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DavidLeigh

Listed below are comments made by DavidLeigh between Friday, 21st August 2009 and Sunday, 8th November 2009.

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Streetwise Aussies douse England spirits 3:47pm on 08 Nov 2009 Hello again Tom

I feel England (and other NH sides to a lesser degree) have the wrong idea about the modern rugby players size, fitness and mobility. I think they are overbulked in the NH, sacrificing mobility, speed and stamina (fitness).

Many of their injuries are 'self-inflicted' due to being excessively muscular, yet they lack agility. Compare the shape of many of the England front rowers to some-one like Bismarck du Plessis. Many of the SA players are large frames, but are generally lean and very mobile, for example Bakkies, Matfield, Burger, Smith, Kankowski, Fourie and more. NZ's Richie McCaw another fine example.

Croft is a good example of the type of player England should be striving for.

I think there is always a temptation to go for heavy weights in an effort to 'front up' to the SH teams, but I think this is essentially flawed. You will not beat sides like SA, NZ by 'fronting up' but rather by 'going around' them.

I have read an article by an Irish fan who rates Ferris as 'an Irish backrower who plays like a Bok' referring to his intensity and mobility. But you need a full squad of players like that to challenge the top sides consistently home and away.

Martin Johnson may not be the right man for the job at this stage in his career. His choices seem to be reflective of a by-gone era, so I don't know whether he truly has the answers.

Shane Williams shared a room with Habana and trained with the Springbok contingent prior to the Barbarians game last year and remarked at the speed with which they train, citing all activity done at full pace, even the big guys like Bakkies and co. This was a comment echoed by an Australian youth team who watched the Boks train during the Tri-Nations.

My advice to Martin Johnson would be to go smaller and more mobile. If you find speed with size (Brussouw, McCaw, Spies) then it is a bonus. Look also at nous, hunger, rugby IQ.

Watching the England front row yesterday, was like watching a front row from a decade ago. Good scrummagers, strong but no mobility, no speed.

I would like to see England do well again and challenge at the top, but I feel they are on the wrong path here.
Streetwise Aussies douse England spirits 11:31pm on 07 Nov 2009 Hello Tom

I feel England need to believe that a team is allowed to win despite a large injury quota, and regardless of the state of the opposition.

It is all too easy to settle for a credible excuse, which often serves as reason to ignore pressing (albeit uncomfortable) realities.

Why such a high number of injuries in the squad? Is the squad perhaps too old? Training/conditioning concerns? Management concerns?

Have Ireland found the answer with their Player Management Program, or will that backfire in the form of players being 'undercooked'?

The Tigers showed what could be done despite many first choice players not being available.
Streetwise Aussies douse England spirits 9:48pm on 07 Nov 2009 'Austrailia kept England at bay by giving away penalty after penalty to interupt the flow of the game.'

This is a very interesting take on what happened. Would a team really do that against the boot of Wilkinson?
England cannot replace Rooney 8:13pm on 13 Oct 2009 Hello Phil

Without joining the band wagon of opinion above I have to say that I fear for England's hopes if your opinion is to be believed.

Rooney does sadly not mean the difference between world cup success and failure. Far better strikers from other nations don't even make that difference. On the big stage, Rooney is easily neutralised and frustrated, and could even be more of a liability to the team's hopes.

I think England are semi-final hopefuls at best, however, if they perform as a team, and do not centre their game around Rooney, they are capable of upsetting some of the top sides.

Elevating Rooney far above his true ability and influence, merely causes false hope and is disrespectful to the rest of the squad.

Now if Capello manages England in SA the way I hope he will, and they play as an eleven man team, I think they will do very well (semi-finals) and I will be delighted to watch them play.

Good luck England!
England discover ruthless streak 4:21pm on 28 Sep 2009 Strauss was well within his rights to deny a runner, but it was not only poor sportmanship but 'un-Strauss like'. He may play to regret the decision.

Cramps may be due to poor conditioning, or to a magnificent innings at the crease. Lets be clear, most injuries are also due to poor conditioning and preparation.

None of this should detract from a convincing and well earned win by England. Well done.
A glimpse of life after Freddie 10:02am on 22 Aug 2009 Hello tommy

It's the same cynical mentality as KP topscoring and then being criticised for the dismissal stroke.

Rather focus on the dismissal shot and not the preceding 99 runs.

We need to be more positive. If Mr Dirs can do it, then there are no excuses.
A glimpse of life after Freddie 09:53am on 22 Aug 2009 wicket2wicket

England need you in the dressing room this morning! No nonsense, unemotional, and factual! Well done.
A glimpse of life after Freddie 09:25am on 22 Aug 2009 A penny for your thoughts Twango?
A glimpse of life after Freddie 08:48am on 22 Aug 2009 So it's Fred's last test match.

Let's look at his test career:

66 matches played; Batting- 3331 runs averaging 32.66

Bowling- 190 wickets averaging 32.6 with 2 fivers

Fielding- 44 catches

Hype- top drawer

Motivational factor- top drawer/disruptive

Captaincy- unsuccessful

England have won more test matches without him than
with him in the side

So it remains a matter of opinion whether Fred was average or good or great.

I have admired Fred on the one hand for sorting himself out after the pedalo issue, but dislike the 'spreadeagle' celebratory gesture side of him.

He will certainly be remembered as a favourite of the fans. Good luck to him, and goodbye to a character of the game.
A glimpse of life after Freddie 10:51pm on 21 Aug 2009 Hello Eirebilly

I must agree with OBloggs here. We need better umpiring. Decisions may even out/ be evened out in number, but not in effect.

However, much better from England today. If this does not get the fans and media behind you, nothing will. Even Mr. Dirs has struck a positive cord. Well done Ben.

England have shown today how they can perform without Fred (I know he played). Broad has learnt a big lesson about bowling thanks to his admiration of 'pidgeon'.

Tomorrow is crunch day. Strauss and Trott to roll the dice, Punter to call the price.

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