Oldsalt wrote:FKL under Solomons hard nosed approach and limited game plan we lost Laidlaw, Denton, Scott and Visser. That was at the time probably our best four players overall. I hope I'm wrong but I can't get past Cockerill Mr Angry persona. Who will leave this time Nel, Toolis, Bradbury or Hoyland?
Q Why do you have such a thing for Cockerill and are you Scott Johnson in disguise?
I am indeed Scott Johnson.
Bradbury signed a three year deal not long ago, Hoyland and Toolis won't be in demand the same way Scott and Visser were and Nel might leave before Cockerill's first day. Denton and Laidlaw suited Sollyball but bigger (and richer) clubs offered them a deal and they accepted. If I get a job offer from a better company and a pay raise I accept that. Okay Visser and Scott were pushed towards the door by Solly but even under Hodge's brave new ball playing Edinburgh they'd have still left because we don't win games and we're not going anywhere, not what established internationals entering their prime want to be involved in.
I am excited about this hire because what other coach were we going to get that has a track record like Cockerill's? Ackermann was mentioned on Scottish Rugby Blog as a deal done so the guy was clearly talking pish. Some assistant coach? Continue with 3 out of 11 Pro12 wins Hodge? Not very inspiring.
Cockerill is a good coach because he's a good coach. You can go and coach a team and shout at them until you're blue in the face but that doesn't mean players will suddenly become a technically good, well drilled unit that wins 65% of their matches. You don't win finals by shouting a lot. You don't finish top 4 every year by being angry. Sure Leicester are a good team and have money to spend - but not as much as others - yet as other posters have mentioned most of their top players are either through the academy or guys with promise from other clubs.
This club needs a fire lit and feathers ruffled. We're finishing 9th yearly and a change is needed. Not a change in playing style necessarily as a limited game plan works if executed properly. Every single top European team - even Glasgow - is built on a solid set piece and you go from there. Cockerill isn't the ideal coach but we're far from the ideal club to be coaching. A change is coming and even if the Cockers coaching stint here is a disaster he'll probably root out the guys at the club who don't care and get them out so the next coach has players to work with who want to play for Edinburgh.