Always a Wasp
General Category => Wasps Rugby Discussion => Topic started by: SilverShire on October 26, 2019, 04:34:33 PM
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Wasn't expecting much from this game but still frustrating none the less. That said the line-out has bee functioning well as well as the scrum (after the first infringement). I don't think we have been playing badly but there have just been a couple of moments that have ruined all momentum. Feketoa's shoulder and Dan's kick being the main culprits.
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Pluses: Gaskell and scrum, again though Ogre looked decent. Nice to have a decent reffing performance too.
Momentum? i saw none of this.
The so called bigger players showed absolutely nothing, we were outplayed in every area. 4 tries to none ..gulf in rugby play between the two sides.
Simmo MOM just the icing on the cake really, especially given Dans performance, yet again.
Bath will ragdoll us based on our current abilities on the park.
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From my POV, that game pretty much went as I expected. Ackerman has that team about 2 years down the track from where we are. I thought the lads played well. I didn't see any general weaknesses; just an overall lack of finesse and cohesion.
Ridley had yet another great game in charge.
Week on week, we ARE improving. But the injury attrition rate is not good. Some of our players emptied the tank and then some. Gaskell, Carr and Vailanu. Watson gets better each game too.
COYW. Onwards to face Bath.
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Actually thought we were edging our way back into that before Fekitoa's yellow. Scrum is going well and Sopoaga was good I thought today. But we're just not clinical enough at the moment and both of our opponents so far have scored tries against us quite easily. Not time to panic yet by any means but it would be nice to get some more points on the board soon.
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I agree some signs of a platform but then a glaring error and a breakaway try. Considering the losses this might sound silly but think there are signs that teams are not going to break us down as easily the defence inside of the outside backs seems alot more gritty. The defence in the outside backs is awful though but mainly individual errors costing us.
The Fekitoa card was silly but at sametime the 8 was killing the ball after coming in at the side. If refs dont want self policing then they need to do more. On that note though i do like today's ref more than most think hes done a good job overall but the yellow for Fekitoa was blown up a bit out of proportion.
I had a big issue with our kick chase game last year and it cost us dear again today. Glaws done a lot more to put pressure on our kickers and catchers.
On times I think the team are showing signs of frustration but I can see the effort being made and the team seem to be really backing one another up. Hopefully we will see the errors cut down and some return on the effort.
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Take off rose tinted spectacles. We, with a couple of exceptions were poor.
Too many errors, no leadership and were not really at the races.
Not Nots thumped today so that is a fair indicator of where we are.
What was Robson doing on the pitch for so long? Not only were we thumped but we might have lost him for some time.
Gaskell take a bow. 👏👏👏
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We are definitely one of if not the poorest team in the league.
Our penalty count is ridiculous, especially the offside. The same as last week.
We are in for a real fight this season, I don’t know where our next W is coming from.
I’m not impressed with a majority of our signings in the last 2 years. Very average players coached by average coaches.
This has been coming and it is now here. Also Dai’s comments after the game was a joke.
I didn’t think Gloucester got out of 2nd gear. I thought there was a big gap between us, no idea what game Dai was watching.
Newcastle last season look a better team and look what happen to them
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We are definitely one of if not the poorest team in the league.
Our penalty count is ridiculous, especially the offside. The same as last week.
We are in for a real fight this season, I don’t know where our next W is coming from.
I’m not impressed with a majority of our signings in the last 2 years. Very average players coached by average coaches.
This has been coming and it is now here. Also Dai’s comments after the game was a joke.
I didn’t think Gloucester got out of 2nd gear. I thought there was a big gap between us, no idea what game Dai was watching.
Newcastle last season look a better team and look what happen to them
Totally agree.
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I switched over channels after 20 mins. It was crap upto that point and sounds like there wasn’t much improvement after that ? I can’t remember ever turning a Wasps game over and I have been following them for 20years. Something is very wrong. I think drastic changes may be required. Dai said post match there wasn’t much between the teams. But they scored 4 tries to our 0 ? At least we pumped the All Blacks this morning, albeit with no Wasps players making it onto the pitch
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apart from the head coaches, are there any other international coaches that are up for grabs post WC?
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We are definitely one of if not the poorest team in the league.
Our penalty count is ridiculous, especially the offside. The same as last week.
We are in for a real fight this season, I don’t know where our next W is coming from.
I’m not impressed with a majority of our signings in the last 2 years. Very average players coached by average coaches.
This has been coming and it is now here. Also Dai’s comments after the game was a joke.
I didn’t think Gloucester got out of 2nd gear. I thought there was a big gap between us, no idea what game Dai was watching.
Newcastle last season look a better team and look what happen to them
Totally agree.
Generally in agreement. I did think certain individuals were having a better game and that we'd - probably slightly against the odd and after presumably a bit of the hairdryer at half time - got back into the game, only to give it away with the yellow. We kept in it for a bit - but Glaws only had to step up a little and we looked out of our class
Need some effective thinking before next weekend.....to back up the effort clearly being put in, but senior players need to step up and lead.
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Our NZ contingent are conspicuous in performing below their reputations and our expectations.
Which planet is Fekitoa on? What he did to get the card was stupid and naive. He is not very quick, as Glaws exposed for two of their tries. Was he a good acquisition?
Shields, pity he is not in Japan. Not good enough. No leadership. When both of the Willis brothers back don’t expect to see him.
Sopoanga, place kicking aside, is not good enough. Umanga is way better given how young and inexperienced her is. Happier to live with him than with Lima.
Jury still out on Watson. Very quick but prone to selfishness and errors. Bring on our new Italian ASAP please.
With Dan possibly out for some time I have zero idea who in the backs will stand up and take control unless Gops is truly fit and can come back.
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I agree thinking that minozzi will be our first choice full back but only if he can pick up out moves and game plan (there is one ;)). I think that him and Watson will be rotated a lot and the starting shirt will be given on merit. I actually think we were more composed when Sops was on and we lost out heads when Jacob came on. Not saying that Jacob isn't good enough, just think he needs more game time from the bench before he gets the starting shirt in my eyes.
I want to see a lot more leadership for Shields then we are currently seeing. Don't know if its as simple as Dai telling him to set up, as he should have his own initiative to do so.
Still willing to give Fekitoa a chance to properly slot into the team.
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Sigh, really thought they were turning it around after half time before the yellow.
Players were switching off again, I shouted "eyes up" from my seat in the crowd last week after a quick tap and players were ambling about. This week more silly penalties and Robson's kick in particular took the other players by surprise, but there was time to form a line behind him, they were not focussed and just ambling about again. I get that they can be stepped, fumble, misjudge or just be beaten. Switching off in a game however, just isn't really on in my view. Surely easy to fix though?
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Lima was poor, or at least not good- not top 6 good- but when he left we looked little different. The elephant in the room was that their opposite number was excellent- a real threat, composed, and excellent in execution. I would have him back in a heartbeat. Dan looked crocked- a shadow of last year.
The yellow was pointless, and killed our chances of getting back into the game. Silly boy, Jimmy did something equally stupid and became a firm favourite, hopefully we will see something similar- I can't take another expensive import going south.
Our scrum was great, the forwards did make progress at limited times, but the backs looked utterly, utterly clueless. The kick chase was non existent. Singling Lima out would be churlish- the wings seemed willing but 10-12-13 was not working.
The wings were manful.
The more I see of Shields the more I think he won't be troubling the England team.
He seems a fine bench option, does the basics well and has a good work rate, but is not offering anything special.
I think we will improve, although I wonder if this might be Dai's last year if things don't get better than last year. Long way to go, but a W is really needed.
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Pluses: Gaskell and scrum, again though Ogre looked decent. Nice to have a decent reffing performance too.
Momentum? i saw none of this.
The so called bigger players showed absolutely nothing, we were outplayed in every area. 4 tries to none ..gulf in rugby play between the two sides.
Simmo MOM just the icing on the cake really, especially given Dans performance, yet again.
Bath will ragdoll us based on our current abilities on the park.
+1.
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What worries me is that we appear to have traded down for a couple of years. How many of the players who left have been replaced by better players?
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Better in a vacuum or better at Wasps?
There are plenty who may argue the players coming were better than some of those leaving- until they put on the shirt and weren't. We do seem to have signed good players who have played under their skill level.
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What worries me is that we appear to have traded down for a couple of years. How many of the players who left have been replaced by better players?
Simply- zero. No upgrades.
Time for dai to move on and see what a top coach (in the mould of boyd or ackerman) can do.
If we keep saying it's a squad in transition we will fade into relegation. Team dont look like they believe they'll get a win this year
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That for me is the problem. The players who came to Wasps and our regular players and academy players are not living up to potential. Other than Jack Willis, has anyone been hitting their potential? If a player isn't injured they're just not playing well.
I think it's a combination of players not showing up and coaching not bringing the best out of them.
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Woke up very happy after the England win yesterday. Looking forward to semi final number 2 in about an hour. Then I remembered Wasps lost again yesterday. In the cold light of day I have come to the conclusion that Dai needs to go. On paper we have a great squad. Some of them are on big salaries and quite a few of them have been with us for some time, but they aren’t performing like it. Last season was awful and I see nothing has really changed this season in that we give too many stupid pens away and we hold no fear for any opposition. I think the fault lies with the DOR who should be able to get the best from everyone under his stewardship, players and coaching staff, and Dai is still failing to do this. I’m sure there will be some high quality coaches available post World Cup and it would be a good time to find someone. I love Dai as a bloke and for what he has achieved in the past but everyone has a shelf life and nobody is bigger than the club. We need to make changes before we suffer another poor season. Probably an unpopular view but I am sick of seeing our once great team being viewed as flaky and easily beatable. The comment from Dai post match yesterday saying he felt there wasn’t much between us and Glos, despite outscoring us by four tries to none, is embarrassing. Cheers and bye Dai
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Amazing how a loss can skew perception. On the trading up or down scenario over the last two or three years far from zero I would argue Shields for Haskell, Carr for Hughes, Brookes for Moore, Minozzi for Le Roux (one good season only), Fekitoa and Kibirige for extra depth and that's ignoring the emergence of Willis x 2, T Young and Umaga.
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Thanks for some reality Shugs.
Time for Dai to go already!! Perhaps Eddie Jones when the RFU sack him as some in this site have said should happen.
We are really getting very negative on this site. Sounds like the Sports Network site.
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Thanks for some reality Shugs.
Time for Dai to go already!! Perhaps Eddie Jones when the RFU sack him as some in this site have said should happen.
We are really getting very negative on this site. Sounds like the Sports Network site.
I’m not surprised it’s negative on here.
What we are seeing is negative.
Stop focusing on the negative comments and fix what is happening on the pitch.
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And that is the problem for Dai.
Fix what is going wrong on the pitch. I sincerely wish he would do it.
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The worrying part is we are pretty much at full strength. Teams around us have reinforcements to come in.
I'm not going to call out for Dai to go, the team need to front up, they are paid professionals. Having never questioned the coaching before I am now wondering why we are sooo bad...
To pretend all is ok in an attempt show how positive you are and anti DW is lost after 2 weeks of this dross i'm afraid...4-0!!!!! And we could have played for another 2 hours and we still wouldn't have scored, they will have scored another 4.
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The worrying part is we are pretty much at full strength. Teams around us have reinforcements to come in.
I'm not going to call out for Dai to go, the team need to front up, they are paid professionals. Having never questioned the coaching before I am now wondering why we are sooo bad...
To pretend all is ok in an attempt show how positive you are and anti DW is lost after 2 weeks of this dross i'm afraid...4-0!!!!! And we could have played for another 2 hours and we still wouldn't have scored, they will have scored another 4.
I'm pretty much on the same page with this. I fully accept that with a number of new players since the 2017 Final (like a lot...) its going to be a period when there will be setbacks - but I'd have expected a team that includes the ex Capt of the 'Canes (who looked great in SR) and SR back rowers, ex England prop, international hooker and prop, an ex AB 10 and 12, experienced winger - and that's just this w/e - to be able to play to a basic plan.
Again, I know we'd lost some real club men like Haskell and Thompson - players who would lead on the field.....but even so...
If they can't - then something - and obviously I've never coached at elite level - is wrong. I don't believe its being negative to express some misgivings about how things appear to be going - given the resources available.
Worse is watching Tigers/Sarries and seeing ex Wasps playing well.....
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The worrying part is we are pretty much at full strength. Teams around us have reinforcements to come in.
I'm not going to call out for Dai to go, the team need to front up, they are paid professionals. Having never questioned the coaching before I am now wondering why we are sooo bad...
To pretend all is ok in an attempt show how positive you are and anti DW is lost after 2 weeks of this dross i'm afraid...4-0!!!!! And we could have played for another 2 hours and we still wouldn't have scored, they will have scored another 4.
All is not well. But equally all is not lost. Whilst it's disappointing to lose it's not the end of the world. No reinforcements to come in? Minozzi, Young, Launchbury, Rowlands, Rieder, Vellacott, McIntyre, Searle and T Willis?
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But on paper our squad looks good, the injuries aren't really an excuse for me here.
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My comments earlier are not knee jerk. We have been poor for a long time. It’s not just the two league losses this season, the wheels fell off long ago. If it were a business that was performing badly for a sustained period then the leader would be under huge pressure. However you look at it, Dai is not getting the results. Things must change and we can’t keep changing the players. People blamed last year on players not wanting to be at the club. We shouldn’t have that problem anymore
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The worrying part is we are pretty much at full strength. Teams around us have reinforcements to come in.
I'm not going to call out for Dai to go, the team need to front up, they are paid professionals. Having never questioned the coaching before I am now wondering why we are sooo bad...
To pretend all is ok in an attempt show how positive you are and anti DW is lost after 2 weeks of this dross i'm afraid...4-0!!!!! And we could have played for another 2 hours and we still wouldn't have scored, they will have scored another 4.
All is not well. But equally all is not lost. Whilst it's disappointing to lose it's not the end of the world. No reinforcements to come in? Minozzi, Young, Launchbury, Rowlands, Rieder, Vellacott, McIntyre, Searle and T Willis?
I’d love to have some of what you have been prescribed that gives you this upbeat vision of the world.
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My comments earlier are not knee jerk. We have been poor for a long time. It’s not just the two league losses this season, the wheels fell off long ago. If it were a business that was performing badly for a sustained period then the leader would be under huge pressure. However you look at it, Dai is not getting the results. Things must change and we can’t keep changing the players. People blamed last year on players not wanting to be at the club. We shouldn’t have that problem anymore
👍👍
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Fats, Marlowman, we are two games in. It may turn out that you're right and the wheels have come off. I'm not a hopeless optimist - I'm just prepared to give it more than 160 minutes of rugby before deciding. This is not last season or any other and the playing personnel is different. Initial signs haven't been great but we have quality players. That has to tell sooner or later.
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No reinforcements to come in? Minozzi, Young, Launchbury, Rowlands, Rieder, Vellacott, McIntyre, Searle and T Willis?
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But Shugs, Launch aside, maybe Minozzi eventually, who are these players a a step up from. Are you saying Rieder is a step up from Carr? Or Velacott is up from Robson, etc etc...I wasn't looking for bodies, I was looking for improvement.
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Shugs, we are passionate Wasps fans on here and we will often have different views. I admire your optimism and hope it changes for the better soon. I don’t think it will though. Dai is not capable of turning this around. He seems to have lost the plot. I was embarrassed by his comments yesterday after the game. He is not a top quality coach. He had won nothing and he has had long enough at Wasps to change that. What style of play is he known for? Does he ever give anyone a rollicking? Nice bloke, rubbish coach in my view. Would love to see someone like Cheika come in and kick ass, he won’t , but someone of that ilk is what’s needed. Could you imagine Gatland putting up with the crap we have endured this past year and a bit ?
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I have to agree this is not just 2 games this is 2 years. The player quality has dropped a lot, also coaching hasn’t improved at all.
I keep hearing it’s a new start, Gloucester are 2 years ahead of us. How is that possible Dai has been DOR a lot longer than ankerman.
None of are players are rubbish, it’s silly to say that but a lot of our players are nowhere near as good as some people think.
For me Jack Willis, Launchbury and Thomas Youngs are the only players we missed yesterday.
The New Zealand 3 are bang average at best.
I’ve got a really bad feeling this will be launchburys last season with us. Our poor player recruitment and coaching will effect his chances with England.
We are in serious trouble this season and I’m sorry Gopperth is not the messiah
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Fats, Marlowman, we are two games in. It may turn out that you're right and the wheels have come off. I'm not a hopeless optimist - I'm just prepared to give it more than 160 minutes of rugby before deciding. This is not last season or any other and the playing personnel is different. Initial signs haven't been great but we have quality players. That has to tell sooner or later.
Shrugs
It’s a continuation of the state we were in last season.
We have a “structural issue” that is not being addressed.
I would love things to turn around but look at the table two games in.
Bottom two are Tigers with no points and Wasps with one. Top two have 9 points each. Tigers are known to have problems and we don’t?
We can’t even win a home game against the side promoted from the Championship. Furthermore our DOR watched a different game from the rest of us yesterday.
Do you think it is just bad luck that has influenced so many of the top coaches who were linked with joining us over the last 12 months or so? Dream on guys. There is trouble at mill.
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Dai's comments were delusional, that's a fact, Glaws were playing a different game to us, not because they were world beaters, just because we are terrible I can't put the blame at his door tho as I'm not sure how much coaching he actually does.
Something is wrong in the setup somewhere though.
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I think you may be right Westy about Launchbury. I also agree that the ageing Gopperth is not gonna cure all our problems. Surely that’s why we bought Lima? He is working out to be a very costly investment especially when you add in Fekitoa costs to try and make him more successful. I really hope we get something positive on the pitch to post about soon. We have suffered long enough as fans
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I disagree regarding Launch, he'll lose out on England based on the sheer competition he's against and what style EJ wants to play.
As a side, if anyone saw Sainst play this weekend. a 20 year old at 10 with 13 playing 12 outside him and he ran the show with chips, grubbers, crossfields, distribution and kicking for territory. All from a 3rd choice 9 inside him.
All of this creativity and decision making required nothing from his 12.
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The problem with Sopps is that we've recruited him without considering how to use him. He can't be a bad player, his credentials show that, he is just playing in a disfunctional unit and I don't think we have the coaching personnel that can find the answers for how to get the best from him, along with a couple of other quality players.
First of all in Rugby the game plan has to work and click with the team, you then add top class players to add something extra. We seem to run out of ideas very quickly and I couldn't say what our game plan is. All I can say is that we have players who are week in week out looking worse off than a couple of years ago.
The last 18 months has seen so few points gained from (prolonged) visits to the opposition 22. I think we are hoping the "big names" can do something on their own to rescue the situation. Unfortunately that makes us easy to defend against.
If nothing changes, I see 4 or 5 wins this season at best. At present I don't see what is going to change, however Wasps have surprised me in the past.
As for the bigger picture, we clearly have issues to overcome given problems attracting any of the coaches we've been linked with. We don't know what these problems are and owing to this I won't be too quick to point all blame on Dai's doorstep. I'm just trying to keep positive about the longer term based on the new role given to Matty Everard, introduction of Stephen Vaughan in the background and hopefully an end in sight to the training ground saga.
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Dg - interesting post - can't disagree with that
However...I do wonder about the backroom. Only because I wonder (and I'm not informed enough to know) how much our successes from 14/15 to 16/17 were down to talented individuals, Even in 2014/15 Andy Goode was top Prem points scorer and Varndell and Wade score 22 tries between them. We then got Cips back...
So were we "coasting" at all from a coaching POV? And are now and last season being caught out?
Genuinely interested as the Gatland and Edwards and McGeechan years were times when for better (mainly) or worse, we had top level coaches/leaders. But even they had their period of effectiveness
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If we do only win four or five, we will drop. We must win more than that.
I would hope that 8 wins would be enough this year.
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Just a couple of reflections of the game.
-You certainly missed Willis
-I did think you were coming back and were looking better at the start of the second half and Gloucester had to wake up. Fortunately the stupid yellow card gave us the break (btw the bloke looked demented with crazy eyes and needs to calm down)
-Dan Robson is looking very deflated at the moment and a shadow of former self, whereas Simmo is thriving with the freedom he is being given and become a favourite from the off.
-i wouldn't judge your season based on the performance in the conditions yesterday, Kingsholm has one of the best pitches in the country now, and it couldn't cope with amount of rain that fell in the before and during the match. From what I've seen it didn't come across on the TV but it was lashing it down.
-Always a good banter with those who made the trip over or down and really do hope things pick up, but ditching Dai isn't the solution.
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Dg - interesting post - can't disagree with that
However...I do wonder about the backroom. Only because I wonder (and I'm not informed enough to know) how much our successes from 14/15 to 16/17 were down to talented individuals, Even in 2014/15 Andy Goode was top Prem points scorer and Varndell and Wade score 22 tries between them. We then got Cips back...
So were we "coasting" at all from a coaching POV? And are now and last season being caught out?
Genuinely interested as the Gatland and Edwards and McGeechan years were times when for better (mainly) or worse, we had top level coaches/leaders. But even they had their period of effectiveness
Thinking about it, probably, yes. Not building a team but having players who could feed and make holes for those who scored. The game is different now. Not so many players in the ruck means making holes is much harder.
I think the coaches and players understand this.
How many of us have criticised EJ over the years? Criticised his choices? But, his one goal has been building a team that can win, consistently, that can come away with the silverware next week.
It is not the most attractive rugby, but I don't think that the modern game is structured that way, and changes afoot will make it even less glitzy. The coaches (and Dai) have a hard job, transforming the players from the old style to what is needed.
#1 First, you get them to play together, to be more cohesive. The pack you sort first (1A), then the backs (1B).
#2 Then, you focus on the defence. Again, the pack first (2A), then the backs (2B).
#3 Then you focus on the attack. Again, the pack first (3A), then the backs (3B).
Where are we on those?
1A 80%
1B 40%
2A 65%
2B 25%
3A 30%
3B 10%
Just my gut feel where we are. I think Ackerman came into a Gloucester setup that was a lot further along in some respects than we are. But, it IS where we are. It is 1B that is letting us down. We have no effective leadership in the backs, but there ARE signs that it IS improving. I watched the game on Saturday quite closely for who was doing what in the backs to build. It HAS to come from the fly half and centres. And Fekitoa was that man. When he had a brain fart and got himself sent off, the backs fell apart. I know that Lima and Fekitoa are good mates, and that will help. But we have an obvious and yawning gap at 12. Juan is NOT a 12 and doesn't appear to be that leader. Booj is not a leader, and has a way to go to be a really top level 12.
We are reliant on Jimmy. Ageing and repeatedly crocked (I know, it could just be bad luck, but you make your own luck). I know many of you criticise EJ and keeping that Ford/Farrell axis, but they are so effective and cohesive together. And now Tuilagi has tacked himself outside them most effectively.
In my list above, 1B above is our stumbling block. And we do not have the available personnel to fix it. Thing is, I said this last season, and we have done nothing to fix this gap. We can't easily fix 1B, and without that, progress simply will not quickly happen. At #11 in the table, we are where we deserve to be. Are there any SH 12s coming free after the WC? Not this season, as we have spent to the cap.
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NWW - thanks for the post
That seems fair.
My only coaching thought is that every coaching set up has its effective period, and I just feel that the current set up has probably come/is coming to a natural close - indeed - rather like I think Tigers' team are, watching yesterday and end of last season - when individuals (Ford) got them out of the fire.
I think some of those individuals papered over whatever "team crack" there were - Piutau vs Sarries away.....that game! But I feel as you do that we're just not a team currently.
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Just a couple of reflections of the game
-i wouldn't judge your season based on the performance in the conditions yesterday, Kingsholm has one of the best pitches in the country now, and it couldn't cope with amount of rain that fell in the before and during the match.
Appreciate the sentiment but it didn't just rain on Wasps side of the pitch and i'll remind you of the loss to LI at home last week...LI that got smashed by Sale at home.
This form isn't something new.
Anyway, Bath next weekend and a chance to show some rugby is in the team. Might sound balmy to say it 3 games in but this game is of massive importance in many aspects beyond the points.
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I'm relieved that Bath won't be able to put out their first choice back three given they are in Japan.....alongside the best defensive 13 in the Prem....
If they click when they get everyone available...it could be a long afternoon for someone!
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Just on the 12 debate I was having a conversation where 12 had rightly been identified as an issue. "Right, if you could go and get any 12 who would you get"? Surprisingly there weren't that many obvious answers. Maybe there aren't many about.
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Shugs, there lies the problem. Especially if you want replacement for Gopperth. An in form Beale would be nice. But a creative 12 is hard to come by. How creative is Lozowski? Just thinking with Sarries centres being quite crowded these days...
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Just on the 12 debate I was having a conversation where 12 had rightly been identified as an issue. "Right, if you could go and get any 12 who would you get"? Surprisingly there weren't that many obvious answers. Maybe there aren't many about.
Good call Shugs..They are the proverbial yeti. Everyone is talking them up but who is this mythical creature.
My top recruit would be Ryan Mills, I think he is utter class. I'd also like Williams from Falcons.
If you look around the prem, while they are all wearing 12, none I really go wow to. Atkins we've done, Loz we've done, sicknote (Eastmond) we've done...below that I am under whelmed. Roberts I guess is a one..one trick but a good one...dunno. I'd sign Gopperth..oh hang on!! With Spink in training.
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Just on the 12 debate I was having a conversation where 12 had rightly been identified as an issue. "Right, if you could go and get any 12 who would you get"? Surprisingly there weren't that many obvious answers. Maybe there aren't many about.
Good call Shugs..They are the proverbial yeti. Everyone is talking them up but who is this mythical creature.
My top recruit would be Ryan Mills, I think he is utter class. I'd also like Williams from Falcons.
If you look around the prem, while they are all wearing 12, none I really go wow to. Atkins we've done, Loz we've done, sicknote (Eastmond) we've done...below that I am under whelmed. Roberts I guess is a one..one trick but a good one...dunno. I'd sign Gopperth..oh hang on!! With Spink in training.
Good 12s are, I think, only bred in the SH, especially NZ, which is why I asked if there were any down under available after the RWC?
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With all due respect to everyone involved, Wasps fans have been bemoaning the lack of a decent 12 for as long as I have been involved in online forums.
Gopps didn't sign as a 12, and despite the stellar results was only really tried there due to the ever ongoing lack of options and frequent injuries.
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So we're looking for a SH twelve. One who is creative and a distributor rather than a bosh it up merchant. But he must take it into contact and be ok defensively. I think we already have one of those. Searle 10, Sopoaga 12??
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Just on the 12 debate I was having a conversation where 12 had rightly been identified as an issue. "Right, if you could go and get any 12 who would you get"? Surprisingly there weren't that many obvious answers. Maybe there aren't many about.
Good call Shugs..They are the proverbial yeti. Everyone is talking them up but who is this mythical creature.
My top recruit would be Ryan Mills, I think he is utter class. I'd also like Williams from Falcons.
If you look around the prem, while they are all wearing 12, none I really go wow to. Atkins we've done, Loz we've done, sicknote (Eastmond) we've done...below that I am under whelmed. Roberts I guess is a one..one trick but a good one...dunno. I'd sign Gopperth..oh hang on!! With Spink in training.
Good 12s are, I think, only bred in the SH, especially NZ, which is why I asked if there were any down under available after the RWC?
A lot of those from SH who might be available we now have to compete with the likes of the wealthy Japanese leagues for, Ryan Crotty for example would be a great signing who can play inside and outside centre, but heading off to Japan club side after the World Cup.
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So we're looking for a SH twelve. One who is creative and a distributor rather than a bosh it up merchant. But he must take it into contact and be ok defensively. I think we already have one of those. Searle 10, Sopoaga 12??
I would very interested to see this combo, could potentially open the door to be able to rotate Searle and Umaga at 10 and Gopps and Sops at 12
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Then why not Miller at 12, its about as relevant as all the talk of Sops at 12. Sops has stood in a couple of times to my knowledge, so that doesn't support the ongoing crying out for a quality 12. We are already in the 'shoehorned 12' business.
He can kick, distribute, tackle, has pace....
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Yeah, I wouldn't be against seeing Miller at 12 - he has the attributes. One thing is for sure De Jongh is a 13 - a good one but a 13.
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After finally seeing the highlights for the game here are my thoughts.
The tries conceded were defence out wide, again, knock on mistake and awful kick chase.
The defence out wide is something we had problems with last week and last season, we're still not improving there. What's worse is our players looked lethargic running back and nobody seemed to care.
The knock was due to weather I'm sure, but seeing Gloucester handle the passes that well in that weather makes you wonder. 2 seasons ago against Ulster in terrible weather we played similar, i.e. slick hands in awful rain. Shame we've gone so far backwards since then.
That kick. I'm sure you'll blame Robson's injury, but what was he thinking?
Last of all, Dai's interview was baffling. His wording is very strange. We were bad from what I saw, terrible mistakes and poor defence out wide.
I think the players need motivation to play their best, only Jack has shown that so far. I'm also, for the first time, questioning Dai's future. This is a bad start to the season, worse than the start if last season, and I wasn't impressed last season. I'm very concerned going into this season and if things don't get better Dai might be the problem.