Butcher:

Crazy game. We are just full of mistakes and it?s killing us. When I saw the team sheet I thought we were just going to try blow them away through the middle and complete high. But I think this is the first time Powell got his selection completely wrong, and was disappointed not to hear him mention that in his presser after the game. He said he was disappointed to hear the fans booing at half time because the lads were trying, but I think most were booing his choices.

Cam Scott was obviously put on the wing to make yards in our own end - which he did to an extent - but there?s so much more wingers are trained to do. Defending kicks, holding shape out wide, and finishing obviously. Scott couldn?t do any of that. I was also really disappointed with his non-attempt to close Hoy down for their first try. 

Then picking such a big bench gave us no option to rejig at half time. If he doesn?t play Walmsley next week it?ll be a show of stubbornness. 

I also think Griffin was a bad pick. He carries well but he?s so lazy - often shirks his responsibilities as third man in the tackle, and he?s quite easy to get around these days. But with Nikotemo now out again it looks likely he?ll keep his place. I?d be tempted to out Croft back in, and Vagana obviously.



And of course we need a half. Lino prefers playing down that right channel, and we all but ignored our left edge in good ball, which included our three biggest strike weapons against two of the worst defenders in SL. Again, for me that?s poor coaching. I?d like to see Max back at 6, with Rourke at 1. Otherwise, I?d like to see Stevenson get a shot, if he is ready.


But there were positives. Uele was good again, Nikotemo too, and Faatili completely changed the game. It was relief more than anything.

alegend:



Agree Griffin did not even  attempt to tackle Hoy before he started on is run that lead to there first try ..Scott is a second row he is slow at turning ,and should be no were near the wing .The spine is a joke at present with Pitts at 6 There is no organisations ,only kicking is going through LIno When I saw the team I was shocked why there was no Walmsly or Rourke ..Though we would struggle but I was shocked by how much .As said a top 6 team would have blown us away big time Think the forwards are some of the best I have seen as a pack ,but the back division we had out last night would have struggled in the Championship .

westgaterunner:

The result was so much more important than the performance. Like TJ said , now he is back at Wakey the one thing he wanted to get off his back was the home defeats to them over the last few years. Now that is done I am more confident about Magic than before.
Also its nice to say that we played below our normal standard and come away with a win, we just cannot handle going in to games as pre match favourites.
What does need addressing straight away , is a half back partner for Lino, he needs help with someone with pace at the side of him to give him time to bring the forwards and backs in to cohesion. A special mention to the replacements in the 2nd half , they changed the result.

Willzay:

At the end of the day Rourke would?ve been better at 1 than having Pitts at 6. Stevenson I think is a couple of years away from making the step up. 


I think Powell needs to decide who gets the other centre spot out of Hall/Scott instead of shoehorning both in.