Eagles game (for those who attended only) : Mon Jul 27, 2015 6:44 am  

Here's a novel idea. People talking about the game ie the rugby from a position of knowledge.

Plenty of negatives not least how we did not convert the 5 or 6 chances we created starting a set in the oppo 20, unforgiveable.

Too many basic errors. How many forward passes?

Big positive Matt Davis fabulous effort from the academy graduate.

Sickening injuries to Rhys L and Joe early on. Reminded me of the away game when we lost Slyney Mathers and Keyes in first 20.

For all the effort the forwards lack experience and arent nasty enough more Home Counties than pit village.

Re: Eagles game (for those who attended only) : Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:40 am  

For sure, when we had the upper hand in the first half we just failed to convert good opportunities into points.

What frustrated me was that we upped our game every time Hendo was on the pitch, when he went, we seemed to turn off.

True, this game mirrored the away game, with the three nasty injuries early and so early in the game. Coincidence ?

I too,would agree that our attack is just not mean enough.

A missed opportunity, the way other results went.

[brian2]

Re: Eagles game (for those who attended only) : Mon Jul 27, 2015 11:31 am  

Agree with all of these points, though in fairness the conditions were truly appalling. Summer rugby...... So whilst some of the drops were excusable, the forward passes were not - poor organisation and lacking thought! Henderson was magnificent and points the way forward in terms of recruitment.

Firstly we need an organiser - someone with a cool head who can weigh up options. Barthau may be able to, Oscar might in time (although I sense he will leave at end of season, an offiah deal......). We lack that at the moment when Henderson isn't on the pitch. Secondly, bigger and meaner forwards - we don't hurt teams in either attack or defence, a recurring theme over the last 3/4 years.

Re: Eagles game (for those who attended only) : Mon Jul 27, 2015 1:49 pm  

brian2 wrote:

Agree with all of these points, though in fairness the conditions were truly appalling. Summer rugby...... So whilst some of the drops were excusable, the forward passes were not - poor organisation and lacking thought! Henderson was magnificent and points the way forward in terms of recruitment.

Firstly we need an organiser - someone with a cool head who can weigh up options. Barthau may be able to, Oscar might in time (although I sense he will leave at end of season, an offiah deal......). We lack that at the moment when Henderson isn't on the pitch. Secondly, bigger and meaner forwards - we don't hurt teams in either attack or defence, a recurring theme over the last 3/4 years.

I wouldnt shed a tear if Thomas left, for everything exceptional he does, he offsets with 2 or 3 unforced errors/woeful kicks/missed tackles. It will be interesting to see what happens to Riley at the end of the season, as I think he is on loan ?

Also, where was Walker yesterday ? Were Barthau and Nasso rested, or dropped ?

Re: Eagles game (for those who attended only) : Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:59 pm  

Ray Nasso was in the bar prior to the game, so I would assume he was dropped to make way for Hendo.

Re: Eagles game (for those who attended only) : Mon Jul 27, 2015 5:10 pm  

We just aren't a big enough side. Hendo has got to get some monster championship forwards.

Weather was appalling but that doesn't excuse the forward passes.

Keyes was taken out off the ball by Langley. Disgraceful hit.

Re: Eagles game (for those who attended only) : Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:28 pm  

willow6666 wrote:

We just aren't a big enough side. Hendo has got to get some monster championship forwards.

Weather was appalling but that doesn't excuse the forward passes.

Keyes was taken out off the ball by Langley. Disgraceful hit.

A hit that the referee ignored, that was worth a card of some sort.

And all the Sheffield forward passes that he ignored. Don't get me wrong the ones he called us for were forward, fair enough. But when he's right there and a pass is thrown behind the 20m line and is caught well in front of the line and it's not given you do have to wonder.
No we didn't play well enough, but we got nothing from the ref either.

Re: Eagles game (for those who attended only) : Mon Jul 27, 2015 8:53 pm  

Perry wrote:

A hit that the referee ignored, that was worth a card of some sort.

And all the Sheffield forward passes that he ignored. Don't get me wrong the ones he called us for were forward, fair enough. But when he's right there and a pass is thrown behind the 20m line and is caught well in front of the line and it's not given you do have to wonder.
No we didn't play well enough, but we got nothing from the ref either.

He did miss the majority of Sheffield's forward passes. Ref was poor.

Re: Eagles game (for those who attended only) : Tue Jul 28, 2015 6:10 am  

Walker was sat with the other non-playing, not sure if injured or rested/dropped
Langley was involved in head slamming Lovegrove, as well as dropping Keyes, and also the tackle that had Wallace spend time being tested I think. Not sure how he got away without giving a penalty at least.

Re: Eagles game (for those who attended only) : Tue Jul 28, 2015 10:16 am  

I cannot understand how Langley got away with what he did either.