Mikey Brown wrote:Also, sorry, but are we done with Grigg now?
Hopefully but in the same situstion he probably still plays. My order for 13 if everyone (except taylor) is fit is Jones, Scott, Bennett, Dunbar, Grigg/JJ/Dean, Harris.
Disappointing tournament overall (albeit heavily mitigated by the injuries) but with some sparks. We had 70 decent minutes against Italy, 40 against Ireland, about 15 against France, I didnt see Wales, and then 45 vs England.
The main positive going forwards is the new players established. If we were to fast forward to a crunch WC game, my team as it stands would be:
Dell
McInally
Nel
Gilchrist
Skinner (I dont know if this is an issue for the lineout as Gray and Toolis seem to be the callers - Gray made an impact yesterday)
Ritchie
Watson
Bradbury
Horne (or Price)
Russell
Kinghorn
Johnson
Jones
Graham
Hogg
Bhatti/Reid
Brown
Fagerson (if he hits form and fitness)
Gray
Barclay
Laidlaw
Hastings
Bennett (on the basis he can cover centre and wing)
If Hutchinson continues to tear up any game he is in (slight hyperbole) he and McDowell are contenders for the squad too.
A day later and am still confused. That first half was truly dreadful and shouldn't be forgotten. The defense was so narrow and passive. It looked as though Johnson and Grigg had never met, nevermind played together. I've defended him before but think maybe it is time to move on from Taylor.
In the second half Russell was just majestic but I don't understand how people were suddenly running at gaps having spent the previous two and a half games running into brick walls. The lines evidently changed, but I don't understand why.
Special mentions for McInally, Graham and Watson who I thought were also great and showed huge desire right through the 80. For a hooker to run away from an international wing and ten was a rare moment of sunshine in the first half.
switchskier wrote:
In the second half Russell was just majestic but I don't understand how people were suddenly running at gaps having spent the previous two and a half games running into brick walls. The lines evidently changed, but I don't understand why.
Forwards punching holes and Price being a threat with ball in hand makes a huge difference the the defensive line.
Big D wrote:It's not popular to say but England helped that comeback. As good as we were they were shite in the 2nd half.
Said it before, but for a 7th cap, 4games back from a long term injury Bradbury stepped up. Some big runs from the base to allow us to to clear.
England contributed but I’d put much of that down yo the pressure you put on them. Maybe they did switch off a bit but you took advantage and didn’t allow them to recover( at least until Ford came on).
This morning, in the cold light of dawn, I was troubled by distant echoes of the M**t W***iams era, when our first 60 minutes were typically unremittingly shite, followed by a promising 20 minutes when the players threw the game plan out the window.
Please, someone tell me this is not where we are now.
Stones of granite wrote:This morning, in the cold light of dawn, I was troubled by distant echoes of the M**t W***iams era, when our first 60 minutes were typically unremittingly shite, followed by a promising 20 minutes when the players threw the game plan out the window.
Please, someone tell me this is not where we are now.
No, it really isnt. Apart from anything else, we have won a fair few games over the last couple of years.
Just caught up on the wales game. Werent too far off but attack looked very scrappy. Not sure how much to excuse that due to all the back three getting injured on top of the existing injuries but must have played a part.
Stones of granite wrote:This morning, in the cold light of dawn, I was troubled by distant echoes of the M**t W***iams era, when our first 60 minutes were typically unremittingly shite, followed by a promising 20 minutes when the players threw the game plan out the window.
Please, someone tell me this is not where we are now.
No, it really isnt. Apart from anything else, we have won a fair few games over the last couple of years.
Just caught up on the wales game. Werent too far off but attack looked very scrappy. Not sure how much to excuse that due to all the back three getting injured on top of the existing injuries but must have played a part.
I agree. In the Matt Williams era we were playing turgid rugby that the players obviously weren't bought into, and he himself was determined to shake things up and do everything differently. Here the Mainstays of this side have been with Townsend for all of their careers, whether
in the Scotland squad or with Glasgow. Disagreements and players having a voice are a good thing I reckon, shows leaders slowly emerging within the squad.
An optimist would look back and say that, France apart, we've been competitive in each game without putting together an 80 minute performance. A pessimist would say that in any game you have good points and bad points and our bad outweighed the good. The poor overall defence is pushing me to the later, but in the MW era it was pretty much all bad.
Main difference with the M*tt Williams era is the midfield. Grigg might be well down the pecking order for OC, but stick him in a de Lorean at 88mph and he'd walk into the team. What wouldn't you have given back then for Russell, Horne and Hastings as options at 10?
no sleep wrote:Main difference with the M*tt Williams era is the midfield. Grigg might be well down the pecking order for OC, but stick him in a de Lorean at 88mph and he'd walk into the team. What wouldn't you have given back then for Russell, Horne and Hastings as options at 10?
Only because Tom Phillip was injured after 2004 to be fair.
no sleep wrote:Main difference with the M*tt Williams era is the midfield. Grigg might be well down the pecking order for OC, but stick him in a de Lorean at 88mph and he'd walk into the team. What wouldn't you have given back then for Russell, Horne and Hastings as options at 10?
Yeah, I agree with that, and I’m not saying the situation is in any way identical. I was just disturbed by what I saw as the parallels.
Ah, Tom Phillips, real shame as he could have been real class. Wasn't it him that incurred the wrath of the Irish crowd for tickling BOD's head?
After the Wales, France and Ireland games I was more minded of the Andy Robinson period when we had loads of possession but just couldn't score. We can now, but really need to be much more consistent and deal with pressure defence.
Spiffy wrote:A word for Darcy Graham. He's small, but tough, sparky and fast, a great finisher, and punches well above his weight. A pity that a Farrell shoulder to the head put him out of the game, and didn't even see yellow. Well played Scotland. A great pity they did not hang on to nick the win in the end.
It's quite telling of toonie that he only got a chance to start due to injuries despite being the form Scottish winger in the league and Europe.
I watched the game last night after being told the result. So I'm maybe a bit more sceptical than others. It was a hell of a fight back, and jumping to wild conclusions (due to the argument) I think its despite Toonie, but it doesn't overshadow the abysmal first half or final couple of minutes. I know it won't happen but they need to get a new defence coach before the WC.
Spiffy wrote:A word for Darcy Graham. He's small, but tough, sparky and fast, a great finisher, and punches well above his weight. A pity that a Farrell shoulder to the head put him out of the game, and didn't even see yellow. Well played Scotland. A great pity they did not hang on to nick the win in the end.
It's quite telling of toonie that he only got a chance to start due to injuries despite being the form Scottish winger in the league and Europe.
I watched the game last night after being told the result. So I'm maybe a bit more sceptical than others. It was a hell of a fight back, and jumping to wild conclusions (due to the argument) I think its despite Toonie, but it doesn't overshadow the abysmal first half or final couple of minutes. I know it won't happen but they need to get a new defence coach before the WC.
You’re right. With all the attention focussed on England ‘s mental fragility, we shouldn’t forget the mentality that caused the Scots to panic in the first half (and it certainly looked like panic to me), and th lack of composure at the end. It’s not jut England that have problems in this department.
Spiffy wrote:A word for Darcy Graham. He's small, but tough, sparky and fast, a great finisher, and punches well above his weight. A pity that a Farrell shoulder to the head put him out of the game, and didn't even see yellow. Well played Scotland. A great pity they did not hang on to nick the win in the end.
It's quite telling of toonie that he only got a chance to start due to injuries despite being the form Scottish winger in the league and Europe.
I watched the game last night after being told the result. So I'm maybe a bit more sceptical than others. It was a hell of a fight back, and jumping to wild conclusions (due to the argument) I think its despite Toonie, but it doesn't overshadow the abysmal first half or final couple of minutes. I know it won't happen but they need to get a new defence coach before the WC.
You’re right. With all the attention focussed on England ‘s mental fragility, we shouldn’t forget the mentality that caused the Scots to panic in the first half (and it certainly looked like panic to me), and th lack of composure at the end. It’s not jut England that have problems in this department.
To be fair, not many sides could cope with so many changes over the tournament in midfield or backrow; it takes a long time to bed the understanding in, and that's where Scotland got caught cold early on, with two relative novices, albeit team mates, in midfield.....who then adapted pretty quickly if truth be told.
On the last two minutes, I have seen and heard a few people blaming Russel for kicking it away. I'm not sure I agree especially as it was a very good kick. I dont think I would trust us to keep it for 2 minutes in and around our 22. Given how the half had gone, you have the back yourself to defend from the opposition's 22. Thoughts?
I think the key error is Brown's penalty unfortunately. After that England always had at least a penalty advantage
Just watched the game back through sober eyes, but still mildly hungover. I'm actually a bit annoyed we didn't hold on to win that now but given the thrashing we looked like we were going to be on the end of I'll take retaining the cup with a draw. Aside from a big brain fart in defence I thought Johnson was epic. Just read he beat 10 defenders, equalling the record set by Mish just a week before. Bradbury is turning in to a beast, I really hope he keeps developing. Darcey Graham is an absolute joy to watch and is going to score a lot of tries for us. So hard to bring down despite his size and has twinkle toes. I absolutely love how he plays with a smile on his face.
Overall it has been a disappointing tournament though and there is plenty to work on, especially the defence.
Not sure what to make of the dressing room argument and rumours Townsend's lost the players. Probably just social media bollocks.
Chunks Baws wrote:Just watched the game back through sober eyes, but still mildly hungover. I'm actually a bit annoyed we didn't hold on to win that now but given the thrashing we looked like we were going to be on the end of I'll take retaining the cup with a draw. Aside from a big brain fart in defence I thought Johnson was epic. Just read he beat 10 defenders, equalling the record set by Mish just a week before. Bradbury is turning in to a beast, I really hope he keeps developing. Darcey Graham is an absolute joy to watch and is going to score a lot of tries for us. So hard to bring down despite his size and has twinkle toes. I absolutely love how he plays with a smile on his face.
Overall it has been a disappointing tournament though and there is plenty to work on, especially the defence.
Not sure what to make of the dressing room argument and rumours Townsend's lost the players. Probably just social media bollocks.
The stories I have read have suggested more of a natural bit of anger as to how the first half had gone and that it wasnt working rather than a 'losing the players' type argument.
