Martin Crowson's Five Things: If only Leicester Tigers could have finished what they started
Martin Crowson looks back at five key points from the weekend's Heineken Cup rugby action.
1If Leicester Tigers were looking for positives from a defeat in Toulouse that left them kicking themselves, they need look no further than the tactics they employed before the game's only try began the start of their downfall. Tigers had successfully taken a 28,000 crowd completely out of the game and forced the home side into hurried decisions and mistakes, as they were the ones dictating both the speed and style of proceedings. Toby Flood was kicking superbly, and you could tell from the visitors' body language that they felt they were getting on top. After 35 minutes, a losing bonus point looked an absolute bear minimum.
2In the wake of the current long-winded talks to provide a future for the Heineken Cup, if any of the Celtic nations needed reminding of the contribution that the Aviva Premiership sides bring to the European party, they would do well to note that, apart from Tigers' defeat at Toulouse, Exeter's heroic 9-6 reverse against champions Leinster and London Welsh hammering at the hands of Stade Francais, all of the other English sides were winners this weekend.
3Being part of a bar full of Tigers fans in central Toulouse, doing Exeter's 'Tomahawk Chop' song, on Saturday afternoon was one of the most surreal experiences of my time in this job. There was huge support for the Chiefs as they played out their narrow 9-6 defeat by Leinster on televisions around the bar.
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4While most of the Tigers squad left the Municipal Stadium with faces like a wet weekend in the south of France, there were numerous performances that warranted more than sadness. Tom Youngs proved he now has the skills and the temperament for big European fixtures, and I would be amazed if he was not at least on the bench for England's opening autumn international. Toby Flood's kicking and game-management was spot-on under pressure, and the likes of Scott Hamilton at full-back and Niall Morris on the wing made consistently good decisions at all the right times.
5And so the Ospreys arrive at Welford Road on Sunday for the next chapter in a European rivalry that has brought us the '16th Man' incident, accusations of eye gouging, arguments between coaches in corridors and the wonderfully high-scoring draw at Welford Road, when Billy Twelvetrees nearly nicked what would have been an astonishing come-from-behind win. There is no reason to suggest anything other than another cracker on the cards this time around.
Comments
by Oadbylad
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 10:18AM
“Sorry for got to mention that the list are/or have been International players”
by Oadbylad
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 10:15AM
“Marcos Ayerza
Anthony Allen
George Chuter
Dan Cole
Jordan Crane
Tom Croft
Louis Deacon
Toby Flood
Mathew Tait
Manu Tuilagi
Geoff Parling
Thomas Waldrom
Ben Youngs
Vereniki Goneva
Geordan Murphy
Martin Castrogiovanni
Scott Hamilton
Craig Newby
Steve Mafi
I am well aware that some of the above are out....but are still on the books....as you can see ive not even included Saxon players
This is why there is such an uproar ...we as supporters expect more.....
As for Waldrom why would any coach play the best no8 in the Premiership out of position in preference albeit an ex England player
(who for my money won't get back in) who is 3 games in from a long injury lay off
Answer is leicesterish what as this coaching staff won in the 4 years that they've had together
is it enough return for this squad ?”
by leicesterish
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 6:08AM
“As an aside, to all those who think the salary cap is just an excuse, why not try it yourself... let's have a little competition among the few of us who post here, pick your ideal 22 man squad from players not currently under contract with other clubs, and let's see who you get to replace the current Tigers squad.
There are a couple of people who seem to do little more than poke holes in the Tigers so, in the words of the great Delia Smith, "let's be having you" - you obviously know all there is to know about rugby and can solve Tigers problems at a stroke, so let's see you put your money where your mouth is and come up with a brand new Tigers side, one that is capable of winning every game they play (because, apparently, that's what they should do) and one that can remain under the salary cap whilst doing it. A team that can rotate every squad player in and out, that doesn't have to worry about call ups to the 6N or Southern Hemisphere competition and one that will win the Premier League, the EDF Cup and the Heineken Cup in the same season - off you go then - I understand Jamie Roberts is looking for a new club, Toulon have said they don't want him, what with them having 4 World Class centres already, so maybe he's a good place to start, i'm sure he wouldn't cost much money (which is why he's set to move to France)
*Disclaimer - I won't be taking part as i know the task to be impossible.”
by leicesterish
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 5:58AM
“I'm interested to know where you'd find these new players from, Snaggy. You obviously don't rate the current crop and are calling for 'fresh blood' but don't mention where these new players can be found, players who would be able to dislodge England Internationals, Toby Flood, Anthony Allen and Manu Tuilagi. Players who would prefer to play in England rather than be lured to France, players who wouldn't mind playing for far less money than they'd be able to get in France due to the ridiculous salary cap situation.
If you haven't noticed, there are no big name players moving to England anymore, time was the likes of Zinzan Brooke, Michael Lynagh and our very own Joel Stransky came here to see out their careers but they go to France these days. So where do you propose Tigers find these replacement superstars, how do you propose they pay them and still remain under the cap, and where can these world beaters be found?
As for the constant criticism of the coaching staff, i don't recall too many people complaining last season, when the same coaching staff coached the same players to the top of the try scoring chart - and i don't remember too many people complaining about the coaching staff the season before that, when the same coaches coached different players to the top of the try scoring chart. It smacks more of sour grapes than anything else, Tigers have not turned into a bad team overnight, they simply lost a game against one of the strongest sides in Europe, a side not restricted by the salary cap.
Your criticism of Waldrom is ridiculous! He was playing as the openside flanker for goodness sake, you do understand the role of an openside don't you? The fact that he was in the middle of the pitch means that he was doing his job! I'm amazed that anyone could pick fault with a player who is doing exactly what he was meant to be doing, when he was meant to be doing it, you'll say that Neil Back was overrated next! Incredible.”
by Snaggy
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 4:39PM
“I would have thought that Mr Crowson's first key point from last Sunday's match is that the current squad is never going to seriously threaten the best teams in Europe because the players are just not good enough. There is no flair in any three quarter position, there is no tactical awareness, players are uncertain, hesitant and slow to react. What was Waldrom doing out in the centre when they scored their try? He has neither the pace nor the size to threaten a good defence. The coaching of the backs seems non-existent. They play as if they only met just before kick-off, a bit like an old boys' 3rd fifteen. Until tigers get some fresh blood and some decent coaching, there will be no improvement and no success in the games that really matter.”