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#Post#: 55526--------------------------------------------------
Progress with Gustard
DIR By: RingwoodQuin
Date: December 26, 2020, 11:15 am
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Ok, I know there is a lot of emotional and subjective stuff
being written after 3 defeats ( to two of the top teams in the
northern hemisphere and the 3rd team in the Premiership), but I
just wanted to make a positive case for Gustard’s tenure.
My subjective view is that since mid-COS era we have had 4 big
weaknesses:
1. No decent centres -has been addressed in that we now have
centres who have represented Australia, South Africa, Scotland,
England,USA. Admittedly no major names, but players who can play
at that level, and given good quick ball can create.
2. Unfit. Quinn’s always used to die at around 60 minutes, and
I am sure they were not as fit as other teams. That is no longer
the case since Gustard arrived.
3. Defence. Has been appalling for years now. It is now really
solid, thanks to someone recognised as a top defence coach. Our
problem is that if we are defending for 60 minutes, we will
inevitably lose tries ( like today).
4. Front 5. I think that if you rated all the Premiership front
5 players in any of the last 5 years, none of our front 5 would
have got into the top half of the Premiership, apart from Joe
and Sinck. So they were all below average. I think we now only
have 1 player (Joe) in that group. Symons, Lewies and Louw may
get there, but not played enough to form an opinion. Until we
have a competitive front 5, we have no chance of moving forward.
We need reliable line out ball, strong maul defence, quick clean
out with minimal players, go-forward running lines, and all of
these are missing at the moment.
Our back row, half backs, centres and back three are all
competitive, but without a strong front 5 and quick ball they
cannot function.
So I think Gustard is actually making some great improvements
after 6-7 years of really poor management. There is no reason to
think he has lost the dressing room. None of us know. He just
needs to sort out the front 5, with 6 good front 3 for the match
23, and we desperately need 2 reliable consistent hookers
(hopefully Baldwin will be one of them), rather than the crap we
have had for years now.
Afraid we just have to spend some cash on proven players rather
than those whose development is a gamble and could become better
or worse.
#Post#: 55536--------------------------------------------------
Re: Progress with Gustard
DIR By: Albig
Date: December 26, 2020, 11:35 am
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What I like about this team is they try new things some come off
some don’t! They are clearly working hard on lineout defence and
this is pleasing to see.
I think one thing you can not over estimate is the transition
period and getting the balance right in players experience etc.
Look at Leciester! Think he took over a squad with a strange
balance. Think both COS and Kingston signed players on long term
deals (3 years plus). Makes it difficult to alter balance
quickly.
#Post#: 55537--------------------------------------------------
Re: Progress with Gustard
DIR By: quinalan
Date: December 26, 2020, 11:42 am
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Sadly not in agreement. I am slowly turning to the feeling that
what Gustard has created is a similar side to the old Saracens
side he once played in. Full of journeymen players & signings
who are there for the money but lacking the passion for a full
scale season at the highest level & unable to progress. I think
we also have to look at Nick Evans, & the fitness & conditioning
set up. Everything about us is average/mediocre at best. Just
dont think Gustard is the right man at all. I think we need to
spend the cash on a proven coaching team.
#Post#: 55539--------------------------------------------------
Re: Progress with Gustard
DIR By: Huddersfield jester
Date: December 26, 2020, 11:58 am
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So if guzzy was to loose the next 2 games (wuss and Irish) I
think he would be close to being on borrowed time who would u
want to see in the hot seat ( who is available)
#Post#: 55541--------------------------------------------------
Re: Progress with Gustard
DIR By: RingwoodQuin
Date: December 26, 2020, 12:12 pm
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--- Quote from: quinalan link ---
>
> Sadly not in agreement. I am slowly turning to the feeling
that what Gustard has created is a similar side to the old
Saracens side he once played in. Full of journeymen players &
signings who are there for the money but lacking the passion for
a full scale season at the highest level & unable to progress. I
think we also have to look at Nick Evans, & the fitness &
conditioning set up. Everything about us is average/mediocre at
best. Just dont think Gustard is the right man at all. I think
we need to spend the cash on a proven coaching team.
>
--- End Quote ---
Quinalan, you may be right., but I think many of the signings
are too early to call “ journeymen”. I agree about the coaching
setup - not sure it is right yet - and I would love to see a
second row coaching for reasons already given. And a few weeks
ago Chris Ashton described attack training as an afterthought on
the BBC podcast. This is a concern with such an inexperienced
but hugely talented fly half.
#Post#: 55542--------------------------------------------------
Re: Progress with Gustard
DIR By: honkytonk
Date: December 26, 2020, 12:14 pm
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--- Quote from: Huddersfield jester link ---
>
> So if guzzy was to loose the next 2 games (wuss and Irish) I
think he would be close to being on borrowed time who would u
want to see in the hot seat ( who is available)
>
--- End Quote ---
There is always someone available, most of the time does not
matter if they are in contract etc. When we got PG. before his
name was in the frame, not many (any) would have said his name
#Post#: 55546--------------------------------------------------
Re: Progress with Gustard
DIR By: Captquin
Date: December 26, 2020, 12:29 pm
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Steve Diamond?
#Post#: 55547--------------------------------------------------
Re: Progress with Gustard
DIR By: FishQuin
Date: December 26, 2020, 12:33 pm
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2. I disagree. I would argue we used to always finish strong.
The hallmark of Quins was to let the game get away and then
start playing. Now we start lively but drift away when our heads
drop.
3. According to BT today we have concede more tries than any
other team in the Prem. Today I’ve seen people say we showed
more in defence but we still conceded 4 tries. Are our
expectations that low?
#Post#: 55548--------------------------------------------------
Re: Progress with Gustard
DIR By: SiB
Date: December 26, 2020, 12:38 pm
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Has our defence improved? We have leaked the second highest
amount of try’s in the prem this season
For years we’ve let the game get away and had to chase for a
result
I’m really starting to think we just don’t have the money for
tested coaches, Nev and Bomb both ex players, Gustard never
been,Head coach before
The only ones who have is Billy Millard with a track record,
Flannery who was a line out coach
Also isn’t Gustard win/loss ratio now higher than JKs ?
[attachment deleted by admin]
#Post#: 55551--------------------------------------------------
Re: Progress with Gustard
DIR By: KentQuin
Date: December 26, 2020, 12:59 pm
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--- Quote from: SiB link ---
>
> I’m really starting to think we just don’t have the money for
tested coaches
>
--- End Quote ---
Exactly the point. The club are operating within a limited
budget. It'd be great to hire, for arguments sake, a Michael
Cheika. But a coach of that calibre is going to expect a
significant salary and investment in the squad. The reality is
it might be one or the other and in that instance, I'd rather
stick with Gustard and invest in the playing squad. Of course,
with Covid we probably can't invest in either right now...
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