DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
ComeAllWithin (Harlequins Rugby)
HTML https://comeallwithin.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: ComeAllWithin Board
*****************************************************
#Post#: 153429--------------------------------------------------
Sale Review: New 'Dispatches From The Stoop' Out Now.
DIR By: dispatchesfromthestoop
Date: April 26, 2026, 5:09 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Hi All,
Latest 'Dispatches' out now:
HTML https://open.substack.com/pub/dispatchesfromthestoop/p/fun-in-the-sun-sharks-visit-a-subdued
I suspect I might get some flak for the optimism, but I'm trying
to be pragmatic given the situation we're in. I don't see much
point rewatching the game to just bury the team alive!
In short:
- Compounding errors kill us, but there's more than meets the
eye.
Always looking for contributors and feedback.
Thanks as always.
Aaron
COYQ!
#Post#: 153438--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sale Review: New 'Dispatches From The Stoop' Out Now.
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: April 26, 2026, 7:14 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I'm confused by the way you describe a bad team (as a opposed to
a group of bad players) and then say it's not a bad team, just a
group of players who are disorganised, playing like individuals,
and with rubbish discipline. Those are all things that define a
bad team!
#Post#: 153441--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sale Review: New 'Dispatches From The Stoop' Out Now.
DIR By: dispatchesfromthestoop
Date: April 26, 2026, 7:34 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: JammyGit link ---
>
> I'm confused by the way you describe a bad team (as a opposed
to a group of bad players) and then say it's not a bad team,
just a group of players who are disorganised, playing like
individuals, and with rubbish discipline. Those are all things
that define a bad team!
>
--- End Quote ---
Cheers for reading! Yes you're probably right, that might be me
shying away slightly from things!
But the point I was trying to get at (maybe too optimisitically)
is that I don't think that we have a terminal or bad set of
players/talent (far from it), but that we are so thin and
stretched, leading to all of these individual incidents. However
- not all individual incidents should be judged equally (horror
mistakes vs. overzealousness to change the game individually in
lieu of a cohesive defensive performance are v different even if
they might have the same impact on the game).
As you say, that might well still equal a bad team...but I
reckon there are ways to cut it that might give key moments more
context.
#Post#: 153442--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sale Review: New 'Dispatches From The Stoop' Out Now.
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: April 26, 2026, 7:36 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Have you ever met MQ?
#Post#: 153443--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sale Review: New 'Dispatches From The Stoop' Out Now.
DIR By: dispatchesfromthestoop
Date: April 26, 2026, 7:40 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: deadlyfrom5yardsout link ---
>
> Have you ever met MQ?
>
--- End Quote ---
Not to my knowledge. But we're both in Kent. Get the coffees
flowing!
#Post#: 153445--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sale Review: New 'Dispatches From The Stoop' Out Now.
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: April 26, 2026, 7:44 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: dispatchesfromthestoop link ---
>
> Cheers for reading! Yes you're probably right, that might be
me shying away slightly from things!
>
> But the point I was trying to get at (maybe too
optimisitically) is that I don't think that we have a terminal
or bad set of players/talent (far from it), but that we are so
thin and stretched, leading to all of these individual
incidents. However - not all individual incidents should be
judged equally (horror mistakes vs. overzealousness to change
the game individually in lieu of a cohesive defensive
performance are v different even if they might have the same
impact on the game).
>
> As you say, that might well still equal a bad team...but I
reckon there are ways to cut it that might give key moments more
context.
>
--- End Quote ---
Sure, but I think the framing of this being somewhat excusable
and/or better than if we just had a bunch of poor players is a
bit off. It is a lot more concerning to me that we continue to
see all these problems regardless of who is on the pitch,
because it suggests the problem is structural and that the guys
in charge do not know how to charge it (and thus are part of the
problem).
The coaches are there to make a team out of the players, and to
improve their skills and mentality.
Besides, we've seen too many performances like this even with a
fairly strong team to think it's just because we're stretched
thin. Our injury list is a convenient excuse, even if it does
torpedo any chance of turning things around, because this has
been a problem for about 18 months now.
#Post#: 153448--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sale Review: New 'Dispatches From The Stoop' Out Now.
DIR By: dispatchesfromthestoop
Date: April 26, 2026, 7:49 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I totally see your point, and believe me that if we're in this
position next year then I will be less charitable. But I do
think given the disruption, there is context and some positives
(no matter how small).
This is also partly a function of it being really difficult and
boring to put out a weekly blog of just expressing my
frustration and disappointment :D (which ofc I am also
feeling).
#Post#: 153466--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sale Review: New 'Dispatches From The Stoop' Out Now.
DIR By: RodneyRegis
Date: April 26, 2026, 12:53 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Apropos of nothing, our points diff is - 210 this year.
#Post#: 153467--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sale Review: New 'Dispatches From The Stoop' Out Now.
DIR By: T-Bone
Date: April 26, 2026, 1:02 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: RodneyRegis link ---
>
> Apropos of nothing, our points diff is - 210 this year.
>
--- End Quote ---
Better promote the guy in charge of defence then
#Post#: 153471--------------------------------------------------
Re: Sale Review: New 'Dispatches From The Stoop' Out Now.
DIR By: FatQuin
Date: April 27, 2026, 1:45 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Only after a world wide search.
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 2
DIR Next Page