Wasps V Saints Sun 3pm

[Beasties]

Myall has improved things for Wasps. Not sure Launch-Davies is the right combo.

[Adam_P]

Compared to last week Saints have been awful, thrown away a decent opportunity to stay in the running for the 4th spot as Wasps haven't been at their best. Can't see us making it now unless something miraculous happens to Tigers

[fivepointer]

Neither side anywhere near their best I felt. A bit sloppy and error ridden at times. Miler took his tries very nicely and overall Wasps the better team but the game failed to live up to expectations.

[twitchy]

It's quite funny watching mallinder junior. He is this huge guy with a baby face. He really seems like he will be a very useful player. He will be what 23 or so next world cup?

[Banquo]

Pretty poor game, even watching on catch-up (it helped fast forwarding through every scrum reset and numerous random penalties there). Saints handling was dreadful, and the 10/12 crab fest (Healey was spot on re Mallinder) alongside the dire kicking of Fotuali'i made for the outside backs being redundant. Wasps at least showed some occasional flashes of skill- Young is a very decent player, Miller showing good pace and stepping.

Disappointing fare, and still leaves me wondering what Alex King does all day.

[iLovett]

Pretty poor game, even watching on catch-up (it helped fast forwarding through every scrum reset and numerous random penalties there). Saints handling was dreadful, and the 10/12 crab fest (Healey was spot on re Mallinder) alongside the dire kicking of Fotuali'i made for the outside backs being redundant. Wasps at least showed some occasional flashes of skill- Young is a very decent player, Miller showing good pace and stepping.

Disappointing fare, and still leaves me wondering what Alex King does all day.

Agree with this - Mallinder should be getting plenty of help from his colleagues though, especially being only 19!

Myler (for all his good traits) is a bit of an armchair 10 imo, and is often so deep to start with, and gets rid too soon meaning the 12 always has a lot to do with inside & outside shoulders to consider.

Really like the look of the lad though, will be his first bit of criticism really after a fab start to his career, hope he takes it well and keeps progressing the way he has been with just a few starts under his belt.

[Banquo]

Pretty poor game, even watching on catch-up (it helped fast forwarding through every scrum reset and numerous random penalties there). Saints handling was dreadful, and the 10/12 crab fest (Healey was spot on re Mallinder) alongside the dire kicking of Fotuali'i made for the outside backs being redundant. Wasps at least showed some occasional flashes of skill- Young is a very decent player, Miller showing good pace and stepping.

Disappointing fare, and still leaves me wondering what Alex King does all day.

Agree with this - Mallinder should be getting plenty of help from his colleagues though, especially being only 19!

Myler (for all his good traits) is a bit of an armchair 10 imo, and is often so deep to start with, and gets rid too soon meaning the 12 always has a lot to do with inside & outside shoulders to consider.

Really like the look of the lad though, will be his first bit of criticism really after a fab start to his career, hope he takes it well and keeps progressing the way he has been with just a few starts under his belt.

Yes, that's fair enough on Mallinder, and I guess its partly the pressure of a whole new level of line speed compared to what he's been used to; in truth that depth is both a blessing and a curse from Mallinders point of view. I go back to 'what is Alex King doing!' with the backs all year!! Unfortunately on Myler, JJ Hanrahan isn't any better and possibly worse, and playing him with two totally different 9's doesn't help. Personally I think if Fotuali'i was to stop kicking so much it'd help- obviously that's a plan, but not suited to his game....he is a very effective runner and asking him to play like Dickson (which isn't a plus these days- he was so much better before he started pointing and whinging) is a bit pointless imo....so Saints need to look at their game plan when he's playing........imo they need to, full stop.

[Oakboy]

Pretty poor game, even watching on catch-up (it helped fast forwarding through every scrum reset and numerous random penalties there). Saints handling was dreadful, and the 10/12 crab fest (Healey was spot on re Mallinder) alongside the dire kicking of Fotuali'i made for the outside backs being redundant. Wasps at least showed some occasional flashes of skill- Young is a very decent player, Miller showing good pace and stepping.

Disappointing fare, and still leaves me wondering what Alex King does all day.

Agree with this - Mallinder should be getting plenty of help from his colleagues though, especially being only 19!

Myler (for all his good traits) is a bit of an armchair 10 imo, and is often so deep to start with, and gets rid too soon meaning the 12 always has a lot to do with inside & outside shoulders to consider.

Really like the look of the lad though, will be his first bit of criticism really after a fab start to his career, hope he takes it well and keeps progressing the way he has been with just a few starts under his belt.

Yes, that's fair enough on Mallinder, and I guess its partly the pressure of a whole new level of line speed compared to what he's been used to; in truth that depth is both a blessing and a curse from Mallinders point of view. I go back to 'what is Alex King doing!' with the backs all year!! Unfortunately on Myler, JJ Hanrahan isn't any better and possibly worse, and playing him with two totally different 9's doesn't help. Personally I think if Fotuali'i was to stop kicking so much it'd help- obviously that's a plan, but not suited to his game....he is a very effective runner and asking him to play like Dickson (which isn't a plus these days- he was so much better before he started pointing and whinging) is a bit pointless imo....so Saints need to look at their game plan when he's playing........imo they need to, full stop.

Did you rate any of the halfback play on either side?

[Banquo]

Agree with this - Mallinder should be getting plenty of help from his colleagues though, especially being only 19!

Myler (for all his good traits) is a bit of an armchair 10 imo, and is often so deep to start with, and gets rid too soon meaning the 12 always has a lot to do with inside & outside shoulders to consider.

Really like the look of the lad though, will be his first bit of criticism really after a fab start to his career, hope he takes it well and keeps progressing the way he has been with just a few starts under his belt.

Yes, that's fair enough on Mallinder, and I guess its partly the pressure of a whole new level of line speed compared to what he's been used to; in truth that depth is both a blessing and a curse from Mallinders point of view. I go back to 'what is Alex King doing!' with the backs all year!! Unfortunately on Myler, JJ Hanrahan isn't any better and possibly worse, and playing him with two totally different 9's doesn't help. Personally I think if Fotuali'i was to stop kicking so much it'd help- obviously that's a plan, but not suited to his game....he is a very effective runner and asking him to play like Dickson (which isn't a plus these days- he was so much better before he started pointing and whinging) is a bit pointless imo....so Saints need to look at their game plan when he's playing........imo they need to, full stop.

Did you rate any of the halfback play on either side?

Hampson was pretty good, and Gopperth was effective I thought- Cips has a hard fight on his hands . Fotuali'i is talented but misdirected.

[iLovett]

Yeah what IS Kinga doing? When you have George North, why don't we use him?! So frustrating. Relaly like Khan, he is like an extra flanker but playing in a no9 shirt sometimes. Been injured this term, and yes we are not playing 'his' game at the moment. I would have had him starting full stop.
When we offload well we look great, when we don;t it all looks rather turgid. Wasps handed it to us both games this year, but seething at the losses to Wuss, Irish & Newcastle, we should be playing for top 2 but because of those tight but winnable losses we are struggling for top 4 - bring on those Tigerrrsss, we owe you one after the last match