PROGRESS? END OF TERM REPORT
van Graan: commended
By PG Tips
May 23 2023
The 2023 season has come to an end and Bath have finished without any prizes. Who though, in their right mind -or heart of hearts- thought in September that they might? Usually the likely prize -winning candidates can be spotted early, many of them the past year’s high- flyers. In some schools though, mine among them, the Progress Prize was considered by the staff a reliable guide to future success. It was seen as proof that potential was starting to, or about to, be realised. Can Bath claim to have won the progress prize this year? Let’s see.
Hard to Beat
Head of Rugby Johann van Graan set “being hard to beat” as his minimum baseline on arrival in July. With 7 losing bonus points he can fairly claim to have achieved that standard. Winning 2 of those 7 “nearly” matches would have placed Bath on the brink of Top 4. That is how close the competition has been this year. YES.
Defence.
There has clearly been a tightening of the system: maul defence and the grit of goal-line stands are a world apart from the past two seasons. However, the stats read Tries for 68; Tries against 72, so negative equity on that metric. Bath have the consolation of a better ratio than 4th placed Northampton, but the easy concession of 5 tries against Saracens A Team on the final day shows there is still much improvement needed. PARTIAL.
Competitive Pack.
The forwards have certainly held their own this season, except for the second game versus Sale at home. The improvement translated into periods of dominance in the final 4 fixtures. A fit first choice front row and, hopefully, strength in depth at lock should bring more progress next season. YES.
Attitude.
Much different, exemplified by old hands and new signings alike. Dunn and Reid in particular stand out, as have new arrivals Hill, Lawrence, Gallagher, Lee-Warner and van Velze. Fitness is way better, allowing Bath to have more competitive performances and the Premierships highest score ratio in the final quarter. YES.
Squad Management.
This for me is a Yes (just). The old injury blight marred the first half of the season, hampering a smooth rotation policy. Once the strength and conditioning team got on top of injuries it became more possible to rest and rotate. Bath also had a great stroke of fortune, picking up quality bargains in Hill, Lee-Warner and Lawrence from Worcester-all of whom have sparkled. As Malco points out elsewhere management deserve some credit for this – if not in financial planning, certainly in the swift move to secure the services of these three. Planned recruitment produced three notables too- Matt Gallagher, consistently reliable who played 20 matches and the third highest number of Premiership minutes, Chris Cloete whose turnovers were vital in the late charge for Heineken qualification and JG van Velze whose leadership and dependability late season answered those critics who questioned the value of recruiting him.
Young Players
Fans hoped to see four of the bright spots of last season- youngsters Richards, Bailey, Ojomoh and De Glanville flourish under experienced guidance this year. Sadly Richards suffered two lengthy injury periods so has had to be satisfied with a loan spell at Taunton, where he has been quite a success. JvG has high hopes for him, but where? My guess is in the hybrid lock/6 mould of a young Courtney Lawes. Bailey’s role and influence were both initially restricted with Francis the starter, Spencer taking the lead in game management and latterly the goal-kicking. In the last third of the season we have seen more of the Landy of whom we have high hopes. Some of his breaks and passing have been a delight and instrumental in the nuggets of fluent attack that lit up the final four wins. Let’s hope Bailey is firmly ahead of Francis in the pecking order once the Russell era starts. Max Ojomoh has had to contend with the game changing impact of Lawrence’s arrival and bide his time. He has taken his chances well in late season, his defence much improved and attacking play assured. Similarly, Tom De Glanville has had a battle to wrest the 15 shirt from Gallagher, plus his own injury issues. The creativity and vision is still there and we hope to see him feature more in 23-24. George Worboys, after a quietly efficient steering role in the first win of the season has largely been sidelined. Taunton have benefitted, but should not Bath have seen more of him? PARTIAL.
Attack.
Initially staying in the contest and remaining competitive to the last was the dominant theme, the manner of attack secondary. This brought lineout driven maul, pick and drive or kick and chase tries or reliance on individual flashes of brilliance like Redpath’s breaks and interception against Saints. That match also showed a willingness to counter- attack- a sign of Joe Maddock’s input? Sadly, Joe’s influence was not much in evidence until the final run of games when buds of incisive fifteen-man attack blossomed. Joe was to depart the club with the season incomplete. We may never know the full story, but that was an unfortunate end to a much-loved legend’s all too brief return to Bath. PARTIAL, perhaps with hopeful signs for the future?
Connection, Clarity, Commitment
This was Johann van Graan’s three-word mantra at the beginning of the season. The connection with supporters (who have become cynical of new dawns over two decades of disappointment) seems restored, especially in recent weeks. The players seem to see clarity in the game plan as a much-improved kick and chase game, better support running and more concerted defensive efforts testify. Supporters do not always see that clarity, often expressing frustration with the emphasis on box-kicking, but the plan is starting to bring results. Commitment surely cannot be questioned; see Attitude above. YES.
Building for next season.
The upturn in fortune and results of the last two months is cause for optimism about next season. Questions remain over (the yet to be confirmed) squad make up and the impact of RWC 23 on availability and injuries. Particular concern hovers over the front five with the departure of Morozov, Doughty, Rae and Spencer, Lee-Warner’s three month extension before a move to Waratahs and no news on GJ Van Velze’s contract. With recruitment said to be done, hopefully Van Velze will be staying and the coaches have plans to blood some promising Academy forwards. More positively, Thomas Du Toit will add power in the front row and Finn Russell direction and attacking guile in the backs. Both will join post World Cup. The coaching team is to be reinforced too with former Wasp duo Lee Blackett and Richard Blaze named as Assistant Coaches. Blackett specialised in attack for Wasps before taking over the top job, while Blaze forged a tough and mobile pack, particularly impressive at the breakdown and on the drive. If these two can do at the Rec what they did at the Ricoh, fans may enjoy a style of attack like those served up by Meehan and Ford. YES (with question over front five depth).
Which brings me to the final summation. I will avoid the lazy “must try harder”, which would be most unfair. “Must play smarter” would be apt and an attractive ambition, both for entertainment and results. Recruitment hints that this is Van Graan’s intention. Future performance is not guaranteed, but year 2 of the longer- term project promises potential translated to performance. Van Graan is to be commended for arresting a downward slide and for the changes he has brought about. He deserves his progress prize.
A longer than usual column, but this is my last article/review. It has been a lot of fun, but after ten years it is time for a fresh voice.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:06:05:08:26:12 by CoochieCoo.
Just one typo tho. The second Defence heading presumably should be Attitude?
PG
Quote:hemington
Great read as always PG and thanks for all the others and the time and effort you have put into it over the years. Enjoy your well deserved 'retirement'.
+1
Once again many thanks for your work over the years
You really will be missed!!!
Regards
Dave
Widcombe Garçon
PGT has clearly delivered against a ten year plan.
YES
Thank you Peter
Quote:JK7
I'd echo all the warm thanks above. Hopefully PGT sticks around as a commenter, his input would be missed otherwise.
Totally agree !
Adopted Player 2018/19 Ross Batty
Adopted Player 2019/20 Jack Davies
Adopted Player 2020/21 Cam Redpath
Adopted Player 2021/22 Darren Atkins
Adopted Player 2022/23 Gabriel Hamer-Webb
Adopted Player 2023/24 Tom Carr-Smith
Adopted Player 2024/25 Max Ojomoh
"AN OUNCE OF ACTION IS WORTH A TON OF THEORY"
FRIEDRICH ENGELS
Quote:Bath Hammer
That’s a great summation PGT & I agree with most of it. I would, however, give Attack a No. there were glimmers of fluent, cohesive play towards the end of the season but otherwise I saw no real progress. Individuals performed well, notably Lawrence, but that was all. Generally we relied on forward power & grit & determination to achieve our wins. Hopefully we have now recruited an attack coach who can bring about the improvement we seek.
Totally disagree. Go back to the highlights and watch some of those tries we scored in the last few games
OK, a long way from finished article and very much work in progress but a big step up from last year. Well above mere "glimmers" I would say
5 out of 10 for Bath’s season.
Hope we will still hear a lot from you.
Quote:Mr Frivolous
Tear in my eye. It's been a heavy load sometimes for you to bear. End of an incredibly well written era. You deserve a 🥉
Absolutely and my personal thanks to PGT for his sterling contributions to our entertainment and as a result increasing the contributions from SN to support our Charities and paying our registration fee. A further thanks to him for making this board the must read on SN for rugby.
Now PGT is a hard act to follow but please step up and contribute we need a review or a match report every fortnight so please make yourself known If you can take up some of the slots during the season.
Yes, I will continue to post from time to time.
PG
Lots of talented knowledgeable contributors who should consider taking up some of the burden - sure it doesn't need to be just one person.