Dragonsteve2
Juniors
- Messages
- 555
Vaughan out! Oh noooooo!!
For years I have fretted over losing our star players to injury, suspension or SoO. But in thinking about Vaughan's loss today I am not fretting at all. Why not when Vaughan is such a tremendous player?
The answer is that nothing matters any more to me other than the coach. We start every game at a major disadvantage because of the shiny, bald head in the coach's box. The loss of even a very good, consistent player is secondary to that constant disadvantage under which our boys must play. I have reached the opinion that we on the Forum are just wasting our time considering recruitment and retention, player selection, use of the bench etc until the nightmare of Mary's reign finally comes to an end. Of course for fanatical fans the Forum plays a vital role in providing a means of getting the stuff off our chests as I have just done and in helping us realise that we are not alone in feeling the pain inflicted by the torture our club has imposed upon us.
Now to the a consideration of suggested moves to overcome the loss of Vaughan.
1. Mickey Lane: I like your suggested move of Frizell to prop and Luc to the left edge. I love Frizell but the majority here are right - he continues to run back into the centre so that speed and strength is limited in its value. He wastes his own strengths. I just hope one day we have a coach who can use his significant attributes.
2. Old Timer: Love your nous for the game. I know the name of Allgood was put forward for some fun. I return to Aus this week after 4 months overseas so I only saw a couple of ISP games at the start of the year and Allgood did not stand out. But I imagine that given 20-30 mins off the bench he would at least be competent. But you were not serious. However you suggested the left combo of Lafai/Luc that Mickey suggested could be dodgy in defence and handling. I have not noticed any weakening of the defence on the left with Luc's recent appearances. It does have the advantage of putting Sims into that losing right hand defence which has cost us dearly for 2 seasons. Like you I am a supporter of Mann. While his role as Jack's replacement is not Mary's dumbest idea I detest seeing him in the scrums at prop forward. I gather his preferred side is the left but I would be making a straight swap between Aitken and Mann. Aitken could add something to the team from the bench whereas currently, no matter how many tough metres he makes, he has come to be a genuine liability in defence.
3. To end the season well we need to get away from Mary's idea that we must pick the best team on paper every week because that is the only way we can win every week. This has led us into the position where we are losing every week. To have a professional, full-time squad of 30 but to make it clear you only have faith in the top 17 is an absolute disgrace. I acknowledge any suggested team changes is just for our discussion on the Forum - Mary's only change will be Vaughan's replacement and the return of Nene if fit. But I think de Belin should have a week off. Then in a later game Graham must have a break. As I said above I would replace Aitken in the centres with Mann. For this game put Aitken in Jack's place. Have Sele on the bench to spell him. Later, perhaps a round or two later, replace Graham with Lawrie. When Nene's back, as sad as it makes me, it's time to say goodbye to Nighty.- Pereira's enthusiasm and determination should not be banished to reserves.
For years I have fretted over losing our star players to injury, suspension or SoO. But in thinking about Vaughan's loss today I am not fretting at all. Why not when Vaughan is such a tremendous player?
The answer is that nothing matters any more to me other than the coach. We start every game at a major disadvantage because of the shiny, bald head in the coach's box. The loss of even a very good, consistent player is secondary to that constant disadvantage under which our boys must play. I have reached the opinion that we on the Forum are just wasting our time considering recruitment and retention, player selection, use of the bench etc until the nightmare of Mary's reign finally comes to an end. Of course for fanatical fans the Forum plays a vital role in providing a means of getting the stuff off our chests as I have just done and in helping us realise that we are not alone in feeling the pain inflicted by the torture our club has imposed upon us.
Now to the a consideration of suggested moves to overcome the loss of Vaughan.
1. Mickey Lane: I like your suggested move of Frizell to prop and Luc to the left edge. I love Frizell but the majority here are right - he continues to run back into the centre so that speed and strength is limited in its value. He wastes his own strengths. I just hope one day we have a coach who can use his significant attributes.
2. Old Timer: Love your nous for the game. I know the name of Allgood was put forward for some fun. I return to Aus this week after 4 months overseas so I only saw a couple of ISP games at the start of the year and Allgood did not stand out. But I imagine that given 20-30 mins off the bench he would at least be competent. But you were not serious. However you suggested the left combo of Lafai/Luc that Mickey suggested could be dodgy in defence and handling. I have not noticed any weakening of the defence on the left with Luc's recent appearances. It does have the advantage of putting Sims into that losing right hand defence which has cost us dearly for 2 seasons. Like you I am a supporter of Mann. While his role as Jack's replacement is not Mary's dumbest idea I detest seeing him in the scrums at prop forward. I gather his preferred side is the left but I would be making a straight swap between Aitken and Mann. Aitken could add something to the team from the bench whereas currently, no matter how many tough metres he makes, he has come to be a genuine liability in defence.
3. To end the season well we need to get away from Mary's idea that we must pick the best team on paper every week because that is the only way we can win every week. This has led us into the position where we are losing every week. To have a professional, full-time squad of 30 but to make it clear you only have faith in the top 17 is an absolute disgrace. I acknowledge any suggested team changes is just for our discussion on the Forum - Mary's only change will be Vaughan's replacement and the return of Nene if fit. But I think de Belin should have a week off. Then in a later game Graham must have a break. As I said above I would replace Aitken in the centres with Mann. For this game put Aitken in Jack's place. Have Sele on the bench to spell him. Later, perhaps a round or two later, replace Graham with Lawrie. When Nene's back, as sad as it makes me, it's time to say goodbye to Nighty.- Pereira's enthusiasm and determination should not be banished to reserves.
