posted Oct 10, 2008

I honestly think Ashton didn't have the strength of will to get the best out of his coaches and get all of them on the same page. This just happens to be precisely what MJ is good at so i don't think there will be many conflicts of wills in the new set-up.

Johnson is too canny to have picked someone like Brian Smith who seems fairly determined and forceful if he doesn't plan to implement his style of play in attack. I remember someone describing Smith's attacking system as being free flowing but very clear, with every player knowing exactly where to be and when to be there. Hopefully, once the players have a clearer idea of wat is expected of them, they will be able to play the exciting brand of attacking rugby we all want to see.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Oct 10, 2008

Not harping back, but...remember the strength of the 2000-2003 team was the power of the forwards softening up the opposition, then the backs putting them to the sword in the last 20. If we can redevelop that style, allowing for the ELV's, then we can start to believe again.
With MJ and the Leicester posse bringing the forwards back to scratch, & Smith (cant put his initials!!!) releasing the potential of the backs....

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Oct 10, 2008

not bothered how England play as long as they win

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Oct 12, 2008

How do you know about training ground bust ups Jerry? I thought that you stopped training Oct - Feb, as it got too cold?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Oct 12, 2008

Serious question for Mr Guscott, although he's already answered one of mine.

Who do you think the surprise package of the British Lions will be next year?

Has anyone really caught your eye this season that dosen't seem to be in the Home Nations squads and you think could step up to the mark witht he lions?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Oct 12, 2008

Jeremy what are your thoughts on the upcoming Pacific Islanders tour of England, France and Italy? Do you think it is a feasible short-term solution to finding Fijian, Samoan and Tongan players test-level matches until those countries are able to pay their players to play for their countries? Could they become a Lions team that tour every 4 years? Or is it just the IRB and SANZAR brushing them under the carpet? Why do top tier nations still not tour those 3 countries, they could play all 3, say in a summer tour? European crowds love the south sea islanders' style of play, the squad has great talent, and they could push England and France quite far this autumn.

Sean, Birmingham

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Oct 13, 2008

i dunno what to comment on m just really bored

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Oct 15, 2008

Hi Jerry,

what was it like playing with Johnno in the 1999 Rugby world cup?

Why didn't England do better in that Tournamnet when you look at the players we had at the time?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Oct 16, 2008

Hi Jeremy, just curious to know what your thoughts are on the two Scottish clubs, Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Gunners. Not surprisingly, expectation levels are quite high up here in Scotland that they'll make a bigger impact in both the Magners League and the Heineken Cup this year but how would you assess them both?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Oct 16, 2008

"On the Lions tour in 1997 Mark Regan and Barry Williams blew up but it was literally handbags."
Mmmm. I hate to be a pedant but, well, no Jerry, it wasn't "literally" handbags. Unless it was of course. Can you just clarify? Were Barry Williams and Mark Regan hitting each other with handbags or not?
Mind you, not as bad as Gary Rhodes. . . he literally litters his tv shows with misused 'litterallys'. Take a look. If you can stand it. Sorry Jerry. . .

add comment | complain about this comment