The switch off periods can't be seen in isolation. It's no good saying we were doing well, on the front foot etc. apart from the 15 mins we switched off - these periods are part of the 80 mins and are costing us games. There's much to build on. The defense is much improved, line speed better, Connor gives us variety and execution, much better ends to sets, Lumb promising much, etc., but until we can focus for the full 80, both as individuals and as a unit, none of that will matter. I don't expect to win every game, but when we do lose I expect the other team to win it, rather than us beating ourselves. This isn't about basic football skills, it's mental focus, each knowing their role and sticking to it under pressure. It's a cliche but sticking to the game plan really is key. It's a simple game - yes, speed and physical strength are important, but so is mental strength. The strength not to panic, trust that when you do you role well the team benefits, trust in your teammates to do their roles well, play to the plan. It can be taught, some players may be more receptive than others of course, that's the job of the coaching staff to work that through and make decisions on that basis. It's a team game. We all like to see exciting individuals, of course we do, but ultimately a cohesive team, one that knows what it is trying to do and how each member contributes to achieving that outcome, will always win out over a period of time. 

Well I actually quite enjoyed that!
Despite the defeat, I was pretty pleased with the performance.




A ragged 15 minutes cost us the game. We dropped off and
they punished us.


But the first half was really impressive.


The intensity and aggression is superb. We haven’t seen
it at that level for years.


It’s so much better to watch than the garbage of the last
2 years.


Saints were rattled and knew they were in game at half
time.


We just couldn’t convert it into points. If we had been
able to I think the second half would have played out differently.




Our pack matched theirs, and theirs is very good.
Long time since we've been able to say that. Our pack has been getting dominated for years.


Really impressed with Jenkins and Palaasia.


Jenkins was probably MoM for me. Thought he ran really
hard again. Both kept their big guys quiet in the opening 20 mins.


Holroyd has to come in for Lisone, who’s becoming a waste
of space. Two stupid passes is all he really did.


And Gannon is looking really good given how long he's been out.




We got exposed in the 3/4’s because that’s where our weak
area is now.


Miller looked lively and didn’t make any stupid mistakes.


Connor has to stay in the halves.


Brain fart pass into touch, but his kicking is so much
better than Frawleys.


With Ackers out I think Frawley may do a stint at 9.




Again, lack of cutting edge has cost us, but I do think
we have a better platform to work off and hopefully points will come.

Well well well, a dose of reality in a sea of despondency !!!! It has never been about the coaches, its always the players, recruitment and development now thats different.

Agree on all points.

I try to look at  games over the 80 mins and make a judgement overall.  Compartmentalising games may offer  hope for future fixtures but there’s always the likelihood your team will do exactly the same again.  You could take the opposite stance and conclude we were nilled  in France and couldn’t score a try for over 60 mins at Saints, worrying, and that we clocked of at home against Cas and conceded 18 points in 8 mins. The best teams sense blood and can use momentum to effectively finish a contest. I don’t think that’s something we are capable of against a decent team.