Match Thread

[hopwood]

Is it too early to start drinking.....

I started way too early…and now flagging already.
One of those games you just keep chugging! 

[Peej]

Alfie player of the match. Don't see how.

Also thought it looked like there was a deliberate knock on as the ball went wide.

Aren't we away again for the SF?

[hopwood]

How have we lost the penalty in all of that?!

Exactly.
How did the penalty miraculously disappear??

[Shugs]

That was a tough watch. Forwards very good - especially back row. Ref was farcical - missed loads for both sides. Positives - breakdown/scrum/forward dominance.
Negatives - restarts/high ball defence/game management.
Thought Dan really struggled after being so good last week. Kibirige at FB should be an experiment that ends today.

[Chunky24]

Alfie player of the match. Don't see how.

Also thought it looked like there was a deliberate knock on as the ball went wide.

Aren't we away again for the SF?

I thought Umaga slapped it forward in that last set too, the TMO might come in sometime this afternoon yet!

[Westy68]

Poor officiating, poor display.

I really don’t understand how we can do anything without a proper 10. Charlie was non-existent and has been for several games.

Maybe because of the tactics but it’s not great, we are miles away from Sarries

We did our best to lose that when it should have been a comfortable win.

I really want to see gradual improvements but it’s not happening

[hopwood]

Alfie player of the match. Don't see how.

Also thought it looked like there was a deliberate knock on as the ball went wide.

Aren't we away again for the SF?

I thought Umaga slapped it forward in that last set too, the TMO might come in sometime this afternoon yet!

Me too.
After spending ages examining the previous incident, it beggars belief that they didn’t look at that.
Flabbergasting.

[FishingWasp]

What is it with French refs? The ref was even worse than Raynal at Conaught and the last time we saw Poite at the CBSA

Hate to single out players, but Porter seemed to learn nothing from last week, and could have given the game away.

Still, onwards and upwards - and hoping for as home semi.

I believe if Lyon win, its in France, but if Glasgow win we get the choice. Please correct me if wrong.

[Shugs]

Poor officiating, poor display.

I really don’t understand how we can do anything without a proper 10. Charlie was non-existent and has been for several games.

Maybe because of the tactics but it’s not great, we are miles away from Sarries

We did our best to lose that when it should have been a comfortable win.

I really want to see gradual improvements but it’s not happening

I sort of see what your saying but a win, away from home at Edinburgh in the QF of a cup is a good outcome. Up front there was loads to be pleased about - just kept cocking up when it got to the backs.

[WonkyWasp]

The TV was on, but I could only bring myself to watch the screen for a total of 4 minutes.  And that bit was exhausting.  What is it with that referee?  All in all a seriously weird game.  Please  -  never one like that again.  But a win all the same .  I'll take that with thanks.   Dearie me. 

[Westy68]

Poor officiating, poor display. You

I really don’t understand how we can do anything without a proper 10. Charlie was non-existent and has been for several games.

Maybe because of the tactics but it’s not great, we are miles away from Sarries

We did our best to lose that when it should have been a comfortable win.

I really want to see gradual improvements but it’s not happening

I sort of see what your saying but a win, away from home at Edinburgh in the QF of a cup is a good outcome. Up front there was loads to be pleased about - just kept cocking up when it got to the backs.

Shugs you’re right, just disappointed that we’re not showing improvements considering our consistent team selection.

I just don’t get Charlie at 10

[JonnyD]

Need a massive rethink in the backs.

Time to start giving the 10 more of a say. Fine playing off 9 a lot but it’s time for one of our 10s to step up and boss people around, especially if the 9 is not dominating. Maybe that’ll come with WH-W with the crash ball option outside him with Odendaal.
Today I wondered what Marcus Smith could have done with our backline with the dominance we had up front.
I agree the Kibirige experiment doesn’t seem to bring any benefit if we’re not using the back three in attack.
Better having Umaga at the back for creativity and two hard running centres.
Don’t think Bassett or Hougaard took a decent pass all game. Worlds away from the like of Saints, Quins and Glaws year with how they’re using their back 3

[wasps]

No game should ever be that difficult when the forwards are that dominant.




I too am amazed that a knock on wasn't reviewed at the death.




So much to work on
Restarts are horrendous, but I feel that's been the case even at Adams Park.
I'm almost at the point where I expect them to be terrible and just move on.


It feels like there's too much conflicting thinking going on.
Whether it's due to change of attack / defence coaches or players not entirely comfortable with the plan, be or not confident with those around them, I'm not sure.


We're lacking star power in the backs. There's no "go to" player.
There was hope that it would be Odogwu at 13, but that's not happening at the moment.




Get everyone on the same page and maybe we'll start seeing consistent performances

[hopwood]

Need a massive rethink in the backs.

Time to start giving the 10 more of a say. Fine playing off 9 a lot but it’s time for one of our 10s to step up and boss people around, especially if the 9 is not dominating. Maybe that’ll come with WH-W with the crash ball option outside him with Odendaal.
Today I wondered what Marcus Smith could have done with our backline with the dominance we had up front.
I agree the Kibirige experiment doesn’t seem to bring any benefit if we’re not using the back three in attack.
Better having Umaga at the back for creativity and two hard running centres.
Don’t think Bassett or Hougaard took a decent pass all game. Worlds away from the like of Saints, Quins and Glaws year with how they’re using their back 3

I agree with you Jonny.
We’re too one dimensional at the moment.
There’s little craft and guile.
We’ve gone downhill since moving Jacob from 10.
And then there’s the question whether either Jacob or Charlie are 10 Prem quality.

But responsibility has to ultimately sit with coaching staff.

[hopwood]

It feels like there's too much conflicting thinking going on.

Absolutely.
Couldn’t agree more.

It seems Everard is taking time to bed in his ideas.
And whether those ideas are indeed the correct ones.
It’s not an easy watch.

But it’s still a much needed win.
We haven’t lost too many games recently.

We could be Bath fans