Bristol preview
By Willie
March 19 2014
This weekend we welcome Bristol to Headingley-Carnegie for a league fixture which sees third v top. The two sides have already met three times this season but the results ( 2 wins for Leeds, one win for Bristol) are not a reliable form indicator. Last time out we struggled against the islanders......
Bristol are on a fine winning run going back to 1st December when we sneaked a win down at the Memorial Ground. Since then they have swept all before them with only Nottingham getting an lbp at Meadow Lane. This run of form has seen Bristol surge to the top of the Championship, toppling the early front runners London Welsh who had uncharacteristic wobbles at Richmond and Brickfields. In the run in to the play-offs Bristol have still to travel to Scottish and host Welsh. However they only need two wins to be sure of a place in the play-offs having amassed 16 bonus points in 18 games.
Our progress over the same period has been somewhat underwhelming. having scraped wins at Plymouth and Jersey and losing to Welsh. We have had to contend with a number of long term injuries but the club have, wisely in my view, continued to strengthen the squad with some decent loanees. In the longer term we have also announced a number of signings and re-signings. Bristol managed to trump this with the "signing every hour on the hour" day when the 1 p.m. signing turned out to be Craig Hampson!
Will Craig play on Sunday? I hope so! If he has a blinder both sides will be happy. As for the rest of the team we have plenty of options but I would like to see Josh Griffin back in the mix. Whoever gets selected will have to perform better than the team did on Jersey if we are to get anything out of this game. Whilst a win is not essential to our play-off aspirations a defeat against another top 4 side would be a big psychological blow at this stage of the season.
Roll on Sunday.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:04:05:15:20:46 by Wildwillie .
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
Should be a humdinger.
Might play the drink a try game - it can't hurt too much, can it?
If I had all the money I've spent on drink ..... I'd spend it on drink.
I'd be totally pragmatic, tick the scoreboard over whenever we get the chance and play in their half. Not sure Jimmy believes in that though!
Most recent view of them was on the telly V Roth. They looked great going forward, but suspect in defence and we have scored some scorchers against them in our previous meetings.
It ought to be a cracker and there is no chance of a 6-3 bore fest.
From what I have seen our pack is quicker around the park.
The KEY with be who we have at 7. Last time Beck played 7 as was no where near Robinson and at HT Walker came on and was much better. Close down Robinson quickly as he is good with enough time and space
Should be a good game, a loss for either side isnt the end of the world, important game never the less
COME ON LEEDS
Yes play Hampo now but not in play-offs (expecting to be there). Play Griffo now at #13 and see how he goes (hopefully as well as he did down there). Play our best available front 5 and not see this result as a guide to anything but still need to show that we can control the game for significant spells.
Quote:JDH
Play our best team full stop
which would have Griffin in it IMHO
Up the Carnegie TYKES !
To gain a psychological edge...and an outside chance of finishing top... at this point in the season...must be worth really battling hard for.
Hope we play a positive attacking game... but just a wee bit patiently...going for the increments... not too loose and wild. Must kick accurately and find touch...use the maul..and as Albert says...pin em down in their half....and 'definitely' avoid the temtation to 'sleep walk' for 5 mins after scoring! Not much to think about!
Have just read Reagan's opinions of the promotion race in the YP...so I hope...in the nicest possible way...that we skittle 'em all over the bl**dy park and give them something to really think about on the way home...something that big money just can't buy!
I wish I was totally convinced about Hampo playing?? Not so sure?
A Bedford or Moseley scorline would do nicely in front of a home crowd?? Lets get those drums a-beating!!Hoping for a good turnout and a totalLeeds destruction. Easy!!
Quote:Selby Kev
This is a biggie!...
I expect Bris to play the percentages, take any points on offer, defend soundly & show everyone what we are all up against - gloves off time or as Kev so succinctly puts it
The biggie!
Anyway, after all the stuff about both teams' attacking prowess I predict a a 3-all thriller.
Of course you have a point...but Bris do seem to be well endowed in the cheque book department at present...and just a shame its not 'more of a level playing field'
Personally, playing on the left wing, I'm for rugby CO-OPs...but it might still be a long way off yet?
Anyway, safe journey...notice that even before kick off... you are already happy for a draw?...less worried myself...confident ( I think?) of a convincing Leeds win. Enjoy the game!
COME ON LEEDS