Re-Shaping Leicester Tigers

[Dangerous4]

Losing Manu was no bad thing, It released a huge amount of money. He moved to Sale, but how much good has he done them? Injuries are still a massive issue, though rather them than us.

[mol2]

I think we are seeing things evolve into a Borthwick team.

I think he inherited a side in chaos, with years of looking inwards without the objectivity of an outsider.

We had too many years of internal coaching appointments. Even with the best of intentions it is hard to be objective when selecting players you have known for many years, played with some and haven't played or coached elsewhere.
Some young players have been given their chance, others the heave ho and some of the senior players have gone too and those that remain are those that buy into the new ethos. The salary cut issue was perhaps a crossroads, in the short term it hurt the side but also made it clear that no player is more important than the team. That's not a criticism of the players who left, they have short careers, mortgages to pay and futures to plan for and have to make considerations for themselves and their families. However it may well have shocked some to the core to discover we wre not going to treat anyone as special or more important than the team. A good thing for those that stayed.

[tigerburnie]

I think we are seeing things evolve into a Borthwick team.

I think he inherited a side in chaos, with years of looking inwards without the objectivity of an outsider.

We had too many years of internal coaching appointments. Even with the best of intentions it is hard to be objective when selecting players you have known for many years, played with some and haven't played or coached elsewhere.
Some young players have been given their chance, others the heave ho and some of the senior players have gone too and those that remain are those that buy into the new ethos. The salary cut issue was perhaps a crossroads, in the short term it hurt the side but also made it clear that no player is more important than the team. That's not a criticism of the players who left, they have short careers, mortgages to pay and futures to plan for and have to make considerations for themselves and their families. However it may well have shocked some to the core to discover we wre not going to treat anyone as special or more important than the team. A good thing for those that stayed.

I agree with some of that, but Dean Richards made the change well and so did John Wells, the game has changed and maybe there was an element of some of those that followed not controlling the squad, you can only have person calling the shots, Borthwick seems to have everyone's attention and those that don't want to be onboard will be left behind, for me using our academy players more is key, that gives us the Tigers core, people here for the shirt just as much as the money.

[kk20gb30]

Under Borthwick it would appear that The Club has one voice and one direction to take it forward.No bad thing.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Under Borthwick it would appear that The Club has one voice and one direction to take it forward.No bad thing.

That's true, but it mustn't become an environment where people are afraid to question.

[johnthegriff]

I agree that people should not be afraid to question, but having raised the question they should accept the answer, on match day all should be working to the same basic game plan, individuals with their own agenda will just cause confusion, that is not to say that there is no room for some individual flare when an opportunity presents its self but it should be of the moment and not leave the rest of the team behind.

[wormus]

I agree that people should not be afraid to question, but having raised the question they should accept the answer, on match day all should be working to the same basic game plan, individuals with their own agenda will just cause confusion, that is not to say that there is no room for some individual flare when an opportunity presents its self but it should be of the moment and not leave the rest of the team behind.

Cannot wait for a return to matchdays in the Crumbie shouting on Tigers with the great crowd around us, plus the thought of another Fans Forum to air these questions directly.. Keep well John, hoping it is not too long now.

[Traveller]

I think we are seeing things evolve into a Borthwick team.

I think he inherited a side in chaos, with years of looking inwards without the objectivity of an outsider.

We had too many years of internal coaching appointments. Even with the best of intentions it is hard to be objective when selecting players you have known for many years, played with some and haven't played or coached elsewhere.
Some young players have been given their chance, others the heave ho and some of the senior players have gone too and those that remain are those that buy into the new ethos. The salary cut issue was perhaps a crossroads, in the short term it hurt the side but also made it clear that no player is more important than the team. That's not a criticism of the players who left, they have short careers, mortgages to pay and futures to plan for and have to make considerations for themselves and their families. However it may well have shocked some to the core to discover we wre not going to treat anyone as special or more important than the team. A good thing for those that stayed.

Agreed. I have a friend who worked at Loughborough University in the Sports Science department for a number of years. Directly involved with the co-ordinating the degree programmes for elite performers. Worked with nine world champions in different sports. He knew I was a Tigers supporter, and said how arrogant Tigers were on the coaching front. That the people at Loughborough could teach them nothing. Borthwick comes across as a coach who is desperate to keep on learning.

[TigerFeetSteve]

I'm looking forward to episode 2 tonight.
Hopefully Bondi will have another popcorn container in the background too!

[JP14]

I'm looking forward to episode 2 tonight.
Hopefully Bondi will have another popcorn container in the background too!

I think that’s pretty wishful thinking I’m afraid.

Who knows in future it might be a sushi container in the background instead, if current rumours are to be believed...

[TigerFeetSteve]

Scott Clarke - Head of Community & Global Partnerships is in the hot seat tonight.

[JP14]

Bondi sporting a fine tache.

[Noggs]

Bondi sporting a fine tache.

So long as he doesn't start singing 'In the navy....'

[TigerFeetSteve]

episode 3 tonight is with Steve Borthwick, should be a good one

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

episode 3 tonight is with Steve Borthwick, should be a good one

Well that depends on if he chooses to actually answer any of the questions...
But in seriousness it might be more insightful than some of his more normal press utterances.
I hope there is an Episode with Aled as that could be entertaining & informative.