EPS Watch / Player Form Thread

[Banquo]

I still remember his game for England A against Ireland A and thinking he was a real talent, and then it never quite happened for him, for whatever reason. A hell of career mind, and it's only since George there have been more widespread complaints, even when he was competing with Youngs and getting the nod there wasn't much ire

suspect because the cupboard was pretty bare.

[Digby]

Blimey, you're down on England's batsman, and now you're down on Steve Thompson coming back from retirement and the mighty Lee Mears, there's just no pleasing some

[Banquo]

Blimey, you're down on England's batsman, and now you're down on Steve Thompson coming back from retirement and the mighty Lee Mears, there's just no pleasing some

2 out of 2 ain't bad

[Digby]

Blimey, you're down on England's batsman, and now you're down on Steve Thompson coming back from retirement and the mighty Lee Mears, there's just no pleasing some

2 out of 2 ain't bad

You're no Meatloaf

[Banquo]

Blimey, you're down on England's batsman, and now you're down on Steve Thompson coming back from retirement and the mighty Lee Mears, there's just no pleasing some

2 out of 2 ain't bad

You're no Meatloaf

Took the words right out of my mouth

[Oakboy]

Has Hartley ever let Eddie down at international level?

I'd probably not pick him but Eddie's apparent defence is that he's a different player for England. Is anybody else old enough to remember Martin Peters/ Alf Ramsay? Peters was playing like a crab for his club. Ramsay said he'd never let England down and, despite press demands for him to be dropped, he played a blinder in the next match.

All I'd add is that I'm not sure that Hartley is in significantly worse form than he was a year ago to the extent that is being claimed. Also, I've never been convinced that George is quite as good as the hype.

Fully fit and firing, I'd pick Taylor.

[p/d]

I have long defended Hartley with good reason and an open mind. However he is playing like a sack of crap, and would struggle to make the London Irish bench next season.

LCD, George and Sally Traffic are far better options

[Banquo]

Has Hartley ever let Eddie down at international level?

I'd probably not pick him but Eddie's apparent defence is that he's a different player for England. Is anybody else old enough to remember Martin Peters/ Alf Ramsay? Peters was playing like a crab for his club. Ramsay said he'd never let England down and, despite press demands for him to be dropped, he played a blinder in the next match.

All I'd add is that I'm not sure that Hartley is in significantly worse form than he was a year ago to the extent that is being claimed. Also, I've never been convinced that George is quite as good as the hype.

Fully fit and firing, I'd pick Taylor.

You'd never have dropped Greavsie though Dors....

[fivepointer]

Blimey Alf Ramsey and Martin Peters! Mexico 1970, i can still recall the horror of losing to WG after being 2 up!

Hartley has never played particularly well for England, under any coach. At best he has been competent. If you set the bar at that level, then its fair to say he hasnt let Eddie down. I cannot recall him ever being one of our standout players, or having an exceptional game. Wouldnt you expect your captain to be one of your better players and to stand out from time to time? Well, Hartley isnt and hasnt.

The comparison Healey makes with Robshaw as captain is spot on. Chris was invariably one of our better players and maintained his standards when he went back to Quins, where he was consistently excellent.

[p/d]

F**king hell!!!

Next you ‘old boys’ will be telling us Veronica Lake was your preferred pin up

[Banquo]

Blimey Alf Ramsey and Martin Peters! Mexico 1970, i can still recall the horror of losing to WG after being 2 up!

Hartley has never played particularly well for England, under any coach. At best he has been competent. If you set the bar at that level, then its fair to say he hasnt let Eddie down. I cannot recall him ever being one of our standout players, or having an exceptional game. Wouldnt you expect your captain to be one of your better players and to stand out from time to time? Well, Hartley isnt and hasnt.

The comparison Healey makes with Robshaw as captain is spot on. Chris was invariably one of our better players and maintained his standards when he went back to Quins, where he was consistently excellent.

He's just a solid hooker, good at the lineout, 'convincing' (refs) at the scrum, and a slow workhorse in the loose. He's never carried well. isn't a destructive tackler, but hits a lot of rucks and makes standard tackles. You'd think we could have done better by now, and for the last 7 years really!

[Banquo]

F**king hell!!!

Next you ‘old boys’ will be telling us Veronica Lake was your preferred pin up

and yet we have never heard of V Lake

[Banquo]

Blimey Alf Ramsey and Martin Peters! Mexico 1970, i can still recall the horror of losing to WG after being 2 up!

Hartley has never played particularly well for England, under any coach. At best he has been competent. If you set the bar at that level, then its fair to say he hasnt let Eddie down. I cannot recall him ever being one of our standout players, or having an exceptional game. Wouldnt you expect your captain to be one of your better players and to stand out from time to time? Well, Hartley isnt and hasnt.

The comparison Healey makes with Robshaw as captain is spot on. Chris was invariably one of our better players and maintained his standards when he went back to Quins, where he was consistently excellent.

See 5P. the optimist in me remember the mighty 66 victory.....Peters goal that put us 2-1 up....I was 4 years old and remember it like yesterday (mind, I can't remember much about that)

[Scrumhead]

Hartley has never played particularly well for England, under any coach. At best he has been competent. If you set the bar at that level, then its fair to say he hasnt let Eddie down. I cannot recall him ever being one of our standout players, or having an exceptional game. Wouldnt you expect your captain to be one of your better players and to stand out from time to time? Well, Hartley isnt and hasnt.

The comparison Healey makes with Robshaw as captain is spot on. Chris was invariably one of our better players and maintained his standards when he went back to Quins, where he was consistently excellent.

And mostly amidst constant criticism that he was ‘not a 7’, regardless of how well he played.

[Mellsblue]

It’s getting like the old people’s home again.

[Banquo]

It’s getting like the old people’s home again.

You need to check out permanently next time!

[Oakboy]

Has Hartley ever let Eddie down at international level?

I'd probably not pick him but Eddie's apparent defence is that he's a different player for England. Is anybody else old enough to remember Martin Peters/ Alf Ramsay? Peters was playing like a crab for his club. Ramsay said he'd never let England down and, despite press demands for him to be dropped, he played a blinder in the next match.

All I'd add is that I'm not sure that Hartley is in significantly worse form than he was a year ago to the extent that is being claimed. Also, I've never been convinced that George is quite as good as the hype.

Fully fit and firing, I'd pick Taylor.

You'd never have dropped Greavsie though Dors....

My hero! Scored goals by 'passing to the stanchion' as Bill Nicholson suggested. I was at Wembley in 66 as a schoolboy when they played France in the league stage right by the left wing corner flag. When Bobby Moore signalled for an outswinging corner, Greaves took it with his left foot. When the signal was for an inswinger he took it with his right. Absolute skill.

I've been a devotee of pure skill in ball games ever since.

[Digby]

F**king hell!!!

Next you ‘old boys’ will be telling us Veronica Lake was your preferred pin up

and yet we have never heard of V Lake

speak for yourself, I've seen LA Confidential

[Oakboy]

It’s getting like the old people’s home again.

Enough of that!

Try to be kind to the more mature of us - make it your NY resolution.

[Digby]

2 out of 2 ain't bad

You're no Meatloaf

Took the words right out of my mouth

If Maroon 5 ever do a song for Hartley he'll be said to have the moves like Meatloaf

[Digby]

It’s getting like the old people’s home again.

You need to check out permanently next time!

You can check out any time you want...

[Digby]

It’s getting like the old people’s home again.

Enough of that!

Try to be kind to the more mature of us - make it your NY resolution.

In a NY minute

[Banquo]

Has Hartley ever let Eddie down at international level?

I'd probably not pick him but Eddie's apparent defence is that he's a different player for England. Is anybody else old enough to remember Martin Peters/ Alf Ramsay? Peters was playing like a crab for his club. Ramsay said he'd never let England down and, despite press demands for him to be dropped, he played a blinder in the next match.

All I'd add is that I'm not sure that Hartley is in significantly worse form than he was a year ago to the extent that is being claimed. Also, I've never been convinced that George is quite as good as the hype.

Fully fit and firing, I'd pick Taylor.

You'd never have dropped Greavsie though Dors....

My hero! Scored goals by 'passing to the stanchion' as Bill Nicholson suggested. I was at Wembley in 66 as a schoolboy when they played France in the league stage right by the left wing corner flag. When Bobby Moore signalled for an outswinging corner, Greaves took it with his left foot. When the signal was for an inswinger he took it with his right. Absolute skill.

I've been a devotee of pure skill in ball games ever since.

Exactly my point. So the roundhead Ramsey dropped the cavalier Jimmy, and won a World Cup. Ouch

[Oakboy]

You'd never have dropped Greavsie though Dors....

My hero! Scored goals by 'passing to the stanchion' as Bill Nicholson suggested. I was at Wembley in 66 as a schoolboy when they played France in the league stage right by the left wing corner flag. When Bobby Moore signalled for an outswinging corner, Greaves took it with his left foot. When the signal was for an inswinger he took it with his right. Absolute skill.

I've been a devotee of pure skill in ball games ever since.

Exactly my point. So the roundhead Ramsey dropped the cavalier Jimmy, and won a World Cup. Ouch

Pointing out that I've been wrong ever since 1966 was uncalled for.

[Banquo]

My hero! Scored goals by 'passing to the stanchion' as Bill Nicholson suggested. I was at Wembley in 66 as a schoolboy when they played France in the league stage right by the left wing corner flag. When Bobby Moore signalled for an outswinging corner, Greaves took it with his left foot. When the signal was for an inswinger he took it with his right. Absolute skill.

I've been a devotee of pure skill in ball games ever since.

Exactly my point. So the roundhead Ramsey dropped the cavalier Jimmy, and won a World Cup. Ouch

Pointing out that I've been wrong ever since 1966 was uncalled for.

Just kiddin