Sarries vs Saints - Ludlam starts!?!

[Banquo]

Suspect Ludlam might not have wanted to start this game..............

only him and Lawes are doing anything up front. desperate defence

[Tigersman]

Suspect Ludlam might not have wanted to start this game..............

only him and Lawes are doing anything up front. desperate defence

i'm not saying he is having a bad game just not the sort of score you would want to have for starting debut. Esp as an academy lad.

[Timbo]

It'd be great if Koch was English.

[Adam_P]

Great decision to take Collins off...

[Timbo]

Brits is completely irreplaceable for Sarries. What a player.

[Banquo]

Suspect Ludlam might not have wanted to start this game..............

only him and Lawes are doing anything up front. desperate defence

i'm not saying he is having a bad game just not the sort of score you would want to have for starting debut. Esp as an academy lad.

upside is that he is showing up well compared to his more established team mates.

[Banquo]

Great decision to take Collins off...

looked like he was crocked to me

[Banquo]

Saints looking ok with the ball when they hang onto it. Defence is just shocking...Mallinder is just one of many liabilities

[Tigersman]

to think Saints had a chance to sign Ackermann (well from what i heard on the grapevine).

[Adam_P]

Great decision to take Collins off...

looked like he was crocked to me

I'd take Tom Collins with cramp over a sluggish old man Foden

[Adam_P]

to think Saints had a chance to sign Ackermann (well from what i heard on the grapevine).

I also heard this and it's a shocking decision not to take him on board

[Banquo]

Saints will likely win the second half in fairness and prob get a bp

[Banquo]

Great decision to take Collins off...

looked like he was crocked to me

I'd take Tom Collins with cramp over a sluggish old man Foden

Foden seems to be trying harder than others on his team, though Collins was lively when on. But yes, some freshness is needed in Saints outside backs.

[Tigersman]

to think Saints had a chance to sign Ackermann (well from what i heard on the grapevine).

I also heard this and it's a shocking decision not to take him on board

Surprised they didn't really. Mallinder and West have stagnated for a bit now.

Have to say i'm not a fan of how Cohen operates but he made a brave call to sack Cockers and Mauger when he did IMO the right call.

[Banquo]

Burrell and Mallinder in the centres isn't going to worry anyone, frankly.

[Tigersman]

12 francis
13 Mallinder

Might be interesting.

They need to sign Bigger IMO.

[Adam_P]

I just don't see Mallinder as a 13. Especially when Horne and Stephenson are in the squad. He is a clear 12 to me.

10. Francis
12. Mallinder/Stephenson
13. Horne

[Banquo]

I'm dubious about Mallinder anywhere at present, his defence is crap. He's a 12 if anything, but not if he doesn't both grow a pair and stop planting his feet.

[Adam_P]

When Burrell is the other option at 12 his defence doesn't need to be great

[Banquo]

When Burrell is the other option at 12 his defence doesn't need to be great

well when you put it like that....but his defence isn't just 'not great', its appalling.

its curious that Burrell actually had a decent season for England once; and that was at 13.

Brad Barritt looked a class act today, but its all relative

[Adam_P]

Burrell used to be quite decent for Saints too, I don't know what has happened but he has forgotten how to catch, carry, retain ball, run lines, etc.

[Banquo]

Burrell used to be quite decent for Saints too, I don't know what has happened but he has forgotten how to catch, carry, retain ball, run lines, etc.

confidence shot somewhere along the line. I thought for a while he was going to be a decent boshing option- he started passing quite well, but that's all bu55ered off. Saints backs have been poor for too long now.

[Tigersman]

I just don't see Mallinder as a 13. Especially when Horne and Stephenson are in the squad. He is a clear 12 to me.

10. Francis
12. Mallinder/Stephenson
13. Horne

Is Stepehnson fit yet?

Hell of a talent but has terrible luck.

Hutchinson should also get a look in IMO.

Horne IMO is a better wing.
What about Mallinder at 15? he's quick and has a big boot if he can develop the technical stuff he could prove a handy 15.

[Banquo]

I just don't see Mallinder as a 13. Especially when Horne and Stephenson are in the squad. He is a clear 12 to me.

10. Francis
12. Mallinder/Stephenson
13. Horne

Is Stepehnson fit yet?

Hell of a talent but has terrible luck.

Hutchinson should also get a look in IMO.

Horne IMO is a better wing.
What about Mallinder at 15? he's quick and has a big boot if he can develop the technical stuff he could prove a handy 15.

I liked Stephenson a lot from his first game.

I fear Mallinder is just too lanky, which sounds a bit odd, but there you go - and although 15's don't have to do as much last ditch work as bygone days, you'd still want someone who seems a bit more courageous back there. I may be being hugely unfair, but he lacks physical commitment as it stands.

[Adam_P]

I'd like my 15 to be defensively solid, like Foden