During the Game.

 

5 trys put passed us. Sounded like we didn't turn up again. MT

 

Yeah sounds like a bit of a nightmare - not really playing by the sound of it.   I should think Smudger has a few words to say at half-time. Sarah H

 

Afterthoughts

 

Looking Forward to the next game  We had better put this one behind us.  Has anyone got an explanation? Slim Jimmie

 

Yes John - We were Pants St Marlowe

 

It gives me no pleasure whatever to say this but quotes from players post-Glaws such as "we've turned the corner" and "we're learning how to be consistent" are ringing very hollow indeed. Tedge

 

Tired Team - Cant rely on Drahm and Reihana every week! 9 games they've carried us this year about time others stepped up!  St Marlowe

 

Technically poor - scores of dropped balls, lack of invention by the line breakers (no lines broken!), some important missed tackles (espec try no 1).  Missed the news about Chris Hyndman being benched but he got on, and pretty soon after got hooked off again.  We ran the entire bench onto the pitch during the game, and this week maybe Jonny Howard was better than Mark Robinson. But that's not a lot of consolation.
PS - and if you want my opinion, we really were still hungover from last week. All of our big match winning players were really anonymous. Paul Flatt

 

I agree, Fox had a strong game in a pack that was going backwards for most of the game. Bruce is just Bruce, always good.  How often does Leslie break the line? But perhaps shouldnt blame individuals, we can't expect to win when only 2 players have a decent game. Hoddros

 

Struggled for possession throughout first half. Quins much sharper to breakdown, slowed up what possession we managed without committing too many players so we were always struggling to cross gain line. Front row seemed to be having hard time in first half - most scrums lifted in front row but ref seemed happy to let it carry on.
Could have had a chance if we had made most of 15 minutes of pressure and possession at start of 2nd half, but failed to capitalise and Quins scored again first time they entered our 22! That effectively killed the game.   Forwards played better in 2nd half with Dan on in place of Matt Miles and Robbie for Budgen.  Bartonsaint

 

Agree with most of Bartonsaint's view. I don't know which team won the toss, but big wind advantage to Quins in first half.   Very disappointed with the Grase to Ben style kick and score by Quins. In the knowledge that that is one of our trademarks, Slights made to look a bit of a sucker. Burke did a Shane on us by kicking the points when we transgressed or they scored. First half we were pinned in our own half.   Second half wind seemed to ease up a bit and change direction to going accross the pitch. Should have scored in the first ten minutes but Quins did well to spread accross the field making us go sideways and no Saints joined the line from deep or changed the running angles, so we were successfully kept at bay.
AB's try exploited Quins only weakness by scoring through their heart when they were spread wide to defend. A case of sussing it a little too late I'm afraid.
Still, at least it wasn't like the poor display at Bath and we did look more dangerous at the end, but our fragile defence out wide needs some attention to say the least.  Biggysaint

Im still hurting from watching as dismal a display as I ve seen since - well Saintsby has it above the cup agin Irish.   What is it about our lot who can battle like heroes against gloucester and then fall over for Quins.  Smithy ( see Mavs post above ) talks about attitudes and refers to Handyman and Dan R being late for a meeting and rules being rules - So we didnt start with either of them   It was noticeable that when Dan did come on we started to win more ball at the breakdown and we can only wonder how it would have gone if he had started the game.  Old Pete

 

The opposition

 

Easy to sum up, we were rubbish, but Quins were the best team we have played all season. Some of their stuff second half was superb. Mark H

 

Best Quins have played for years. We saw it & can't quite believe it. Sorry you had to cop it. You were never at the races today I'm afraid. Andyquin

 

How much of that was as a result of the Herculean efforts our brave BoB put in last week in the second half?  Were Quins that good?  Look forward to the usual totally unbiassed view from the COYSDC report. St Bart

 

Yes Quinns were! but we were dire! Hangover be damned! there is a game evry week in the ZP. My mate (neutral) who got the tickets said toward the end of the first half "and tey get paid for that?" nothing to add   Saintsby

 

i have to agree quins were like we were vs newcastle in the cup semi nothin could go wrong!but our forwards didnt look right! Craig in silvery boots

 

All credit to Quins - they were excellent. Bartonsaint

 

Quins impressed me with their tactics at the tackle where they committed the bare minimum number of players to the ruck and maintained the max number of people for either attack or especially for defence, with width across the pitch.  So even when we did eventually get the ball, it was like battering away at a brick wall most of the time.  Stockers

 

 

Position in the league

 

Never thought I'd say it, but very glad to see the tigs win today, and allow us to keep our margin on Pests. St Bart

 

Oh dear. A bit of a reversal after being 27-0 UP last week?
C'mon, the rest of us are relying on the likes of Saints, Wasps and Glaws to keep Barf in check. Of the top four that started today, only our pals from the Rec won. Large

 

Didn't read too well. So what happened? Were we taken apart up front? ……Consistency is the key, but at lest we're still 3rd and only 1 point behnd the Hairy Queens, but to leak 5 tries......... Dorcan8

 

Attitudes

 

Smithy also talks attitude being wrong - well I sometimes wonder whether our lads are being forced into some sort of emotional straightjacket where only approved emotions are permissable. Sometimes a good general has to let things go for the greater good - the rules are a means to en end - not the objective itself.
When the application of rules effects the the achievement of the main objective then we have to question whether such rigid application really serves its purpose.
This band of brothers needed to be prepared for todays game with trust and encouragement not on THIS OCCASION with Sirs stick.
For some time now we have referred to the GREAT MAN etc and Im still impressed with almost all that has been achieved by Smithy BUT - I do have some doubts about the effects of over rigid approach to team discipline.
Napoleon said that Morale is everything and that is probably mostly true
Today we watched a team who whatever the technical failings clearly had a morale problem.
I may be wrong but I think that the questions are worth raising. Old Pete

Greetings OldPete; strong words even for a revolutionary like you. Was the morale really that bad? I wasn't there so can't comment - my question is a genuine one!
Perhaps the psychology of this matter is an interesting twist; 2 guys are late, are not started, the team loses - what a lesson in collective responsibility. My studies in psychology were never as deep as those of Mrs Pete - perhaps she had an opinion on this matter?
I do, however, believe a better punishment would be a fine with proceeds to a charity or some other cause such as a requirement for claret to be spilt in defence of the Gold Black and Green.   But, trust in Smudger continues, he has done this before and we must trust him and the team. ……As Napoleon also said; singleness of purpose and concentration of effort is everything:   COME ON YOU SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dorcan8

 

MOTM

 

Bruce - for his committment to a very early lost cause
Blowers - for his usual efforts
Foxy - for at least trying
Ugo Monye - for some dazling runs and being everywhere
Burke - being spot on
The Quinns supporter sat next to me - for some good debate about what we were/were not doing and for not taking the p*$$ at all (which he was entitled to IMHO    No really it was that bad Saintsby

 

Er...Bruce...and not a lot else springs to mind at the moment. Mark H

 

AB
Brucie
Dan Richmond Chris the Saint

 

Struggling, but my six would be:
Bruce, AB, Sharky, Rob Hunter, Foxy and the Chicken. Laurie

 

Bruce, AB & er, that's about it... Gregor

 

AB, Air Brucie and....[thinking lots]...Danny Boy....can't remember who else was playing, it was that bad saintian

 

The kiwis (at a push) and I would vote for the supporters who turned up and had to suffer it all - unless w can give it to the whole Quins team for a great training session opinion8ed

 

Bruce Bruce Bruce and then AB and pssibly Dan who should have started the game anyway. Old Pete

 

I go with Laurie's six. Rob Hunter must be in there for sheer hard graft. Stockers

 

Tired

 

The pack looked knackered & needs freshening up - I expect to see Grant and/or Snowy in the starting line-up next weekend. And best hope that we can launch an appeal after Tuesday to keep Sharky & Shane playing until Mattie & Larry return which will of course be about this time next week... Gregor

 

for some time now there has been very little rotation or subbing in the tight 5 forwards. it's a problem, right enough. broonie

 

I'm not sure what the plans are for Wee Tam's return to Saints action but the passion of a cup match at The Wreck may just be the tonic after Scotland's exit from RWC.  Tough for Brett, who has grown with every game, but some folks need a wee break just now, IMHO. Stockers