Re: Matt Davies : Fri Nov 24, 2017 2:57 pm  

I don't think we've nurtured our young playmakers enough in recent years, and so I hope we stick with Matt and give him some time to grow. We'll hopefully see Alex Walker blossom in the next year or two, although this may make it difficult to keep him, but I'm sure we could have made a better job with Joe Keyes' development. He may well have had defensive shortcomings, but so did Cooper Cronk and look how he's gone over the years!
There is no doubt that the Academy of 2017 was our best crop for some time; superbly led by Jamie and the team. I hope there's more to come across to the first team squad in the next year to two.

Re: Matt Davies : Fri Nov 24, 2017 3:31 pm  

I watched the juniors for years from LMS through to Sargy. McMeekin etc and there are 2 things that struck me with the teams year after year;

1 The tackling technique was poor
2 We lost our way on the last tackle in the opponents 20- I can't recall seeing a decent 6/7- Sargy and his half back partner both played for England in there younger days.

I think we've always had speed out wide, Caro, Dixon etc and backrowers who work hard. Some of the basic skills have been lacking at the junior level. To think they will be coached advanced skills like 13/6/7 need is probably beyond the coaching team or has been.

Re: Matt Davies : Fri Nov 24, 2017 6:06 pm  

Sounds a bit harsh WQ thought the juniors did well this year? Sure I saw some surprising results so must be doing summat right

Re: Matt Davies : Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:15 pm  

wire-quin wrote:

I watched the juniors for years from LMS through to Sargy. McMeekin etc and there are 2 things that struck me with the teams year after year;

1 The tackling technique was poor
2 We lost our way on the last tackle in the opponents 20- I can't recall seeing a decent 6/7- Sargy and his half back partner both played for England in there younger days.

I think we've always had speed out wide, Caro, Dixon etc and backrowers who work hard. Some of the basic skills have been lacking at the junior level. To think they will be coached advanced skills like 13/6/7 need is probably beyond the coaching team or has been.

Without a decent half back combination, teams struggle - see Fiji today. They are underestimated, second string to forwards. That's what worries me about this season, decent 6, 7 and then ....

Re: Matt Davies : Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:21 pm  

Don't think half back combination had anything to do with the Fiji result

Re: Matt Davies : Fri Nov 24, 2017 9:06 pm  

northernbloke wrote:

as a youngster he will not make a big hole in the salary budget

if we are reduced to being "satisfied' with a signing because he'll be cheap then I fear for us moving forward. The Kid was deemed not good enough a couple of months back and now "he's an OK signing because he's cheap"?
The Mind Boggles.....

Re: Matt Davies : Fri Nov 24, 2017 10:26 pm  

Maybe the previous coach didn't like him, maybe the new coach sees a future for him.
Who said satisfied? How did LMS start out, he was pretty cheap early doors, and he turned out ok

Re: Matt Davies : Fri Nov 24, 2017 10:27 pm  

Come on I dare ya, try and see the positive in at least one thing

Re: Matt Davies : Fri Nov 24, 2017 10:31 pm  

And remember the thread about Toronto and youth development? At least we are trying to bring local kids through, or are you suggesting we sign a northerner? Or an Aussie

Re: Matt Davies : Sat Nov 25, 2017 10:18 am  

Sounds a bit harsh WQ thought the juniors did well this year? Sure I saw some surprising results so must be doing summat right

Everything seems harsh to you if it isn't what you want to hear. Ive provided you with my thoughts of 10 + years watching the kids.

Maybe this is better;

Hughes is great and our saviour
Our youth development is the best in UK
The potential of the club going forward is enormous
Ealing is geographically placed in the best location London has

Happy now.