So far this season we've for the most part being a 40 minute team, that's a problem mind set/coaching strategy wise and/or fatigue.
A few injuries has an affect obviously but it's not like we are playing a man down (unless a sinbin/red) so the Houghton makes 50/60 tackles comment whilst relevant in the sense of one of best players is missing it's not like that's 50/60 tackles not being made by the replacemet/s. it might not be as many, it might not be as effective but we are not missing 50/60 extra tackles because there's a replacement player on the pitch.
In this case it happens to be Washbrook who isn't a DH/Hooker but can tackle and pass a bit but this all stems back to the going with one hooker system (& losing Cunningham) which works if your hooker can do a full 80mins and/or isn't injured as you can then have 4 forwards on the bench with one like Hadley or Washbrook just in case. When we already have an 80 minute player in Mini we should be able to cover the loss of an 80 minute DH no problems.
Coach needs to get a hold of the discipline problem and fast because it looks like his charges are losing their heads when the pressure is on and can't deal with a few injuries and the players are gassed at times shipping loads of points.
Defence sounded lacklustre at best.
Still, no need to panic just yet.
