Lee's most important next signing.

[Mellie]

Turning point was Spink dropping the ball when we should have scored and conceding one ourselves. Heads seemed to go down. Immediately after that Cruse leaves a hole and they score again. We are then in panic mode and TCUP is out the window.

I think some players try too hard, especially younger ones with loads of potential. Charlie was one last season but was much more mature today. We just need others to do the same.

[Andywasp50]

I think it’s physicality. Sides have started to work out that although we can be fast, incisive and strong on the front foot, we don’t have the gnarliness, size or grunt to get involved in an arm wrestle for control at the breakdown. Like at Irish last season (how have we not learnt from that last game?), as soon as we start losing collisions the game is up and we go backwards, tire and open up. Once the cracks appear opponents can bring on a couple of big, hard hitting runners and we’re toast.

Ashley Johnson epitomises what we are lacking - if only he was 10 years younger and there were three of him!

[DGP Wasp]

A few posts here and elsewhere that as fans, we always felt that even with a 21-0 half time lead, the wheels could come off at any moment because we've seen it before.  t strikes me that the same lack of belief exists among the players.  When the LRZ try was scored I thought "Here we go again...", and what I saw from then on, was a team who felt the same.  They got panicky and ill-disciplined, and more tries followed, and with each one, the confidence of the first half rapidly evaporated.

This rests with the leadership group on the field.  Back in the day, after that first try, LBND would've had the team under the posts, calling for calm heads and not allowing it to happen again, and the team would deliver for him far more often than not.  I don't see that from Joe unfortunately.

[Heathen]

This rests with the leadership group on the field.  Back in the day, after that first try, LBND would've had the team under the posts, calling for calm heads and not allowing it to happen again, and the team would deliver for him far more often than not.  I don't see that from Joe unfortunately.

My thoughts exactly. Marco was another who could rally the troops.

[InBetweenWasp]

My thoughts exactly. Marco was another who could rally the troops.

Did Marco actually win any games as Captain? Mind might be playing tricks on me, but I don't remember any rallying to win games.  Just lose by less.  Admittedly, it co-incided with a period where we were pretty terrible and I liked Marco as a player and a very shrewd lineout operator, just don't recall us having much by the way of wins with him as Captain. 

I'm pretty sure I recall speaking about it in the stands and it jokingly being referred to as some sort of a jinx.

[Andywasp50]

My thoughts exactly. Marco was another who could rally the troops.

Did Marco actually win any games as Captain? Mind might be playing tricks on me, but I don't remember any rallying to win games.  Just lose by less.  Admittedly, it co-incided with a period where we were pretty terrible and I liked Marco as a player and a very shrewd lineout operator, just don't recall us having much by the way of wins with him as Captain. 

I'm pretty sure I recall speaking about it in the stands and it jokingly being referred to as some sort of a jinx.

I’m sure he won a few games because I remember him being interviewed after a good win at Quins which took us into the top four. We’d been on a great run and the pundits were impressed. We lost the next 11 games in a row..!