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       #Post#: 89253--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Last 3 rounds
   DIR By: poorfour
       Date: April 25, 2022, 8:45 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Well said JG. And to add to that, we can also look at how the
       squad has developed this year. Quins have arguably got the best
       front row depth in the Prem, Hammond and Jurevicius are emerging
       as strong second row performers (for all that we are losing
       Tiz), Evans is back and Lawday has developed, Allan has been
       fine and Edwards has been one of the finds of the season, Jones
       and David have given us cover for Green, and Beard is pushing
       Murley and Lynagh to up their games.
       We could do with clear backup candidates at 9 and 12, but other
       than that this is one of the best Quins squads we've seen in
       terms of the drop off between our starters and their backups.
       Considering who the starters are in most positions, that's
       saying quite a lot.
       Winning the Prem again is going to be a tough ask, but if Quins
       get to a semi final they will undoubtedly give us some brilliant
       moments. And we know who all the neutrals will be rooting for.
       #Post#: 89255--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Last 3 rounds
   DIR By: T-Bone
       Date: April 25, 2022, 9:13 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       My only slight concern with the play offs this season compared
       to last is that we seem to have a bit of a mental issue with
       Tigers and particularly with Sarries, where we move away a bit
       from our normal game plan. In the final last season, we backed
       our game plan and went for broke.
       Against Sarries this season, we made some decisions which were
       not in keeping with how we normally play. Same against Tigers,
       including selection. I think there is a fear factor against them
       that we don't have with the other teams.
       I appreciate that there can be a time and place for being more
       pragmatic, but I get the impression, rightly or wrongly, that we
       approach the whole game deciding to be more pragmatic.
       #Post#: 89258--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Last 3 rounds
   DIR By: RodneyRegis
       Date: April 25, 2022, 9:28 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I agree, no doubt the yolo mentality and being massive underdogs
       throughout the playoffs suited us massively.
       #Post#: 89260--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Last 3 rounds
   DIR By: poorfour
       Date: April 25, 2022, 9:46 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: RodneyRegis link ---
       >
       > I agree, no doubt the yolo mentality and being massive
       underdogs throughout the playoffs suited us massively.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       I don't think the team saw themselves as massive underdogs or
       that it influenced the performance.
       Quite the opposite, in fact. In one of the pieces that came out
       after the final, Marler said in an interview that after the
       second Bristol game (which you may remember they won courtesy of
       a rather dubious effort by Sinckler) he knew they could beat
       them and told the squad they had to qualify for the semis so
       that they could have a crack at them. He also said that as they
       went down the tunnel at half time the Quins players could see
       that Bristol were spent and knew that they could come back at
       them.
       The second loss to Exeter was similarly slight (though IIRC more
       within the letter of the laws). I think Quins were a little
       lucky to get a try so quickly in the final and put Exeter in a
       position where they had to chase the score rather than try to
       control the game, but equally they knew they had ways to
       compete.
       #Post#: 89262--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Last 3 rounds
   DIR By: Bolly-Quin
       Date: April 25, 2022, 9:54 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       For several posters on the Sarries board to say they don't want
       to meet Quins and would rather have Exe/Gloucs/Saints speaks
       volumes of the progress we've made this and last season...
       #Post#: 89265--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Last 3 rounds
   DIR By: RodneyRegis
       Date: April 25, 2022, 9:57 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: poorfour link ---
       >
       > I don't think the team saw themselves as massive underdogs or
       that it influenced the performance.
       >
       > Quite the opposite, in fact. In one of the pieces that came
       out after the final, Marler said in an interview that after the
       second Bristol game (which you may remember they won courtesy of
       a rather dubious effort by Sinckler) he knew they could beat
       them and told the squad they had to qualify for the semis so
       that they could have a crack at them. He also said that as they
       went down the tunnel at half time the Quins players could see
       that Bristol were spent and knew that they could come back at
       them.
       >
       > The second loss to Exeter was similarly slight (though IIRC
       more within the letter of the laws). I think Quins were a little
       lucky to get a try so quickly in the final and put Exeter in a
       position where they had to chase the score rather than try to
       control the game, but equally they knew they had ways to
       compete.
       >
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Underdog status is surprisingly not determined by the players.
       #Post#: 89266--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Last 3 rounds
   DIR By: poorfour
       Date: April 25, 2022, 10:12 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Who, then, is the "us" you refer to who were suited massively by
       being massive underdogs? The fans?
       Being a massive underdog can only suit you as a player if you're
       aware you're a massive underdog. My point was that the players
       did not see themselves as underdogs: they saw themselves as
       knowing how to beat their opponents.
       #Post#: 89268--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Last 3 rounds
   DIR By: The Absolute Quintet
       Date: April 25, 2022, 10:50 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: JammyGit link ---
       >
       > My view is... last year I thought we were comfortably worse
       than the 3 sides who finished ahead of us in the league, and we
       won our two knockout matches. This year I think Sarries and
       Tigers are better than us, so I'm not going to worry too much
       about it. If we don't get a incredibly unlikely home semi, I'd
       marginally prefer Tigers, but whatever happens happens - either
       we'll just Quins some poor team to bits, or we'll lose to
       quality opposition.
       >
       > Frankly I'm just happy we've not been a flash in the pan;
       we've suffered from England callups and injuries this season,
       plus a little bit of having been worked out by the opposition,
       and have not had the ridiculous luck with the weather we did
       last season - and we're still fighting for 2nd place. That's
       great consistency and I'm really proud of how the team has
       played this season. Other sides are terrified of us and we've
       stuck to our guns with our attacking style, and seen the
       rewards. I also think we've been a real positive influence on
       the league as a whole, as well as on individuals who are having
       to compete with (or at least compare favourably with) Quins
       players for England selection - e.g. I think Farrell's really
       stepped up his attacking play.
       >
       > There's so much to be happy about with this season. The
       re-signings, the style of play, the way Tabai Matson presents
       himself and our club, the atypical contracts for the coaching
       staff, the youngsters, the international recognition... Great
       stuff. Everything after the last day of the regular season is
       just gravy for me, because we've proved that we can back up last
       season's scorching finish.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Top post, including a whole new verb 'to Quin'. I Quin, you
       Quin, he/she Quins, we all Quin. COYQ!
       #Post#: 89271--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Last 3 rounds
   DIR By: Bolly-Quin
       Date: April 25, 2022, 12:17 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Well, the word is thought to come from a band of noble warriors
       (The Heruli) originating in the Germanic heartlands of Eastern
       Europe that gave the Romans a bloody nose or two...
       Heruli became Herla, then Hellequin, then Harlequin, borrowed by
       the comedy della Arte and renamed Arlechino before being
       reverted back to Harlequin.
       "To Quin" (literally to beat up the opposition nobly) uses the
       5th conjugation rather than the Irregular...
       [emoji854]
       #Post#: 89273--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Last 3 rounds
   DIR By: number_seven
       Date: April 25, 2022, 12:36 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Well it's not for me to tell you all what your second team
       should be, but personally I've always had a soft spot for
       Sarris, to the point that I've just signed up for Sarries
       supporters e-marketing.
       I think only about 50% of the 10.5K capacity is season ticket
       holders, so they'll have to market the remainder...
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