Rugby Union Autumn Internationals
Discussion
Vocal Minority said:
For what I can see, England is a demonstrably better unit than at the last world cup, and to suggest otherwise is to forget how bad they were. I think the reason people feel like the team have got no where is that they were hoping (egged on by the media) for world beaters by now. Which is silly IMHO.
Big decisions and fast? I presume you mean 'sack the lot'. 12 months before a world cup. On the basis of 2 narrow defeats to the best 2 teams in the world - playing with a team with an injury list of 4 or 5 first choice starters.
Get a f
king grip.
Now now no need for that.... not sure if you're being serious or this was aimed at me. Read through my various posts, I was never expecting England to have a realistic chance of winning the WC, what frustrates me is the way the current crop of talent has been managed, putting all the eggs in the Farrell basket, not picking players on form, cold pick two props on the wings for all the ball the current wings get.Big decisions and fast? I presume you mean 'sack the lot'. 12 months before a world cup. On the basis of 2 narrow defeats to the best 2 teams in the world - playing with a team with an injury list of 4 or 5 first choice starters.
Get a f
king grip. Edited by Vocal Minority on Monday 17th November 09:08
The score line in the last two games has flattered England in the end and is pretty much the excuse the players and management are coming out with too.
Didn't see any flattery in the scores myself. In the NZ game both sides missed chances in open play and from penalties and I thought the loss to SA wasn't bad at all after the disastrous start. SA never looked totally dominant. Those two are the top two ranked in the world, so only blind optimists expected England to win. At less than full strength the performances were creditable. In many ways, narrow defeats hurt more than thumpings and encourage what might have been thinking and I think that's colouring opinions.
a311 said:
Now now no need for that.... not sure if you're being serious or this was aimed at me. Read through my various posts, I was never expecting England to have a realistic chance of winning the WC, what frustrates me is the way the current crop of talent has been managed, putting all the eggs in the Farrell basket, not picking players on form, cold pick two props on the wings for all the ball the current wings get.
The score line in the last two games has flattered England in the end and is pretty much the excuse the players and management are coming out with too.
'The score lines tell us we are heading in the right direction and we shouldn't deviate....' Etc etcThe score line in the last two games has flattered England in the end and is pretty much the excuse the players and management are coming out with too.
Bloody dangerous position this near a home RWC.
We know what we get with Faz. What does Ford bring with a few games and confidence at home? I fear we will never know until it's too late.... We know what we get with Cips on form a world beating and RWC threatening No 10.
Diamond switched the defensive patterns around for a while to 'manage' his defence. It doesn't seem too hard to allow for Cips's frailties? Everyone has them but you simply cannot work around Faz's as his issues aren't coach able with this little time to go.
Are we all a little frustrated?
Slaav said:
'The score lines tell us we are heading in the right direction and we shouldn't deviate....' Etc etc
Bloody dangerous position this near a home RWC.
We know what we get with Faz. What does Ford bring with a few games and confidence at home? I fear we will never know until it's too late.... We know what we get with Cips on form a world beating and RWC threatening No 10.
Diamond switched the defensive patterns around for a while to 'manage' his defence. It doesn't seem too hard to allow for Cips's frailties? Everyone has them but you simply cannot work around Faz's as his issues aren't coach able with this little time to go.
Are we all a little frustrated?
I'm frustrated by it - I think Lancaster has done an excellent job but changes need making. Bloody dangerous position this near a home RWC.
We know what we get with Faz. What does Ford bring with a few games and confidence at home? I fear we will never know until it's too late.... We know what we get with Cips on form a world beating and RWC threatening No 10.
Diamond switched the defensive patterns around for a while to 'manage' his defence. It doesn't seem too hard to allow for Cips's frailties? Everyone has them but you simply cannot work around Faz's as his issues aren't coach able with this little time to go.
Are we all a little frustrated?
This weekend will be interesting to see who gets picked but Australia game is the one which will really display if form matters.
This weekend I think we'll see Ford with Cipriani on the bench (Farrell back to sarries).
Haskell in for Wood.
Morgan in for Vunipola.
Rokoduguni for Yarde (is he going to be fit?).
Probably some more changes - possibly front row as well.
I think Strettle was unlucky to not be in the setup - looked good when I have seen him this season.
Saturday was just sloppy errors and not playing the conditions. Knock on after knock on killing the early flow.
Frustration ramped up by spending £200 on tickets & parking for my niece's first international. Ridiculously expensive but its the going rate.
Still off to the Aus game as well! Must win now!
Posting on my phone so not worth the hassle to cross quote. Frustrated probably sums up how most fans feel. I don't buy in to this getting beat by the top 2 teams narrowly so it's not so bad mentality. SA weren't great on Saturday they were just less bad than England. It's fine margins at the top. You can't have that much possession and territoy and not do anyhings with it.
At least our maul (at least we did it in the oppo half on sat) looks a weapon.
ETA I'm also a Cipriani fan but I believe he's not even in the EPS so barring injury won't feature on the bench or otherwise.
At least our maul (at least we did it in the oppo half on sat) looks a weapon.
ETA I'm also a Cipriani fan but I believe he's not even in the EPS so barring injury won't feature on the bench or otherwise.
iwantagta said:
This weekend I think we'll see Ford with Cipriani on the bench (Farrell back to sarries).
Haskell in for Wood.
for your 1st point 4 words - "Not. Going. To. Happen." Baring Faz being injured we're stuck with him, Ford seems a good bet and Mylar is another stodge merchantHaskell in for Wood.
Haskel could get a nod - and he deserves it too
irocfan said:
iwantagta said:
This weekend I think we'll see Ford with Cipriani on the bench (Farrell back to sarries).
Haskell in for Wood.
for your 1st point 4 words - "Not. Going. To. Happen." Baring Faz being injured we're stuck with him, Ford seems a good bet and Mylar is another stodge merchantHaskell in for Wood.
Haskel could get a nod - and he deserves it too
If Faz starts again (as he needs game time) then it is all an utter joke.
Interestingly, I haven't seen anybody defending Faz.....
Slaav said:
irocfan said:
iwantagta said:
This weekend I think we'll see Ford with Cipriani on the bench (Farrell back to sarries).
Haskell in for Wood.
for your 1st point 4 words - "Not. Going. To. Happen." Baring Faz being injured we're stuck with him, Ford seems a good bet and Mylar is another stodge merchantHaskell in for Wood.
Haskel could get a nod - and he deserves it too
If Faz starts again (as he needs game time) then it is all an utter joke.
Interestingly, I haven't seen anybody defending Faz.....
London424 said:
Slaav said:
irocfan said:
iwantagta said:
This weekend I think we'll see Ford with Cipriani on the bench (Farrell back to sarries).
Haskell in for Wood.
for your 1st point 4 words - "Not. Going. To. Happen." Baring Faz being injured we're stuck with him, Ford seems a good bet and Mylar is another stodge merchantHaskell in for Wood.
Haskel could get a nod - and he deserves it too
If Faz starts again (as he needs game time) then it is all an utter joke.
Interestingly, I haven't seen anybody defending Faz.....
Well I've been saying since his first cap that Farrell will not win you matches against top tier teams because of his lack of vision, so I see no reason to change now.
Ford and Cipriani as the tens in the match 23.
Two from Barritt, Tuilagi, Eastmond, Burrell in the centres.
Most importantly, forget principles and select the best back row forward in the world over the last couple of years. Any other country in the world would have Armitage as the first name on the team sheet.
Ford and Cipriani as the tens in the match 23.
Two from Barritt, Tuilagi, Eastmond, Burrell in the centres.
Most importantly, forget principles and select the best back row forward in the world over the last couple of years. Any other country in the world would have Armitage as the first name on the team sheet.
DocJock said:
Well I've been saying since his first cap that Farrell will not win you matches against top tier teams because of his lack of vision, so I see no reason to change now.
Ford and Cipriani as the tens in the match 23.
Two from Barritt, Tuilagi, Eastmond, Burrell in the centres.
Most importantly, forget principles and select the best back row forward in the world over the last couple of years. Any other country in the world would have Armitage as the first name on the team sheet.
Given Brown's form I'd be tapping up Delon as well Ford and Cipriani as the tens in the match 23.
Two from Barritt, Tuilagi, Eastmond, Burrell in the centres.
Most importantly, forget principles and select the best back row forward in the world over the last couple of years. Any other country in the world would have Armitage as the first name on the team sheet.
DocJock said:
Well I've been saying since his first cap that Farrell will not win you matches against top tier teams because of his lack of vision, so I see no reason to change now.
Ford and Cipriani as the tens in the match 23.
Two from Barritt, Tuilagi, Eastmond, Burrell in the centres.
Most importantly, forget principles and select the best back row forward in the world over the last couple of years. Any other country in the world would have Armitage as the first name on the team sheet.
this all over Ford and Cipriani as the tens in the match 23.
Two from Barritt, Tuilagi, Eastmond, Burrell in the centres.
Most importantly, forget principles and select the best back row forward in the world over the last couple of years. Any other country in the world would have Armitage as the first name on the team sheet.
Farrell is fine, but he isn't a play maker.
Wilko did three critical things- he could tackle like a madman, kick like a metronome and most importantly find space and put opposition on the back foot- he ALWAYS knew where the weaknesses were and could bring in the players round him to exploit those weaknesses.
Farrell doesn't have the same vision, and for a 10, that's a massive problem.
I see the Boks are giving Johan Goosen a run at full back against Italy. He has good hands, speed, and a huge boot, he can also cover the flyhalf position.
A different type of player to Willie le Roux but in the slower wetter games, his howitzer boot, will be an asset. I just hope he stays injury free for longer than 20 minutes this time.
A different type of player to Willie le Roux but in the slower wetter games, his howitzer boot, will be an asset. I just hope he stays injury free for longer than 20 minutes this time.
London424 said:
Slaav said:
irocfan said:
iwantagta said:
This weekend I think we'll see Ford with Cipriani on the bench (Farrell back to sarries).
Haskell in for Wood.
for your 1st point 4 words - "Not. Going. To. Happen." Baring Faz being injured we're stuck with him, Ford seems a good bet and Mylar is another stodge merchantHaskell in for Wood.
Haskel could get a nod - and he deserves it too
If Faz starts again (as he needs game time) then it is all an utter joke.
Interestingly, I haven't seen anybody defending Faz.....
I fear you are right on Farrell. More hope than expectation.
12 is NOT his position though, I dont know who to play if Eastmond is injured though. Mayyyybe Joseph (expecting abuse....!). Myler has played well this season but not sure on him.
The basic facts are this
Lancaster has no idea what his best back row combination is
He has no ides who his best scrum half is
He has a fundamental blind spot with regard to Owen Farrell (his else do you explain him being selected to play after 1 game in 4 months?) and displays little appetite to properly explore alternatives.
He still does not know his best centre combination
He still does not know who his best wingers are
He appears determined to play an expansive, attacking game without the first idea of how to actually make that happen.
He is presiding over a rugby team that cannot think its way through a game. They are, in terms of game management, almost illiterate.
This is, in management terms, a sorry state of affairs.
The fact that they only 'just' lost to NZ and SA is an illusion. The former did just what they needed to do and won the game easily,the late penalty try putting a nice gloss on things. As for SA, they should be worried that they only won by 3. In reality, the Ireland game was a truer indication of their performance levels at this stage of the season.
And another point: why so many injuries? Dallaglio made the point that good teams don't really suffer from injury problems. England didn't in their glory years. The AB's and SA certainly don't. It might be the nature of club rugby but Super Rugby isn't exactly for the faint hearted and their players appear far better managed.
Its just very predictable and very boring. Come the World Cup, England will huff and puff and come up short. So effing frustrating when you look at the quality of the U20's, world champs two years in a row.
Lancaster has no idea what his best back row combination is
He has no ides who his best scrum half is
He has a fundamental blind spot with regard to Owen Farrell (his else do you explain him being selected to play after 1 game in 4 months?) and displays little appetite to properly explore alternatives.
He still does not know his best centre combination
He still does not know who his best wingers are
He appears determined to play an expansive, attacking game without the first idea of how to actually make that happen.
He is presiding over a rugby team that cannot think its way through a game. They are, in terms of game management, almost illiterate.
This is, in management terms, a sorry state of affairs.
The fact that they only 'just' lost to NZ and SA is an illusion. The former did just what they needed to do and won the game easily,the late penalty try putting a nice gloss on things. As for SA, they should be worried that they only won by 3. In reality, the Ireland game was a truer indication of their performance levels at this stage of the season.
And another point: why so many injuries? Dallaglio made the point that good teams don't really suffer from injury problems. England didn't in their glory years. The AB's and SA certainly don't. It might be the nature of club rugby but Super Rugby isn't exactly for the faint hearted and their players appear far better managed.
Its just very predictable and very boring. Come the World Cup, England will huff and puff and come up short. So effing frustrating when you look at the quality of the U20's, world champs two years in a row.
Agree with some of what you say but far from all of it:
Overall I think Lancaster is doing OK. If, and its a big if, we get players back without losing too many key players then I still have faith we will be competitive - hope so anyway as my mate has got me a final ticket.....
Joey Ramone said:
The basic facts are this
Lancaster has no idea what his best back row combination is
I think he has picked his back row: Wood, Robshaw, Vunipola - they are the players he picks where fitness allows at the moment - will that change with form? maybe. Lancaster has no idea what his best back row combination is
Joey Ramone said:
He has no ides who his best scrum half is
Who does? Danny Care was the best scrum half last year by a distance and was an automatic pick by the end - but seems off the boil this year. Youngs box kicking has let him down as has his sometimes laboured passing and wuestion marks over fitness. Is it Lancasters fault he isn't doing well this season for Quins? Joey Ramone said:
He has a fundamental blind spot with regard to Owen Farrell (his else do you explain him being selected to play after 1 game in 4 months?) and displays little appetite to properly explore alternatives.
Above you criticise about not knowing his selection and when he does decide thats also no good. Pick on form = don't know best team. Pick on history = blind spot. Joey Ramone said:
He still does not know his best centre combination
Tuilagi/Burrell/Eastmond would be the 3 potential starters if all fit IMO Joey Ramone said:
He still does not know who his best wingers are
Agree on this one - its difficult when no-one sticks their hand up but I thought the Sarries boys were hard done by. Overall I think Lancaster is doing OK. If, and its a big if, we get players back without losing too many key players then I still have faith we will be competitive - hope so anyway as my mate has got me a final ticket.....
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff