: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:18 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

I agree wholeheartedly about the comparisons to last season, it is completely irrelevant.

If we did not allow criticism of the side on here we would have no threads

My only problem is people seem to be going overboard on the coaches rather than the players. You yourself have said you are trying not to citicism the players yet the coaches seem to copping the flak for the last two defeats.

Its funny how people say our tactics have been bad for a number of games because all I read on here after we had won 5 in a row was positive comments. I posted in a few threads highlighting that whilst we were winning our levels of performance were not that great and we need more ball movement etc.

Our tactics have been limited and it needs to improve but that has to be down to the players aswell as the coaches.

Depends doesnt it about coaches v players. If the coaches have set out the correct tactics and the players just havent executed then yes its the players. I very much doubt that though which is why im doubting the tactics. I think most realists on here would say that after 5 games all was rosey but most would admit that we hadnt really played well and put teams to bed though. We just played error free basic rugby and grinded out results. The Cas game the errors came back and cost us, The quins game the tactics seem to go ultra defensive to avoid making errors, and it cost us.

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:26 pm  

I think another point is, if people had posted that they weren't happy with the tactics after we had won 5 games, there'd have been the usual flood of posts criticising them for having that opinion after 5 wins. If people wait until we lose to express that opinion, they're seen as fickle!

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:28 pm  

Rock God X wrote:

I think another point is, if people had posted that they weren't happy with the tactics after we had won 5 games, there'd have been the usual flood of posts criticising them for having that opinion after 5 wins. If people wait until we lose to express that opinion, they're seen as fickle!

You can't win, unless of course you just sit blindly by and think it's all tickety boo.

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:29 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

Depends doesnt it about coaches v players. If the coaches have set out the correct tactics and the players just havent executed then yes its the players. I very much doubt that though which is why im doubting the tactics. I think most realists on here would say that after 5 games all was rosey but most would admit that we hadnt really played well and put teams to bed though. We just played error free basic rugby and grinded out results. The Cas game the errors came back and cost us, The quins game the tactics seem to go ultra defensive to avoid making errors, and it cost us.

I think you are being a tad harsh on our early season results Dave TBH. We had to get off to a positive start on the back of last year (and that is relevant). We did grind out the wins but in a professional manner. We might not have hammered anyone but we also didnt just scrape these wins.

Only the Quins game would I put down to tactics as I think you could point to up to 6 individual player errors which cost us the 2 points that night.

Now is the time to kick on!

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:32 pm  

knocker norton wrote:

I think you are being a tad harsh on our early season results Dave TBH. We had to get off to a positive start on the back of last year (and that is relevant). We did grind out the wins but in a professional manner. We might not have hammered anyone but we also didnt just scrape these wins.

Only the Quins game would I put down to tactics as I think you could point to up to 6 individual player errors which cost us the 2 points that night.

Now is the time to kick on!

Agree its the time to kick on, but with the players we have im annoyed at continually seeing our 2 starting props over utilised, our bench under utilised, our centres and wingers only see the ball to clear the line defensively etc etc.

Its not new either, this is an error in our gameplan that weve had for the last few seasons. Weve reached some finals so it could be classed as a success, but i always believe you shouldnt just be happy with what youve been doing, you should always look at what you could do better and theres a hell of a lot imo we dont do well.

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:37 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

Agree its the time to kick on, but with the players we have im annoyed at continually seeing our 2 starting props over utilised, our bench under utilised, our centres and wingers only see the ball to clear the line defensively etc etc.

Its not new either, this is an error in our gameplan that weve had for the last few seasons. Weve reached some finals so it could be classed as a success, but i always believe you shouldnt just be happy with what youve been doing, you should always look at what you could do better and theres a hell of a lot imo we dont do well.

I agree totally that we should be looking to play a more expansive game and our 2 props are starting to look a bit jaded.

I personally dont like to see our centres scooting with little effect, it seems a waste to me (I know it gives the forwards a breather). Players like Motu and Raynor can get away with it because of their style.

I would like to see Hall used more as a pivot coming into the line but also appreciate he is still new to full back. Agar did state a more attack minded gameplan in time and I hope he delivers but having said that I would also always say get your defence sorted first!!!

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:41 pm  

knocker norton wrote:

I agree totally that we should be looking to play a more expansive game and our 2 props are starting to look a bit jaded.

I personally dont like to see our centres scooting with little effect, it seems a waste to me (I know it gives the forwards a breather). Players like Motu and Raynor can get away with it because of their style.

I would like to see Hall used more as a pivot coming into the line but also appreciate he is still new to full back. Agar did state a more attack minded gameplan in time and I hope he delivers but having said that I would also always say get your defence sorted first!!!

Our defense was hindered v Cas by giving the ball up too much making us shatterd. V quins then had to make 150 first half tackles to our 110 so we should have had more in the tank, but their kicking game and our poor attack meant that they coasted it in the end. Poor showing.

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:43 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

Our defense was hindered v Cas by giving the ball up too much making us shatterd. V quins then had to make 150 first half tackles to our 110 so we should have had more in the tank, but their kicking game and our poor attack meant that they coasted it in the end. Poor showing.

We had a fairly strong wind behind our backs first half as well that we never used.

Anyway bad day at the office with tactics, etc. Roll on Sunday!

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:47 pm  

knocker norton wrote:

We had a fairly strong wind behind our backs first half as well that we never used.

Anyway bad day at the office with tactics, etc. Roll on Sunday!

Just watching Boots n all again, Cullen made an interesting point that due to our 1 up play they only needed to put 2 men into each tackle. Watching Quins with the ball we were putting 3 or 4 into the tackle. Doesnt help. Also picked on G Hornes defence and Yeamo's defence, poor plays and poor reads.

: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:50 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

Just watching Boots n all again, Cullen made an interesting point that due to our 1 up play they only needed to put 2 men into each tackle. Watching Quins with the ball we were putting 3 or 4 into the tackle. Doesnt help. Also picked on G Hornes defence and Yeamo's defence, poor plays and poor reads.

Cullen keeps highlighting G Hornes defence close to the line doesnt he?