Gloucester 2013/14 Thread

[HongKongCherry]

First topic message reminder :

In a wave of originality I've come up with the following unique thread...

Here's everything Glaws for this coming season:

Squad
Prop: Wood, Murphy, Harden, Knight, Y.Thomas
Hooker: Edmonds, Britton, Dawiduik, George
Locks: Savage, James, Lokotui, Hudson, Stooke
Backrow: Kalamafoni, Qera, Kvesic, B.Morgan, Hazell, Cox, Evans
Scrum Half: Cowan, Robson, Knoyle
Fly Half: F.Burns, Taylor, Bentley
Centres: Twelvetrees, Trinder, Tindall, Mills, Molenaar
Wings: Simpson-Daniel, May, Sharples, Monahan
Fullback: O.Morgan, Cook, M.Thomas

Academy (that could play a part):
Heard, Hicks, Moriarty, B.Burns, Reynolds

New Signings:
Hudson (Newcastle), Kvesic (Worcester), Bentley (Cornish Pirates), M.Thomas (re-signed), Puafisi, Young (Cardiff)

Re-Signed:
Kalamafoni, Twelvetress, Trinder, Cook, dawiduik, Stooke, Sharples, Sinbad

Leaving:
George (Worcester)
Britton (Saints)
Edmonds (TBC)
James (retiring)
Hazell (retiring)
Cox (Worcester)
Qera (Toulouse)
T.Young (Wasps)
Cowan (TBC)
Knoyle (Cardiff)
Burns (Tigers)
Bentley (TBC)
Taylor (retiring)
Mills (Worcester)
Molenaar (Quins)
Tindall (retiring)
O.Morgan (retiring)

Likely To Leave:
Harden
Lokotui
M.Thomas

Signed for 2014/15:
Hibbard (Ospreys)
Afoa (Ulster)
Galarza (Worcester)
Palmer (Wasps)
Laidlaw (Edinburgh)
A.Thomas (Scarlets)
Atkinson (Bedford)
Isaacs (Ospreys)
McColl (Leeds)

Likely Signings for 2014/15
Rowan (Leeds)
D.Thomas
Braley (Bristol)
Hooker x2




Confirmed Fixtrues (LV & HC tbc)
9 Aug Toulon  v  Gloucester L
24 Aug Munster    v  Gloucester L
30 Aug Gloucester v  Plymouth Albion W
30 Aug Gloucester  v  Scarlet W
7 Sep Gloucester  v  Sale Sharks L
15 Sep Saracens  v  Gloucester L
21 Sep Gloucester v  Northampton Saints W
29 Sep Newcastle Falcons  v  Gloucester W
6 Oct Gloucester v  Exeter Chiefs L
25 Oct Bath v Gloucester L
2 Nov Gloucester   v  London Wasps L
23 Nov Harlequins  v  Gloucester L
30 Nov Gloucester    v  Leicester Tigers L
21 Dec Gloucester    v  Worcester Warriors W
28 Dec London Irish  v  Gloucester W
4 Jan Gloucester    v  Saracens L
7 Feb Sale Sharks  v  Gloucester L
15 Feb Leicester Tigers  v  Gloucester L
22 Feb Gloucester    v  Harlequins W
1 Mar Northampton Saints  v  Gloucester L
22 Mar Gloucester    v  Newcastle Falcons W
29 Mar Exeter Chiefs  v  Gloucester W
12 Apr Gloucester    v  Bath L
19 Apr London Wasps  v  Gloucester L
3 May Gloucester    v  London Irish W
10 May Worcester Warriors  v  Gloucester L

[VietGwentRevisited]

Late injury to Burns caused Twelvetrees to start at 10?

[EnglishReign]

Late injury to Burns caused Twelvetrees to start at 10?

I think the twitter feed said Burns was "unwell". Twelvetrees had a great game at 10.

[gregortree]

It was great to see a gutsy home performance finally this season.. pack held their own at least.
And Yann Thomas had to swap over to TH when Knight went off.. hats off to Yann for holding his own both sides of the scrum. In the backs..Cowan, Sinbad, May were electric. 12trees creditable as short notice replacement for Freddie who had contracted a stomach bug.
And for our Welsh listeners... HOOK what a class performance. A try in first minute, converted, penalties and a drop goal to round off his repertoire. Brilliant game.

[HongKongCherry]

Well I'm glad I didn't pay for a ticket for this weekend's game. I think Nigel davies has got the Heineken and LV Cups confused. Given our somewhat stuttering start to the season I'd have hoped he'd have been looking to build some momentum. Whilst a win at Munster was always going to be unlikely putting out the 2nd XV is going to build much confidence  

Gloucester: Martyn Thomas; Charlie Sharples, Mike Tindall, Ryan Mills, Jonny May; Jonny Bentley, Dan Robson; Dan Murphy, Darren Dawidiuk, Rupert Harden; Lua Lokotui, Will James (Capt.); Matt Cox, Akapusi Qera, Ben Morgan.

Replacements: Dan George, Yann Thomas, James Gibbons, James Hudson, Gareth Evans, Tavis Knoyle, Freddie Burns, Rob Cook.

[gregortree]

It's been very quiet on here this season...as a suffering fan I understand why.
Burns - great ball player, but terrible kick at sticks stats this season, costing us 2 maybe 3 games.
Cockerill was watching Friday.. wonder what he makes of Freddie now ? Is Flood off to France ? Will there be a vacancy at Leicester ? Will Freddie get snatched ?
He needs to improve his kicking accuracy whatever his plans, but I would really like to see him and 12T continue to develop their partnership for Glaws. Last Friday the pack did ok ish, against one of the toughest out there. Lost out mainly in the lineout and in mauls and in t/o stats. Actual penalty count was evens so we kept pace with Tigers' 'cheating' rate, just didn't kick the penalties we were awarded. And no cards.. even that feels like progress. CMON GLAAAAWS so near yet so far.. frustrating.

[HongKongCherry]

Is it safe to come out yet gregor?

What makes this season so disappointing was we all had such high hopes, which have well and truly been dashed. I don't blame Freddie for Friday as Cook's 2 kicks were probably easier. Given he is rarely getting any front foot ball I think he is doing well and I firmly want him to stay. We really should have won on Friday, but it's these mistakes that are costing us dearly. The next block of Jeff games are going to be crucial if we are to stand any chance of getting into the top 6.

Our pack is slowly improving, but in fairness they couldn't really get any worse! The only forward performing at acceptable levels is Stooke, who looks to have great potential. Kalamafoni, Morgan, Kvesic and Savage are all under performing, but do seem to be getting better. I do question whether K and Morgan were carrying injuries at the beginning of the season and so we're only starting to see them play properly. Hopefully our new Tongan will make an impact when he gets involved in a few weeks; he'll certainly add some weight to the pack!

The Newcastle fans on here questioned our signing of Hudson and for me he has proved them right. Excellent at the lineout (when our hookers actually throw the ball straight), but he is anonymous elsewhere. I am longing for ND to play Stooke and James in the boiler room as I feel this will give us a significant improvement at the scrum, albeit at the expense of the lineout.

All in all it is a frustrating season, but you have to take the rough with the smooth as a supporter. I think we'll see some major changes in personnel next season with a focus on the forwards, which given the backs we already have retained should hopefully see us make some major strides forward, which arguably we should have started this season.

I'm going back into hiding now.

[gregortree]

 HK, appreciate your analysis and I agree on Hudson.

[gregortree]

 HiBBARD and AFOA TO GLAWS .. YES wayhay  

[Scrumpy]

Why oh why would they want to go there?  

[lostinwales]

Why oh why would they want to go there?  

Means they are well placed when a new opportunity arises?

[gregortree]

 Hibbard will only be 1 hr or less from Wales training ground

[HongKongCherry]

Why oh why would they want to go there?  

Apparently they're allergic to waxed jackets & Babycham so it ruled out going somewhere else nearby...

[HongKongCherry]

Things are certainly improving gregor. Other than the impending signing of Hibbard we are also apparently in negotiations to bring Big Jim back! We may actually have a decent pack next year, we just need to Wuss to continue as they are to ensure these players can grace the Jeff!

[gregortree]

Things are certainly improving gregor.  Other than the impending signing of Hibbard we are also apparently in negotiations to bring Big Jim back! We may actually have a decent pack next year, we just need to Wuss to continue as they are to ensure these players can grace the Jeff!

Afoa, Hibbard, Big Jim, Morgan, K, & Q yes a pack to be reckoned with.. but we have to wait to next season.

[Scrumpy]

Castle grim is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
Castle grim is falling down,
My what a dump

[justified sinner]

Any sensible club would have a few groundpeople with a couple of stepladders fix that, but Glaws needed a tractor?

[Scrumpy]

That's how things get done in the West Country  

[doctor_grey]

Unfortunately, that was the highlight of the match so far.............

[HongKongCherry]

Castle grim is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
Castle grim is falling down,
My what a dump

What a cheek! I could take that quip from any other club supporter but not one from the appropriately named Wreck

[gregortree]

  +1 HKC - from that shining exemplar of modern sports stadia, the one with the scaffolded roofless seating, plywood club house, curling linoleum floored urinals, canvas bar, the one and and only 'Wreck'. wahahah   

Kingsholm gets savaged by a dead sheep.

[gregortree]

*I'm fed up with my team this year. Glad we beat two of the APs bitches in the lat 2 games, but what dire squeaky 'wins' these were of the ugliest variety. We feel the loss of Big Jim and we appear to have lost our talented flyhalf a few months ago. His zombie still haunts Castle Grim, until tomorrow that is, when Tigers are allowed to officially announce their tapping him back to life up in Welord Road. I already feel myself looking to next season.
We will have an AB RWC winning prop and Welsh hooker Hibbard of whom I hugely approve. Maybe Preistland to replace Burns, with which I am less thrilled... but hey... Another rumour .. Big Jim returning to Blighty, but which club ?

On a lighter note Oxford (London) Welsh and Gloucester Welsh are rumoured to be bidding to become the fifth Welsh region in order help develop players outside the goldfish bowl of S Wales. Did I mention I'm glad that Hibbard is joining us ? I did, but there, I've said it again.
A Happy New Year to my fellow sufferers at Kingsholm... hope our pack and luck continue to improve in 2014.

[thomh]

Quins fan here

Just saw the announcement of Qera's imminent move to Toulouse. I was wondering what salary cap implications this has. Theoretically, if Gloucester aren't looking to replace him during the course of this season, could they alter the terms of another player's contract so that they get paid a bigger sum this season than next, freeing up some extra salary cap for next year? For example, if Twelvetrees was on £150,000 (guess) for each of the next two years, and they've saved £50,000 on Qera's contract for the rest of this season, could they pay Twelvetrees an extra £50,000 this season and only £100,000 next season, freeing up an extra £50,000 of next season's cap?

[gregortree]

Maybe Thomh, I like the moniker Nigel Davies has used for modern AP rugby: 'Moneyball'

[thomh]

It's not entirely original of course

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moneyball-The-Winning-Unfair-Game/dp/0393324818/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1388492436&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=monyeball

[formerly known as Sam]

I presumed that Quera was offloaded in order to facilitate the signing of the new tighthead?

[funnyExiledScot]

Has Qera really been hitting form this season? I think Glaws have the potential to do some shrewd business here given the cash coming in for Qera.

[gregortree]

Both Q and Freddie have not been giving it their full attention this season.

[HongKongCherry]

Q was offloaded after the signing of Paufisi, so his salary will be used elsewhere. I'd imagine Paufisi was funded following Olly Morgan's retirement. Given Q only had 6 months remaining I wouldn't expect the fee to be much; we do have a track record of letting players go early if we know we're not going to re-sign them and they can secure a better financial noffer elsewhere. I'd expect Q to be on a boat load at Toulouse and deservedly so. He has been a club great and I'm sure he'll light up the Top 14.

[yappysnap]

Would you not want to lose Sinbad and his potentially very large salary too?

As good as he is he's not getting any younger and wings are probably the least useful part of the team when the other 13 men are struggling.

[HongKongCherry]

Would you not want to lose Sinbad and his potentially very large salary too?

As good as he is he's not getting any younger and wings are probably the least useful part of the team when the other 13 men are struggling.

Absolutely not! Its no coincidence that our backs have struggled since his injury. He may not be getting any younger and he continues to have injury issues, but I firmly want him to stay. I'm sure his salary will be less than it is at current.

[HongKongCherry]

Yappy, your question has been answered; Sinbad has just signed a 2 year deal and I'm delighted.

He's joined by Dawiduik, Knight, Stooke and Sharples who have all signed new deals.

That leaves Edmonds, George, Harden, Lokotui, Cox, Cowan, Bentley, Mills and Thomas out of contract (I'm expecting James, Hazell and Taylor to retire). From that list I only see Mills as a priority. I think Cox is a great player, but I'm concerned he just doesn't get the game time at Glaws and feel he should move on for the sake of his career. Cowan and Edmonds are definitely off to lower the wage bill. I'd like to see Martyn Thomas sign again as he's been a useful backup this season. Harden will be off now that Knight has signed as he'll be 4th choice TH next year, so needs to move to get game time; I do feel sorry for him as he's been made somewhat of a scapegoat this year. The others are only squad players, so if they are retained I'd imagine their salaries won't be high.

We just need to announce a new FH and a lump of a lock and we'll be set for next season, which really can't come soon enough!!

[gregortree]

We just need to announce a new FH and a lump of a lock and we'll be set for next season, which really can't come soon enough!!

Firstly, Happy New Year to my fellow GRFC suffers. Well I'm hoping.

HK, do you think Big Jim might return from France ? Saw some vague speculation on this but heard no more since.

[HongKongCherry]

Happy New Year to Gregor, this year can only get better!

I've not heard anything concrete Jim, but he is still being linked with a move back, which would be great.

[yappysnap]

Fair food on getting all those players to re-sign. I guess the rumours on low standards at Glos are true...  

I do still think you'll be spending too much holding onto Sharples and JSD, but hey I won't complain! 

PS please let us keep Molenar! He's been great for us... I mean he's rubbish and you def don't want him back!

[HongKongCherry]

Sinbad is viewing this as his last contract, coupled with his current injury I'd imagine his wage has dropped significantly. Its definitely not a luxury to have him and Sharples, as I fully expect May to be a regular fixture with England in the very near future.

Molenaar is well and truly gone from Glaws, we cancelled his contract so he could join Quins. I'd expect his wage helped with the Paufisi signing.

[Exiledinborders]

Today's performance was woeful. At times Gloucester looked not just disorganised but disinterested.

Davies is clearly out of his depth. In the post match interview he announced that the answer to Gloucester's problems was to win games!

[Hood83]

Today's performance was woeful. At times Gloucester looked not just disorganised but disinterested.

Davies is clearly out of his depth. In the post match interview he announced that the answer to Gloucester's problems was to win games!

Think I have to agree. Any thoughts on a replacement though? I have no idea who is potentially available.

[Exiledinborders]

Only one I can think of is Gary Gold. I was in a bad mood when I posed that last night. Actually I am more hopeful about next season based on signings.

[Exiledinborders]

Maybe Richard Cockerill will be free next season if Leicester do not make play-offs!

[HongKongCherry]

I'd be really disappointed if Davies was replaced. I don't want the sport to go down the football route where managers are sacked at the drop of a hat. Davies has proposed a long term plan and the board bought into this when they offered him the job. This season has been very disappointing, but he should, and I'm very hopeful that he will, be given the time to deliver this plan.

[formerly known as Sam]

Cockers has a five year deal that he signed a month or so back after he rejected an offer from Clermont. Unless there's a clause in his contract it'll he too expensive to get rid. The board had enough trouble paying off Loffreda and the detrimental effect it had on the finances.

Glaws will give Davies next season I think. If he can't make it take with the big name signings then he'll be in trouble.

[gregortree]

I'd be really disappointed if Davies was replaced. I don't want the sport to go down the football route where managers are sacked at the drop of a hat. Davies has proposed a long term plan and the board bought into this when they offered him the job. This season has been very disappointing, but he should, and I'm very hopeful that he will, be given the time to deliver this plan.

He has made a couple of good/ excellent front row signings for next season so I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt until then.
But the doubt: can he lead motivate and shape a team ? or does he think it is someone else's job ? I saw individual efforts from Cox Robson, Cooke and 12T Saturday, but no team cohesion, no overall spirit, no effective linking. What is Davies for ?

[HongKongCherry]

Happy New Year to Gregor, this year can only get better!

I've not heard anything concrete Jim, but he is still being linked with a move back, which would be great.

Well they managed to prove we could go even lower!!

I'd be really disappointed if Davies was replaced. I don't want the sport to go down the football route where managers are sacked at the drop of a hat. Davies has proposed a long term plan and the board bought into this when they offered him the job. This season has been very disappointing, but he should, and I'm very hopeful that he will, be given the time to deliver this plan.

He has made a couple of good/ excellent front row signings for next season so I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt until then.
But the doubt: can he lead motivate and shape a team ? or does he think it is someone else's job ? I saw individual efforts from Cox Robson, Cooke and 12T Saturday, but no team cohesion, no overall spirit, no effective linking. What is Davies for ?

I think you're quite generous on the players you pick out. Twelvetrees was the only starting player for me who came out with any credit. Cox was anonymous (as was Kvesic and Morgan) until the last 15 minutes and Cook still seems to offer the same in attack, but his defence is becoming questionnable - he has missed too many tackles in the last few games for my liking. Robson made an instant impact, but he still needs to improve his pass.

The players do need to take their fair share of blame for that performance, but as does Davies and the coaching team. I am still convinced we're going in the right direction for long term success; I just wish it wasn't such a bumpy road getting there!!

Given we have little chance of qualifying from the HC, I'd like Davies to try a different approach in order to be ready for when the Jeff starts again. I'd like the following team to start:
Y.Thomas, Dawiduik, Puafisi, Stooke, James, Cox, Kvesic, Morgan (we're left short here with Q departing and K and Hazell injured); Robson, Burns (with Mills, Bentley and Taylor injured we have little choice, otherwise I'd have him nowhere near this team until he sorts himself out, personally I feel he's been quite immature to let contract negotiations affect his game so much), Sharples, Twelvetrees, May (on the basis Trinder is still injured), Monahan, M.Thomas. With subs of Britton, Wood, Knight, Hudson, Evans, Knoyle, B.Burns, Reynolds

[HongKongCherry]

It's Munster at home in the Heineken under the Kingsholm lights...

Yet I am decidedly unexcited! Oh, how this season has been such a let down. I could cope with rubbish performances and league position if that was what we expected, but on the back of a 5th place finish with genuine aspirations for the top 4, it has made it all the more difficult to take. The woeful loss to Edinburgh has scuppered the HC for us, as unless a incredibly unlikely string of results occur we're not going to qualify. Nevertheless, I will provide my usual support come game time, it's just a shame that such a good fixture is somewhat underwhelming.

The team has been announced and I'm pleased to see both Thomas start, as they deserve their place. Likewise, it's great that K is back in the fold as we've sorely missed his ball carrying.

Martyn Thomas; Charlie Sharples, Jonny May, Billy Twelvetrees (capt), Shane Monahan; Freddie Burns, Dan Robson; Yann Thomas, Darren Dawidiuk, Sila Puafisi; Elliott Stooke, James Hudson; Matt Cox, Matt Kvesic, Gareth Evans

Replacements:

Huia Edmonds, Dan Murphy, Shaun Knight, Tom Hicks, Sione Kalamafoni, Tavis Knoyle, Rob Cook, Ben Morgan

[gregortree]

Morgan benched I see, also K. To freshen up the back row at 60 mins ?
Although I fear it might well be all over by then.

[gregortree]

Never mind, let us reminisce on 2013 glories:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2yZDdPtS9I

[beshocked]

Good luck Gloucester.  

[HongKongCherry]

Cheers beshocked   

[KiaRose]

I can understand the disappointment of Gloucester fans after today's game. However, i would like to use this forum to say what great fans you are. We had a great time at the game today with both Gloucester and Munster fans. As might be expected the Gloucester fasn were very gracious in defeat. Certainly you made Munster play very well and especially in defence.

Onwards and Upwards, Glaws.

[HongKongCherry]

I can understand the disappointment of Gloucester fans after today's game.  However, i would like to use this forum to say what great fans you are.  We had a great time at the game today with both Gloucester and Munster fans.  As might be expected the Gloucester fasn were very gracious in defeat.  Certainly you made Munster play very well and especially in defence.

Onwards and Upwards, Glaws.

Cheers KiaRose

It was the best atmosphere we've had at Kingsholm since the last time we played you! You certainly know how to bring a travelling army. It was a very well deserved win; you were clinical in attack and excellent in defence. Good luck for the knock out stages.

Despite the loss I left the ground very buoyant. We've been asking for that type of performance all season; if we been a bit more accurate we'd have won that, despite how our set piece performed. If we play like that for the rest of the season we've got a very real chance of getting to the top 6.

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