All I want for Christmas (Part 2 - The Team)

[thebearisstilldeano]

What changes would you like to see with Tigers for Christmas (remember a Rugby Team is for Life, not just for Christmas!!)

The Bearissilldeano would like;
1) Alex to be able to catch
2) Dan Hipkiss to be able to pass
3) Once in a while players to head for space rather than look for contact
4) Lote to come back
5) Castro to re-sign for 5 years

[adamv6]

2) Dan Hipkiss to be able to pass

Hmmm, as opposed to the Matt Smith, we thinks being 6ft+ and reasonable quick, he can just run on an outside arch and blast through the 2 centres tackling him?

Seem to remember My Varndell getting a hell of a lot of trys from Hipkiss passes.

Now my selection;

(1) Cockers to understand risk management
(2) Cockers to grasp the concept of squad rotation
(3) Moody at #7
(4) Everybody to stop insisting that Manu is a winger.

[ian23]

1 Alex to develop a hand off
2 Alex to try and stay on his feet more often

[bwightman]

1. Youngs-Flood-Alex-Manu-36-Hamilton-Murphy to get an extended run as a backs division.
2. Croft to be fit.
3. Everyone to stop pretending Moody is as good as he was 5 years ago.
4. Roman Poite or Dave Pearson to referee every Tigers game as they both enjoy a good scrum.
5. Smithy to pass when there's an overlap.
6. Allen to pull up his top form (a la back end of last season).
7. Use Alex more up the middle to create space for the nippers.
8. Jauzion to be English.

Dear Santa,

You can choose between #1 or #5 AND #6. #2 is my main present and #8 would be just lovely. All others are optional, though they'd be terrific too.

Have a very Merry Christmas,

Ben (aged 25 and 2/5ths.)

P.S. Please don't wear the blue outfit you had on for the Leinster game.

[hugh78]

Staunton to pick up where he left off at the start of the season (he WAS playing better than many people seem to think)
Billy to get a stint at 12
Alex to be used more (e.g. through the middle as we saw a few times on Sunday) or be dropped
Croft to be fit
Crane to be fit
Flood to be fit
someone to go with Thomas when he makes a break
Manu to get on the pitch
Bench players to be used

[thebearisstilldeano]

Dear Santa
In light of another thread please don't bother with any of the other presents I listed earlier - just make sure Castro stays please.

[POSTIGER]

Alex Tuilagi to have to earn his place in the team. Might do him some good to be among the replacements for a while because he contributes next to nothing some weeks.

[Tigerbob]

Alex Tuilagi to learn how to tackle properly.

Also, when going for an intercept pass, learn from little brother that it is easier to catch the knock-on if you tip it into the air rather than just wafting at it and letting it drop to the ground - risking a yellow card!

[maxy437]

- Hawkins to be given more opportunities, Chuter is being selected on merit.
- A new 7
- A back-up 9
- Support for GM

And good will!

[westwinds31]

Some centres with pace and creativity please, rather than the steady-eddies that we've got.

[POSTIGER]

Agree with Westwinds - we are in desperate need of pace and flair in the centres. Perhaps we could rectify instantly that by giving Manu a more regular starting berth?

[Big Dai]

Pat Howard as backs coach

[Tyler]

Pat Howard as backs coach

Amen brother!!!

And the breakdown laws to be banned full stop and the reintroduction of the law of the stud to deferr any offside cheaters!! (Ah the good old days )

Also the officials to be miked up to Doug(the bear is still Deano et al) to hear the cry "EVERYTIME REF!! " to allow clean ball for young Mr Youngs at the breakdown.

I'll get me coat

[westwinds31]

Don't get me wrong, Anthony Allen & Matt Smith are great, solid in defence and make the odd break, but we're just missing that spark I think. Maybe Manu coming in would ignite the back line.

[fatprop]

Pat Howard back as HEAD COACH not backs as he understands the player rotation and how to use the bench.
and of course some nice open rugby not all the full contact as at prersent.