Premiership 24/25 - Round 8

[TRF_Olyy]

Toby Booth is free isn't he?
Too good a coach to stay that way for long

Rumours he's joining the Wales staff, people saying his season wasn't bad enough to be sacked at this stage so he must have something lined up

 

[West Country Wail]

Toby Booth is free isn't he?
Too good a coach to stay that way for long

Yeah or Rowntree and promote Ricky Pellow. Move Baxter up to DoR to stay. 15 years of essentially the same coaching group isn't great.

 

[West Country Wail]

The wind at the plastic kingdom was shocking. I can't fault Hendy as the ball was swirling all over the shop. There was also dropped balls by a lot of players so not just a Hendy thing. In the second half the wing eased up and both teams managed it better.

Itoje does not come across as a good captain, very indecisive and never seemed to be in control of his team. Hope that's a one off but really wanted him to do well at captain.

Had enough chances. Doesn't come across like a leader. I'd say Willis has more of that aura already.

 

[BPM]

I think Itoje is a classic case of people thinking 'top player, very experienced = good captain'.

He's never shown any great desire for the role and doesn't appear to be a natural leader unless it's in a 'lead by example' category.

Our players seem to respond better to more vocal leadership which no-one in he squad is really offering.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I think Itoje is a classic case of people thinking 'too player, very experienced = good captain'.

He's never shown any great desire for the role and doesn't appear to be a natural leader unless it's in a 'lead by example' category.

Our players seem to respond better to more vocal leadership which no-one in he squad is really offering.

Agreed.

Part of it's a body language / attitude thing too. Johnson and Dallaglio always looked like they were up the fight and the tougher it got the more the eyes narrowed and they responded. Players respond to that kind of thing. Farrell likewise although what's a great trait for a forward in the thick of it doesn't translate to a decision making 10. Itoje doesn't give off that vibe, few English players do.

 

[BPM]

I think Lawes did/does and Mark Wilson (who I loved) was another who absolutely loved the fight.

But then when Kpoku made some confrontational comments a week or so ago, we had a group of people saying he came across as an 'arrogant pri*k' or words to that effect.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I think Lawes did/does and Mark Wilson (who I loved) was another who absolutely loved the fight.

But then when Kpoku made some confrontational comments a week or so ago, we had a group of people saying he came across as an 'arrogant pri*k' or words to that effect.

That edge / nastiness / arrogance still matters and it's infectious. Teams need tempo setters and Geech was right to talk about test match animals.

I wasn't one of them! I thought it was great he was talking like that and even if you just thought it was teenage nonsense, if you don't believe you'll be King of the World, sure as hell no-one else will.