4071 is 100% correct
Speaking as an ex professional sportsman, the damage ( lack of opportunity ) inflicted by Coaches on different players obviously varies on the recipients individual character and personality------
However it doesnt take a rocket scientist to work out that anyone eternally kept in reserve will feel hard done by !!
The end result is often a player signing for someone who shows a little bit of luv and affection
RC's man-management leaves a phenomenal amount to be desired!!
12T is obviously talented enough to progress a lot further---let us sincerely hope neither he or Harrison seek pastures anew
It very nearly happened to BY in 2009 -- but an intervention by someone high up got that problem solved
Both 12T and Harrison should have come on much earlier, but in the formers case not necessarily in place of Staunton
TigerAlex wrote: Third, while it is possible that Harrison and Twelvetrees could turn a game and be brilliant, it is just as likely that they'll find the going just as tough as Grindall and Staunton, especially if the offside line is not being policed.
So they could be just as bad, or they could be better. Sounds like a no-risk call to me.
Sorry, but do you actually know what a no-risk call is? We're winning a match. Ok, maybe the players aren't playing well, but we're winning. How is replacing key players no-risk? It would be no-risk if we were losing by more than a losing bonus point because that way it would not matter how badly they played, no points would have been lost. However, if you're winning a match, replacing key players could result in a big loss. I'm not saying it would have in this case, or against Leeds or Sale, but it is possible and therefore a risk. How great the risk depends on how close the game is. Yes, new players may improve things, but they may equally make things worse. That is a risk.
I agree with much of what you're saying (generally). The development of players like Twelvetrees and Harrison is not going to be helped by watching games from the bench. There is no point bringing players on for two minutes. If you're only going to put them on for that time, you may as well not put them on at all. However, I do understand why Cockerill has not played either of them in such close games.
Lets hope that the intervention from someone high up takes place again - it did the trick last time and England and Tigers now have a very fine scrum half .
mike wrote:Lets hope that the intervention from someone high up takes place again - it did the trick last time and England and Tigers now have a very fine scrum half .
Bill W ( 2 )
You are obviously a rugby fan, judging by your 7000+ posts
However, there is an old saying------worth remembering !
It is not what you know--but WHO you know
norfolkexpat wrote:Bill W ( 2 )
You are obviously a rugby fan, judging by your 7000+ posts
However, there is an old saying------worth remembering !
It is not what you know--but WHO you know
.... And I'm sure Dusty Hare knows Billy Twelvetrees quite well!
To be fair, Northampton's priority must be to secure the services of a quality 10 (and a 9 possibly although Dickson played well before injury) and I do not think 12T fits their requirements.
They have three options at present:
Myler - lacks game control, horribly inconsistent kicker, can't handle pressure.
Gereghty - Has the spark of genious but you just never know what you are going to get, and neither do his teammates or coaches.
Joe Ford - Promising youngster, but 2-3 years away from Premiership.
I believe Billy's future lies in midfield, he could be a target for Saints if the reports that Downey is looking to move on are true but he is not the solution they are looking for at 10 unless they want to take yet another huge risk.
They missed out big time on Charlie Hodgeson and Nicky Robinson. They really need someone relaible at 10 and reliable as a kicker. This is nothing new, they have known this for quite some time.
I too believe Billy's future lies in the number 12 shirt, but unfortunately he is not going to get much exposure unless Anthony Allen either starts playing badly or is injured!
Personally I don't think AA had one of his better games on Saturday, and I would have liked 12T to have come on in the second half in place of him.
Had he been fully warmed up, and had a chance to take over the kicking duties from Jezza (as he was suffering for most of the second half) I believe he would have nailed that crucial kick and we would now by sitting pretty at the top of the Premiership with a 10 point lead over them pesky Saffas!
Tigerbob wrote: ...... and we would now by sitting pretty at the top of the Premiership with a 10 point lead over them pesky Saffas!
Don't worry about the Saffas, playing rugby like that will get them nowhere in the long run, and is why they are already out of the HC. Sure, they had a tough group but they lost ALL their home group games.
In the AP they have scored only 24 tries in 17 AP games compared to our 47 tries in the same amount of games. You need more than just tactical kicking and penalties to win trophies.
