Wasps v Exeter: Post Match Thoughts

[Wombles]

The lads did themselves proud

Small margins can cost you tight games

We have a squad that can compete with the very best.

Yes we were under the pump today, but we lost to a near fully loaded Exeter team that have had far much more time together as a unit over many years. Yet every one of the lads gave their all, and we are getting a squad together who are becoming much competitive. Our injury list is huge, but the ones on it are going to have their work cut out to take a spot back, and that's exactly as it should be as this is how standards rise and how you begin that journey to success.

Today will hurt the boys, but when they reflect on this they will see the evolution of our team...the defence was immense and it took Exeter giving absolutely their all to get across and get the win, that is something we have not had for so long. Of course I am disappointed with the loss, but when you can see something very special developing from this you feel so much better.

Now for the lads to get into the changing room and enjoy a beer and each others company!

Chris

Once a Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp.

[Steve from Cov]

Encouraging performance. We might have sneaked that.

Great defensive effort.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

I think we did everything right. But our lads were simply out performed by the better side. If we had all our absentees, would we have won that? I think we would.

Most worrying is another hooker out with a nasty HIA. Head to head with Harrison I think. Those lads should be proud of themselves. That was a big shift they put in.

[Wombles]

Cruise hopefully will be back next week, Gaby will return after that...and Frost -once recovered- is looking a phenomenal signing.

[Raggs]

Put any number of currently injured players back in that side, and the result could easily have changed, it was near enough without them.

Said before I'd be happy with an LBP and a decent performance, and we got that.

[mike909]

If offered that before the game, I'd have bitten your hand off. It's the little mistakes - twice in their half that meant we didn't give ourselves the opportunity to pinch a most unlikely win....

But what an effort - I made so many tackles off my sofa that I can hardly move and I am so proud of every player today. It's said you learn more from your losses and I think we'll take a lot from that game and as players come back into contention from the physio's bench, we know we can be a match for anyone.

I'm going for a swift half to reduce my stress levels!

[Shugs]

After about 55 minutes at the CBS I sat back and relaxed. The result became a little bit irrelevant - if you can ever really say that at a live event. Why? I was convinced that we're top notch again. So many good performances. So many world class players to come back. So many fantastic additions. If we can just get a little bit of injury luck we are - with not much doubt the best in this division.

[welsh wasp]

What a defensive performance - other than Exeter's tries  . I agree with an earlier comment that our tackling was generally excellent - which is not something we can always say. We are acquired some excellent players - the front rows for example - and that bodes well for the future.
And we scored 2 tries with driving mauls after lineouts. I thought Exeter specialised in those.

[Rossm]

What a defensive performance - other than Exeter's tries  . I agree with an earlier comment that our tackling was generally excellent - which is not something we can always say. We are acquired some excellent players - the front rows for example - and that bodes well for the future.
And we scored 2 tries with driving mauls after lineouts. I thought Exeter specialised in those.

And we made them look pretty easy.

[Shugs]

After about 55 minutes at the CBS I sat back and relaxed. The result became a little bit irrelevant - if you can ever really say that at a live event. Why? I was convinced that we're top notch again. So many good performances. So many world class players to come back. So many fantastic additions. If we can just get a little bit of injury luck we are - with not much doubt the best in this division.

......well, definitely up there with the best.

[Raggs]

After about 55 minutes at the CBS I sat back and relaxed. The result became a little bit irrelevant - if you can ever really say that at a live event. Why? I was convinced that we're top notch again. So many good performances. So many world class players to come back. So many fantastic additions. If we can just get a little bit of injury luck we are - with not much doubt the best in this division.

Felt very similarly. The performance was brilliant and whilst the result mattered, i wasn't going to feel disappointed about the performance.

[westwaleswasp]

Note of caution, we are 2/4 after 3 home games, and in the lower half of a tight table so predicting success this year might be a little premature. We have played heroically well, and players might be returning,  but this fully loaded Chiefs will no doubt be down to bare bones at some point, and not against us, so we need to make sure we are in contention when the calvary arrives. A LBP was welcome, but I would have exchanged it for an away game romp at Sixways. A lot of this league is about who you play  and when. Quins could not beat an egg in the first half of last year, and we caught them at the start of their run. We need to make sure we keep picking up points every match, there are some tough fixtures around the corner, and by the time easier fixtures arrive they might not be easier fixtures. Bristol  for example, are going to click at some point, we are lucky to have played them in a rough patch. So whilst I am chuffed with performance, it is the points that matter. Getting one today was essential, ultimately that is what will matter come May.
We do seem to be able to compete with massive injury lists, a sign of top teams, but title winning teams often seem to keep key personnel fit.

[Steve from Cov]

As an aside…….

During yesterday’s commentary LBND suggested Thomas’s move to Cardiff was known for some time and the money he frees up might be used to fund a centre.

Unusual comment - any thoughts what this might mean for Fekitoa or Mills and Odugwu?

[matelot22]

Cruise hopefully will be back next week, Gaby will return after that...and Frost -once recovered- is looking a phenomenal signing.

Agree re Frost, looks premiership standard with ease. Had he not had to leave the pitch, we may have nicked that one, line out just didn't function properly with the new guy, quite understandable given the very brief amount of time he's had with the squad.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

As an aside…….

During yesterday’s commentary LBND suggested Thomas’s move to Cardiff was known for some time and the money he frees up might be used to fund a centre.

Unusual comment - any thoughts what this might mean for Fekitoa or Mills and Odugwu?

Fekitoa is on big money, and contract up this year? Odogwu could easily develop into a good replacement for him. I expect him to get a (good) new contract. I would be surprised if we haven't made Fekitoa an offer, but well below what he is on right now. I also expect him to turn us down.

Mills? Very, very poor value for money. There is no way that contract is going to get renewed. Rob Miller will be 33 before next season starts. At some point, his contract will not get renewed, and, if it does, it will be on a lot less money. I can't see Watson staying either, nor Minozzi, who has been very poor value for money (he might be a good player, but he has played very few games, his full back game isn't as good as Miller or Crossdale, and we have better wings).

I am also not impressed with Spink at 13, but we do have some Academy players coming through that would be good.

Interestingly, there isn't a player in the squad in the forwards I would not want to keep, but fear Jamma could be on his last year. The physical toll on forwards is just so much higher than the backs.