Saracens vs Tigers Saturday 15/09/12 3:30

[Bill W (2)]

IMHO both Phibbs and Ford should have been on for the last 20 at least.

Is Cockers proving inflexible again???

[TigerAlex]

I think Toby Flood's performance today needs to be taken with a bit of a pinch of salt. No, he didn't have a great game, but to be fair, a lot of the time, the service he was getting was shocking. There were quite a lot of passes he was picking up off his bootlaces and some which didn't even get to him. When he got good service he didn't look so bad. Also, bear in mind that Wembley is a wide pitch. If he'd kicked those touch finders at Welford Road, he would have been right on the money with them- you'll notice that the ones he missed were from the middle of the pitch and only in the first half. On top of that, his place kicking was good. Perhaps, given the service Harrison was giving (and the very lax policing of the offside line), Cockerill thought Flood better able to deal with being smacked by the Saracens forwards.

[Bill W (2)]

(and the very lax policing of the offside line),.

That is a very valid point.

[Jimmy Skitz]

IMHO both Phibbs and Ford should have been on for the last 20 at least.

Is Cockers proving inflexible again???

I was thinking the same Harrison and Flood were both poor in open play and Harrison especially was well below par with his passing

[RWA]

I expect Ford was quite happy keeping the bench warm, given the dross that Harrison was throwing to Flood. Toby had a stinker though. I must say though that Sarries are the death of the game that I love. Truly awful, negative, boring, defensive...it's horrible to watch and must be frustrating to play against. As Floody said in his post-match interview, they focus on the collision and fronted up. Sarries tactic of bashing the ball up and looking for width is pretty one-dimensional. It works against the lesser teams but not against the more organised physical sides. Interesting that they put shoe horn Brits into the defensive line from a Tigers line out to add another defender. I suppose it works but it's not my brand of rugby and they can keep it. Their season ticket holders deserve a medal.

[Bill W (2)]

I expect Ford was quite happy keeping the bench warm, given the dross that Harrison was throwing to Flood. .......... Their season ticket holders deserve a medal.

Then again he might just have been saying "Let me on boss, let me on" (as might Phibbs).

I am sure both the Sarries Season Ticket Holders will receive a medal - and a bone for their dogs!!

[fentiger]

I am sure both the Sarries Season Ticket Holders will receive a medal - and a bone for their dogs!!

...and a refund

[Bill W (2)]

I am sure both the Sarries Season Ticket Holders will receive a medal - and a bone for their dogs!!

...and a refund

And a free flight to Cape Town/Abu Dhabi/Hendon!

[TigerCam]

I expect Ford was quite happy keeping the bench warm, given the dross that Harrison was throwing to Flood. Toby had a stinker though. I must say though that Sarries are the death of the game that I love. Truly awful, negative, boring, defensive...it's horrible to watch and must be frustrating to play against. As Floody said in his post-match interview, they focus on the collision and fronted up. Sarries tactic of bashing the ball up and looking for width is pretty one-dimensional. It works against the lesser teams but not against the more organised physical sides. Interesting that they put shoe horn Brits into the defensive line from a Tigers line out to add another defender. I suppose it works but it's not my brand of rugby and they can keep it. Their season ticket holders deserve a medal.

Had a chance of free tickets. Glad I'm here in Barbados instead

[parkerd68]

For my two penn'orth, I was disappointed with Flood throughout, regardless of the quality of the passes he was receiving. I can't accept the argument about the width of the pitch. He's a professional who prepares for the match ahead, therefore he should have known that he either needs to go for less distance or kick it harder. Harrison wasn't great and he's got a fast pass which needs accuracy work. Manu seemed to keep drifting. Smith as usual seemed too reticent to pass and missed an overlap.

At least even Barnes noticed that Sarries were offside so much. It was surprising how quick some of the sarries defence was up(!). Also, the reffing of the scrum - for both sides - was appalling.

Can't think of anything else at this point

However, it's early doors in the season and we've averaged a non bonus point win in every match. That ain't too bad, and I'm still positive about the season.

[Bill W (2)]

For my two penn'orth, I was disappointed with Flood throughout, regardless of the quality of the passes he was receiving. I can't accept the argument about the width of the pitch. He's a professional who prepares for the match ahead, therefore he should have known that he either needs to go for less distance or kick it harder. Harrison wasn't great and he's got a fast pass which needs accuracy work. Manu seemed to keep drifting. Smith as usual seemed too reticent to pass and missed an overlap.

At least even Barnes noticed that Sarries were offside so much. It was surprising how quick some of the sarries defence was up(!). Also, the reffing of the scrum - for both sides - was appalling.

Can't think of anything else at this point

However, it's early doors in the season and we've averaged a non bonus point win in every match. That ain't too bad, and I'm still positive about the season.

TJ's (sorry assistant referees) should be able to judge offsides. And stick a flag out!

Ain't rocket science and hardly needs milti dimensional TMO's!!

[Broadstaff]

I thought that match was a bit of a dissa. Also surprised at the empty blocks of seats in the stands. I thought two clubs like us and Saracens should fill a stadium okay.

[Bill W (2)]

I thought that match was a bit of a dissa. Also surprised at the empty blocks of seats in the stands. I thought two clubs like us and Saracens should fill a stadium okay.

Why do you think that Saffas can manage more than 4000 supporters?

That is about their max.

[Crivvens]

Given that Sarries struggle to half fill a 17k capacity stadium for big games, I'm not sure why they'd sell out a 90k capacity stadium for a normal league game, regardless of who they were playing.


As for the match itself, the less said about it the better I think, although we played as badly as that and didn't get beat, so lets look on the bright side

[brettclark]

Disappointed Ford didnt get a run today. Flood playing ordinary for me so far this season and with Cockers saying at the season launch that Flood & Ford will be sharing game time.. so far Ford has played only had 23 mins- I imagine he is not a happy bunny.. know doubt he needs game time to develop into the player we all think he can become... my concern would be if he continues to get 'splinters' then i fear we will lose him to one of our rivals next season.