NEWS: Teams Up AW Cup Exeter v Northampton Saints

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Still no Horne ?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017:11:03:11:50:25 by tedge.

But Eadie on the return, which is good news.

I definitely would not be playing Horne is this competition. Keep the guy on ice for the main event.

I’d have started James Grayson. We know what Stephen is all about, won’t ever let us down regardless of match practice. Another example of lack of young talent progression IMHO. If he doesn’t play in this competition, when will he?

Perhaps not being risked for LV?

Great to see Eadie back and some of the Wanderers getting more opportunity.

I am rather surprised by some of those names included in the starting 15 and those not. For me it’s not in the spirit of the competition and I’d to see an age/international/club cap system in the rules. Day, Myler, Wood, Cobus, Pisi, Estelles really? Then again Exeter also have a smattering of experienced players.

Quote:

HungryLikeTheWolf
I’d have started James Grayson. We know what Stephen is all about, won’t ever let us down regardless of match practice. Another example of lack of young talent progression IMHO. If he doesn’t play in this competition, when will he?

+1

Possibly the relatively few "A" League fixtures means that they have to take the opportunity to give fringe players, or those returning from injury a competitive game. Saints have always selected mixed strength teams in this competition

Be interested to see Stephenson and Hutchinson go together. And, Furbank - first senior start? - hope he goes well.

Maybe we’ll see more of Mitchell (who looks very exciting) and Grayson next weekend - along with more of our other younger players.

Mixed feelings about that - I'd always prefer to see the youngsters but then again Cobus, Estelles and Pisi all need game time.

I suppose Myler hasn't really had any game time either but as above, he's pretty much a known quantity.

No Lewis Ludlum?

Quote:

SaintMaul
No Lewis Ludlum?

Still recovering from glandular fever ?

Why Dickinson Captain. Blood someone else for goodness sake.

Agree with comments re Myler Vs Grayson, too.

Let none of us ever ask why we have to buy, not one but two fly halves. Golden opportunity for Grayson to develop missed, presumably because Jim dropped Stephen in last two games and is now playing him to make up for it.
Stephen has been there, done it and has nothing to prove.

Quote:

ch saint
Let none of us ever ask why we have to buy, not one but two fly halves. Golden opportunity for Grayson to develop missed, presumably because Jim dropped Stephen in last two games and is now playing him to make up for it.
Stephen has been there, done it and has nothing to prove.

Indeed but he must still fancy a game now and then !

Well done and good luck to George Furbank.

Amongst all the moaning about the academy, here's a player who has made massive strides , seen off bigger names , got his first shirt and put himself right in contention.

I count only 2 first team starters in this XV so this is mainly a second team. I like the balance of the back row. I too want to see James Grayson get a run out in this competition, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Yes of course well done Furbs

Quote:

Scrummy
I count only 2 first team starters in this XV so this is mainly a second team. I like the balance of the back row. I too want to see James Grayson get a run out in this competition, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Alex Mitchell too.

When exactly do we expect the “second string” to get match fit?
10mins (if selected) off the bench and cancelled wandies fixtures?

Good grief

It depends who you consider to be second string.

All very sensible analysis is just fiddling around the edges.... while Rome burns

Rome is burning bright



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017:11:03:22:56:08 by HungryLikeTheWolf.

Would gone Mitchell, Grayson, Stephenson and Hutchinson they have all shown in glimpses or more they could cope at higher level. So take give them a next step?

I u derstand some first team guys any be missing bit match fitness, but it’s getting the balance between now and future, especially I f these guys are planned to step up next season or two... b

You would want the Saints squad players playing against a sprinkling of 1st team guys otherwise its just another Wanderers game with a different heading, no test at all of their potential.

A much better test was demonstrated by the Scarlets tonight, beating an Italian side with most, if not all, their internationals available and the Scarlets missing 6 out of 8 of their pack and 5 out of 7 of their backs with Wales.

Eif
So what !!
Why not stick to the Scarlets site - cheap shots as you know are just a bore .

Eif this is a quote from the BBC about the game - “Benetton were shorn of 16 players in the Italy squad, while Scarlets were without eight internationals”. Let’s not bend the facts!

We have some very very talented players in the Wandies and Academy.
My worry is not that we are not finding these players... Talent wise we are in a good place.

My big worry is they seem too progress to the Wandies and then hit a brick wall!
With no clear plan on how they get blooded in too the firat team/squad.

LV cup could turn in too there chance to impress while in the 'shop window' and get punched by other clubs with a better chance of rugular rugby.

Isn't that Phil Dowson's role (or part of it)?

Quote:

Nath-coys
My big worry is they seem too progress to the Wandies and then hit a brick wall!
With no clear plan on how they get blooded in too the firat team/squad.

.

Is it as simple as that ? With relegation a permanent threat to any AP team I doubt any of them has a specific plan to blood young players in league matches. The overriding requirement is to win games and putting out anything other than what you consider to be your strongest available side means flirting with danger - who can blame them ? The consequence is what we have - selection for less important competitions or when forced to by injuries/suspensions. Yes it's a lottery for the hopefuls but a fact of life in professional sport.

Well let's scrap the Academy then Tedge??

I'm not saying throw 7 or 8 academy players in too a Prem game against Sarries or Exeter.

But there are ways to start bringing threw more players, appearances from the bench.
A start here a start there, then suddenly you have more home grown players ready for the demands of the Prem.

I for one would much rather see that, rather than clogging the squad up with cheapish average players and try and get by like that.

Funny you mention Injuries, Horne gets injured so we decide to play Luther out of position at 13 where he never looks comfortable. And start players at 10/12 who are massively short of match fitness.

Why didn't we play one of them at 10. Luther at 12.
And either Stephenson or Hutch at 13???

Wanderers should be playing every week just like the first team....hopefully this will come to pass next season if not stopped by the cash strapped Wasps, Bath and Saracens.

Nath-coys, I am not necessarily disagreeing with your sentiments and in an ideal world your "plan" might work. Trouble is most coaches are a conservative bunch who have their own futures to consider - directly impacted by their team's performances. If relegation was scrapped, and I have long advocated this, the pressure to get results would not be totally removed but might be eased enough to allow a bit of experimentation

I see where your coming from buddy.

But we pay coaches a lot of money too make hard decisions and make decisions for the best of the Club.
Surely the essence of the Academy is to provide players that can challenge and ultimately earn places in the First team.

I just think there are better ways than we do it at the moment.
Really you want your best 15 players ready and fighting fit for the big games.
So just by little bits of rotation you can get the Wandie players more game time and keep your senior players fresh.
For example Luther and Horne is our best Centre partnership atm. And you want them out there against the likes of Sarries and Exeter.
So why don't we against other teams without disrespect like Irish, Worcester and a few others we play Luther and Hutch at 12/13.
Or Stepho/Horne at 12/13.
Means the top players don't get flogged and the up and coming players are building experience and confidence.

exeter as an example do this very well.
With players like Simmonss as just one instance they were doing this with him last season. Now he is in the England set up.

Eif
Scarlets looking good in the Champions cup !!!
You are basing your argument around beating an Italian side .... really ???!!!!!!😂

Interesting interview with Phil Dowson on the Saints Show this week that touched on the issue of bringing through academy players to the senior squad.

Correct me if I misunderstood but he suggested that when he was breaking through at Falcons as a young player he got more game time due to a relative lack in competition in the back row; as opposed to a club with a larger squad, where naturally, the potential for pitch time is reduced.

How true this still rings I’ve no idea. Do the clubs with less resources tend to bring through more academy players? Saracens’ model suggests not necessarily.

Quote:

ElySaint
Interesting interview with Phil Dowson on the Saints Show this week that touched on the issue of bringing through academy players to the senior squad.
Correct me if I misunderstood but he suggested that when he was breaking through at Falcons as a young player he got more game time due to a relative lack in competition in the back row; as opposed to a club with a larger squad, where naturally, the potential for pitch time is reduced.

How true this still rings I’ve no idea. Do the clubs with less resources tend to bring through more academy players? Saracens’ model suggests not necessarily.

I think that is what he was saying and limited financial resources must surely enforce that; you might have the same number of squad players but probably less well paid and accordingly less talented, so needs must

Anyone found a betting site showing the game?
(Ie not illegal)