It’s clearly not all bad under Cockerill, but there is room for improvement
This was my opinion and then I read this statement from R.C in a local paper and then Friday night happened. Now I can't honestly defend him (R.C) without some hint of embarrassment.
Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill believes centre Matt Smith should be considered for an England place.
Interim coach Stuart Lancaster announces his 32-man Six Nations squad on Wednesday and a number of changes are expected in the wake of England's dismal World Cup performance.
Smith, 26, has been earning rave reviews for Tigers this season and, with Mike Tindall set to be dropped from the Elite Player Squad, a window of opportunity could open up.
"Matt's been playing really well," said Cockerill, Tigers' director of rugby. "There is a lot of competition out there with the likes of Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell (both Saracens), Tom May (Northampton) and Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins).
"They are all good players, but so is Matt and there is no reason why he shouldn't at least be in the selection equation.
"Whether he is fashionable enough to be looked at remains to be seen but he is playing at the top end of the game with the Tigers, who are a very strong European club."
Smith's claims were also backed by his team mate, England scrum-half Ben Youngs.
He said: "Everyone keeps talking about all the good centres around the Premiership but, for me, Matt Smith has been the player of the Premiership so far.
"His handling to set Geordan Murphy and Alesana Tuilagi away for tries against Sale was superb, and they were great tries in difficult handling conditions. Full credit to him.
"Matt has put his hand up (for England). He keeps playing consistently well and he is a great player. I wouldn't be surprised to see his name in the Elite Player Squad."
I can't decide which bit is the funniest. Tigers are a very strong european club, M.S has been the player of the Premiership so far or he is a great player!
Not sure there is room for improvement anymore.
I can't see Cockers or MOC going before the end of the season, and as they appear to be joined at the hip I can't see just one of them staying. It has been touched on previously about Cockers 'losing the changing room'. To be fair I haven't seen any of Friday night's game but to read of players' obvious frustration and, worst of all, being sent off for dissent is unheard of at Tigers and has to have a root cause.
At the moment Cockers coaches the forwards, MOC the backs, Blaze the lineouts and Burke the kicking and A team. We did have a breakdown coach in Herring but he disappeared suddenly off to Japan. When was the last time we had a defence coach? I have to say that MOC is the weakest link based on performances followed by Cockers for the overall playing and replacement tactics.
The players frustrations come, I believe, from having to play knowing that they are unprepared tactically to make the most of their talents. We need better performances in defence and at the breakdown and we need specialist coaches for this as what we've got ain't working. We need more tactical nous and flexibility and this is where Cockers is out of his depth.
We have scored highly in the prem but I think this is more despite the 'tactics' than to do with them. Our defence was the worst but now Newcastle have taken that honour. The Tigers spirit is missing, when did a commentator last say 'Tigers aren't beaten until the last whistle'? 20 points up with 15mins to go and you can't even say we've won!
Sadly I think its going to get worse before it gets better. Lord knows who would take this basket case over, especially with our track record regarding management.
Last edited by GS on Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
Bit harsh on Matt Smith there Dave - he has been playing well.
I'm still not sure basing judgement on the result at Ravenhill is wise - the team collectively underperformed while meeting a side who were at the top of their game. Not sure if there is anything a coach can do in those circumstances.
Interesting views on the style of play. IMHO Running an offload based game (a la Quins) would need a different set of forwards (I think Dave made a point earlier in the thread about the mobility of our forwards and the issue of sacrificing strength for movement?) as well as a change in style.
Besides, it doesn't always work. If you watched the Saracens v Quins game some weeks ago, Quins offloaded and Saracens defended them off the park; result a Saffers win by strangulation!
The other interesting point is Tigers, with their present style of play, are currently the highest try scorers in the premiership - a case of the data conflicting with the perception perhaps? Now, if only we could find a defence from somewhere!
I don't think the number of posts a person makes to this forum is indicative of anything. I've been attending Tigers games since 1979 and have seen mostly highs and some lows. But even the lows are heights that most other clubs would aspire to. RC's record isn't bad - 4 consecutive top finishes in premiership, two as champions. The team(s) have underperformed in the HC. There have been some poor signings, some players are not good enough for Tigers and succession planning has been poor, but not all of those are down to RC. He's had the guts to say he would benefit from having a mentor. Why not use Woodward?
I think the more serious problems Tigers face are more to do with how the club is run.
kend wrote:Bit harsh on Matt Smith there Dave - he has been playing well.
I'm still not sure basing judgement on the result at Ravenhill is wise - the team collectively underperformed while meeting a side who were at the top of their game. Not sure if there is anything a coach can do in those circumstances.
Interesting views on the style of play. IMHO Running an offload based game (a la Quins) would need a different set of forwards (I think Dave made a point earlier in the thread about the mobility of our forwards and the issue of sacrificing strength for movement?) as well as a change in style.
Besides, it doesn't always work. If you watched the Saracens v Quins game some weeks ago, Quins offloaded and Saracens defended them off the park; result a Saffers win by strangulation!
The other interesting point is Tigers, with their present style of play, are currently the highest try scorers in the premiership - a case of the data conflicting with the perception perhaps? Now, if only we could find a defence from somewhere!
It's interesting to hear all the pundits lambast 'boring rugby' and advocating 'exciting attacking rugby' and at the same time praising Saracens. Their style has been roundly criticised on here, but it's an efficient style which brings them results- they're comfortably in the top 4 of the Premiership and are probably the most likely English team to get through to the HC quarters. To be honest, their style seems to be more like the Leicester style of old than our current style; a style based around a dominant pack and an unyielding defence. The back play is dull, yes, but I don't recall ever thinking that our backs under (for example) Pat Howard looked particularly incisive either. More importantly, it's winning them things. Do you not remember 'boring boring Leicester?'
The team(s) have underperformed in the HC. There have been some poor signings, some players are not good enough for Tigers and succession planning has been poor, but not all of those are down to RC
May I ask, in your opinion, who is this down to if it doesn't land at RC's feet?
I am happy to receive the lambasting I did last time all over again, but I will say without fear, that I think TTTE was a poor signing, as is one of those players not good enough for Tigers.
Sapajo, he offers nothing at the breakdown, and is defensively weak. His ball carrying is fine if he is running at centres (which is where you find him most of the time), he doesn't read the game particularly well, for the size of him, he gets put down very easily, and turned over more times that I care to mention. He needlessly kicks away ball he should be running up, and, has a really annoying habit of being passed the ball to carry it up (when he stands back with the FB), only to pass it straight to someone else without running a yard.
One of our problems (IMHO) has been the ploy to use him at IC, in a way that South Africa use Berger, and Ulster successfully used Ferris against us. TTTE just doesn't have the wheels or power to get through the 1st tackle in set plays, which immediately stops our attack on or before the gainline.
RC is a cog in the governance of the Tigers. Much of the responsibility for the playing side is his, but, personally, I think he is being constrained by the Board who are more bothered about the commercial aspects of the club. The Caterpillar stand has not been the success the club had hoped for. Other things hint at the club having lost it's way, ie catering and shop. Even if the salary cap was lifted, I doubt that the club has the finance to improve the playing side to a significant extent.
I'd stick with RC, but he needs a better coaching team made up of specialists and a mentor.
[quote="adamv6"]Sapajo, he offers nothing at the breakdown, and is defensively weak. His ball carrying is fine if he is running at centres (which is where you find him most of the time), he doesn't read the game particularly well, for the size of him, he gets put down very easily, and turned over more times that I care to mention. He needlessly kicks away ball he should be running up, and, has a really annoying habit of being passed the ball to carry it up (when he stands back with the FB), only to pass it straight to someone else without running a yard.
One of our problems (IMHO) has been the ploy to use him at IC, in a way that South Africa use Berger, and Ulster successfully used Ferris against us. TTTE just doesn't have the wheels or power to get through the 1st tackle in set plays, which immediately stops our attack on or before the gainline.
Respect your opinion adamv6 but at the end of the day we must agree to disagree. I rate him highly you don't vive la difference
Without hope we are nothing, keep the faith, a Tiger for eternity
[This was my opinion and then I read this statement from R.C in a local paper and then Friday night happened. Now I can't honestly defend him (R.C) without some hint of embarrassment.
[quote]Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill believes centre Matt Smith should be considered for an England place.quote]
Whatever Cockers private thoughts on Smith are, what is he supposed to do? Talk up one of his players; give him a bit of a lift, as he might be feeling disappointed at being left out of the International squad. No? Maybe he should have stated that Smith is an average journeyman who is only playing for the Tigers due to the injury situation. That would really boost the lad before an important game wouldn't it?
Come on, whatever you think of Cockers, criticising him for this is completely OTT.
Lincs Stu it isn't criticism but more a realisation of what to expect if I continue to watch Tigers and the man in charge of selecting the team believes M.S is an international player.
The statement also contradicts this interview on radio Leics on another thread. Last week Tigers were strong in europe and this week they can't compete. I just don't understand where it is all going.
But still I would like to add a man of Cockerill's desire and ability on the pitch wouldn't go a miss right now so although I have developed some doubt I still respect the man!
which other english outside centre has consistently performed this season then now manu is out? im in no way saying MS should be picked for england but he should have definately been considered to be part of the EPS, especially as the majority of other candidates play most of their rugby at 12.
Cardiff Tig you are asking the wrong bloke as I wouldn't even have him in my Tigers starting XV. He raised his game briefly when the internationals returned but where were these stand out performances when we needed them at the start of the season and where was it on Friday. It's all about opinions and mine is that he is an good back up winger but if we are talking about top quality backs at Leicester then I would rather talk about Agulla. As for the EPS, are you seriously suggesting that England should build towards the 2015 world cup with M.S at outside centre?
