Comments on: RWC Warm-Ups: England Player Ratings vs France

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 13:40:32 +0000

Haha I’ve not quite joined yet; but the delay in announcing the squad seems unnecessary. Surely the players must be frustrated at sitting around a few extra days, seemingly being able to do nothing more, whilst the coaches debate them?

Just feels like there is some indecision there.

By: Stu

Stu — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 13:34:57 +0000

Ignore the ? Marks, it was supposed to be a smiley face but I guess they don’t work!

By: Stu

Stu — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 13:32:55 +0000

Welcome to the brigade Jacob ????. Although I wouldnt take him I think Clark was unlucky to have that game as his debut, I think he could be a good option for England but unfortunately hasn’t had enough of an opportunity to showcase his ability.

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 12:30:36 +0000

After watching the two games aginst France, none of the hookers in the squad seem able to throw a lineout or scrummage

By: Dazza

Dazza — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 10:39:02 +0000

After just reading Jacob’s post I have come up with a list of people I do not want to see in SL’s squad. To be honest it’s not very long, but I think these people have either played themselves out of contention or are just surplus to requirements.

12T!!!!!!!!!!!
Cowan-Dickie
Clarke

I would be quite happy with any of the other options in any of these players positions.

Burell, JJ Barritt, Burgess, Slade? I would be happy seeing any of these names in the centres and I would even throw Cips’ name in there as a utility option. But please, please, please do not take 12T!!!!!!!!!!!

Cowan Dickie is a good player, but needs to do the basic requirement of a hooker right first!

Clarke is again a good player, but I believe all the other options are better than him.

By: Pablito

Pablito — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 10:02:39 +0000

IMO Goode is too slow and too easily bumped off in the tackle (am not referring to nigh-on impossible one on one tackles)

I don;t see much in him from an attacking point of view either. Again, too slow and his little stuttering runs that work in the premiership don’t at international level. Far too often his attempts to run the ball end in turnovers.

I would take Brown catching aerial balls over Goode every day of the week – Goode isn’t bad but Brown is better

I don’t see what Goode adds to the team that couldn’t be covered and bettered by Cipriani. Also consider that both Watson and Nowell are capable of covering full back

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 08:34:47 +0000

Cips over 12T? I didn’t even know we were still considering 12T?

So you’re thinking of taking three 10’s and 3 centre’s? As opposed to two 10’s and 4 centres? If so; which centres do you go for?

Interesting idea that does squeeze Cips in.

By: Blub

Blub — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 08:31:26 +0000

Yes EC you’re quite right. He had a poor first half. He improved in the second half considerably, and whilst we would like our players to play well for the full 80, sometimes it doesn’t happen. If this is out of his system now, 4 weeks before it really matters, then I don’t care so much.

It is very important to note that he had the mental strength to pull himself together.

Also, I would suggest that his touchline conversion, against the clock, two minutes from time, showed enormous mental strength.

By: Dazza

Dazza — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 08:29:38 +0000

Yes he did look good for most of the game, and the pass was not great, but when he’s at his best he would’ve caught it. I’m sure he’ll be fully fit and ready come the opening game, but not quite there at the minute.

When you talk about Goode’s defence are you talking about impossible one on ones like the Huget/Brown one? If so it’s never fair to blame that on the FB. One on ones are only defendable if the attacker messes up, or they’re the slowest player on the pitch.
To say he’s not great in the air is a bit harsh I think. I’ve seen him take some incredibly difficult catches before when under serious pressure. And as Grundy has pointed out his positioning is as good as you’re going to get.

I’m not saying I would start with Goode over Brown if Brown was fully fit, but I can understand why Lancaster would have him on the bench. He is in extra attacking weapon, but of a very different kind.

I would take Cips but not in place of Goode. I would take him instead of 12T. He is a better option at 10 or centre, and he’s proved he can cover 15 if needs be.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 08:06:39 +0000

Can’t believe Lancaster is waiting until Thursday to name his squad? What is the point of that? There is no more game time to see players in.

Shows a serious lack of decisiveness IMO.

If he ends up picking Cowan-Dickie based on him hitting his darts in training over the next day or two then I may well join Benjit and the SL is a muppet brigade…

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 07:54:26 +0000

I think that whilst Slade does have some fantastic quality, JJ’s emergence has probably stunted his chances of involvement. I assume that SL doesn’t think a Ford, Slade, JJ midfield is large enough to continually get over the gainline at test level. To be honest I agree with him.

If JJ had never have turned up I would however have the same opinion as you on Slade’s involvement.

By: egg chaser

egg chaser — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 07:13:12 +0000

Isn’t a warm up game the opportune time for Ford to practice a long range kick under test match pressure conditions?

I’m not trying to justify England’s failings…but the lad has one bad outing in an England Jersey and people are calling for his head?

Yes, Farrell is more experienced, but you only get experience by playing more, making mistakes, and learning from them.