Thoughts on tonight : Sat Feb 21, 2009 8:31 pm
Just on the way back - a few thoughts
Not a great display overall. Even 10 points down we never looked like losing but there's work to be done in a few key areas. Positives were Tickle's try from a set play, and some excellent performances in the pack. Dowes was in great form tonight - one of the best games I've seen him play. Purposeful running, solid defence and some very good offloads. Tickle was also a stand-out. Calderwood looked more assured tonight and up for any sniff of an opportunity. We never really managed to kill the game off which was a bit disappointing. Downsides for me were our inability to stop the offload and our kicking in general play - Houghton's was probably the best of the night. After Thornan and Horne were so good at Leeds, this as a bit disappointing. TBF Celtic were very good in the first quarter and hugely fired up for it so they do deserve some credit. As someone said on the match thread, it was reminiscent of the 2006 campaign, so here's hoping.
Good turnout from FC - there were a few hundred there.
Brewery Field isn't a great venue. The standing stand has the shallowest steps ever and the toilets were a joke - half a dozen temporary cubicles