RugbyRebels

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:57 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:43 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:23 pm
think arundell is crocked still? Can't help feeling that Willis should be starting somewhere, but get why not in squad if not starting.

I think it's all a compromise. Lawrence on the bench is odd. He has to be in case Tuilagi breaks again but it makes more sense to me to start them the other way round. I'd swap Smith and Ford too. Why pick Mitchell to inject pace but start with older/slower players at 10/12. It just seems inconsistent. We have to start well, IMO, to have a chance of winning.

I don't get the fan love for Lawrence at 12. He's looked bang average most times he's played there and his ball security in contact is appalling, which is not a feature you want if you're asking someone to run into contact lots. For all of Tuilagi's many flaws and issues, we can at least send him to crash it up and expect relatively quick ball that consistently comes back on our side. Lawrence might be more likely to make a bust nowadays, but he's also much more likely to get stripped or get held up trying to make an extra metre and result in a 10 second ruck.

Puja

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:56 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:43 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:23 pm
think arundell is crocked still? Can't help feeling that Willis should be starting somewhere, but get why not in squad if not starting.

I think it's all a compromise. Lawrence on the bench is odd. He has to be in case Tuilagi breaks again but it makes more sense to me to start them the other way round. I'd swap Smith and Ford too. Why pick Mitchell to inject pace but start with older/slower players at 10/12. It just seems inconsistent. We have to start well, IMO, to have a chance of winning.

Because the older 10 is quicker of brain?

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:18 pm

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:56 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:43 pm

I think it's all a compromise. Lawrence on the bench is odd. He has to be in case Tuilagi breaks again but it makes more sense to me to start them the other way round. I'd swap Smith and Ford too. Why pick Mitchell to inject pace but start with older/slower players at 10/12. It just seems inconsistent. We have to start well, IMO, to have a chance of winning.

Because the older 10 is quicker of brain?

That's always been the contention. How many attacking moves has Ford initiated in recent games, though? I think the sharpness of thought has largely been absent with the type of game we are playing. It's just too safety-first. I don't rate Smith that highly but he does at least attack space occasionally.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:18 pm

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:56 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:43 pm

I think it's all a compromise. Lawrence on the bench is odd. He has to be in case Tuilagi breaks again but it makes more sense to me to start them the other way round. I'd swap Smith and Ford too. Why pick Mitchell to inject pace but start with older/slower players at 10/12. It just seems inconsistent. We have to start well, IMO, to have a chance of winning.

Because the older 10 is quicker of brain?

That's always been the contention. How many attacking moves has Ford initiated in recent games, though? I think the sharpness of thought has largely been absent with the type of game we are playing. It's just too safety-first. I don't rate Smith that highly but he does at least attack space occasionally.

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:31 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:18 pm

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:56 pm
Because the older 10 is quicker of brain?

That's always been the contention. How many attacking moves has Ford initiated in recent games, though? I think the sharpness of thought has largely been absent with the type of game we are playing. It's just too safety-first. I don't rate Smith that highly but he does at least attack space occasionally.

You tell me. You’re the one who wants to drop him. I’ll need the context of playing in a dysfunctional team getting murdered at the breakdown, as part of your analysis.

FKAS wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:23 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:18 pm

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:56 pm
Because the older 10 is quicker of brain?

That's always been the contention. How many attacking moves has Ford initiated in recent games, though? I think the sharpness of thought has largely been absent with the type of game we are playing. It's just too safety-first. I don't rate Smith that highly but he does at least attack space occasionally.

He does attack space but he generally attacks it himself and the gets tackled having made only a few metres. He's then out the game and the attack then stumbles through two phases until he's back on his feet.

At this point on time Smith needs to be one of two playmakers at this level but we don't have one that naturally slots into the backline that can combine well with him.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:37 pm

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:31 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:18 pm

That's always been the contention. How many attacking moves has Ford initiated in recent games, though? I think the sharpness of thought has largely been absent with the type of game we are playing. It's just too safety-first. I don't rate Smith that highly but he does at least attack space occasionally.

You tell me. You’re the one who wants to drop him. I’ll need the context of playing in a dysfunctional team getting murdered at the breakdown, as part of your analysis.

I mainly remember him unsuccessfully trying a grubber kick through a wall of defenders. Apart from that . . . Oh, spiral bombs . . .

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:21 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:57 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 3:43 pm

I think it's all a compromise. Lawrence on the bench is odd. He has to be in case Tuilagi breaks again but it makes more sense to me to start them the other way round. I'd swap Smith and Ford too. Why pick Mitchell to inject pace but start with older/slower players at 10/12. It just seems inconsistent. We have to start well, IMO, to have a chance of winning.

I don't get the fan love for Lawrence at 12. He's looked bang average most times he's played there and his ball security in contact is appalling, which is not a feature you want if you're asking someone to run into contact lots. For all of Tuilagi's many flaws and issues, we can at least send him to crash it up and expect relatively quick ball that consistently comes back on our side. Lawrence might be more likely to make a bust nowadays, but he's also much more likely to get stripped or get held up trying to make an extra metre and result in a 10 second ruck.

Puja

That's the crunch bit!

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:39 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:23 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 4:18 pm

That's always been the contention. How many attacking moves has Ford initiated in recent games, though? I think the sharpness of thought has largely been absent with the type of game we are playing. It's just too safety-first. I don't rate Smith that highly but he does at least attack space occasionally.

He does attack space but he generally attacks it himself and the gets tackled having made only a few metres. He's then out the game and the attack then stumbles through two phases until he's back on his feet.

At this point on time Smith needs to be one of two playmakers at this level but we don't have one that naturally slots into the backline that can combine well with him.

Ah, I get it. You want Farrell at 12 with Smith at 10.

p/d wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 6:44 pm Really pleased with the side. I believe SB has nailed this. After 4 games testing out options and different game plans he has settled on a starting XV that will bring together the pluses from the one win and 3 defeats.

Strong front row, supported by the most athletic lock pairing to grace this WC. Back row just packs a punch. The mobility and awesome work rate of Lawes compliments the physical 'don't lie down' approach that the too hot to handle Curry brings. An electric 9, maestro 10 and a 12 & 13 combo that can dance or ram their way through a wall of defence whilst keeping the ball alive. It's hard to find a weakness. Should that not be enough we have out wide the 'speedsters', both willing and more than able to run sideways across the pitch to make those game changing 5 metres.

Too much talent? Perhaps. But at 15 we have safety with a capital 'S' and then, to wrap it up, a vocal clappy happy Chappy at 8 to frustrate the opposition and officials.

...... Yes, we can begin to dream.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 7:13 pm

p/d wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 6:44 pm Really pleased with the side. I believe SB has nailed this. After 4 games testing out options and different game plans he has settled on a starting XV that will bring together the pluses from the one win and 3 defeats.

Strong front row, supported by the most athletic lock pairing to grace this WC. Back row just packs a punch. The mobility and awesome work rate of Lawes compliments the physical 'don't lie down' approach that the too hot to handle Curry brings. An electric 9, maestro 10 and a 12 & 13 combo that can dance or ram their way through a wall of defence whilst keeping the ball alive. It's hard to find a weakness. Should that not be enough we have out wide the 'speedsters', both willing and more than able to run sideways across the pitch to make those game changing 5 metres.

Too much talent? Perhaps. But at 15 we have safety with a capital 'S' and then, to wrap it up, a vocal clappy happy Chappy at 8 to frustrate the opposition and officials.

...... Yes, we can begin to dream.

Have you been on the laughing gas?

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 7:13 pm

p/d wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 6:44 pm Really pleased with the side. I believe SB has nailed this. After 4 games testing out options and different game plans he has settled on a starting XV that will bring together the pluses from the one win and 3 defeats.

Strong front row, supported by the most athletic lock pairing to grace this WC. Back row just packs a punch. The mobility and awesome work rate of Lawes compliments the physical 'don't lie down' approach that the too hot to handle Curry brings. An electric 9, maestro 10 and a 12 & 13 combo that can dance or ram their way through a wall of defence whilst keeping the ball alive. It's hard to find a weakness. Should that not be enough we have out wide the 'speedsters', both willing and more than able to run sideways across the pitch to make those game changing 5 metres.

Too much talent? Perhaps. But at 15 we have safety with a capital 'S' and then, to wrap it up, a vocal clappy happy Chappy at 8 to frustrate the opposition and officials.

...... Yes, we can begin to dream.

Have you been on the laughing gas?

p/d wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:26 pm The mocking is over, the time has come to spin it whichever way to fill me with hope and expectation

There will be power, cohesion and stunning tries…… but we will match them and take the spoils. Amongst friends I will cheer, curse and question much. But at the end I will believe and celebrate the view as we again look down, without fear,on those who stand in our way!

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:42 pm

p/d wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:26 pm The mocking is over, the time has come to spin it whichever way to fill me with hope and expectation

There will be power, cohesion and stunning tries…… but we will match them and take the spoils. Amongst friends I will cheer, curse and question much. But at the end I will believe and celebrate the view as we again look down, without fear,on those who stand in our way!

Right on! Gotta keep the delusion faith. I still believe that it's all because Aled's been beasting them in fitness and we're going to peak right when we need to. It's all the long game.

Puja

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:47 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:42 pm

p/d wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:26 pm The mocking is over, the time has come to spin it whichever way to fill me with hope and expectation

There will be power, cohesion and stunning tries…… but we will match them and take the spoils. Amongst friends I will cheer, curse and question much. But at the end I will believe and celebrate the view as we again look down, without fear,on those who stand in our way!

Right on! Gotta keep the delusion faith. I still believe that it's all because Aled's been beasting them in fitness and we're going to peak right when we need to. It's all the long game.

Puja

Who is this Aled chap?

p/d wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:26 pm The mocking is over, the time has come to spin it whichever way to fill me with hope and expectation

There will be power, cohesion and stunning tries…… but we will match them and take the spoils. Amongst friends I will cheer, curse and question much. But at the end I will believe and celebrate the view as we again look down, without fear,on those who stand in our way!

Cameo wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2023 1:07 am I realise I have a habbtbof coming on here to say this, but you lot need to be a bit more optimistic. Yeah, you have been rubbish and you have Dan Cole starting about 10 years past his sell by date but Argentina aren't great. They have the odd good performance but are inconsistent and are struggling to move from awkward opponents to being a really top team...

and even if you lose what I view as a 50/50 game, you will still probably get through.

Cameo wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2023 1:07 am I realise I have a habbtbof coming on here to say this, but you lot need to be a bit more optimistic. Yeah, you have been rubbish and you have Dan Cole starting about 10 years past his sell by date but Argentina aren't great. They have the odd good performance but are inconsistent and are struggling to move from awkward opponents to being a really top team...

and even if you lose what I view as a 50/50 game, you will still probably get through.

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:47 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:42 pm

p/d wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:26 pm The mocking is over, the time has come to spin it whichever way to fill me with hope and expectation

There will be power, cohesion and stunning tries…… but we will match them and take the spoils. Amongst friends I will cheer, curse and question much. But at the end I will believe and celebrate the view as we again look down, without fear,on those who stand in our way!

Right on! Gotta keep the delusion faith. I still believe that it's all because Aled's been beasting them in fitness and we're going to peak right when we need to. It's all the long game.

Puja

Who is this Aled chap?

jngf wrote: ↑Fri Sep 08, 2023 7:36 am

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:47 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Sep 07, 2023 9:42 pm

Right on! Gotta keep the delusion faith. I still believe that it's all because Aled's been beasting them in fitness and we're going to peak right when we need to. It's all the long game.

Puja

Who is this Aled chap?

Jones?