Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
By John Wilkinson, Coventry Telegraph
January 8 2010
RUGBY director Phil Maynard is already focusing on the play-off stages of the Championship season with little prospect of the freeze relenting in time for Coventry’s game at Nottingham on Sunday. Maynard, who has not yet named a squad for the Meadow Lane fixture, and his coaching staff will treat Cov’s seven remaining regular season fixtures as a pre-season programme leading up to the start
of the promotion and relegation deciders on March 20.
“We are now planning for what is effectively the start of a new season and using our next few games as preparation for the play-offs which will decode just where we are going to be at the end of it all,” said Maynard.
“We have drawn a line under what has gone before and are starting again from fresh.
“Of course results will matter, and hopefully good performances will mean that a contest for places in the side comes into it again. Some players have done well so far, while others need to pull their fingers out.
“This gives a chance to those who have not performed well over the season to come good so we can establish a pecking order for the most important part of the campaign.
“The way the Championship is set up gives us the vehicle to do this – we will be in a four-team league which we have to win to stay up, and the preparation for that starts now.
“The first thing we will be doing is fitness testing.”
Maynard can select from a squad free from injury apart from scrum-half Nathan Jones and boosted by the return of prop Scott Roberts after a month away.
“Scott comes into contention for Sunday, along with Ben Pons and Ben Russell who are both now fit, and Nathan is getting closer by the week,” added Maynard.
“But we will leave selection until we know the game is on.
“We trained together in the gym on Monday and have used an all-weather pitch, but even that is now frozen so it is just a question of what fitness work the players are able to do themselves.
“The break is at least giving us a chance to reassess and fix our minds clearly on what we need to do for the next four months.”
Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 13:27
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Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: covkid53 (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 16:41
We are very lucky that PM and the players are still here and focusing solely on playing rugby.
Thankyou to all of you, including all the non playing members of staff, without your loyalty we would have had no club to save.
Thankyou to all of you, including all the non playing members of staff, without your loyalty we would have had no club to save.
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: Coventry Steve (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 17:15
I second that COVKID, i think everyone from groundstaff, office staff and coaching staff and players that stuck with the club the this difficult time should be praised.
I also wish Phil and Aggy and Gully and all the other coaching staff and players the best of luck for the rest of the season.
I have no doubt we will pull through and stay up.
The team we have is capable of doing that easily and the fans are right behind them, we all want COVENTRY RUGBY CLUB to get back to normal business a.s.a.p and to move forward and progress up the league and make a great start of things next season.
COME ON COV!
I also wish Phil and Aggy and Gully and all the other coaching staff and players the best of luck for the rest of the season.
I have no doubt we will pull through and stay up.
The team we have is capable of doing that easily and the fans are right behind them, we all want COVENTRY RUGBY CLUB to get back to normal business a.s.a.p and to move forward and progress up the league and make a great start of things next season.
COME ON COV!
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: toby mcknight (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 17:32
I agree all to be congratulated for their loyalty, but sorry to bit damper on it, wouldn't we be in relegation slots deduction of points or not? Doesn't that mean that we need to more players to try and stop in this league. If the new owner is serious surely he will do what he cans to stop in Championship, and that means signing new players NOW doesn't it?
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: eric richardson (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 17:41
As a member of the NONE PLAYING staff I would like to say a "Big Thank You" for ALL your wishes.They are appriciated by ALL the staff playing and none playing.We now want the supporters new and old to get behind the "Squad" and drive this club forward.
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: RJC (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 17:44
I have said it before but even if we hadnt been docked the 15 points we would be still second from bottom. Im not sure this team is good enough to win the playoff games. I know we have had a couple of good games and I know all about players not being paid and I know this is a factor, But, the tables dont lie. We just aint good enough yet and I agree Toby, we need new players and quickly. lets hope we get them because in another two weeks it will be to late to get them.
COME ON COV
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:01:08:17:46:32 by RJC.
COME ON COV
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:01:08:17:46:32 by RJC.
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: marvo (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 17:53
please would someone spell out the play off rules?
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: toby mcknight (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 17:56
I think RJC that whilst we are all ready to get behind Mr Bowles he has a massive priority of keeping this club in the Championship, and the team we have at best cannot make us favourites to do that! Next couple of weeks vital, (whens deadline) It would be massive boost to supporters to stay up and kick BS in the ass!
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: gb1 (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 18:04
If you want it here is the link to the regulations (65 pages)
[www.rfu.com].
Summary of the play off stage -
The Championship – Stage Two shall comprise
(i) the top eight ranked clubs at the end of the Championship – Stage One as determined in accordance with Regulation 3.1(a)_will be divided into two pools (Pool A and Pool
of four teams each playing each other Club in their pool on a home and away basis. Pool A shall comprise Clubs ranked 1st, 4th, 5th & 8th at the end of the Championship – Stage One. Pool B shall comprise Clubs positioned 2nd, 3rd, 6th & 7th at the end of the Championship – Stage One; and
(ii) A third pool (Pool C) shall comprise the bottom four ranked Clubs from the Championship – Stage One as determined in accordance with Regulation 3.1(a) playing each other Club on a home and away basis
At the conclusion of the Championship – Stage Two the top two Clubs in each of Pool A and Pool B will enter the Championship –Stage Three and the bottom club in Pool C shall be relegated in accordance with Regulation 3.2.
(d) The Championship – Stage Three shall be
(i) the Semi-Finals comprising the top two Clubs from Pool A and Pool B of the Championship – Stage Two which shall play each other as follows:
Semi-Final 1 – Winner of Pool A v Runner-up Pool B
Semi-Final 2 – Winner of Pool B v Runner-up Pool A
The first team listed in each of the Semi-Final matches shall be the Home team; and
Championship Regulations 2009/10 (26/08/09) 10 of 65
(ii) the Championship Final which shall comprise the two winning Clubs from the Championship Semi-Finals and will be played at Twickenham Stadium or such other venue as the RFU shall decide in consultation with the Clubs on a date and at a time in the Season selected by the RFU. The winner of the Championship Final shall be the Championship winner and shall be promoted in accordance with regulation 3.2.
You asked !!!!!
The bottom line is whoever finishes last of the play off between the bottom four goes down.
Graham B
[www.rfu.com].
Summary of the play off stage -
The Championship – Stage Two shall comprise
(i) the top eight ranked clubs at the end of the Championship – Stage One as determined in accordance with Regulation 3.1(a)_will be divided into two pools (Pool A and Pool
of four teams each playing each other Club in their pool on a home and away basis. Pool A shall comprise Clubs ranked 1st, 4th, 5th & 8th at the end of the Championship – Stage One. Pool B shall comprise Clubs positioned 2nd, 3rd, 6th & 7th at the end of the Championship – Stage One; and
(ii) A third pool (Pool C) shall comprise the bottom four ranked Clubs from the Championship – Stage One as determined in accordance with Regulation 3.1(a) playing each other Club on a home and away basis
At the conclusion of the Championship – Stage Two the top two Clubs in each of Pool A and Pool B will enter the Championship –Stage Three and the bottom club in Pool C shall be relegated in accordance with Regulation 3.2.
(d) The Championship – Stage Three shall be
(i) the Semi-Finals comprising the top two Clubs from Pool A and Pool B of the Championship – Stage Two which shall play each other as follows:
Semi-Final 1 – Winner of Pool A v Runner-up Pool B
Semi-Final 2 – Winner of Pool B v Runner-up Pool A
The first team listed in each of the Semi-Final matches shall be the Home team; and
Championship Regulations 2009/10 (26/08/09) 10 of 65
(ii) the Championship Final which shall comprise the two winning Clubs from the Championship Semi-Finals and will be played at Twickenham Stadium or such other venue as the RFU shall decide in consultation with the Clubs on a date and at a time in the Season selected by the RFU. The winner of the Championship Final shall be the Championship winner and shall be promoted in accordance with regulation 3.2.
You asked !!!!!
The bottom line is whoever finishes last of the play off between the bottom four goes down.
Graham B
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: RJC (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 18:05
I totally agree. Our forwards are as good as any in this league but the backs are night quite there yet. Im sure Mr Bowles is fully aware of that and we all hope he will do something about it. Im just worried we may miss the deadline for recrouting.Im not sure of the cut off date but I thinks its the end of Jan. Im sure someone will let us know that.
COME ON COV
COME ON COV
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: RJC (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 18:06
LOL, thats clear then.
COME ON COV
COME ON COV
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: Nige H (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 18:42
Thanks for that graham... and thats the SUMMARY!!!!! 
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: marvo (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 18:54
thanks gb1, pool c will be our group. please explain how this is played off to finalise who and how ,finishes bottom. ie do 12th play 9th?. is it aggregate score? please help
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: tonker (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 19:17
as graham b said, the bottom four clubs play each other in a mini league. the fixture list i received at the start of the season has 6 consequetive saturdays from 13/3 for play offs, though these dates could change if the bad weather persists.(the last regular season league game is on 20/2, with the next two saturdays down for the british & irish cup.notingham & neath both away). i think that means each team in the relegation plays
offs plays the other 3 home & away. the bottom team in that league goes down.
offs plays the other 3 home & away. the bottom team in that league goes down.
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: RJC (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 19:20
It might have Cov V Wakefield written all over it again. What a day that was. Not sure we want to be there again though. The feeling at the final whistle was amazing but, Id rather not have that feeling and know we are safe before it gets to that.
COME ON COV
COME ON COV
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: Al from Cov (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 19:30
thank god for play offs. If this had been last season we would have gone down with bees!
At least we have the play offs to stay safe
At least we have the play offs to stay safe
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: toby mcknight (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 19:36
I just hope new owner isn't settling for coming out of Championship though Al. Cheaper, part time, less staff. Well see if he signs a few to keep us up ,like bees are doing. That will be the signal.
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: tonker (IP Logged)
Date: 08/01/2010 19:37
dont remind me of that . i was split in two having lived in wakefield for the first 20 years of my life an d then cov for another 20, it was very difficult!i shouted for cov 7 my dear old dad for wakefield. the way i see it is that BS have been the poorest team all season, without a win, so unless they strengthen before the deadline with all respect to them they are favourites to go down, and cov second favorites. all cov have to do is beat them home & away & hope the other two teams do the same.th e other two are likely to come from dony, plymouth, roth & mosely all of whom will fancy their chances of staying up & some of which are improving form at present. cov play BS at home in the league at the end of the regular season which will b e interesting, could be scope for some resting of key players and tactical fun & games.
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: Roger Fox (IP Logged)
Date: 09/01/2010 14:29
Have I missed something. Do we have a new owner, or do we have someone who has put in a sum of money to bring the club out of administration? Loadsa money still needed.
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: toby mcknight (IP Logged)
Date: 09/01/2010 14:35
Right with second bit it seems Roger, just somebody they have persuaded to put some money up for wages with no long term committment. So good, got more time but that money wont evn get us through the season. Not that were not grateful, no one else is stepping forward, just gives more time. I assume club is owned by the new company, so need to know who are Directors, shareholders. Right thats it, thats the question .Any answers Mr Rossborough, OR Mr Guire please?
Re: Phil Maynard’s focus is on play-off stages
Posted by: Roger Fox (IP Logged)
Date: 09/01/2010 14:54
I am very grateful to Mr. Bowles, but feel rather like having been given a stay of execution and hoping next for the governor's pardon. This has been going on for some years now, and some of us, not having the vigour and inexperience of youth, are rather weary. I can only hope for a bright future.
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