THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR. BATH v GLASGOW WARRIORS
Spencer: lead
By PG Tips
December 6 2022
Bath must summon up the warrior spirit if they are to end a disappointing series of European results against Glasgow on Saturday. The visiting Warriors can choose from 16 of Scotland’s autumn international squad (8 forwards, 8 backs), plus 4 Puma internationals and the Tongan duo Vailanu and Fifita. Add to these the three tough South African forwards, of whom lock JP Du Preez is currently the tallest player in European rugby and they look a daunting prospect. However, their away record is not strong, victory at Zebre last Saturday their first away win in 11 months. Who will triumph?
An all -Scotland front row of Kebble (or Bhatti), Brown and Z Fagerson seems likely, backed by twin lighthouses Gray & Du Preez, with Wilson, Vailanu and M Fagerson making up the loose forwards -unless Darge is fit. Behind them the bustling Steyn and Tuipulotu are a robust and direct centre pairing, although Huw Jones might get the call there. Jordan has been holding down the No 10 jersey recently with Horne at scrum half. Ali Price and Duncan Weir are internationals who could step into their shoes.
Glasgow’s URC results in the run up have been mixed, wins alternating with defeats and going down heavily away to Leinster and Natal Sharks. Bath may not quite match those pedigrees, but visitors who struggle away from home could be the kindest introduction to a European campaign that also includes French giants Toulon.
The good news for Bath on the injury front is the expected return of Boyce, Cloete, Coetzee, Underhill and McConnochie – all expected within the next month. Barbeary and Williams should follow a few weeks later, although we will have to wait a little longer to see Stuart and Roux. This week may be too soon for any of them, although the prognosis for Underhill and McConnochie was “mid December”. The return of either would be welcome. Underhill’s aggressive tackling and direct running can enhance the forward effort, while a mix of McConnochie’s guile with Cokanasiga’s power could stress any defence. If neither are ready the incumbents are in pleasing form: Hill, Reid and Bayliss a busy backrow of scavenge and surge, while Butt has proved his value on the wing, and with De Glanville fit again, he, Gallagher and Cokanasiga provide strong options for the back three. In contrast to the “last man standing” selections that beset much of last season, renewed strength in depth is just over the horizon.
After 3 Premiership victories in succession Bath have had to endure a trio of narrow defeats – to Exeter in the cup, the Barbarians and last week to Quins. A total imbalance of ten points across those three games tells the story of a “nearly team”, frustratingly close to a healthy run of victories, but just short of the defensive cohesion and attacking accuracy to secure them. Van Graan, a pragmatist will be partly encouraged, but determined to keep aspiring to higher standards in pursuit of consistency and higher league placing.
When a team is struggling, or in rebuild, a fresh campaign brings both challenge and opportunity. The frisson of a cup tournament, in which even pool games must be won, throws down a gauntlet demanding a stern response. Recent games have shown a pleasing series of improvements. The attacking maul has grown in power and now needs the polish of accuracy. Defence against Harlequins was dogged and sporadically destructive while tries in recent outings by Reid, Cokanasiga, Hill and Butt are proof of Joe Maddock’s influence on attack.
What has been frustratingly just beyond reach for just over a month is an all court, 80-minute performance from all parts of the team. The signs are that it may not be far off. This would be a good weekend to find and display it. The key is a mix of control, snap and flair at halfback. Saturday’s challenge and opportunity should be grasped by Spencer and Bailey, who have been comparatively quiet recently. It is time for them to find and prove their warrior spirit, lead from the front and drive the team to victory.
Possible Teams:
Bath: Morozov, Dunn, Rae, Lee-Warner, Attwood, Hill, Reid, Bayliss. Spencer (Capt.), Bailey. Butt, Redpath, Lawrence, Cokanasiga, Gallagher..
Replacements: Cordwell, Annett, Jonker, Spencer, Underhill. Carr-Smith, Ojomoh, De Glanville.
Glasgow Warriors: Bhatti, Brown, Fagerson, Du Preez, Gray, Wilson, Vailanu, Fagerson. Horne, Jordan. McLean, Steyn, Tuipulotu, Cancilliere. McKay.
Replacements: Matthews, Kebble, Berghan, Cummings, Darge. Price, Dobie, Miotti.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:13:12:01:59 by P G Tips.
Sure would be nice to win a European Cup game... the first in nearly 4 maybe 5 years??? (Wasps at home was it???).
PG
Got a feeling we haven't got a W in the senior European competition in years, although, to be fair, we seem to have been drawn with Leinster, Clermont and/or La Roch in recent campaigns.
Quote:PGTips
2021 Challenge CUP QF
True, but the reality is that the last time we won a match in the big boys cup was January 2019 (against Wasps). Our recent record (last 5 seasons) in that cup is played 18 won 1.
And last years humbling exit from the little boys cup in the round of 16 is our lowest exit from that cup as well.
Anyhoo, on recent performances, we're in a much better place this season, so whilst I'm not expecting us to win the thing, it'd be lovely if we were competitive.
Need to try and convince one of both boys to come.
Being Scottish it’s always welcome to see half of the national team up close in the flesh.
J
We're rebuilding under Franco Smith and it's based primarily on our home form, which has been as good as our away form has been bad. Even last year, which was our worst year in a long time (finished 8th in the URC), the only two teams to beat us at Scotstoun were the two teams that went on to contest the Heineken Cup Final. Home record this year is all wins: 52-24, 35-21 and 37-0 against Cardiff, Bulls and Treviso (note the 60 point swing in away v home matches against them!). So it's fair to say that in an ideal world we'd have preferred to start at home, get some momentum and played a defeated team starting to conserve players away in round 2!
Think your preview is a little out on a few key positions. Kebble and Zander Fagerson look to be out injured. You may well see young Murphy Walker at tight head, who looks (touchwood as ever) like a bit of a rising star. Will be interesting to compare him to D'arcy Rae, who was always well thought of here, particularly as a scrummager, but had lost his way before leaving - I'm glad a change of scenery seems to have revitalised him. JP Du Preez has barely had a look in since moving from Sale, so if we do see him, it's perhaps an indication that Smith isn't wholly committed to the Challenge Cup. More likely that it will be Sintu Manjezi alongside Gray. Rory Darge is out until well into the new year, and Tom Gordon still on the injured list too AFAIK, so we've no real traditional number 7.
Similarly, if Duncan Weir is anywhere near the 23...
All the indications are that Sione Tuipolotu will be rested for this having played all through the AIs and last couple of weeks. Rumours that Huw Jones will replace him in a return from injury. Sam Johnson also coming back from injury, but I'd imagine only one of them will be thrown in.
I think as a fan base we're looking forward to the Challenge Cup as a competition - other than dropping into it after the HC group stages last year, it has been quite a long time since we've had the pleasure! And to be honest, the HC, particularly in its current format, has been a step too far for us recently.
Will say that we were all gobsmacked by the price of tickets for this particular Challenge Cup game though!
Now if you could just keep the rain off, please...!
Quote:FiveSticksQuote:PGTips
2021 Challenge CUP QF
True, but the reality is that the last time we won a match in the big boys cup was January 2019 (against Wasps). Our recent record (last 5 seasons) in that cup is played 18 won 1.
And last years humbling exit from the little boys cup in the round of 16 is our lowest exit from that cup as well.
This competition is not "the little boys cup"
OK it won't have the kudos of being champions of Europe and some of the qualifying games will be poor match ups but the teams that get through to the semis and final will be quality sides deserving of silverware
Quote:dr.bath1865
Worth giving Jonker a go at TH? I'm not sure who is the stronger scrummager of him and Rae, but we need to not give away 5/6 penalties at the scrum this week.
Sure would be nice to win a European Cup game... the first in nearly 4 maybe 5 years??? (Wasps at home was it???).
I would agree with you but this week against his old club i would guess that Rae will be really up for it and we will see the best of him.
Quote:East_Stand_Warrior
Afternoon all, Warriors fan here looking forward to what will be my first trip to the Rec. I think some of you are worrying about this game way too much! We have been utterly, utterly, horrendously, awful away from home for a long time. Yes, we beat Zebre 45-17 in Parma last week... but I don't think there have been many games in the last couple of years when they haven't taken a thumping, so wouldn't read too much into that. Our other away matches this year have been 33-11, 32-17, 40-12 and 40-5 defeats to Treviso, Ospreys, Sharks and Leinster.
We're rebuilding under Franco Smith and it's based primarily on our home form, which has been as good as our away form has been bad. Even last year, which was our worst year in a long time (finished 8th in the URC), the only two teams to beat us at Scotstoun were the two teams that went on to contest the Heineken Cup Final. Home record this year is all wins: 52-24, 35-21 and 37-0 against Cardiff, Bulls and Treviso (note the 60 point swing in away v home matches against them!). So it's fair to say that in an ideal world we'd have preferred to start at home, get some momentum and played a defeated team starting to conserve players away in round 2!
Think your preview is a little out on a few key positions. Kebble and Zander Fagerson look to be out injured. You may well see young Murphy Walker at tight head, who looks (touchwood as ever) like a bit of a rising star. Will be interesting to compare him to D'arcy Rae, who was always well thought of here, particularly as a scrummager, but had lost his way before leaving - I'm glad a change of scenery seems to have revitalised him. JP Du Preez has barely had a look in since moving from Sale, so if we do see him, it's perhaps an indication that Smith isn't wholly committed to the Challenge Cup. More likely that it will be Sintu Manjezi alongside Gray. Rory Darge is out until well into the new year, and Tom Gordon still on the injured list too AFAIK, so we've no real traditional number 7.
Similarly, if Duncan Weir is anywhere near the 23...
All the indications are that Sione Tuipolotu will be rested for this having played all through the AIs and last couple of weeks. Rumours that Huw Jones will replace him in a return from injury. Sam Johnson also coming back from injury, but I'd imagine only one of them will be thrown in.
I think as a fan base we're looking forward to the Challenge Cup as a competition - other than dropping into it after the HC group stages last year, it has been quite a long time since we've had the pleasure! And to be honest, the HC, particularly in its current format, has been a step too far for us recently.
Will say that we were all gobsmacked by the price of tickets for this particular Challenge Cup game though!
Now if you could just keep the rain off, please...!
Thank you for the detailed info, thoughts and analysis ESW. Hope you enjoy your visit to Bath (although a Glasgow victory would be too much charity!)
Bath Rugby team to play Glasgow Warriors
15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Matt Gallagher, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Ben Spencer; 1 Valeriy Morozov, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 D’Arcy Rae, 4 Dave Attwood, 5 Fergus Lee-Warner, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Wesley White, 8 Josh Bayliss
Impact players
16 Niall Annett, 17 Arthur Cordwell, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Will Spencer, 20 Tom Ellis, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Richard de Carpentier
P G Tips
Jaco Coetzee: my adopted Player, 2023-24.
1. Jamie Bhatti (74)
2. George Turner (82)
3. Simon Berghan (16)
4. Lewis Bean (22)
5. JP du Preez (8)
6. Ryan Wilson (218)
7. Cameron Neild (0)
8. Jack Mann (0)
9. Jamie Dobie (39)
10. Domingo Miotti (11)
11. Rufus McLean (24)
12. Stafford McDowall (43)
13. Huw Jones (49)
14. Kyle Steyn (C) (54)
15. Ollie Smith (21)
Replacements
16. Angus Fraser (0)
17. Nathan McBeth (8)
18. Lucio Sordoni (3)
19. Richie Gray (89)
20. Euan Ferrie (2)
21. Sean Kennedy (21)
22. Duncan Weir (126)
23. Walter Fifita (2)
"Warriors fans not happy - setting up to lose the game and keep players fresh for URC"
Quote:Optimist
Kind of glad really. Will be nice to for Bath to have the opportunity to run amok. Certainly ought to with those respective teams.
How many times have we said that and then gone on to lose the game comfortably?
Bath have finally started to improve under JvG, but the ability to lose games we should win and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory remains imbedded in Bath's DNA.
Quote:Agreed.OutsideBath
How many times have we said that and then gone on to lose the game comfortably?
Bath have finally started to improve under JvG, but the ability to lose games we should win and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory remains imbedded in Bath's DNA.
We've turned a corner, but we're not exactly strong yet.
We ought to be better; and I certainly hope that are; and that we can put our systems in place on the pitch and earn some much-needed confidence. It'll do us a world of good, way more important than the result itself.
RAEBURN SHIELD
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:09:14:51:02 by Which Tyler.
Not happy with the 6-2 split. With Bailey covering 10 and 15 if Francis gets a bang on the head and an outside back gets a knock we are knackered.
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Ref: Adrien Marbot (France)
Assis Ref 1: Evan Urruzmendi (France)
Assis Ref 2: Stéphane Crapoix (France)
TMO: Patrick Dellac (France)
Quote:Optimist
Kind of glad really. Will be nice to for Bath to have the opportunity to run amok. Certainly ought to with those respective teams.
Might not be the strongest 23 from their squad but it looks pretty decent to me and don't see any reason for any team, let alone us, to think "lets run amok!"
Quote:Optimist
Kind of glad really. Will be nice to for Bath to have the opportunity to run amok. Certainly ought to with those respective teams.
I remember that sort of thing being said when we were regularly challenging for the top 4 & ended up being soundly embarrassed. We need to play well & avoid stupid mistakes before being in a position to “run amok” If we play well & win I will be quite satisfied.
If we win playing well, even by a small score, I'll be happy. TBH if we lose, having played well, I'll be happy. We have to get rid of this blithe assumption that we have some gods-given right to win a game of rugby just because we're Bath. You'd have thought the last 20 years would have done it but it still seems to linger.
... IMHO, of course.
Now in Honolulu
Bhatti - 1st start since 15 October
Turner - 1st start (for Glasgow) since 15 October
Berghan - 1st start since 15 April
Bean - 2nd start in the last 14 months
du Preez - 1st start for Glasgow
Wilson - 4th start in 5 after no starts in first 4 games of season
Neild - club debut
Mann - club debut
Dobie - 2nd start in last 8 months
Miotti - 3rd start at 10 in his 14 months at the club
McLean - started 3 of the last 4
McDowall - 6th start of the season - only started more in 2018/19 (11)
Jones - 1st start of the season
Steyn - started and captained in every game he has been available for (6)
Smith - started 3 of the last 5
Fraser - club debut
McBeth - 3rd appearance of the season after 6 in 2021/22 (all 9 from the bench)
Sordoni - 1st appearance since 8 October
Gray - 3rd appearance on the bench in the last 2 years (37 starts)
Ferrie - 3rd appearance
Kennedy - 5th appearance in the last 21 months
Weir - 2nd appearance in 7 months
Fifita - 1st appearance in just under 10 months
I was sorry to read that an Edinburgh fan is apparently coming to watch him least favourite team lose today! Each to their own, but there's generally great mutual support for each other in Europe - I remember watching Edinburgh v Munster in an HC QF, just before our own game and Sarries fans remarking that they couldn't believe that all the Warriors fans were so enthusiastically cheering Edinburgh on!
Anyway, hope we all have a good day regardless of score and performance!
1. Obano, Boyce, Schoeman
2. -
3. Stuart
4. Ewels
5. McNally, Roux
6. Williams
7. Underhill, Cloete, Reid
8. Coetzee, Barbeary, Van Velze
9. -
10 -
11. Muir, Hamer-Webb
12. -
13. -
14. McConnochie
15. -
Still missing many of our biggest names but this is comfortably the strongest selection of the season so far.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:10:08:20:32 by Malco.
Find it a little hard to get excited about Europe after years of humbling losses but great opportunity to sneak a win today I think given the respective selections. Good chance to get some momentum back.
Quote:Your guys should be well rested and fresh ESW! Hope you're already in the city and having a good weekend.East_Stand_Warrior
To be honest, most Warriors fans would bite your hands off for a small defeat right now. One of our guys has put this together, which neatly demonstrates why we're not happy with the team selection - it's not about any 1 or 2 players, but the group as a whole, which should be miles off the pace today:
Bhatti - 1st start since 15 October
Turner - 1st start (for Glasgow) since 15 October
Berghan - 1st start since 15 April
Bean - 2nd start in the last 14 months
du Preez - 1st start for Glasgow
Wilson - 4th start in 5 after no starts in first 4 games of season
Neild - club debut
Mann - club debut
Dobie - 2nd start in last 8 months
Miotti - 3rd start at 10 in his 14 months at the club
McLean - started 3 of the last 4
McDowall - 6th start of the season - only started more in 2018/19 (11)
Jones - 1st start of the season
Steyn - started and captained in every game he has been available for (6)
Smith - started 3 of the last 5
Fraser - club debut
McBeth - 3rd appearance of the season after 6 in 2021/22 (all 9 from the bench)
Sordoni - 1st appearance since 8 October
Gray - 3rd appearance on the bench in the last 2 years (37 starts)
Ferrie - 3rd appearance
Kennedy - 5th appearance in the last 21 months
Weir - 2nd appearance in 7 months
Fifita - 1st appearance in just under 10 months
Anyway, hope we all have a good day regardless of score and performance!
Quote:I find it a little hard to get excited about Europe since they decided that fewer teams and higher quality matches was better; only to reverse that decision and decide that more teams an insane format, and cutting off those parts of Europe outside the 6N, but welcoming the South Afircans was a good idea.charlieboa
Find it a little hard to get excited about Europe after years of humbling losses but great opportunity to sneak a win today I think given the respective selections. Good chance to get some momentum back.
RAEBURN SHIELD
Quote:East_Stand_Warrior
To be honest, most Warriors fans would bite your hands off for a small defeat right now. One of our guys has put this together, which neatly demonstrates why we're not happy with the team selection - it's not about any 1 or 2 players, but the group as a whole, which should be miles off the pace today
Rest assured Bath have a long standing habit of losing games they should win, look at our recent loss against Exeter in the prem cup...
Quote:Which TylerQuote:I find it a little hard to get excited about Europe since they decided that fewer teams and higher quality matches was better; only to reverse that decision and decide that more teams an insane format, and cutting off those parts of Europe outside the 6N, but welcoming the South Afircans was a good idea.charlieboa
Find it a little hard to get excited about Europe after years of humbling losses but great opportunity to sneak a win today I think given the respective selections. Good chance to get some momentum back.
Yeah, can't wait for all the SA/French club semi finals determined almost exclusively by home advantage...
Quote:joethefanatic
Always, always, always respect the opposition.
If we win playing well, even by a small score, I'll be happy. TBH if we lose, having played well, I'll be happy. We have to get rid of this blithe assumption that we have some gods-given right to win a game of rugby just because we're Bath. You'd have thought the last 20 years would have done it but it still seems to linger.
Took my lead from the Glasgow supporters above. Certainly lulled me into a false sense of security - Bath too, by the sound of it.
Quote:Mike the Taxi
Close, but no cigar! Sounds like a good game.
I’m afraid it wasn’t a good game. Absolutely awful performance from Bath and pretty embarrassing losing to Glasgow seconds.
Out of Europe by the middle of December is just not good enough. All the hope from a few weeks back has now totally gone.
No scrum, no lineout, no midfield defence and clueless attack.
I like Spencer but fear he has a 'chilling effect' on our overall game. I'm sure it's instructed and it's done to control the game. We look better when we have the backup SH's who don't try to manage the game.
A second string Glasgow thoroughly deserved the win and the score line flattered Bath. Had they fielded their first team it would have been one of those 50+ point defeats we got used to last season.
JvG still has a massive job to get Bath competitive. Suggest a new scrum coach and lineout coach would be a good thing.
Didn't know what to make of Bath if I'm being brutally honest - you looked like you were intent on playing the JvG / Munster way, but with a pack unsuited to or incapable of playing it. You've obvious talent in the backline, but seemed determined to keep it in the pack at times.
Did enjoy my trip to the Rec though, and the friendliness of those sat nearby. You'll all obviously be made welcome at Scotstoun for the return, though will note that the differences between Scotstoun and the Rec are as pronounced as those between Glasgow and Bath... a gin, wine and fizz bar you will not find (I think you can get wine in a plastic pint glass however!).
Other than for that match, hope your season picks up again - with Rae, Baylis and Redpath playing for you, it's definitely in Scotland's interest!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:10:20:12:57 by TomReagan.
Quote:East_Stand_Warrior
Guys, I don't know what to say tbh. I wasn't on the wind up when I described how disappointed we all were with the Glasgow team selection, and nor am I crowing now. None of us saw that coming. For Glasgow, it's a huge result - to blood some of those players in an away European tie and get a win is massive... fairly evidently we're not Leinster and don't have 4 teams of almost test standard where we can do that without blinking.
Didn't know what to make of Bath if I'm being brutally honest - you looked like you were intent on playing the JvG / Munster way, but with a pack unsuited to or incapable of playing it. You've obvious talent in the backline, but seemed determined to keep it in the pack at times.
Did enjoy my trip to the Rec though, and the friendliness of those sat nearby. You'll all obviously be made welcome at Scotstoun for the return, though will note that the differences between Scotstoun and the Rec are as pronounced as those between Glasgow and Bath... a gin, wine and fizz bar you will not find (I think you can get wine in a plastic pint glass however!).
Other than for that match, hope your season picks up again - with Rae, Baylis and Redpath playing for you, it's definitely in Scotland's interest!
I don’t think you realised what a hopeless team Bath have become. We are marginally better under JVG, but really aren’t good enough to play in Europe.
Maybe the reality is jvg et al have taken us from a truly terrible team last season to a just a bad one this.
Last few mins seemed to sum us up- lack the vision to attack where they had an injured man hobbling about. Lack the intelligence to get any jumpers up in the last lineout with about 25 seconds left in the game.
It's a worry.....
Quote:hasta
Just... Very disappointing. Radio said that Bath didn't even challenge on the last Glasgow throw? It was surprising to me that Charteris was retained over the summer, he frankly does not seem to be up to the job.
I fear the same applies to Maddock. Individually we have good backs, probably better than the Glasgow 2nds, except Huw Jones, but we have the look of a bunch of individuals who’ve never set eyes on each other before. That’s down to the coaching.
Quote:charlieboa
Maybe the reality is jvg et al have taken us from a truly terrible team last season to a just a bad one this.
JvG has certainly improved us to a degree, maybe we have to accept this is as far as we will ever go with the squad and coaching we have.
The backup players aren’t good enough to cover for injuries and the scrum, lineout and attack coaches equally aren’t good enough.
Bath offered nothing yesterday and Glasgow should have won by a lot more.
Quote:hasta
Just... Very disappointing. Radio said that Bath didn't even challenge on the last Glasgow throw? It was surprising to me that Charteris was retained over the summer, he frankly does not seem to be up to the job.
On what basis does he "not seem to be up to the job"?
This is exactly the sort of knee jerk football supporter-esque nonsense that get right up my nose.
Do you go along to training? What qualifications do you have to make such a highly informed judgement?
If Charteris had been Captaining the team and standing at front jumper you would have a case.
It's no more informed to blame him as lineout coach than it is the team chef or the bus driver.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:11:10:36:47 by Malco.
Quote:Malco
If Charteris had been Captaining the team and standing at front jumper you would have a case.
It's no more informed to blame him as lineout coach than it is the team chef or the bus driver.
Malco, I love a bit of exaggeration but really? No, it would be bizarre if someone came on here and said the lineout isn't going well and that's the team chef or the bus driver's fault. Now coming on and putting linout issues at the - very large - feet of the lineout coach doesn't seem so far fetched. I certainly agree that the person leading the lineout on the pitch was mostly (almost entirely) the problem in that specific instance however.
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
The idea that some random bod listening to a rugby match on the radio should demand the sacking of an internationally respected lineout specialist because he didn't get the result he wanted is really quite extraordinary.
Quote:BathMatt53Quote:Malco
If Charteris had been Captaining the team and standing at front jumper you would have a case.
It's no more informed to blame him as lineout coach than it is the team chef or the bus driver.
Malco, I love a bit of exaggeration but really? No, it would be bizarre if someone came on here and said the lineout isn't going well and that's the team chef or the bus driver's fault. Now coming on and putting linout issues at the - very large - feet of the lineout coach doesn't seem so far fetched. I certainly agree that the person leading the lineout on the pitch was mostly (almost entirely) the problem in that specific instance however.
Quote:Malco
The coaches have no more control once the players are on the pitch than the bus driver or the chef.
But the job of the lineout coach during the week is to prepare the players on the pitch for situations such as this, both in terms of technical execution but also decision making. In that actual moment there wasn't much LC could do, but it would be nice to think that he would have prepped them at some point for these situations. Neither the bus driver nor chef would be working with them in the week on their lineout drills and strategy lessons.
As for whether he should be sacked, well if he had indeed covered this exact scenario and the players didn't execute it well then maybe there needs to be another lineout caller / leader given Ewels absence.
[24/25 adoptee: Francois van Wyk]
Quote:hasta
Just... Very disappointing. Radio said that Bath didn't even challenge on the last Glasgow throw? It was surprising to me that Charteris was retained over the summer, he frankly does not seem to be up to the job.
No we didn't, just allowed them a free catch to kill off the game.
We were lacklustre for the whole 80 mins and just didn't seem to have a game plan, that has to be down to the coaches. Really though we had turned the corner under JvG, but that performance was reminiscent of the worst performances from last season. Still years away from even reaching the status of being an average team.
Quote:OutsideBath
Still years away from even reaching the status of being an average team.
Not years away. There has been significant improvement. We just need to extend that improvement to the backs & become far more consistent overall. We don’t lack players of quality though I feel we need a Finn Russel at 10 & a change of approach from our first choice no.9.
Quote:Bath HammerQuote:OutsideBath
Still years away from even reaching the status of being an average team.
Not years away. There has been significant improvement. We just need to extend that improvement to the backs & become far more consistent overall. We don’t lack players of quality though I feel we need a Finn Russel at 10 & a change of approach from our first choice no.9.
I think the backs are being held back - I'm not too concerned about the quality (although it could do with some depth). It's the pack that can't live up to the gameplan. 1 year into JvG's plan, we aren't suddenly going to play an open and expansive game. But we need a pack that can deliver some physical dominance.
Outside of FLW and Hill (and Dunn maybe) I can't think of any other forwards consistently imposing their will on the game.
Quote:The Bear
Outside of FLW and Hill (and Dunn maybe) I can't think of any other forwards consistently imposing their will on the game.
We sorely missed Miles Reid yesterday.
Quote:CoochieCooQuote:The Bear
Outside of FLW and Hill (and Dunn maybe) I can't think of any other forwards consistently imposing their will on the game.
We sorely missed Miles Reid yesterday.
He was warming up with the team before the game so assume he was rested. Strange decision given it was a must win game.
Quote:The Bear
I think the backs are being held back - I'm not too concerned about the quality (although it could do with some depth). It's the pack that can't live up to the gameplan. 1 year into JvG's plan, we aren't suddenly going to play an open and expansive game. But we need a pack that can deliver some physical dominance.
I certainly agree about the forwards in the 1st half yesterday but they improved massively during the game & were probably on top at the end. Surely, though, you can see the difference in our back line in terms of speed & fluency compared to Glasgow & Quinn’s & most other teams. . There is no comparison & their under performance cannot all be blamed on the pack. We have the players but they don’t work effectively as a group.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:11:14:26:44 by Bath Hammer.
I am puzzled and I know that I have posted these sentiments several times over the past five years.
My puzzlement is as follows;
1. Why do other teams seem to be fleeter of foot AND THOUGHT, than Bath players.
2. Why do opposition players seem to make 10 yards before they are challenged whereas Bath players seem to be tackled almost immediately.
3. Why do opposition players who should be tackled seem to squirm out of our grasp and make another 15 metres.
4. Why do opposition players seem to always make good passes and put players into space and get them away.
5. Why do we win a lineout ball and often do not seem to spot that the player with the ball is not well protected and we then lose the ball on the maul rule instead of taking the opportunity of flipping it out.
6. Why does our scrum concede two penalties and then win one........with all of the same people.
7. What is the point of the very well flagged box kick that it seems invariably gives the ball to the opposition 30 yards from where you kicked it.
8. Lawrence and Redpath are considered to be a very dynamic force..............why do we choose to never pass to them or put them in space.
9. Why doesn't Spencer ever make a break himself.
10. Why do we never run and put the chip kick in to chase onto.
Yesterday was a dreadful "match".
I am astounded that we were even in the running to win it with 10 minutes to go..........but then maybe that is the point of the above...........if you play like we did then maybe you stay in touch and hope to kick a penalty and win the match.
However I think we we were very lucky not to be down by 20 points with 10 minutes to go.
On a separate point I genuinely 90%+ enjoy my working day. There is the odd thing, mostly FCA or Banking related that is irritating. I cannot believe that any of the Bath players enjoyed their day at the office yesterday!
If I was a Bath player I would very definitely be looking to leave as to have to play that type of rugby would "do my head in"!!
Quote:Bath Supporter Jack
So I have waited a day before posting as I did not want to give the Mods extra work to do.
I am puzzled and I know that I have posted these sentiments several times over the past five years.
My puzzlement is as follows;
1. Why do other teams seem to be fleeter of foot AND THOUGHT, than Bath players.
2. Why do opposition players seem to make 10 yards before they are challenged whereas Bath players seem to be tackled almost immediately.
3. Why do opposition players who should be tackled seem to squirm out of our grasp and make another 15 metres.
4. Why do opposition players seem to always make good passes and put players into space and get them away.
5. Why do we win a lineout ball and often do not seem to spot that the player with the ball is not well protected and we then lose the ball on the maul rule instead of taking the opportunity of flipping it out.
6. Why does our scrum concede two penalties and then win one........with all of the same people.
7. What is the point of the very well flagged box kick that it seems invariably gives the ball to the opposition 30 yards from where you kicked it.
8. Lawrence and Redpath are considered to be a very dynamic force..............why do we choose to never pass to them or put them in space.
9. Why doesn't Spencer ever make a break himself.
10. Why do we never run and put the chip kick in to chase onto.
11. Why can't we execute a kick pass from a midfield position to Gallagher or JoCo on the wing rather than just trying to barge out way over endlessly?
Quote:Bath Supporter Jack
So I have waited a day before posting as I did not want to give the Mods extra work to do.
I am puzzled and I know that I have posted these sentiments several times over the past five years.
My puzzlement is as follows;
1. Why do other teams seem to be fleeter of foot AND THOUGHT, than Bath players.
2. Why do opposition players seem to make 10 yards before they are challenged whereas Bath players seem to be tackled almost immediately.
3. Why do opposition players who should be tackled seem to squirm out of our grasp and make another 15 metres.
4. Why do opposition players seem to always make good passes and put players into space and get them away.
5. Why do we win a lineout ball and often do not seem to spot that the player with the ball is not well protected and we then lose the ball on the maul rule instead of taking the opportunity of flipping it out.
6. Why does our scrum concede two penalties and then win one........with all of the same people.
7. What is the point of the very well flagged box kick that it seems invariably gives the ball to the opposition 30 yards from where you kicked it.
8. Lawrence and Redpath are considered to be a very dynamic force..............why do we choose to never pass to them or put them in space.
9. Why doesn't Spencer ever make a break himself.
10. Why do we never run and put the chip kick in to chase onto.
Yesterday was a dreadful "match".
I am astounded that we were even in the running to win it with 10 minutes to go..........but then maybe that is the point of the above...........if you play like we did then maybe you stay in touch and hope to kick a penalty and win the match.
However I think we we were very lucky not to be down by 20 points with 10 minutes to go.
On a separate point I genuinely 90%+ enjoy my working day. There is the odd thing, mostly FCA or Banking related that is irritating. I cannot believe that any of the Bath players enjoyed their day at the office yesterday!
If I was a Bath player I would very definitely be looking to leave as to have to play that type of rugby would "do my head in"!!
Agree with everything you say there BSJ and all points should have been addressed by our coaching team by now. In addition if you were a top player would you want to join Bath and play such dreadful losing rugby?
Personally I wouldn't mind playing awful rugby if I won trophies in the process, but Bath are a long way from even looking at a trophy let alone picking it up.
Quote:BFJ
I genuinely 90%+ enjoy my working day.
I think you are mixing enjoyment with outcome. I doubt there is a single player or coach who would admit to enjoying their week less than 90+% of the time. After all, who would not enjoy running around with a rugby ball as a profession.
Quote:Bath HammerQuote:The Bear
I think the backs are being held back - I'm not too concerned about the quality (although it could do with some depth). It's the pack that can't live up to the gameplan. 1 year into JvG's plan, we aren't suddenly going to play an open and expansive game. But we need a pack that can deliver some physical dominance.
I certainly agree about the forwards in the 1st half yesterday but they improved massively during the game & were probably on top at the end. Surely, though, you can see the difference in our back line in terms of speed & fluency compared to Glasgow & Quinn’s & most other teams. . There is no comparison & their under performance cannot all be blamed on the pack. We have the players but they don’t work effectively as a group.
Because we are in year 1 of JvG's reign and his focus areas do not include playing an expansive game. Rightly, he wants the foundations in place first - the problem is though that they don't seem to be coming along either (or maybe 1 step forward, 2 steps back). Hard to deliver the fundamentals though when you're pack don't give you consistentcy.
The one that gets me is how our players consistently fail to accurately execute 5-10 yd passes.... its been happening for years and staggers me.
Listening yesterday was soul sapping- other clubs have a style and identity where Glasgow for example can throw together a team of new joiners, second string, injury returnees and they know what they are doing whilst our fairly consistently selected team look clueless.
Fingers crossed by end of the season we look better
Quote:byQuote:East_Stand_Warrior
To be honest, most Warriors fans would bite your hands off for a small defeat right now. One of our guys has put this together, which neatly demonstrates why we're not happy with the team selection - it's not about any 1 or 2 players, but the group as a whole, which should be miles off the pace today
Rest assured Bath have a long standing habit of losing games they should win, look at our recent loss against Exeter in the prem cup...
Whilst I do think we are behind a lot of teams physically - doesn't help when half your best players are injured.
But more importantly, as I said before the match we seem play at a much lower intensity when we go into a game expecting a win, and we have done for a long, long time...
Quote:charlieboa
Listening yesterday was soul sapping- other clubs have a style and identity where Glasgow for example can throw together a team of new joiners, second string, injury returnees and they know what they are doing whilst our fairly consistently selected team look clueless.
Believe me it was worse than soul sapping to be at the game yesterday. It’s a good point about second string players not fitting in seamlessly. This has been a strength at Saracens for years, replacements just play to the game plan.
Bath’s second string players clearly aren’t good enough, but equally they seem to be sent out without a clear game plan which is a coaching issue.
At present the scrum and lineout is letting the side down and preventing us from being successful. JVG needs to sort that out quickly otherwise next season will be a failure like this one.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:12:11:18:08:56 by OutsideBath.
Its only when my day job bumps into the FCA that it is not such good fun.
Also the banking system is shambolic.........in fact a journo is interviewing me in mid-January about my dreadful and ongoing awful experience with Banks.
Fivesticks I am sure all rugby players enjoy what they do............however when you play like Bath I am sure some of the players think how much better would it be at another Club.
Lawrence must wonder what's going on. At underfunded Worcester they played dynamic front foot rugby. Now he is at Bath with all the resources and they play like they are terrified.....
It is no play on words to state we were an absolute shower of **** in terms of performance, morale, fitness and as a professional set up.
I personally think what JVG and his team has done in a very short space of time is not only encouraging it is amazing - bar the Sale game we have been competitive in every game and but for the "roll of the dice" we would have won a lot more games than we have.
So let us put everything in perspective - this year was always going to be challenging with a tinge of positivity but remember this is not JVG's squad and our 2 shining lights so far this season have been from the incredibly sad demise of Worcester.
Glasgow are an incredibly talented side with a huge depth of talent - like us of the past they often under perform but they are a good side.
We have yet again suffered a hugely significant quantity of injuries to very key players which is unbelievable once again and as such we have definitely (especially in last 2 games suffered in the front row).
We are making huge strides but I do not think we can start criticising the coaching team at this stage given where we were and we need to be patient. Remember many of our players we so bereft of anything at the end of last season - much of the work is to build the squad back up and by all accounts and speaking to a few of the players they have done an amazing job - nothing but praise and positive comments.
JVG & Co will have a solid plan of players they wish to bring in to compliment the nucleus of players they intend to keep and implement the game plan - but this all takes time, but it has been a long time since I felt this positive about our future despite a disappointing loss.
As an aside it really irritates me when we stroll into the lineout when we're losing (after wasting too long having a chat), do the hokey cokey and promptly throw the ball to the opposition. Wish they'd show some urgency at least.
Totally pathetic!
Quote:OutsideBath
As an aside it really irritates me when we stroll into the lineout when we're losing (after wasting too long having a chat), do the hokey cokey and promptly throw the ball to the opposition. Wish they'd show some urgency at least.
That is a very fair and pertinent observation.
Perhaps if the lineout coach had the foresight and nous to introduce the Funky Chicken we might see better outcomes?
They obviously identified that our line out has been an area of concern and they picked 3 giants in the second row, Bean 6"7, 130kg, Du Preez 6"11 130kg and Richie Gray 6"10 128kg on the bench. The banker ball in the line out is front ball especially if you are trying to through over these lighthouses and you are asking a lot of the lifters to get your jumpers up to win or compete.
Looking at the size and bulk of their pack IMHO actually held our own in the scrum considering their starting front row are all seasoned multi cap internationalists. We lost Mozorov late but it was great to see Boyce back and i sincerely hope it is nothing serious with young Cordwell. Despite how bad our attack was and I lay the blame on one of our international "stars"a dithering Spencer and his poor game management we could and should have won.
