posted Nov 25, 2006

I like the look of the team. Personnally, i prefer the look of perry over richards. And the centres dont look too good to me. As a Newcastle supporter, it pains me to say so, but any two out of the saracens 3 centres would do, Farrell, sorrell or johnstone.

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posted Nov 25, 2006

Absolutely right. Forget 2007 is all we can now do. Wholesale change under Andrew - and he takes the flak.

Personally I would make Ashton chief coach.

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posted Nov 25, 2006

What is this rubbish. We desperately need someone who can make our average players, and the fact is they are not average believe in themselves.

Today I was there it seemd as is usual and there were no ideas no tactics and certainly no confidence in each other.
We created some good field position but did not know what to do with it, twice Andy Goode kicked across field for the try without success, (which must have been a tactic discussed before the game), this from good forward play, why do this rather than use our 'skilled' backs. The players BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THE MANAGEMENT simply do not back their own ability and that is a tragedy.

Matthew Tait played well but was isolated no one seemed to know what was going to happen there was no plan, and we were playing an very average team.

We left 5 minites before the end which is the first time I have done that in 25 years it is disaster and it's about time we got real!

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posted Nov 25, 2006

England need a change of shape in order to challenge the dominance of the NZ squad.
I'd be promoting the likes of Varndell to match the fitness and pace of the England squad.

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posted Nov 25, 2006

We need to look at the best teams in all sports (Australia are just about the best at anything they do) and study their attitude. Then we have to work out how to instill that attitude in people who haven't got it. People who win know it - how they've done it and how they are going to do it - they don't consider any other outcome. When they have given their all, they are cheered off the field.

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posted Nov 25, 2006

The only real people to blame for this 'crisis' is the RFU. Sir Clive wanted to take England to the next level; the RFU in their wisdom thought otherwise. I am not confident that the RFU's next move will be the right one - whatever that might be.

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posted Nov 25, 2006

If you get rid of Robinson who is there? Lets hope that a wake up call goes to players that they need a bit of life. When I was at HQ watching the Argentina game I thought I was watching a poor Army Navy match. Our players do not support each other, there seems to be no camaraderie, whose fault is this?

Let Robinson stay until the World Cup, there will be no excuses after that. I remember when Bobby Simpson was mangaging Australia late 80s, early 90s saying we will hit the English until they can't make any more excuses - how many more can be left. The RFU need to realise that the current set up is untenable. We need to change the nature of English rugby not just the coach.

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posted Nov 25, 2006

So the fault lies with Robinson, Corry and Sanderson.....a sweeping statement, that three individuals are the root cause of England's current malaise. Perhaps one should look at the current AB's , the fact is that the current crop of England players are not up to the job when judged against the best. If AR goes then it will be someone else who will be " a no hoper" on this site..let's just change the name, but the comments will remain the same....what ever side England pick will not be the correct one.

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posted Nov 25, 2006

I apolgise if its seems overly sweeping. But a great strength of England's game has always been the back row it is no longer. Robinson has become emblematic of defeat and Corry as his leader has as well. Sanderson is unfortunate having been played at 8 for two games but he is not a world class open side. if you would like me to be more broad England lack the ability to implement their current game plan this does not mean however if they formulated the right method that they once again couldn't become world beaters.

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posted Nov 26, 2006

There is only one answer to the debacle that has been English Rugby post 2003 - Regional Teams - North / South / Midlands / West. Each regional side could either play in the already established Celtic League or a new European League. The regional teams in England would include only English players eligible to play for England. What about the Premiership - forget it! England won the World Cup 2003 with players who grew up during the amateur era when the national side was chosen from the county championships, I believe. Fans of Leicester, Northants, Bristol, Bath, Wasps et al would still have their club sides - they just would no longer be professional players, but would feed the four regional teams. Who would pay for all this?Gate receipts, sponsorship and the RFU. The RFU need a successful England team to generate income and without it we return to the dark days of the seventies when England were beaten by virtually any team you care to name. The odd result would go their way and a few of the players were very good like David Duckham and John Pullen both of whom played in a winning Lions team of that era. So, come on RFU - how about it?

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