We lost Gareth Ellis, the best British 2nd row

Does anyone know for a fact that Hetherington has not tried to sign a Centre? who's available? at what cost? and do we really want another aussie/kiwi blocking Watkins Gibson Smith from the first team.

Like G1 said, some people are never satisfied.

You're talking about the way the team is playing. I have some sympathy with your view but am not in the slightest bit concerned.

RPW said the squad wasn't good enough to win anything.

I know we're supposed to behave and not name call but what a fekkin moron.

OK, in terms of the squad we've lost the following.

Gareth Ellis. A defensive monster. His loss will not be too keenly felt because we have plenty of depth in that position and our defense has also been solid. He did virtually nothing for the side going forward so nothing to replace there.

Jordan Tansey. he was playing hooker from the bench when he was in the team. We have replaced him with Danny Buderus and promoted McShane. Can anyone without the benefit of a lobotomy really say we have not upgraded?

Scruton. A loss, for sure. But, again, in a position were we have four front line decent players thanks to the emergence of Burgess.

Toopi. Didn't play last season and when he did play was with mixed results. We've been in need of a right centre and haven't filled the gap properly since Chev left. But there aren't that many Matt Gidley or jamie Lyon's around. Watkins and Gibson (who is like a new signing) are coming on so, the lack of a recognised right centre having proved no barrier to a championship, we're being patient.

I agree. There is no doubt our squad is still the best equiped in the competiton. And whether the rugby played is pretty or not, I still think we will win the majority of our games.

There is an old adage in the game...

Your [iAttack[/i will get you to finals and your [iDefence[/i will win finals.

Despite our injury list we seem to have the defence sorted and with time and the return of injuries the attack will sort its self out.

Have faith.....

Excuse me I take exception to being called a fekkin moron. I have a mind to report you to the site admin. All i did was make concerns at the squad depth??? Am i not allowed to do that?

As do I

Knock yourself out flower.

Sometimes I have to call it as I see it.

winter rugby thinking.....

seems to me Bluey has concentrated on getting the Defence right and letting the Attack follow.

We wouldnt want to peak too soon would we.

Oh well my opinion, your opinion. I shall maintain my dignity and not resort to name calling just because of a point of veiw.

I actually don't think our defence has been great. Sure, we have scrambled well and put in the usual big hits down field and shown we can muscle up on our line, but the best way to stop the opposition scoring points is to keep the ball away from them. Discipline and ball control have gifted overwhelming possesion to most of our opponents for long periods this year already - something we were guilty of last year as well. We haven't scored as many as we could because we haven't been able to maintain pressure. When we do this and we control the ball and hold discipline we are the best team in the competition (two GF's show what can happen when we do this). We relied on awesome scrambling last year to cover up for at times poor ball control and some ordinary tactics on tackle 5. When we picked up injuries we got found out and it cost us the league leaders shield and the CC.
We are not particularly patient at the moment on attack. When Webb gets back and we have two fresh hookers to rotate I think the better attack will lead to better defence and more posession.
But discipline has to improve - it was not great last year either - but when we get it right we are awesome.