Pearce to Sale

[beech]

With Josh Beaumont there I cannot see how a regular start at 8 can be the reason. Unless Beaumont is leaving.

[doublecarpet]

We do look weak for specialists at 8 now. Fonua, as predicted was always likely to spend most of the time injured once we started ramping up his fitness after quite frankly years of unfitness. Yes I know he's had a broken arm, but he's still a walking accident when trying to change him so dramatically. Also, is he actually that good anyway? And Crane is Crane: one dimensional, low yardage, low try scoring etc.

As someone said last week, Mafi would be a great option as surely even Bath and their magical salary cap cannot carry three international 8s next season!!

[mike]

Very much agree with all that . Mafi must be a good one to go for given the wealth of talent that Bath have at No 8 next season .Unless Slater really makes a success of the position we are terribly exposed with very limited options .

[RagingBull]

Can't see why Mafi would want to play for Bath behind faletau anyway.

But if so or he would rather go France/japan I wouldn't mind going for Denton for a season if we couldn't get a top form 8 ATM.

Yes he has been out of form for Bath (although TBH who the hell hasn't this season) but he has been mainly played out of position.

But a season contract to see if we could get him back to his top form which would be very handy nothing majorly flashy like Sergio and Read, but he is a good ball carrier and strong defender.

[The Boy Dave]

Disagree RB, Denton too lightweight for me.
We need a player to make No8 a position of his own where he is so good he is a shoe in.
The best club teams all have one, Billy V, Waldrom, Hughes, I thought Pearce could've done that and so it's disappointing to see him go.
Slater could do it IMO but he must be allowed to fully focus on it!

[Noggs]

Also sorry to see him go but it is a professional game and player will move around. We have no idea as yet of the reasons for the move and I am sure that there are 'plans afoot' in terms of a decent replacement.

Apart from going to sleep in the defensive lapses on Sunday we played some great rugby, all be it against poor opposition. We have a good squad on paper and just now and then they begin to show their potential. New coaches often need a couple of seasons for the changes to fully show and for me, whilst we may not be good enough for silverware this season, we're not out of it by a long way. A European final is not beyond the bounds of possibility and I still expect a top four finish in the league.

[Big Dai]

Not proficient with the chamois, I heard.

[tigercaspian]

Not proficient with the chamois, I heard.

Ha ha, love it!!

Yes , disappointing to see him go but the times seem to be gone when a settled side would work its way through the season and any recruitment was saved for May to July/ August.

As we have been particularly active in last 12 months, we can't exactly hold it against other clubs who do the same or criticise players who think they can advance themselves elsewhere - it's a professional game as Noggs says.

More like football? You bet so we'd all better get used to it because it will only get worse........

[L Smith]

Good Luck to the lad, he has served tigers better than they have served him, yet another case of one who got away.

How long was he injured for during his time with us, Noddy? That strikes me as an unqualified, throwaway statement. Plus ça change

[MurphysLaw]

[quote="L Smith"][quote="Noddy555"]Good Luck to the lad, he has served tigers better than they have served him, yet another case of one who got away.[/quote]

How long was he injured for during his time with us, Noddy? That strikes me as an unqualified, throwaway statement. Plus ça change [/quote]

Quite so - he was playing in the Championship, and had a serious injury when he came. It was a big gamble signing him. With Tigers he has had top class rehab; and he has worked with good coaches and players to develop his game and get exposure to the Premiership. He has acknowledged this himself.
For anyone to say that he has served Tigers better than they have served him is bizarre.
If anything, you could argue it's the other way around, and it's a pity he is not sticking around to fight for his place. He's become a decent player, and perhaps could become better. We don't know why he is going - more money? to live up North? guaranteed starts? A combination of all? His choice, and good luck to him. I hope he puts in some good performances before he goes.

[Cagey Tiger]

For anyone to say that he has served Tigers better than they have served him is bizarre.

You do realise that it was Noddy, don't you

[AlphaWiseOwl]

I wish we'd kept him and let Crane go

Could not agree more. I would have had Crane on a ticket out of Welford Road years ago. I also think that Cocker's determination to ink Crane into the team sheet last season as possibly the main, if not an important, reason we lost Waldrom, not to mention Parling and Salvi. What a Holy Trinity to lose and aren't Exeter licking their lips now eh?

[JackFlashJonny]

I wish we'd kept him and let Crane go

Could not agree more. I would have had Crane on a ticket out of Welford Road years ago. I also think that Cocker's determination to ink Crane into the team sheet last season as possibly the main, if not an important, reason we lost Waldrom, not to mention Parling and Salvi. What a Holy Trinity to lose and aren't Exeter licking their lips now eh?

Holy Trinity Parling especially is past it now as his performances have shown he does not have the physicality (whilst an amazing lineout operator) and I am more than happy with our second row combinations we haven't missed him at all imo..especially for the money he would cost

Salvi is not half the player O'Connor is imo

Waldrom did not fit into our style when he left..

Whilst I can agree with the sentiments regarding Crane and Waldrom the other two are WAY off..