Half term report
On with the show.
By WW
December 8 2013
The break for the B&I Cup games gives us the opportunity to reflect on the season so far. Are we happy with the progress, if any, that the team has made under J-Lo? We all know that the business end of the season is not far away. Are we close to a position where we can launch a serious bid for promotion? Well possibly.........
Looking at the season so far we have been inconsistent. We make too many unforced errors, our game management is often poor and we do not shut out teams when we need to. One could actually say that it is just like last season and the only thing that has changed is the coach.
We have won 7 and lost 3 in the league, 2 of those defeats were against teams above us in the league. We have also shown, in passages of play, that we are capable of playing sublime attacking rugby which can sweep awy the opposition eg 15 minutes against London Welsh.
There have been several notable successes. Jonah Holmes has shown a great attitude during his loan period and helped make up our feared back 3. Craig Hampson has blossomed under J-Lo's "one scrumhalf" policy. There have also been some aspects of our play which are a cause for concern. The defeats against Notts and Scottish were dismal. I do not buy the "we are a young side, still learning" arguement. The players are a year older than last season, they play and train together week in week out.
We have 2 games over the holiday period. Nottingham have already beaten us - we need to avenge that defeat with a decent winning performance. We then go to Brickfields in the new year, a difficult ground to win on. 10 points are on offer. We need to take at least 8 in my opinion to continue the winning mentality into the second half of the league programme.
We are currently 4th in the table but only 3 points separate 2nd from 6th. By the time we meet Nottingham we could be 6th. Consisency will be the key to who gets a play-off place in the Spring. Plus we need to eliminate the "dire" performances from our repertoire.
Injuries to Tussac and Burrows have robbed us of 2 key players. Our squad is a bit threadbare in places. Chris Gibson needs to earn his crust over the coming weeks and get in some reinforcements.
Progress will only be confirmed if we win our next 2 games in convincing style. Can we get promoted? Ask me again at teatime on 23rd January!
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:12:29:08:32:29 by Wildwillie .
At the moment, from what I've seen, we've only got one game plan which is to run it. London Welsh beat us because they figured this out, found a way to stop us and then took the points when they were on offer. We need a plan B for when it gets ugly because, as I've said before, we need to measure ourselves against the lower end Premiership sides if that's where we want to be playing next year. If LW can figure us out and turn us over, then every team in the Prem will be able to do it.
Crucially, we also need to be smart enough to figure out on the hoof when the other side has sussed us out and switch plans before the game gets away from us.
I'm very impressed with J-Lo, contrary to some contributors I think he come's over brilliantly in the media. His team selections generally make good sense, particularly in the B&I where he's not afraid to try out one or two new ideas but always making sure that the side is good enough to get the win.
Many, many positives. Good competition at 9 and 10 and throughout the front 8. Stand out players so far, Stevie (as always), Lozowski, Holmes and Hampson in the backs, Buzz and Tussac in the forwards. Our backs to the wall defence is very good and when all the planets are aligned we are just about unstoppable.
As I said at the start, we're not too far away.
Quote:leemingtyke
.......and when all the planets are aligned we are just about unstoppable.
.
Ah! Astrology - that explains it all!
