Quote: Exeter Rhino "Haven't you been listening to press releases and interviews in the last few weeks?
Several explanations have already been offered. Brian Mac mentioned the impact of having a third of our salary cap sat on the sidelines at the start of the season in McGuire and Peacock (as well as other injuries). He's also suggested that replacing Senior was a massive difficulty. Sinfield spoke about the players having a better idea of their role in the team in the last few months (perhaps alluding to the halves and hooking combinations of late?).
This might not be enough to satisfy you and it is probably be glossing over the real issues, but if you want a frank, no holds-barred in-depth analysis of where things went wrong I doubt you will ever get one. The club will not want to draw attention to its failings and weaknesses, especially when things are getting better (if only for a brief spell).'"
Hmmmm. We have a 25 man first team squad, and whilst am happy to acknowledge the influence McGuire and Jamie can have on the field, I don't think their absence was responsible for the crazy start we saw to our season. Similarly, Keefy was hardly setting the heather on fire, and by general consensus was adding nothing to the team this season, so I don't really buy that excuse either. I personally think there was a complete lack of communication between BMD and the players as to the team selections and the tactics on the field, with the consequent headless chicken periods in a lot of the matches.
Sinny's interview was more enlightening, and he spoke highly of BMD, which made me wonder if Hetherington has sat them all down in a room early in the season and knocked some heads together. The last few games have been played at an entirely different level, and Saturday is a brilliant and unexpected bonus.
I suppose we'll have to wait for Sinny's book before we get to the bottom of it!
