Re: Recruitment rumours and links : Fri Nov 03, 2023 9:31 am  

I don't know if there were injuries etc but the Saints play-off game was a free hit, conditions were perfect for a kicking game and he made the weak decision of playing Drinkwater over Hayes (who is a much better kicker).

Chambers made a few (seemingly) cautiously weak selections during his tenure which saddened me.

I have high hopes Burgess will be as brave a coach as he was a player.

Re: Recruitment rumours and links : Fri Nov 03, 2023 9:36 am  

ratticusfinch wrote:

I don't know if there were injuries etc but the Saints play-off game was a free hit, conditions were perfect for a kicking game and he made the weak decision of playing Drinkwater over Hayes (who is a much better kicker).

Chambers made a few (seemingly) cautiously weak selections during his tenure which saddened me.

I have high hopes Burgess will be as brave a coach as he was a player.

Totally agree with you about Drinkwater, he has been in a permanent sulk mode, since the 2nd McGuire ban.

He should have been dropped as he clearly just wasn`t interested.

Re: Recruitment rumours and links : Fri Nov 03, 2023 9:44 am  

He's also pretty rubbish when he's interested, dreadful signing.

Re: Recruitment rumours and links : Fri Nov 03, 2023 10:04 am  

I remember Powell saying they had a list of attributes they wanted in a scrum half and that Drinkwater filled them all. You could give me a list of all the attributes you want. in a beautiful woman’s face so that I could draw it for you. The picture would have all the obvious attributes ( eyes, ears nose mouth etc) in roughly the right place but it would look like Quasimodo rather than Elle MacPherson (other supermodels are available).

Re: Recruitment rumours and links : Fri Nov 03, 2023 10:06 am  

Ps I was hopeful when we signe Drinkwater to be fair, Matautia on the other hand…

Re: Recruitment rumours and links : Fri Nov 03, 2023 10:09 am  

ratticusfinch wrote:

I don't know if there were injuries etc but the Saints play-off game was a free hit, conditions were perfect for a kicking game and he made the weak decision of playing Drinkwater over Hayes (who is a much better kicker).

Chambers made a few (seemingly) cautiously weak selections during his tenure which saddened me.

I have high hopes Burgess will be as brave a coach as he was a player.

I don’t think it was a “ free hit” it was a winnable game, he went for experience we’ll never know if Hayes would’ve been the difference so harsh criticism ( although i would’ve played Hayes).

Re: Recruitment rumours and links : Fri Nov 03, 2023 10:39 am  

Drinkwater and dudson amongst others just looks like players going through the motions at their latest club .... Little enthusiasm or desire in their play ...it's this lack of energy in players which Burgess either needs to address by either building them mentally up or dropping them for others with the passion to succeed... Not looking simply at who's the name with the bigger contract for who plays

Re: Recruitment rumours and links : Fri Nov 03, 2023 1:16 pm  

Smiffy27 wrote:

We have definitely made some duff recruitment decisions just like others e.g. Leeds, Hull, Huddersfield & Castleford but I think you are being harsh on Chambers.

I'm sure he's a nice guy and all but i don't rate his appointment as DoR* and his win rate at the end of the season was less than Powell's.

*i'd have tried to recruit an individual with an international profile who had a winning professional career with good contacts in north and south hemisphere RL. Someone like Sinfield (for example).

Re: Recruitment rumours and links : Fri Nov 03, 2023 1:36 pm  

Wires71 wrote:

I'm sure he's a nice guy and all but i don't rate his appointment as DoR* and his win rate at the end of the season was less than Powell's.

*i'd have tried to recruit an individual with an international profile who had a winning professional career with good contacts in north and south hemisphere RL. Someone like Sinfield (for example).

Bit simplistic to focus on win rates over such a short time and unfair. Sinfield has recently been sacked from his position at RFU so he might be available sooner than anyone thought.

Re: Recruitment rumours and links : Fri Nov 03, 2023 1:40 pm  

Wires71 wrote:

I'm sure he's a nice guy and all but i don't rate his appointment as DoR* and his win rate at the end of the season was less than Powell's.

*i'd have tried to recruit an individual with an international profile who had a winning professional career with good contacts in north and south hemisphere RL. Someone like Sinfield (for example).

I think putting Chambers in charge after Powell left was a mistake, not because I don't think he will make a good DoR - which I actually think he will, but because he was on a hiding to nothing. He had very, very little coaching experience when given the role so was on a hiding to nothing.

I think the attitude and effort went up a few notches once Chambers came in, win rates shouldn't be considered, it wasn't his squad and it wasn't a role he was experienced in.

I've spoken to him before and I have listened to a few interviews while he was Head of Youth / Interim Head Coach. I think he will try and build from within and will instil a pride & respect in to the club that has been missing.

I know Sinfield was only an example, but pretty sure he has turned his back on DoR roles as he wanted to be closer to the training field. Ironically there was a rumour doing the rounds that Sinfield was coming in as assistant coach, put to bed by Burgess.