Edinburgh Rugby Supporters Club

[djphilp]

I still have my doubts about Godman's ability to run a game from 10 and while we now have to forget Paterson at 10, its too late and he obviously hasn't got something that innumerate coaches are looking for, I hope that we see far more of David Blair this season as he has the ability to play more than one game plan unlike Godman's run it or bust approach.

I am sure we will play better however and in the games when the rain isn't falling and therefore our handling skills are better then Godman will shine and have all his fans praising him again.

Meanwhile Paterson also just isn't a winger new laws or not he is wasted there, and is positionally inept in defence there as was demonstrated by their first try. He should be moved to fullback and considered as a fullback only. And Hugo could play on the wing where he started at Edinburgh when he arrived if he can refind his form.

Anyway one defeat is not the end of the world, we just need to rectify it in Dublin next week.

[Oldsalt]

The Official Team site has got a poll for man of the match against Munster.
Unfortunately it is missing the real man of the match as an option - Geoff Cross. He certainly gave Mssrs Horan and Co something to think about.

[Eildon]

DJ, I too feel that it's too late now for CP at 10, but I have to take issue with your comment that "he obviously hasn't got something that innumerate (innumerable?) coaches are looking for".

Ian McGeechan is on record as saying that, after CP's sterling performance as fill-in 10 at the 2003 World Cup, he expected him to continue in that position. The official Book of RWC 2003 described the Scottish number 10 problem as "sorted".

Matt Williams' not-so-hidden agenda was to get Dan Parks into the team, and expecting Chris to be captain, do the kicking, and play in three positions in one match, all at the age of 25, was a good way of achieving it.

Players such as John Rutherford, Gary Armstrong, Craig Chalmers and Gregor Townsend have said as recently as 2007-8 that CP should have been persevered with at 10, and have described Hadden's treatment of him as deplorable. In fact, FH was given the Rugby World magazine "Thumbs Down" Award for 2007 for his treatment of Chris. Allan Massie went so far as to say in the Scotsman that a less professional player than Chris would have said "that's it, I'm off" and left the Scottish team to get on with it.

In my opinion CP has been the victim of Frank Hadden's arrogance and refusal to give full consideration to any opinion about Chris other than his own.

[jrp]

[Crichton Gunner]

In the cold light of day and having had a couple of days to reflect on it, it's interesting to look back at the impact of the ELV's on the game. I think there were far fewer line outs and probably a few more scrums as a result of them. The 5m back rule at scrums didn't make a lot of difference with the conditions being so poor for handling, but the one that made the biggest impact was the rule about taking/passing the ball back into a sides own 22 when it's kicked to touch.

To me this rule change made a huge difference, and resulted in a lot of the aimless kicking down the middle by both sides, as they couldn't kick it direct to touch. I'm not sure I liked the result, as it made for some very scrappy play (although Munster were much better at finding space behind the defensive line than we were), but maybe the teams just need to get used to it and improve their kicking accuracy. Time will tell.

[Derrick Lee's #1 Fan]

[Martin Bell]

[Tarquin]

Some aspects of the performance could have been better but i think some of the reaction here is a bit hysterical. Weve marginally lost one game to the European champions. Thats all.

Positionally Houston would be a welcome return but I think Godman found it tough in heavier weather and a more organised pack and defence in front of him and he needs to develop his kicking game more to become a top 10. So i would like to see Blair there as i think we have to concede paterson is not going to be picked at 10.

[sheldon]

Whilst not being hysterical. I have to admit I was very, very disappointed with Friday's game, particularly after the excellent display in Bath. One option not available to AR was the unfortunate lack of David Blair due to injury. AR brought him on for the second half in Bath, and I thought he did very well - varying his attack with some smart and accurate(!) kicking. Indeed he was powering through the Bath defence when he was knocked senseless.

A month ago Chrichton asked "what we expect" of Edinburgh this season as opposed to what we would like to happen. Well...

1. I expect the team to take a long hard look a themselves - not because they lost - but because they played well below their best in front of a big crowd with overseas visitors and new supporters/ticket-holders.

2. I expect AR to come down very hard on them this week.

3. I expect Southwell to be in last-chance saloon. (I would much prefer CP to be at 15, and Andy Turnbull at wing.)

4. I expect a much improved team performance against Leinster.

[Crichton Gunner]

You have a good memory, Sheldon. I did indeed ask what everyone's expectations were for the season. My own were that we would finish around 4th again this year, but that even that would be quite an ask. Some people disagreed, and felt we should expect to win the ML, but my own feeling is that it'll be more difficult than ever to win the ML this season. Why? Because other teams have sought to strengthen their squads even more than we have, and it looks as if the ML sides are going to play their strongest sides as much as possible.

And what fantastic news that is. At last, we have a chance to see just what a good league the ML can be, every bit a match for the French and English. Yes, it'll be tougher for us, but we need the toughest level of competition to drive up our own standards. I'm sure we'll give it our best shot, but anyone expecting us to dominate the likes of Munster, Leinster, Cardiff and the Ospreys this season is likely to be disappointed (in my view). Doesn't mean we shouldn't expect to play better than last Friday, or even beat these teams, but we are not the bookies favourites to win the ML and with good reason.

[Legless]

No doubt about it ........ expectations were high and had we been beaten 20 - 15 by a Munster side on top of their game and us snapping at their heels it might have been more palatable. I think the reaction from the supporters is not unexpected when you look at our performance measured against what is probably unrealistic expectations.

[cragdoo]

Ok ,we lost the game and admittedly to a team better prepared to play to their strengths on the day. What I find hard to take in is the level of refereeing on the night , I am very surprised to see there is little mention of this in the forums or papers. The 2 major (as there were too many minor incidents he missed than I care to mention) incidents I can remember :

1. Nick De Luca 'try' - The referee signalled a try and blew the whistle , surely this can't be overturned ? No more than the players can't try to change a referees mind after a penalty decison (not without beig punished anyway). TMO then decides no try.

2. Munster managed to get over the try line , but knocked on in doing so. , scrum to Edinburgh. A good 2-3 mins of play later another scrum inside the Edinburgh 22 , which was delayed a the referee thought a try had been scored earlier and had to ask the TMO for a ruling. This set the crowd off slow clapping the referee , a spectacle i had never encountered before at a rugby game !!!

like I said there were numerous other minor incidents (forward passes , knock ons etc) that were missed.

[Derrick Lee's #1 Fan]

[jamiet]

At the risk of repeating an earlier post I am amazed at the majority of this forum focussing on the backs when to me that we lost the game up front to a much better and much more streetwise pack.

But yet no mention of individuals in the pack??

Mikey Blair Man of the Match - o please!! Was that picked before the start of the game or by somebody not watching it?

[SpecialK]