Always a Wasp

Can’t escape the fact that injuries have hurt us in a big way. But I’m getting fed up with it being the accompanying narrative to our defeats. To be clear it’s not Blackett or the club or the players - it’s mainly the media. But I wonder if it seeps into mindsets. You can’t play a season waiting - you’ve got to make things happen. We take the field today with a pack most are happy with. Back three are good enough and OK, we’re a bit disrupted at 9, 10 and 13 but we have enough talent in the 23. I’m not sure as good as Launchbury, Robson, Willis and Fekitoa are there is going to be a wholesale change of fortune. Ironically it may be Mills we’ve missed as much as anyone. We seem to have been looking towards the end of January forever as games come and go. Those that are playing simply need to do better . Points and places are available now.

Apparently Bath aren’t intending to fulfil this fixture due to various issues amongst which is the inability to field an adequate front row. So there imperfect record will continue. I take no joy in it - the Prem is better with a strong Bath team but something is very wrong there at the moment.

We appear to have nailed our colours to the mast on this but having just got back  from the game tonight it seems obvious if unpopular that Umaga is just not good enough at 10 for a team that should be a serious top 4 prospect. Forget the place kicking - albeit that regularly costs us 6-12 points per game. Dropped passes, aimless kicking, fizzed passes and bizarre decision making smack to me of a lack of competition. There was one incident where Jacob idled towards the perimeter of our in house goal area and attempted a ridiculous kick which served no purpose and actually instantly put all of our forwards offside. Glaws subsequently scored a try through our massively spaced out defence. Ultimately that play cost us the game. How long can we continue to indulge our talented but game costing 10? Because don’t be fooled by the score line - this was dreadful.

Who on earth are we going to field for the Prem Cup? A complete dead rubber but im assuming we’re obliged to field a side of sorts. I wouldn’t dream of playing anyone from today’s 23 so here goes!
1) As yet unknown loanee
2) As yet unknown loanee
3) Alo
4) Cardall
5) As yet unknown loanee
6) Curran
7) Morris
As yet unknown loanee
9) Wolstenholme
10) Mathews
11) Bacon
12) As yet unknown loanee
13) As yet unknown loanee
14) Mehson
15) As yet unknown loanee

Replacements must all be loans. Can’t see any other way. And would offer a “bye” if allowed.

I must admit I’m a bit surprised at some of the reaction to the Sarries game. It was, quite clearly, a tactical decision around selection. Our squad is strong. Theoretically our 23 v Bath could be:
West
Oghre
JTA
Stooke
Fifita
Shields
Young
Willis
Robson
Umaga
Bassett
Gopperth
McHenry
Kibirige
Crossdale

Hislop
Holding
Alo
Cardall
Carr
Watson
Porter
Mathews

That is a very good team - certainly capable of taking on any team in the league. We’re in a good place for me.

Not sure who they are but they have my thanks. Due to them I believe we are well and truly a top 4 side again. Fifita, Scholtz, Hislop, Frost, Stooke, Crossdale, Hougaard and Millar-Mills along with JTA, Shields etc that went before. Extremely shrewd signings. Coupled with what we already had I'm convinced we're the strongest we've been for 10-15 years. Exciting times ahead!

We'll know by midday tomorrow but what 23 are people expecting. I'm thinking:

1) Harris
2) Cruse
3) Alo
4) Stooke
5) Fifita
6) Shields
7) Young
Willis
9) Robson
10) Umaga
11) Bassett
12) Spink
13) Fekitoa
14) Watson
15) Crossdale

Hislop, Oghre, JTA, Cardall, Morris, Miller, Hougaard, Gopperth.