Taxi for Tait?

[baz1664]

After another failure by Matthew Tait against the Quins would it be in the Tigers best interests to off load/terminate his contract due to his ongoing injury problems, surely the management would have him on a pay as you play deal initially so they have the option of getting rid if his injuries re-occured. Tait was/is a potential world beater but i think the rigours of full time rugby at such a young age has had its toll on him, is it worth investing in a player who will never be 100%??!!

[Tom Tom]

Have to agree.
Unfortunately.

We let a very expensive Lewis Moody go because he was so often unavailable due to being injury prone - this due to his complete disregard for his own safety.

Tait must be in the same category or is he indeed on a pay per play deal. If he is not he should be with his history.

[rocktop51]

I dont think a taxi is appropriate. Yes, he has injury problems but this injury is compartively minor in it being a groin strain. This ype of injury can happen to anyone and certainly isn't a sign of being injury prone.

Nothing like kicking someone when they are down. He has a great talent and I believe that given the time and patience he deserves he will prove to be a good signing for us.

[Crumblies]

I find this post disingenuous to say the least. Give the guy a break he had his problems with a long term shoulder injury which he appears to have overcome, he has apparently picked up a groin injury which from my experience needs the appropriate r & r to overcome. It is questionalble whether he was fit enough to start in the last three games but he has gone out and given his best, and from what I saw he is class and was clearly bitterly disappointed to come off.

How about Geoff Parling last year out for months then played only a few minutes before getting injured again, did we send for a taxi for him? How about Kieron Brookes, Mickey Young shall we send for a taxi for them? and for that matter Geordan has had more than his fair share of injuries in recent times shall we send for a taxi for him?

Now if you suggested a taxi for Cockerill and O'Connor!

[Tom Tom]

I dont think a taxi is appropriate. Yes, he has injury problems but this injury is compartively minor in it being a groin strain. This ype of injury can happen to anyone and certainly isn't a sign of being injury prone.

Nothing like kicking someone when they are down. He has a great talent and I believe that given the time and patience he deserves he will prove to be a good signing for us.

I hope you are right that he recovers fully and becomes a regular squad member but with his history I have grave concerns purely on economic grounds and leaving emotions out of it.

[baz1664]

With Tait's long list of recent and historical injuries i think the names of Brookes, Parling or Youngs cant be put into the same context, as an England international Tait is going to be on a fair wedge, sometimes big decisions have to be made on certain players, I have watched him this season and on Saturday and he looks a shadow of the player who cut holes in the South African line in the last world cup. As for getting rid of Cockers i think thats abit premature, the next 5 games will probably pave his future!!

[jack]

Taxis are not required for the above mentioned players.

However, I was totally against the signing of Tait. He has a great deal to prove and probably peaked at the Manchester Commonwealth Games 7s.

He needs to get fit and show us that the reputation some people attribute to him is deserved. He will not find this easy.

Maybe a case of too much too young - there are many players to whom this happens.

[BJ.]

How about Geoff Parling last year out for months then played only a few minutes before getting injured again, did we send for a taxi for him? How about Kieron Brookes, Mickey Young shall we send for a taxi for them? and for that matter Geordan has had more than his fair share of injuries in recent times shall we send for a taxi for him?

I think the difference is Messrs. Parling, Brookes, Young & Murphy didn't come to Welford Road with a history of injuries. The club knew about Tait's fitness when they took him on - it now appears it might have been the wrong decision. Anyway, the season is still young - let's see where he is come May.

[Isambard]

Hopefully Simon Cohen knew all of this before signing him and the contract has some flexibility clauses.

I want to see him establish himself as a Tiger who sets a match alight and then maybe restore his England career too. No taxi this season imho.

[Isambard]

Hopefully Simon Cohen knew all of this before signing him and the contract has some flexibility clauses.

I want to see him establish himself as a Tiger who sets a match alight and then maybe restore his England career too. No taxi this season imho.

[me2]

However, I was totally against the signing of Tait. He has a great deal to prove and probably peaked at the Manchester Commonwealth Games 7s.

Tait wasn't at the Manchester (2002) Commonweath Games 7s as he was only 16 at the time. He did do well in the Melbourne (2006) Commonweath Games though.

[Chobbsy]

[quote="Crumblies"]I find this post disingenuous to say the least. Give the guy a break he had his problems with a long term shoulder injury which he appears to have overcome, he has apparently picked up a groin injury which from my experience needs the appropriate r & r to overcome. It is questionalble whether he was fit enough to start in the last three games but he has gone out and given his best, and from what I saw he is class and was clearly bitterly disappointed to come off.

How about Geoff Parling last year out for months then played only a few minutes before getting injured again, did we send for a taxi for him? How about Kieron Brookes, Mickey Young shall we send for a taxi for them? and for that matter Geordan has had more than his fair share of injuries in recent times shall we send for a taxi for him?

Now if you suggested a taxi for Cockerill and O'Connor![/quote]

I agree, I want to see him fit and playing in the centres would love to see outside Manu...on the pitch not in a pool though

[sam16111986]

Wow talk about jumping the gun. Let's at least give the guy a full season. What would be the point of offloading him now? There's little to no chance of a replacement and when he has played he looks capable of the game changing moments we lacked in attack last season. He's not shied away from contact and is clearly ready to give his all for us so let's back him and see what he can do when we start going forward and when he is fully fit.

[GS]

I'm still prepared to give the lad a chance, but his cause isn't helped by the club. Why pick a guy when you aren't sure if he's fit enough? If he was and did pick up the injury just before the first game then fair enough, it happens. Once is unlucky, but twice is careless. I have my suspicions about his attitude and this isn't helped by the club playing him when he isn't fit.

Over the recent years we have seen bad long term injuries to top players and the club has stuck with them, the last being Parling, out with a shoulder injury and op and then 4 minutes into his return does his knee - out for the season plus. I would have thought he'd ease himself back after such an injury (and after seeing what happened to Harry) but since he's been back he's just picked up where he left off.

Has he been put in the team too early? Is there a problem with his conditioning (although I suspect Carter was in peak condition when he strained his groin just kicking a ball)? Does he have the right attitude? Are we all expecting too much after a long term injury and a new club? We'll never know the answers but the club need to be careful to get the most out of him. If he is a delicate flower then the mucho macho environment at Tigers might not be the place for him.

I hope he does come good and play to his potential, preferably at Tigers.

[tigerlilly]

I for one hope he can overcome his injury issues and regain his form. I do however worry that there could be a psychological aspect to his injuries, lets hope the set up a Leicester can support him in all aspects of being a professional sportsman and lead to him becoming a confident fit player again. i would also presume as it took a very long time to offically announce his signing by Leicester that he is on a specialist contract which may have a clause surrounding early termination of contract should fitness be an issue. He needs at least a season to settle and regain fitness and confidence in his abilities.