Tigers v Worcester

[G.K]

I thought Thorpe was our second choice 7? Unless he's injured (is he ?) then I don't understand why he didn't start on Friday, I realise we have to ease Mafi and Croft back in but that should not be at the expense of having an unbalanced back row and a risk of losing the game.

As for the rest of the forwards, the tight five were obviously on top but Castro and Lulo looked to be a bit unfit and sluggish (even for props). Don't quite understand why Kitch disn't get on, especially after Croft was subbed, as I would have thought he could have livened things up a bit in the last 15/20.

I thought both Flood and Youngs played poorly and can someone, anyone, stop them doing those pointess kicks to the opposition with no decent chase. Even on a turnover against 14 they kick the ball away.

Not yet convinced about Bowden at 12 or Tait at FB. I would say Murphy, Hamilton and Morris are a better option at FB and personally I'd prefer to see Tait at wing or centre.

All in all it was another get out of gaol win but for me there have been too many of these and sooner or later we'll start loosing these games. Need a big improvement in the next two games or it will be bye bye HC again.

[sapajo]

One thing that struck me was that despite the size and pace of Thompstone whilst he did make an excellent try saving tackle on a static player he seems to have a real issue with tackling a mobile player.

[sam16111986]

Not yet convinced about Bowden at 12 or Tait at FB. I would say Murphy, Hamilton and Morris are a better option at FB and personally I'd prefer to see Tait at wing or centre.

Agree re Bowden. Tait however, made only one mistake pre broken nose and that was a sliced lick. Scotty had an awful game and is well down the pecking order for good reason. Morris lacks both the vision and creativity to be a Tigers first choice full back but is a great winger. Tait is coming on nicely, showed some skill for the try and whilst not as good as Geordie he may be in the future. Let's face it a like for like replacement for Murphy will cost too much. Tait is currently cheap, skillfull and doing a better job than any other pretender has done in recent seasons.

[DickyP]

Not yet convinced about Bowden at 12 or Tait at FB. I would say Murphy, Hamilton and Morris are a better option at FB and personally I'd prefer to see Tait at wing or centre.

Agree re Bowden. Tait however, made only one mistake pre broken nose and that was a sliced lick. Scotty had an awful game and is well down the pecking order for good reason. Morris lacks both the vision and creativity to be a Tigers first choice full back but is a great winger. Tait is coming on nicely, showed some skill for the try and whilst not as good as Geordie he may be in the future. Let's face it a like for like replacement for Murphy will cost too much. Tait is currently cheap, skillfull and doing a better job than any other pretender has done in recent seasons.

Whilst I agree about Bowden who is a nice attacker but a liability in defence I must take issue with your other assessments of the backs. Morris has shown a lot more invention running the ball back from deep so far than Tait and has proven safe under high balls. Tait didn't only make one mistake prior to his nose - he dropped a high ball with no-one within 20 metres of him in the first half! Scotty did most emphatically not have an awful game - where's your evidence for this assertion? He attacked well, showed strength in attack and defence, his kicks were well directed, and made all his tackles, not to mention taking his try well. Indeed according to at least two newspapers he was the pick of our backs!

[DickyP]

Talking about ring rusty: it is clear that Matt Tait is slowly getting his mojo back but it's taking longer than I expected. Cracking break to set up Hamilton for the try but still dodgy under the high ball compared with Murphy. Yet again last night managed to knock-on when under no pressure catching a high kick.

I felt sorry for the lad on that one. Tried hard with his hooter spread across his face and eyes streaming. Bubbles could have come forward a bit?

Wasn't talking about this dropped ball (understandable, even if not excusable) but the one he made in the first half when no-one was within 20 metres of him!

[Tomvarndell]

Will be nice to see Tait on a firm dry pitch. Still improving and I think the late season crunch matches will see him at his best.

[tigerburnie]

Thought Wuss played well and our team did enough,we are lucky to have enough great players available that we can change 80% of the team and go away and grind out a good result.
I think that Floodys tackle was no where near a tip tackle,there were other players who had their hands on Goode.
I think we are going to miss him this coming weekend if he is banned,were I Cockers I would have the appeal ready Monday night.

[fleabane]

Any news on Matt's nose? Will a break keep him out of the next game?

[TTRITH]

Any news on Matt's nose? Will a break keep him out of the next game?

I would assume given the fact injuries have kept him out for so long, he'll find a way of playing.

[APJones]

What can you say?

Categorically undeserved, such profligate kicking away of good possession. Then when we had to keep it alive we play wonderfully. 3 mins brilliance, 77 mins dross.

I too couldn't work out why we were kicking and not chasing. Taity particularly in the first half. I spoke to Tom Youngs as the match finished - he said how surprised the tigers players were with the state of the pitch. when the were warming up. He said it was very boggy, but from the stands it looked in good condition in the main all lush and green. I went onto the pitch after the match and yes - it was like walking on a soaking wet sponge.

[Chobbsy]

[quote="sam16111986"][quote] Not yet convinced about Bowden at 12 or Tait at FB. I would say Murphy, Hamilton and Morris are a better option at FB and personally I'd prefer to see Tait at wing or centre. [/quote]

Agree re Bowden. Tait however, made only one mistake pre broken nose and that was a sliced lick. Scotty had an awful game and is well down the pecking order for good reason. Morris lacks both the vision and creativity to be a Tigers first choice full back but is a great winger. Tait is coming on nicely, showed some skill for the try and whilst not as good as Geordie he may be in the future. Let's face it a like for like replacement for Murphy will cost too much. Tait is currently cheap, skillfull and doing a better job than any other pretender has done in recent seasons.[/quote]

I heard that Tom Homer was looking for a move, a good young fullback....who can kick aswell

[TigerLad]

Long term I see Tait at 13 with Manu at 12 , but that depends on whether we sign a Homer or Watson who are both young oirish full backs. If they get relegated, and I think they will (Sale have improved their defence whereas oirish have got worse). Anyway if they get relegated I doubt they would be able to keep their star players and I would expect we would make a move for one of them. Good to see Tait is showing some Tiger spirit, Worcester player deliberately swings his arm and slaps him open palmed in the face breaking his nose. He kept playing, yes he dropped a few high balls due to the fact he probably couldn't see as his eyes were watering. He then went on to make our last try with his break and quality offload. It seems like he is desperate to repay us which is good.

[sapajo]

Long term I see Tait at 13 with Manu at 12 , but that depends on whether we sign a Homer or Watson who are both young oirish full backs. If they get relegated, and I think they will (Sale have improved their defence whereas oirish have got worse). Anyway if they get relegated I doubt they would be able to keep their star players and I would expect we would make a move for one of them. Good to see Tait is showing some Tiger spirit, Worcester player deliberately swings his arm and slaps him open palmed in the face breaking his nose. He kept playing, yes he dropped a few high balls due to the fact he probably couldn't see as his eyes were watering. He then went on to make our last try with his break and quality offload. It seems like he is desperate to repay us which is good.

Tate was signed as a replacement for Murphy and I believe that is where his future at Tigers remains. He showed a lot of spunk to stay on the pitch and still keep going after that horrendous and no doubt very painful nose break

[drc_007]

Long term I see Tait at 13 with Manu at 12 , but that depends on whether we sign a Homer or Watson who are both young oirish full backs. If they get relegated, and I think they will (Sale have improved their defence whereas oirish have got worse). Anyway if they get relegated I doubt they would be able to keep their star players and I would expect we would make a move for one of them. Good to see Tait is showing some Tiger spirit, Worcester player deliberately swings his arm and slaps him open palmed in the face breaking his nose. He kept playing, yes he dropped a few high balls due to the fact he probably couldn't see as his eyes were watering. He then went on to make our last try with his break and quality offload. It seems like he is desperate to repay us which is good.

I think it will be Sale who go down, London Irish had a good away win against Glos this weekend and look like they have more confidence.

[fortysix]

Murphy as we all know is virtually irreplaceable..
But Tait and Morris are pretty decent replacements and will fill the bill..
Hamilton-like everyone in every professional sport- is on the downcurve..he has been a great asset to us.
We still need , must have-- a real flier or even two of them-in the backs-----
With Varndell /Wade-or similar-- we would be right up with the best.!!!