/25 J Bayliss; [24] O Lawrence; [23] J Cokanasiga; [22] M Green; [21] A Watson; [20] T Faletau; [19] M V Vuuren; [18] T Faletau; [17] D Denton; [16] H. Agulla; [15] L Houston; [14] W Spencer; [13] F. Louw
hemington You haven't answered my question. Bath lose and you feel exonerated. Bath win and you accept that you got it wrong. Which would you prefer? Sounds like you want us to lose so changes will be made.
I want us to win.
I'd be very chuffed indeed to be posting on Monday that I clearly don't have the beginnings of a clue.
hemington You haven't answered my question. Bath lose and you feel exonerated. Bath win and you accept that you got it wrong. Which would you prefer? Sounds like you want us to lose so changes will be made.
Pointless to want Bath to lose to force change though isn’t it. We’ve lost every game this season and no sign of any change.
All the pressure on Saints as anything less than 5pts for them will be seen as failure. Maybe Bath can force them to make mistakes in their pursuit of the TBP.
charlieboa I would have richards covering 6. Spencer over williams at the lock option for me but each to their own.
I seem to find myself disagreeing with many many selection decisions but they are the experts
It would be easier to agree with selections if they were winning I think, when they lose it is easy to think that a different player could have done better…
hemington You haven't answered my question. Bath lose and you feel exonerated. Bath win and you accept that you got it wrong. Which would you prefer? Sounds like you want us to lose so changes will be made.
I want us to win.
I'd be very chuffed indeed to be posting on Monday that I clearly don't have the beginnings of a clue.
Thank you Malco - I'm very pleased to her that (genuinely). Let's hope we can all discuss the clue on Monday!!
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Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh
"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS
Never In Doubt I am going to watch Exeter and Sarries slog it out ... this is too much to bear.
Been watching , first time I’ve seen a double march back for answering back, Billy V , surprised not a yellow ! Well done Luke Pearce .
Adopted Player 2018/19 Ross Batty
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Adopted Player 2023/24 Tom Carr-Smith
Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh
"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS
Yes - saw that but had the sound off. Now turned the sound on and following Bath on twitter .... the radio is just too depressing. Exeter look very up for it.
It looks like rather than a defence coach we need a coach to keep players on the field of play before the game and during the game! Losing two half backs once is unfortunate but twice is careless!
Sadly, a defence coach is only a part of what’s needed and I’m sure BC is aware of this.
Adopted Player 2018/19 Ross Batty
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Adopted Player 2023/24 Tom Carr-Smith
Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh
"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS
Well Wuss are on track for a bonus point win at home to Wasps so Bruce only needs to look at the table after 9 matches to come to the conclusion that we are so far off the pace that only big action will be good enough
Its a bit like those long hard climbs on the Tour de France where the class top riders break away towards the top, the peloton are furiously trying to get back to their tails and there's a lone, desperate, struggling rider way back down the hill out of depth and dropped off the pace right from the start
Old Bath Tub Sadly, a defence coach is only a part of what’s needed and I’m sure BC is aware of this.
He’s obviously not aware otherwise he would have done something about it by now.
Maybe when Bath have lost 12 on the trot this season he might do something ? Personally I can’t see a win at all !
Adopted Player 2018/19 Ross Batty
Adopted Player 2019/20 Jack Davies
Adopted Player 2020/21 Cam Redpath
Adopted Player 2021/22 Darren Atkins
Adopted Player 2022/23 Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Adopted Player 2023/24 Tom Carr-Smith
Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh
"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS
Its a bit like those long hard climbs on the Tour de France where the class top riders break away towards the top, the peloton are furiously trying to get back to their tails and there's a lone, desperate, struggling rider way back down the hill out of depth and dropped off the pace right from the start
Except we are sat at the side of the road whilst Hoops and Tarqs discuss who will fix the puncture.
supermarinematt 40-19. Not sure there was anything good you can take away from that game
And Hoops might have said…………we scored 3 times, what more do you want ?
But what did he say ?
Adopted Player 2018/19 Ross Batty
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Adopted Player 2020/21 Cam Redpath
Adopted Player 2021/22 Darren Atkins
Adopted Player 2022/23 Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Adopted Player 2023/24 Tom Carr-Smith
Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh
"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS
It's reaching the point where, by not facing up to the seriousness of the situation, the coaching team and management leave the impression that they actually aren't bothered.
We need a post match interview where there is some real honesty and recognition of the depth of the hole the team is in.
Instead of "the players haven't done what we told them to do, we trained well, we'll take the positives and go again next week".
We finished the game with a back line of 9. Fox, 10. Ojomoh, 11. Muir, 12 Butt, 13 Rokoduguni, 14 Hamer-Webb, 15 De Glanville
I'm sorry, there are some talented young players in there, but any coach who thinks that this is a back line that is competitive in Premiership rugby really needs to be shown the door.
Tom de Glanville would have been the other option, with one of the wings going to full back.
Underhill had a good game, some good carries and breaks plus big tackles.
Maybe. TdG is a top player at fullback though and hasn't played fly half for a while so not necessarily a more obvious choice than Ojomoh. Don't think Muir or Roko have played fullback - GHW maybe. Mojo played quite well there apparently.
malco We finished the game with a back line of 9. Fox, 10. Ojomoh, 11. Muir, 12 Butt, 13 Rokoduguni, 14 Hamer-Webb, 15 De Glanville
I'm sorry, there are some talented young players in there, but any coach who thinks that this is a back line that is competitive in Premiership rugby really needs to be shown the door.
I'd think that would be a fair comment if that was a selected starting line up from a near full squad but who else was available and not selected?
malco We finished the game with a back line of 9. Fox, 10. Ojomoh, 11. Muir, 12 Butt, 13 Rokoduguni, 14 Hamer-Webb, 15 De Glanville
I'm sorry, there are some talented young players in there, but any coach who thinks that this is a back line that is competitive in Premiership rugby really needs to be shown the door.
Behind a dominant pack they might have a good chance, behind a scrum going backwards they have little hope.
malco It's reaching the point where, by not facing up to the seriousness of the situation, the coaching team and management leave the impression that they actually aren't bothered.
We need a post match interview where there is some real honesty and recognition of the depth of the hole the team is in.
Instead of "the players haven't done what we told them to do, we trained well, we'll take the positives and go again next week".
Personally I don’t care what they say in post match interviews, I’m only ever interested in actions.
As there is no relegation I’m really not convinced the management are that bothered about our situation.
The fact the much vaunted report seems to have been kicked into the long grass with no actions makes you wonder if it was done to appease the fans rather than to identify and fix problems.
malco We finished the game with a back line of 9. Fox, 10. Ojomoh, 11. Muir, 12 Butt, 13 Rokoduguni, 14 Hamer-Webb, 15 De Glanville
I'm sorry, there are some talented young players in there, but any coach who thinks that this is a back line that is competitive in Premiership rugby really needs to be shown the door.
I'd think that would be a fair comment if that was a selected starting line up from a near full squad but who else was available and not selected?
If we had not wasted a vast amount of cap on Cipriani we might have been able to invest in a couple of decent players to improve the squad strength.
The problem is as much about acquisition and retention of players as anything else.
Have a look at the other Premiership teams that played this weekend and spot the number of ex Bath players turning in strong performances for other clubs.
malco We finished the game with a back line of 9. Fox, 10. Ojomoh, 11. Muir, 12 Butt, 13 Rokoduguni, 14 Hamer-Webb, 15 De Glanville
I'm sorry, there are some talented young players in there, but any coach who thinks that this is a back line that is competitive in Premiership rugby really needs to be shown the door.
I'd think that would be a fair comment if that was a selected starting line up from a near full squad but who else was available and not selected?
If we had not wasted a vast amount of cap on Cipriani we might have been able to invest in a couple of decent players to improve the squad strength.
The problem is as much about acquisition and retention of players as anything else.
Have a look at the other Premiership teams that played this weekend and spot the number of ex Bath players turning in strong performances for other clubs.
Sure, our squad depth isn't good enough. The Cipriani signing was a mystery to me.
Its a bit like those long hard climbs on the Tour de France where the class top riders break away towards the top, the peloton are furiously trying to get back to their tails and there's a lone, desperate, struggling rider way back down the hill out of depth and dropped off the pace right from the start
Except we are sat at the side of the road whilst Hoops and Tarqs discuss who will fix the puncture.
I doubt if either know how !
Adopted Player 2018/19 Ross Batty
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Adopted Player 2020/21 Cam Redpath
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Adopted Player 2022/23 Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Adopted Player 2023/24 Tom Carr-Smith
Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh
"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS
Stuart Barnes was suggesting the other day in The Times that with no relegation, the team finishing bottom should start next season on -12 or -14 as an incentive to not finish bottom. At this rate we wouldn’t get into positive points next season!
i seriously don't get Bath right now, never expected to win today, But what is BC and Bath's plan now? yes, right this season off, but losing and lack of confidence because habit forming, Is this part of a plan, try and develop young players this season with out relegation, i really don't get it now, what would it take for BC to make changes?
It's impossible to envisage us beating any team this season. The situation is absolutely dire & if we just think that adding a defensive coach is the answer they are in cloud cuckoo land. Yorkshire CCC have got rid of most of their administrators & coaches for entirely different reasons but if that were to happen to us would we be any worse off in the long run? Something seismic has to happen to make us competitive again!
Bath Hammer It's impossible to envisage us beating any team this season. The situation is absolutely dire & if we just think that adding a defensive coach is the answer they are in cloud cuckoo land. Yorkshire CCC have got rid of most of their administrators & coaches for entirely different reasons but if that were to happen to us would we be any worse off in the long run? Something seismic has to happen to make us competitive again!
As much as we need a management clear out, we also need a hard nosed winner or two to come into the squad. We need leadership, someone who will get the players together lay it on the line.
Ewels didn't say one word to the ref on our yellow card. At least Ludlum spoke to the ref on their's and countless other times. He's not changing his mind, but at least it shows the rest of the group he'll go into bat for them.
So much wrong that I have no idea why we keep hearing there's a lot right ....
malco We finished the game with a back line of 9. Fox, 10. Ojomoh, 11. Muir, 12 Butt, 13 Rokoduguni, 14 Hamer-Webb, 15 De Glanville
I'm sorry, there are some talented young players in there, but any coach who thinks that this is a back line that is competitive in Premiership rugby really needs to be shown the door.
I'd think that would be a fair comment if that was a selected starting line up from a near full squad but who else was available and not selected?
If we had not wasted a vast amount of cap on Cipriani we might have been able to invest in a couple of decent players to improve the squad strength.
The problem is as much about acquisition and retention of players as anything else.
I'd stick with the original criticism Malco, its not about "acquisition and retention of players" but the organisation of players. To say we don't have strength in depth to finish games is true however, if you don't conceded 3 early tries then the score is vey different at 60 minutes.
Its not just about Cipriani and getting crocked with Spencer, you are spot on when you say its a nightmare, no side however good is going to cope with conceding 33 points a game.
Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.
Its a bit like those long hard climbs on the Tour de France where the class top riders break away towards the top, the peloton are furiously trying to get back to their tails and there's a lone, desperate, struggling rider way back down the hill out of depth and dropped off the pace right from the start
Except we are sat at the side of the road whilst Hoops and Tarqs discuss who will fix the puncture.
I doubt if either know how !
They’ve commissioned a report to decide if the tyre is flat or not and if it is flat to advise on how to fix the puncture.
Once the report is delivered though they’ll decide they don’t like the suggestions as they prefer to sit on the side of the road instead.
The fact the much vaunted report seems to have been kicked into the long grass with no actions makes you wonder if it was done to appease the fans rather than to identify and fix problems.
If that was the intention OB, it has had the opposite effect, merely serving to disappoint, antagonise and mystify fans.
I can only hope that there is more in the report, yet to be revealed later this month. The invitation to the member's event on 14 Dec says: "we will share further detail of the review and focus the discussion with the panel on the review findings and actions arising."
Surely there has to be more, or this winless run will continue for a long while.
The fact the much vaunted report seems to have been kicked into the long grass with no actions makes you wonder if it was done to appease the fans rather than to identify and fix problems.
If that was the intention OB, it has had the opposite effect, merely serving to disappoint, antagonise and mystify fans.
I can only hope that there is more in the report, yet to be revealed later this month. The invitation to the member's event on 14 Dec says: "we will share further detail of the review and focus the discussion with the panel on the review findings and actions arising."
Surely there has to be more, or this winless run will continue for a long while.
PG
There has to be more PG but isn't part of the problem that nothing seems to be happening?
We needed a defence coach ages ago. There seems to be a lack of urgency about all this.
Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.
The fact the much vaunted report seems to have been kicked into the long grass with no actions makes you wonder if it was done to appease the fans rather than to identify and fix problems.
If that was the intention OB, it has had the opposite effect, merely serving to disappoint, antagonise and mystify fans.
I can only hope that there is more in the report, yet to be revealed later this month. The invitation to the member's event on 14 Dec says: "we will share further detail of the review and focus the discussion with the panel on the review findings and actions arising."
Surely there has to be more, or this winless run will continue for a long while.
PG
There has to be more PG but isn't part of the problem that nothing seems to be happening?
We needed a defence coach ages ago. There seems to be a lack of urgency about all this.
I suspect Hooper doesn’t actually want a defence coach so could be dragging his heals in the hope things will just get better.
Perhaps OB but if Malco's youtube post says Charteris doesn't know how to improve the team performance (I haven't watched it) then 'leg to stand on' comes to mind.
You have to do everything you can to improve things as repeated losses just damage player's morale.
Its almost like abusing some of the younger players, if you make even tiny improvements then at least you can see progress.
33 points game average is 4 converted tries and one unconverted. We are giving away a FREE bonus point to every team in the Prem. We are scoring tries, that true but we have to close up at the back.
Or is there something I'm missing here?
Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.
Of particular concern is our defence out wide. We can occasionally be relatively resilient through workrate, but we seem to concede on the wings (particularly in the 22) so easily - especially considering we never seem to score by spreading it wide when on attack in the 22, it's always rumble, rumble.
The fact the much vaunted report seems to have been kicked into the long grass with no actions makes you wonder if it was done to appease the fans rather than to identify and fix problems.
If that was the intention OB, it has had the opposite effect, merely serving to disappoint, antagonise and mystify fans.
I can only hope that there is more in the report, yet to be revealed later this month. The invitation to the member's event on 14 Dec says: "we will share further detail of the review and focus the discussion with the panel on the review findings and actions arising."
Surely there has to be more, or this winless run will continue for a long while.
PG
There has to be more PG but isn't part of the problem that nothing seems to be happening?
We needed a defence coach ages ago. There seems to be a lack of urgency about all this.
I suspect Hooper doesn’t actually want a defence coach so could be dragging his heals in the hope things will just get better.
There is no evidence to support this comment and he has said that he accepts the need.
More worrying to me is the loss of Josh M before the game and Ben so quickly into the game. Begs the question are the guys warming up properly? The Ben injury sounds worrying.
malco Basically a frank admission from Charteris that the coaches have no idea how to improve the performance. [youtu.be]
He looked as if he was struggling to keep his emotions in check at the beginning of that- fair play to him for answering questions in that frame of mind.
Obviously coaches are not going to reveal information that opposition can use, but I agree, it did sound as if the coaching team have run out of ideas.
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"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS
I guess a good place to start is at the top, I don't know how many fruitless seasons of uninspiring rugby we need to tell us he is out of his depth. He may have made a lot of money in another commercial area, but he has been a total disaster in terms of on the pitch performance at running a rugby club.
Stuart says ‘he’s never known anything like it ‘ ! Here
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Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh
"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS
warrenball I guess a good place to start is at the top, I don't know how many fruitless seasons of uninspiring rugby we need to tell us he is out of his depth. He may have made a lot of money in another commercial area, but he has been a total disaster in terms of on the pitch performance at running a rugby club.
Ok WB who do you reckon is the best person to take over and is he/she willing?
If you think us Bath fans have it bad, spare a thought in advance for the fans of the first team we beat this season (yes, I know that's a huge assumption). They will be utterly inconsolable.
Old Bath Tub Time for some fresh faces with fresh ideas ?
Yep, probably, but who? Players, coaches, management and how many and who will replace them? All ideas on a post card welcome!
Perhaps BC should offer the CEO post to Ed Griffiths or like and let him have a free hand as I think the general consensus is that the current incumbent has failed ?
Adopted Player 2018/19 Ross Batty
Adopted Player 2019/20 Jack Davies
Adopted Player 2020/21 Cam Redpath
Adopted Player 2021/22 Darren Atkins
Adopted Player 2022/23 Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Adopted Player 2023/24 Tom Carr-Smith
Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh
"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS
warrenball I guess a good place to start is at the top, I don't know how many fruitless seasons of uninspiring rugby we need to tell us he is out of his depth. He may have made a lot of money in another commercial area, but he has been a total disaster in terms of on the pitch performance at running a rugby club.
Ok WB who do you reckon is the best person to take over and is he/she willing?
OK, its totally against my rugby philosophy but to put us back on track and as someone available right now for the next couple of years I'd go for Warren Gatland. I feel slightly ashamed now! .
He would have no problem getting the right players, (his son is actually quite tasty) and would install fitness and discipline across the board. Chances of it happening zero.............. but that is who I think could make us win again.
Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.
Old Bath Tub Stuart says ‘he’s never known anything like it ‘ ! Here
His quote seems to be in part about losing Cipriani and Spencer to injury early in the match, which you’d think Hooper should know about as it happened in the first match of the season!
It looked to me like Cipriani got a fist in the face from Bayliss as Josh was tackling the Saints No.8, possibly a broken nose? Certainly bleeding plenty.
Spencer seemed to get his knee caught in the turf as he made a tackle, he and the medics seemed to be concentrating on his groin/hips area before he left the field.
dcsh It looked to me like Cipriani got a fist in the face from Bayliss as Josh was tackling the Saints No.8, possibly a broken nose? Certainly bleeding plenty.
Reminiscent of Gavin Henson perhaps? Only jesting
Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.
I didn't watch but one comment from my Saints supporting family who were there said they were a were the rest of the crowd very irritated by the 'messing about' at line outs? Anyone care to clarify what she meant - was it a deliberate wind up tactic or couldn't Bath get themselves organised/ work out the hooker's signals? Anyway, it didn't work - did it?
Old Bath Tub Time for some fresh faces with fresh ideas ?
Yep, probably, but who? Players, coaches, management and how many and who will replace them? All ideas on a post card welcome!
Perhaps BC should offer the CEO post to Ed Griffiths or like and let him have a free hand as I think the general consensus is that the current incumbent has failed ?
Your original suggestion implied BC however Ed for Tarquin seems to be your current wish. Maybe, but as Ed has said on this esteemed board there is more right than bad so perhaps we need Tarquin to sort out the bad first?
This not meant to be appeasement (Annie) but I am astounded that anyone on 'ere thought it was going to be any better/different.
Saints have been in good form, they were playing at home, a Saints supporter further up the thread said that this was almost there best side.
We lose a player in the weakest part of our squad (second row) before the match we then lose our best player over the last 18 months in the first half, we then lose our "inspirational" new player a bit later.
They score 6 tries we score 3.
40 - 19...........I had it as 20 clear for Saints before the match.
Exeter beat Sarries by a bit less than they beat us.............Sarries beat us by 100's its a funny old world
There is no way any professional sports team go 9 straight losses without sacking the DOR and coaching set up. If, and it’s a big if the club do continue with Hooper, Hats etc then it’s basically an insult to the fans who spend their hard earned money week in week out supporting. There is nothing positive at all right now. Lowest of the low. You build for the future but that only works if things progress and they are not. I feel the only little bit of lift the players may get is if a new elite coaching set up come in and give them a rejuvenation boost. Confidence is just shot.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:12:04:21:55:46 by CoochieCoo.
Old Bath Tub Time for some fresh faces with fresh ideas ?
Yep, probably, but who? Players, coaches, management and how many and who will replace them? All ideas on a post card welcome!
Perhaps BC should offer the CEO post to Ed Griffiths or like and let him have a free hand as I think the general consensus is that the current incumbent has failed ?
Your original suggestion implied BC however Ed for Tarquin seems to be your current wish. Maybe, but as Ed has said on this esteemed board there is more right than bad so perhaps we need Tarquin to sort out the bad first?
I really think it should be down to BC to sort out the club’s current predicament even if that includes TM.
Adopted Player 2018/19 Ross Batty
Adopted Player 2019/20 Jack Davies
Adopted Player 2020/21 Cam Redpath
Adopted Player 2021/22 Darren Atkins
Adopted Player 2022/23 Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Adopted Player 2023/24 Tom Carr-Smith
Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh
"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS
Dave248 There is no way any professional sports team go 9 straight losses without sacking the DOR and coaching set up. If, and it’s a big if the club do continue with Hooper, Hats etc then it’s basically an insult to the fans who spend their hard earned money week in week out supporting. There is nothing positive at all right now. Lowest of the low. You build for the future but that only works if things progress and they are not. I feel the only little bit of lift the players may get is if a new elite coaching set up come in and give them a rejuvenation boost. Confidence is just shot.
Your abusive language has been edited. Please keep the abusive language off the board.
I agree with the sentiment and the current situation is not conducive to keeping the future fan base. I think that is obvious. This game was always going to be a hiding to nothing as predicted by most of us. So this is not a new angst. The question is whether to burn the lot with P45’s or build for the future by making the right changes that are required. Sack the lot and what do you put in place which is immediately available or sack the lot and let the players muddle through themselves? Not easy is it?
malco We finished the game with a back line of 9. Fox, 10. Ojomoh, 11. Muir, 12 Butt, 13 Rokoduguni, 14 Hamer-Webb, 15 De Glanville
I'm sorry, there are some talented young players in there, but any coach who thinks that this is a back line that is competitive in Premiership rugby really needs to be shown the door.
I'd think that would be a fair comment if that was a selected starting line up from a near full squad but who else was available and not selected?
If we had not wasted a vast amount of cap on Cipriani we might have been able to invest in a couple of decent players to improve the squad strength.
The problem is as much about acquisition and retention of players as anything else.
Have a look at the other Premiership teams that played this weekend and spot the number of ex Bath players turning in strong performances for other clubs.
Sure, our squad depth isn't good enough. The Cipriani signing was a mystery to me.
Tbf we went in to the game missing loads of backs and then lost our only two experienced backs early- that isn't easy.
I absolutely believe you should have depth and the knowledge within the squad as to how we play the game so people can step in with no big drop off. That's v different to expecting a 21 yr old centre to play 10 and roko to play centre. I would say mojo is probably 6th choice 10. There is no real catering for that scenario, its rank bad luck. Prob would have had worboys in the bench myself but I think spencer was cover for cips and we lost both. When things go wrong they really go wrong!
I can think of loads and loads and loads of things awfully managed at the club but depth of decent options in the backs (other than terrible treatment of players at 9) wouldn't be one of them for me.
annie blackthorn I didn't watch but one comment from my Saints supporting family who were there said they were a were the rest of the crowd very irritated by the 'messing about' at line outs? Anyone care to clarify what she meant - was it a deliberate wind up tactic or couldn't Bath get themselves organised/ work out the hooker's signals? Anyway, it didn't work - did it?
Dickson had told Bath to speed up their time in getting to the line out. The intention was clearly to slow the game down because of the pace that Saints generally play at. After 5or 6 times of warning the line out he gave a final warning and if I remember rightly then gave a free kick immediately after telling them 3 times to open the gap. (ref mic)
hasta Of particular concern is our defence out wide. We can occasionally be relatively resilient through workrate, but we seem to concede on the wings (particularly in the 22) so easily - especially considering we never seem to score by spreading it wide when on attack in the 22, it's always rumble, rumble.
Completely agree with this.
Effort, attitude etc can get you a long way in defence but we have glaring system issues that may it incredibly easy for teams to make massive yardage wide. That is why I think someone who knows what they are doing could help a bit. We genuinely looks clueless in this area of the game tactically.
We cough up easy territory - takes oppositon 10 seconds to make 50 yds. It takes us 3 mins to make 3 yds.
Sounds like a defence coach will be appointed soon subject to the usual caveats from hoops about the global situation that only seems to impact our ability to get anything done.
Tomato Soup Sorry to say that the downward trajectory has been set for a long time.
I am utterly depressed at how far we have fallen. We need a new set up and if BC can’t see it then he should step aside too.
As fans we deserve more than this. I won’t spend one penny of my money on Bath while Hooper remains.
If he does step aside, how long would Bath survive without his financial support?
Tomato Soup Sorry to say that the downward trajectory has been set for a long time.
I am utterly depressed at how far we have fallen. We need a new set up and if BC can’t see it then he should step aside too.
As fans we deserve more than this. I won’t spend one penny of my money on Bath while Hooper remains.
If he does step aside, how long would Bath survive without his financial support?
Tomato Soup Sorry to say that the downward trajectory has been set for a long time.
I am utterly depressed at how far we have fallen. We need a new set up and if BC can’t see it then he should step aside too.
As fans we deserve more than this. I won’t spend one penny of my money on Bath while Hooper remains.
If he does step aside, how long would Bath survive without his financial support?
PG
Especially if fans refuse to spend a penny of their own money on the club…
Tomato Soup Sorry to say that the downward trajectory has been set for a long time.
I am utterly depressed at how far we have fallen. We need a new set up and if BC can’t see it then he should step aside too.
As fans we deserve more than this. I won’t spend one penny of my money on Bath while Hooper remains.
If he does step aside, how long would Bath survive without his financial support?
We managed without BC. before he came and put all the prices up, signed up BT Sport and put them before the fans.
Clubs are capped on wages, we are usually one of the best supported, we may not have star players like Talupe Falatau or Watson anymore but we hardly see them anyway.
We will have to be a proper family and community club again and not a plaything for the ultra wealthy.
I would rather this than be where we are today. Can you tell me one aspect of the club that is better than when he took over?
Training facilities perhaps but where has that got us!
Just watched the game. They say that poor teams are unlucky. We are a very poor team. We didn't give up and, considering we played for most of the match without a real 9 or a 10, we didn't do badly. But we looked inaccurate, disorganized and lacking in any real ideas. The table isn't lying and I think it is entirely possible we won't win a game this season.
The inconsistency in refereeing is just exasperating.
My MotM - Sam Underhill. Yet another titanic shift in a losing cause.
Finally, can we keep spoilers for other games off the match thread, please. There's a whole other thread for that.
... IMHO, of course.
Now in Honolulu
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2021:12:05:01:44:11 by joethefanatic.
I'm actually quite encouraged that we haven't rushed out to get a defensive coach who might help a bit but it could just be papering over the cracks. We're not nearly there, we're a mile off being a force and are now getting sympathy from supporters of other clubs!
I hope Bruce takes time to get the right guy in at the top and give him carte blanche to pick his own defensive coach and coaching team. Conor O'Shea would be my guy. Vastly experienced in being a winning Premiership coach and also experiencing troubles in Italy. He also has massive experience with Academy structures. Give him a 5 year contract.
' we are close to getting someone in' as defence coach.
Whilst I tend to agree about changes at the top of the rugby structure and oshea being a decent option I just don't see it.
The review has happened, the recommendation is a new defence coach. Sounds like they may be on board fairly soon. You don't give a dor/head coach control over appointing a new defence coach with a view to potentially sacking they themselves in the next few months.
Whether we like it or not I think hoops and hats have at least til the end of the season now personally....
Getting a defence coach is just tinkering around the edges. We are guaranteed to finish bottom this season (although I do believe we will win a game), but if Hooper stays we will finish bottom next season as well.
My biggest concern is the high probability that our young players get fed up with losing and leave.
O'Shea made Irish competitive, he won with Quins and he knows Premiership rugby better than almost anyone. I could see him as DOR bringing in his own guys next season. I just can't see the logic of bringing in a long term defensive coach who may be surplus to requirements next season. It must surely be as a short term role until the end of the season. Someone young and dynamic who is trying to make their name in the coaching profession.
OutsideBath
My biggest concern is the high probability that our young players get fed up with losing and leave.
That is my biggest concern- if anyone like bayliss/reid/ bailey/ mojo/ tdg are announced as leaving in the next few months then the 'project' is dead and that has to trigger a belated overhaul of the whole thing.
cb2 O'Shea made Irish competitive, he won with Quins and he knows Premiership rugby better than almost anyone. I could see him as DOR bringing in his own guys next season. I just can't see the logic of bringing in a long term defensive coach who may be surplus to requirements next season. It must surely be as a short term role until the end of the season. Someone young and dynamic who is trying to make their name in the coaching profession.
Oshea is certainly a good fit but he did sound rather happy in his rfu role building into rwc 2023.
I think the length of contract for the defensive coach will tell us a lot, its a good point cb2. Til the end of the season and it could be a stay of execution for hoops and hats. Longer and v odd decision unless they are nailing their colours to the mast of hoops and hats into next season.
Tomato Soup We managed without BC. before he came and put all the prices up, signed up BT Sport and put them before the fans.
Clubs are capped on wages, we are usually one of the best supported, we may not have star players like Talupe Falatau or Watson anymore but we hardly see them anyway.
We will have to be a proper family and community club again and not a plaything for the ultra wealthy.
I would rather this than be where we are today. Can you tell me one aspect of the club that is better than when he took over?
Training facilities perhaps but where has that got us!
While I take some of your points and certainly share your frustration with the current situation, Bath was not a self sustaining club before Bruce. Andrew Brownsword supported the club financially from the start of the professional era to the tune of millions of pounds. While both European competitors were won during this time, the Big Cup was with a team still in place from the Golden Era and the Little Cup was against Worcester! The club was accused of not being ambitious or investing sufficiently across the board to compete…
If you are talking about the amateur era, then I’m sure we would all love that level of success again, but winning in the professional era takes lots of money which has to come from fans, sponsors, TV or owners.
Fair play to the group of Bath fans sat just behind us in the Carlsberg Stand at The Gardens yesterday. They may have had one or two ciders too many but they kept cheering on their team and were never offensive in any way.
Scrappy game which was probably only going to finish one way but you kept going, albeit excruciatingly slowly at times and the likes of Underhill never gave up. Some strange refereeing in the second half which confused most watchers irrespective of their allegiances.
To be fair DCSH almost none of the Prem clubs are self sustaining and arguably Bath aren't either, just indebted to an individual rather than a group or organisation.
OutsideBath
My biggest concern is the high probability that our young players get fed up with losing and leave.
That is my biggest concern- if anyone like bayliss/reid/ bailey/ mojo/ tdg are announced as leaving in the next few months then the 'project' is dead and that has to trigger a belated overhaul of the whole thing.
If I was one of the young ex academy players my CV would be up to date and widely distributed
OK another thumping loss and same rhetoric from the DoR, next week away to Ireland.
Actually nice game as even if we were performing no one would expect us to get anything from there.
I do have an issue about Max O going to 10. Last season Hooper actually listed our 10's to the Premiership rugby as being Rhys P, Josh M and Tom De G and left Orlando Bailey off the list!
Hooper also stated several times Tom De G would cover 10 if required, yesterday when required Max O had to fill in? Please someone explain?
Like others I have given up at the moment, my passion and love for the club will not diminish but I cannot be bothered to listen to the current management treating fans like idiots and taking liberties with our famous club.
We will continue under this leadership to head to the precipice and has shown we will continue to pick up speed until something changes. I can see us 2forfeiting matches soon to add to the embarrassment but the one element which won't change is our CEO and DoR failing to take any responsibility for anything.
In relation to our young players I am pretty sure Bayliss will be subject to one of the Scottish clubs interest and I am sure he will go North to fulfill his International ambition. As stated our young players who are really playing well for their ages will be being sounded by clubs who will progress their journey towards International recognition.
Players gave everything again but like the previous week that won't win games no one likes a brave loser - because you are a loser. An Aussie mate said to me a few months ago "We don't celebrate second!"
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:12:05:10:51:36 by Ali1969.
By now any self respecting manager,director or CEO would have fallen on his sword and resigned. I am sorry that SH does not feel that he is not fulfilling his role as DOR and stepped down. There may not be a suitable replacement immediately available but an experienced hard nosed man manager could be lined up to take over asap. The coaches with the addition of a defence coach could carry on pro tem. A new DOR could then decide the make up of his team and which players he might wish to bring in and let go with next season in mind. Recruitment and retention of players has been abysmal as evidenced by Stooke being released and not replaced. You simply cannot operate with three front line second rows who need to operate behind a couple of under powered props who have been brought in. Confidence of the players at this stage must be pretty low and I am fearful that we will lose a host of very promising young who will be disillusioned and look elsewhere to progress their careers. Decisive changes would I am sure be very helpful with this in mind. Finally Bath are lucky to have such a loyal fan base and who by their willingness to buy tickets could be considered as financial stakeholders and whose views should be considered . Without the fans there is no club.
The problem that I have with the suggestions for who could be approached to come and "rescue" Bath is that who would want to under the present regime? Sure I don't need to name the list of distinguished achieving Coaches who have come and gone ................................
BathMatt53 To be fair DCSH almost none of the Prem clubs are self sustaining and arguably Bath aren't either, just indebted to an individual rather than a group or organisation.
Yeah absolutely, the point was that if fans refuses to give the club a penny of their money, dislike the broadcast deal and also wants the owner gone, then the club performance is unlikely to improve…
annie blackthorn The problem that I have with the suggestions for who could be approached to come and "rescue" Bath is that who would want to under the present regime? Sure I don't need to name the list of distinguished achieving Coaches who have come and gone ................................
That Annie, is the one big fear for all BBW fans that actually we have scanned the globe and what we've got is the best we could get
I haven’t seen the Saints game yet, but what seems to me to be a running theme is we always seem a season or two behind the leaders in terms of tactics. We pioneered the ‘diamond’ with MF but ever since then we’ve been playing catch up: when Sarries did maul and kick, we did it two seasons later; last season we tried an Exe ‘stick it up your jumper’ and it didn’t come off.
Now all the other teams such as Tigers and Saints have adapted from a forwards focussed to an all court game and once again we’re left behind, only able to trundle them odd score in from 5m or reliant on individual skill.
For all the talk of developing ‘the Bath way’ we seem consistently behind the pace of development. Most teams have scored against us by fast rucked ball and coming round the corner a couple of phases. Once the attack has shifted from the ruck we seem unable to compete definitively - and I know that’s why we’re supposedly getting a defensive coach - but I seem to remember in the second half of last season we were fairly defensively strong.
I don’t see any teams doing anything hugely innovative, but we still seem unable to deal with teams that make yards out wide. Is it just a lack of defensive nous?
annie blackthorn The problem that I have with the suggestions for who could be approached to come and "rescue" Bath is that who would want to under the present regime? Sure I don't need to name the list of distinguished achieving Coaches who have come and gone ................................
That Annie, is the one big fear for all BBW fans that actually we have scanned the globe and what we've got is the best we could get
In business there are those who like a challenge where they take on something that is failing and where they can make a huge difference (often quickly) & get great satisfaction from doing so. That’s the character Bath need right now.
Other jobs entail taking over successful businesses and making small incremental changes (“polishing ball bearings “), maybe McCall’s successor at Salaries.
I fall into the former category, played rugby at a very lowly level & have never coached a team !!
Now i'm sure it must be a trick of the camera angle but in this photo I can count 10 Bath players watching the Saints player diving through a tackle from an 11th Bath player to score with no other Saints player in shot
Just watched the game, I think that's our worst performance yet... The effort was there but we looked an absolute shambles. They got to the outside of our defence with ease, even from slow ball, and when they did Bath had no one covering. I don't even think Saints played well.
gaz59 Now i'm sure it must be a trick of the camera angle but in this photo I can count 10 Bath players watching the Saints player diving through a tackle from an 11th Bath player to score with no other Saints player in shot
[www.rugbypass.com]
Now I am a long way from being a rugby coach at any level but something tells me that shouldn't happen
It's actually 11. There is an otherwise unaccounted for leg with a Bath sock on in the background behind Rokoduguni
Is that fair? The shot is across the pitch diagonally, Mitchel broke the line. Its not as though all those players were responsible. Its here at 2mins 40secs I think.
Tyler Offiah
Opinion is based on assumptions, whereas fact is based on observation or research.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:12:06:21:06:51 by shipwrecked.
Just started watching the highlights and that is some U13s level defence by Williams and Muir out on the left in the first few seconds. Don't think i'll bother with the rest.
Optimist Just started watching the highlights and that is some U13s level defence by Williams and Muir out on the left in the first few seconds. Don't think i'll bother with the rest.
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