Good article from Cockers re:Ford

[iceman_19]

Glad he's come out and said George and his team understand and appreciate the current situation in regards to his development. Puts to rest a lot of drivel that's spouted in the press and on here!

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/S ... story.html

[loretta]

"Out of the whole George Ford scenario, George Ford is the most sensible person in it."

More sensible than arm-chair forum pundits? Surely not!

[GS]

"George will play against the Maori and London Irish and Wasps and, when Toby comes back from England duty, we will see where we are at."

With our luck probably with 2 broken 10's on our hands.

[TigerLad]

We all knew this was what was really happening, the papers are just stirring things up.

[h's dad]

We all knew this was what was really happening, the papers are just stirring things up.

I don't think the article was stirring much at all. All the stirring was taking place on this forum.

[Bill W (2)]

We all knew this was what was really happening, the papers are just stirring things up.

I don't think the article was stirring much at all. All the stirring was taking place on this forum.

Like it was with 12T?

Where we had the same Cockers/Club denial process?

[TigerLad]

We all knew this was what was really happening, the papers are just stirring things up.

I don't think the article was stirring much at all. All the stirring was taking place on this forum.

Like it was with 12T?

Where we had the same Cockers/Club denial process?

Lots of writers were saying how Ford must leave to fulfill his potential (The torygraph for example and in the rugby paper). I wasn't talking about this article but others.

[sam16111986]

. Like it was with 12T?

Where we had the same Cockers/Club denial process?

What denial process? Twelvetrees had a good run in the first team and after verbally accepting a contract from Tigers did a big old u turn and followed the money to Glaws. He then spent the rest of his Tigers career on the sidelines.

Ford apparently turned down both Sale and LI in the summer, he obviously rates the way Tigers have developed the likes of Youngs, Cole and Manu.

[Bill W (2)]

. Like it was with 12T?

Where we had the same Cockers/Club denial process?

What denial process? Twelvetrees had a good run in the first team and after verbally accepting a contract from Tigers did a big old u turn and followed the money to Glaws. He then spent the rest of his Tigers career on the sidelines.

Ford apparently turned down both Sale and LI in the summer, he obviously rates the way Tigers have developed the likes of Youngs, Cole and Manu.

12T only played out of position largely because needs must. It is cockers story that he did a U turn.

As I said denial process.

Ford likely also will follow the money.

Cockers has the wit to sub props and keep them interested but not other positions.

Why?

[TigerLad]

. Like it was with 12T?

Where we had the same Cockers/Club denial process?

What denial process? Twelvetrees had a good run in the first team and after verbally accepting a contract from Tigers did a big old u turn and followed the money to Glaws. He then spent the rest of his Tigers career on the sidelines.

Ford apparently turned down both Sale and LI in the summer, he obviously rates the way Tigers have developed the likes of Youngs, Cole and Manu.

12T only played out of position largely because needs must. It is cockers story that he did a U turn.

As I said denial process.

Ford likely also will follow the money.

Cockers has the wit to sub props and keep them interested but not other positions.

Why?

So even though Cockers (who is renowned for not giving us any insight into the running of the club) has come out and cleared the air over a matter which clearly bugs him, you still say Ford will leave?

[norfolkexpat]

Cant believe its all done and dusted that Ford stays..
What happens at the business end of the season if/when Flood is preferred !!!???
Bill is right--money talks and a 100K more per season would sway anyone.
Will Cockerill break the bank to keep him---because LOADS of Clubs will offer him a darn sight more than we will.. And Agents can be very persuasive.
Although I sincerely hope I am wrong.

[kend]

Ford might, ultimately, follow the money no matter what Tigers do, and that includes player rotation. And actually who could blame him; he's a young fellow in a very precarious profession and maximising earnings while you can might be a sensible move.

I'm not sure 'rotation' in the backs is as easy as some posters make out, get it wrong you end up with two dissatisfied players rather than one. At the moment Flood is the incumbent and has primacy, but as has always been the way, one injury could change that.

The 12T issue has been done to death; Gloucester offered a better contract, simple as that. Presumably if they hadn't he would still be here!

[The Boy Dave]

Ford apparently turned down both Sale and LI in the summer

A sensible choice, but what if others want him? Gloucester have their No1 in Burns and he is getting the gametime and making the headlines. Quins have Evans signed up for another three years and Sarries have Hodgson with Farrell getting gametime and experience all over the midfield and favoured internationally. Tigers No1 is Flood and what is he, about 27 years old? He could be No1 for quite a few years yet. If Ford waits much longer he could be out of the reckoning with England for many years with Flood, Burns and Farrell around. Northampton are obviously the big danger and can offer Ford everything he needs to try and become Englands No1 of the future. At Leicester his time could be gone before he even gets a chance. Much to ponder!

[hugh.st]

Ford apparently turned down both Sale and LI in the summer

A sensible choice, but what if others want him? Gloucester have their No1 in Burns and he is getting the gametime and making the headlines. Quins have Evans signed up for another three years and Sarries have Hodgson with Farrell getting gametime and experience all over the midfield and favoured internationally. Tigers No1 is Flood and what is he, about 27 years old? He could be No1 for quite a few years yet. If Ford waits much longer he could be out of the reckoning with England for many years with Flood, Burns and Farrell around. Northampton are obviously the big danger and can offer Ford everything he needs to try and become Englands No1 of the future. At Leicester his time could be gone before he even gets a chance. Much to ponder!

Except Burns is 22 and Farrell is 21, 3 and 2 years older than Ford. Farrell's breakthrough season was two years ago (at Ford's current age) and only happened because of injuries and Henson rather dancing about on TV than play rugby. Burns made his debut for Gloucester three years ago (at Ford's current age).

Ford in comparison has already played in two finals and broke Farrell's record of the youngest player to play in professional english rugby union. Both debuts being anglo-welsh games rather than premiership.

[tig1]

Ford apparently turned down both Sale and LI in the summer

A sensible choice, but what if others want him? Gloucester have their No1 in Burns and he is getting the gametime and making the headlines. Quins have Evans signed up for another three years and Sarries have Hodgson with Farrell getting gametime and experience all over the midfield and favoured internationally. Tigers No1 is Flood and what is he, about 27 years old? He could be No1 for quite a few years yet. If Ford waits much longer he could be out of the reckoning with England for many years with Flood, Burns and Farrell around. Northampton are obviously the big danger and can offer Ford everything he needs to try and become Englands No1 of the future. At Leicester his time could be gone before he even gets a chance. Much to ponder!

If Ford is as good as people think this wont be an issue. Toby is a very good player, but isn't even an England regular after all these years. Let alone British lion standard...which is ultimately where it appears Fords level might possibly be.

Things change fast in sport, with injuries and age. Who would have thought that when the issue of Cole resigning that Castro would drop away from his level so quickly.