posted Feb 5, 2008

Looking back at Saturday's result. The decision-making clearly went terribly wrong in the second-half.

I do think that the injuries played a huge part in this. You simply cannot have a second row playing in the back row against opposition of the calibre of Williams, Thomas and Jones and expect to compete effectively. Even more so, when you consider that Haskell has only a handful of caps and Narraway was making his debut.

That's to take nothing away from the Welsh. They did a fantastic job in the second-half and pressurised England into hitting the self-destruct button.

So where do we go from here. I personally would give the majority of the team the chance to put it right. They played well in the first half and showed glimpses of real quality.

I thought Balshaw looked dreadful and his confidence seemed to have been totally shot to pieces by the time the game was over.

There are a number of problem areas. Back Row, Centre and Full Back.

Back Row:

I thought Haskall & Narraway played well enough to warrant sticking with them. I've really liked the look of Lipman this season and he would be my choice with Lund on the bench.

This is assuming that Croft, Easter, Worsley and Ward-Smith are still injured.

Centre & Full Back

England really have to make a decision with Mat Tait. Is he a centre or full back? I don't think it will do him any favours in the long-term messing him around and shuffling him back and forth. If he's a full back, I think he should drop to the Saxons to get game time. There's just no point in having him in the squad if he's not going to make the matchday 22.

Personally, I thought Hipkiss was pretty hard done by to miss out and he'd be my choice to partner Flood in the Centre.

Josh Lewsey has already said that he only wants to be considered on the wing so that would rule him out of contention for full back. But I would personally add him to the squad to sit on the bench to cover wing/centre/full back.

Cipriani has a fair bit of game time for Wasps at full back so he'd be my choice. With Geraghty taking his place on the bench.

So my team (assuming no further injuries!)

Vickery
Regan
Sheridan
Shaw
Borthwick
Haskell
Lipman
Narraway

Gommersall
Wilkinson
Vainikolo
Flood
Hipkiss
Sackey
Cipriani

Bench

Wrigglesworth
Geraghty
Lewsey
Stevens
Kay
Mears
Lund

I don't think that he'll pick Lewsey or Hipkiss but that team would do for me!

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Feb 5, 2008

Bigwolverine you would be better off asking Mr Bashton the maths question he seems to know his sums.Example we lose 4 players through injury two flankers an outside centre and a winger . He calls up 3 replacements 1 flanker a scrum half and a flyhalf/inside centre!!!! And this fella is in charge of the England rugby team. Perhaps we should get Dayglo Catty and Cozza back to tell him how to go on?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Feb 5, 2008

I'm sorry but hodgson is not an international player, he's a club player...it would be suicide to let him into the team, in todays game you have to have a fly half that can kick and tackle..when england were at there worst was when hodgson was playing no.10

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Feb 5, 2008

Bigwovlerine you had better ask Mr Bashton about the sums, he good a maths here's an example England lose 4 players 2 flankers a winger and an outside centre. he calls up 3 players to replace them a flanker a scrumhalf and a flyhalf/inside centre!!!! And this fella is is in charge of the England team we better get messers Dayglo Catt and Cozza back to tell him how to go on?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Feb 5, 2008

Right i think after watching the French nippers fly against the scots Ashton needs to follow suit. My team would be as followed:
Sheriden
Mears
Stevens
Shaw
Borthwick
Croft
Lund
Haskell
Wiggelsworth
Cipriani
Flood
Noon
Vainikolo
sackey
Tait

there you have a dynamic front 5 that also had expirience and leadership in the form of the locks and also 2 props that can actually play 80 mins of rugby! that along with a powerful and fast backrow with plenty of lineout options also is what i feel our best pack. Gomersall takes too long over decisions at the base of rucks and so has to go especially with such pace as cipriani and flood waiting to be released! and then the power of the volcano and noon evens out the back line.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Feb 5, 2008

Chris Martin...

Remember at the Arms Park

High Ball...

Low moment...

High voice from J Davies...

Take a bow Balshaw...

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Feb 6, 2008

midlandflanker Hi

I think Ashton's not picked another winger because he'll now fill that position with the volcano. It is a shame that the Strett got injured though.

Can someone explain BA's obbsession with half backs.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Feb 6, 2008

I am gutted about the missing players (especially Strettle).
I heartily agree with HRDC99 that any team would have suffered with those injuries (and all the others). All credit to the Welsh for taking advantage though and Hook proved again what a quality player he is, shame he isn't Engish (although he'd probably be injured if he was).

I also agree with comments about Tait and Hipkiss (latter was injured?).

What is clear to me though is that Balshaw is NOT an inernational full-back. If you can't catch a high ball, kick lazily and are a light-weight tackler, I don't care what you do in attack. You shouldn't be on the field. He lacks guts and confidence and wouldn't fill me with confidence if I as playing alongside him. Play Abendadon, Tait, Foden(injured?)or Lewsey. Anyone but Balshaw.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Feb 6, 2008

BuryFlanker you are so right I would like to thank you for that comment on Balshaw!

Also I think the potential in Hipkiss is overwhelming and why Noon has the go-ahead in front of him I do not know. Noon is nothing like an international player.

An international centre is looked upon to create chances, make tackles, hit the gain line hard and, strengthen the entire midfield and have the rest of the team with confidence in him because of his ability. As far as I'm concerned Noon has one of these things: he makes a tackle or two and if he was lucky maybe he can hit the gain line; but Hipkiss is something else. Creates things, stays on his feet, nimble, quick yet balanced with strength - he has the potential to be a world renowned, world class player. Give him his chance! Ashton has gone down the wrong path yet again. Get rid of him - AND FAST !

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Feb 7, 2008

I too am amazed how Hipkiss has been glossed over.

Has he said anything?

add comment | complain about this comment