WINNING ISN'T EVERYTHING : Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:45 am  

And THIS from the man who answered my question about where will we finish this year at a forum with "FIRST....OTHERWISE, WHAT'S THE POINT OF PLAYING"

And THIS from the man who answered my question about where will we finish this year at a forum with "FIRST....OTHERWISE, WHAT'S THE POINT OF PLAYING"

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:20 am  

Not sure I see your point, a translation of training ground process into game time is more important than the 2 points as an indicator of where he thinks we will end up, if we won easily but poorly executed [i.e Cas's mistakes won us the points rather than our strengths] what have we learnt?

[tb]

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:24 am  

Homer wrote:

Not sure I see your point, a translation of training ground process into game time is more important than the 2 points as an indicator of where he thinks we will end up, if we won easily but poorly executed [i.e Cas's mistakes won us the points rather than our strengths] what have we learnt?

"Cas" and "mistakes" in the same sentence? Surely not!

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:31 am  

Homer wrote:

Not sure I see your point, a translation of training ground process into game time is more important than the 2 points as an indicator of where he thinks we will end up, if we won easily but poorly executed [i.e Cas's mistakes won us the points rather than our strengths] what have we learnt?

He said first was where he thought we would finish when I asked him, now he says the result against Cas isn't everything.....Sorry, but I'd take the 2 points over anything else. If Quins play badly and win, then that's championship form in some books
That said, it could just be Mind games....has Brian has been sharing a bottle of vin rouge with one Mr Ferguson of M16 0RA

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:48 am  

I think its more to do with the team being undercooked atm and that at this stage of the season its more about getting their processes right than picking up cheap points (though always welcomed) through someone elses incompetencies

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 1:23 pm  

I can see BM's logic. I hate cliches but we really are in a marathon and not a sprint. I would like us to be physically and mentally at our peak further down the track.

I've often wondered why we don't have a longer off-season TBH and use the first 2 games of the season as warm-ups. There's certainly a trade-off needed between trying to play intense rugby over 30-odd weeks and avoiding fatigue later in the year.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 1:32 pm  

Colly2 wrote:

I've often wondered why we don't have a longer off-season TBH and use the first 2 games of the season as warm-ups.

Because if our first two games of the season are against Bradford and Cas thats 4 very gettable points.

I simply don't understand the logic.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:12 pm  

The Penguin wrote:

I simply don't understand the logic.

You just can't maintain intensity over 30-odd weeks. Have a tough pre-season and hit the ground running in February and you inevitably risk fatigue later on. Of course Bradford and Cas are winnable in rounds 1 and 2 but so too are games in rounds 8 and 9, 17 and 18, 25 and 26 ...

Ultimately, it's a trade off unless you believe that physically and mentally players can perform at precisely the same level over a 9-10 month period. League position is about accumulating points but the trophies are won in August and October - nobody remembers who sits atop the table after round 5.

Like BM says, if the players can work to the patterns he wants and are beginning to get to used to combinations, I expect he'll be happy to build momentum slowly, even if Cas win on Sunday. That said, I have no doubt that he wants a performance *and* 2 points.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:18 pm  

Colly2 wrote:

You just can't maintain intensity over 30-odd weeks. Have a tough pre-season and hit the ground running in February and you inevitably risk fatigue later on. Of course Bradford and Cas are winnable in rounds 1 and 2 but so too are games in rounds 8 and 9, 17 and 18, 25 and 26 ...

I agree, teams get tired and physical and mental fatigue can set in. Thats why I think teams should look to start the season as best as possible. To treat the first 2 games as a pre-season fixture sends the wrong message - to fans, to players and perhaps most importantly to the opposition.

: Thu Feb 12, 2009 5:30 pm  

ooh this is not a good start, we go from saying that we think we can win the title to saying the points in this game are not important!!!
Every game is important and we should aim to win every game!!! points win prizes
Getting the basics right and losing gets bugger all

Come on Mac get more positive