posted Oct 29, 2007

If Lawrence is wrong about this, where are the supporting voices from the other 29 members of the squad supporting BA? None that I've heard.
And if he's right, isn't it better to sort it out now ASAP so the suits don't reflect in the glory for the next 4 years as they did last time.

IanC

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posted Oct 29, 2007

I really can't understand people wanting a complete new set-up and to get Ashton out. We have just reached a WC final with a team that has been appalling for 4 years and is not firing on all cylinders, against all the odds by sheer passion and pride alone having beaten 2 favourites along the way and then only lost to arguably the best/most consistent team in the world. Under Robinson we never would have achieved that.
Ashton is not a head coach but he has shown he can have a positive impact on the team, so in my opinion deserves to stay as a integral part of the coaching team. Guscott made some poignant observations about Ashton helping to unlock the conservative mentality that has held us back for the past 4 years and I think he is right.
What we need is 2 new positions to support people like Ashton, Wells, Ford. First, a manager who runs the business side of England Rugby, leaving the coaches to purely coach. Secondly, we need a Head Coach who has the management expertise to bring together the skills of the individual coaches into an integrated vision so that the players/coaches are all working together.
Dallaglio/Catt are welcome to their views but i find them very arrogant. Dallaglio was rubbish in the WC, he seems to be more concerned with his status than his performance and it shows on the pitch. Anyway, despite their contributions overs the years they are now obsolete and we should look to fresh, younger faces who are willing to work with coaches to develop a world class team. Leave people like Dallaglio to drum up publicity for his book, he probably needs to extra money for his retirement.

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posted Oct 29, 2007

Only those on the inside know if Ashton is up to the job. All I would say is no one was saying otherwise in the lead up to the world cup and no one with a future in the team has said anything negative since as far as I know.
After losing to SA it is not hard to see why a few people were getting worried that we would be humiliated and were desperate for direction if not a miracle cure.
Ashton was right Johnny Wilkinson is a talisman who gives belief and that is a mighty strong thing to have even if he performed below his own magnificent par.
In short the jury is out on Ashton but it is clear that England are not the force they once were without JW to glue them together and you can't blame the manager for that but people do.
Manager is another word for 'Fall Guy'

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posted Oct 29, 2007

Ashton Should get the job, be allowed to pick his own staff and have a team manager to front up to the press. He said before hand that the reason he picked all the old guard was so if we did get stuffed and go out early it would not have a lasting effect on the young players coming through. Give him time to get together with a new younger squad without the RWC hangign over them and he will build a great team. He also has Rob Andrew involved in selection as well.

Dayglo has been useless for more than five years unless you want a defensive game.

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posted Oct 29, 2007

I think Dallaglio's remarks are diabolical. I've played sport for many years now, both rugby and football, and regardless of feelings what happens in the camp stays in the camp. This is completely unprofessional and I don't htink he should represent England again.

Although I doubt he would of been in Ashton's plans anyway after a dismal performance in the world cup.

In the only game he featured significantly (the USA) he was a shadow of his former self, and tried to barrel through a more physical and superior defense where it would of been more productive to allow some width play to move their defence about, creating an opening.

And after each game where he appeared as a substitute he held his head high as if he had won the match single handedly.

It's a poor reflection upon an immensely proud and patriotic man who enjoyed a great career.

Maybe he hadn't matured as we all hoped after the earlier blotches on his impressive career.

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posted Oct 29, 2007

To say that Ashton is not up to the job is absurd. He may look past it but when he was at Bath, he transformed the team and started to play some rugby. But then he left for England and we only just avoided relegation which I think speaks volumes.
Also, Delag... cannot speak because he is almost as Ashton and I found it embarrassing that he cried during the national anthem before his huge role as bench warmer. What an arse

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posted Oct 29, 2007

Also, to reach the world cup final with the squad we had and the limited game which we were offering was unbelievable. Chin Up Bri!!!!

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posted Oct 30, 2007

Vickery in Today's times???? Is there any better voice?

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posted Oct 30, 2007

The most important thing is that the terrible complacency that followed 2003 isnt repeated.
Big L's comments probably had more to do with sour grapes after being dropped against the US but his grievences should still be taken seriously if we are to avoid repeating the last 4 shamboilic years of England Rugby

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posted Oct 31, 2007

'A fool does not find joy in understanding but only in expressing his own opinion'

It's also said that only a fool learns from his own mistakes, so, based on the fact that this is not the first time his mouth has got him into trouble, I'm not exactly sure where that leaves Mr Dallaglio. Village Idiot status perhaps?.
"World cups aren't won by one person" said bumbling Bruno at the Stade Velodrome just before the Australia match. "They're won by a squad of 30 with the back-up staff."
Well then equally they are lost by the same people, are they not? That is the whole essence of team values, something Lawrence has clearly discarded in favour of short term book sales.
A shame, he has again tarnished a successful career with self-destructive short-sightedness.
Maybe he's just not that bright?

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