Zebre vs Edinburgh Match Thread: KO 18:00, BBC Alba

[bsando]

Zebre: 15 Paolo Buso, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Giovanbattista Venditti, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Andries van Schalkwyk, 7 Filippo Ferrarini, 6 Josh Sole, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 David Ryan, 2 Davide Giazzon, 1 Matias Aguero.

Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Salvatore Perugini, 18 Luciano Leibson, 19 Michael van Vuren, 20 Emiliano Caffini, 21 Alberto Chillon, 22 Samuele Pace, 23 Ruggero Trevisan.

Edinburgh: Greig Tonks, Lee Jones, Matt Scott, Ben Atiga, Tim Visser, Piers Francis, Greig Laidlaw (capt), Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford, Willem Nel, Perry Parker, Sean Cox, Stuart McInally, Ross Rennie, Netani Talei

Replacements: Steven Lawrie, John Yapp, Geoff Cross, Robert McAlpine, Hamish Watson, Sean Kennedy, Harry Leonard, Tom Brown.

[Imperialbigdave]

Anyone know of any pubs in the city centre that'll be showing this tonight? I know the murrayfield hotel is, but im meeting folk shortly after and its a bit of a trek out and then back in afterwards.

[justified sinner]

Should be on in the Grassmarket Bar. If not just ask them, they're normally happy to change channel.

[RDW]

That's a pretty decent Zebre team - god knows how they've managed to not get a win all season. I think it's fair to say they will be seeing this as their prime opportunity to get their first win.

[Imperialbigdave]

So far looks like last week was a fluke

[IanBru]

Did I see that right? Did Atiga just do something to justify his salary?

[Imperialbigdave]

Atiga makes a fantastic break and then Francis trips over his own feet and then we give away a penalty. Comical stuff

[VinceWLB]

Great Zebre try, too fast for the cameraman lol.

[Imperialbigdave]

We are going to be zebres first scalp. This is utter incompetence

[RDW]

That ref looks around 15! Hasn't got a clue at the scrums!

[Imperialbigdave]

TAKE THE POINTS! For goodness sake

[Imperialbigdave]

I'm struggling to understand greigs decisions here, why didn't they just takeyhe points the first time instead of giving themselves a harder kick?

[MacKnocked-on]

With that amount of possession Glasgow would surely have been well on the way to a bonus point by now, Edinburgh will only have themselves to blame if they don't win this game.

[Imperialbigdave]

Nobodies expecting miracles, but this iseven more incompetent than under Bradley

[Janecory]

How on earth Laidlaw is an International 9 is beggars belief.

[Manky-Flanker]

Love the replay of Zebre fumbling the ball, just before the Alba commentator says "This is classic Zebre play"

[Imperialbigdave]

I know you hate him, but Laidlaw is not our problem tonight

[Janecory]

I know you hate him, but Laidlaw is not our problem tonight

Don't hate him. My opinion of an International player is higher than the likes of Laidlaw. No-one said he was the problem, but get Kennedy on as soon as.

[Imperialbigdave]

Kennedy isn't going to fix a scrum that shoves zebre back one minute before getting penalised on their own feed the next, or the lack of handling and composure across the backs

[Imperialbigdave]

And then he cocks up a certain try. Cheers Greig.

[Janecory]

Edinburgh are just better of 2 poor, poor sides !
Only just.

[GLove39]

That ref looks around 15! Hasn't got a clue at the scrums!

15's being generous!

[highland_scot]

If you're going to dink the ball into the corner, flipping chase it!!!!!

[Imperialbigdave]

What's their obsession with trying in vain to drill it into that corner?

[GLove39]

What's their obsession with trying in vain to drill it into that corner?

It's funny cause on any other pitch that would surely have rolled out. Think this pitch is worse than the one the Scottish wendyballers were playing on in Serbia!

[SecretFly]

Not exactly chase conditions.. high speed chasing anyway

[Imperialbigdave]

STOP GOING FOR THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER!

[SecretFly]

I've come to the decision (part humourously, part deathly serious) that teams should have natural heavy ground sides (15) and a natural hard ground 15....just like horses.

Mucky day and the muck specialists who excel in those conditions should be brought out of their stables. They should be easily spotted as they're growing up through youth sides and through to professionalism.

But seriously, you really can tell that some players hate those conditions and it grinds on their perfromances.

[GLove39]

Ohhhh, Oquera so close to wining the game with that drop goal. Heart in mouth stuff

[reallybored]

Jesus Edinburgh are making heavy work of this.

Fair play to Zebre.

[Artful_Dodger]

Is it over yet?

[GLove39]

Well a wins a win...

[Artful_Dodger]

Yet another LBP for Zebre, another loss by 1 or 2 points. Have to really feel for them.

[Imperialbigdave]

I can't believe that they're actually looking pleased with themselves. That was an utter disgrace.

[Notch]

How unlucky can Zebre be!

50/50 offside call disallows a certain try with 5 mins to go
Orquera hits the bar with a drop goal with 3 mins to go

Poor brstewards must feel cursed. They should have sneaked a terrible game of rugby.

[MacKnocked-on]

How awful are Edinburgh? Laidlaw had a stinker tonight, I'll forgive him that as he's not usually that poor but for me it's time to tell Ford and some of the other so called top players to find another club. Clear out required.

[funnyExiledScot]

What a classic! Both sides as duff as the conditions!

A win is a win. We've been on the wrong side of plenty of those, so just pleased to take 4 points.

Ref was a typical rabo ref, that is to say terrible!

[Janecory]

How awful are Edinburgh? Laidlaw had a stinker tonight, I'll forgive him that as he's not usually that poor but not much better, but for me it's time to tell Ford and some of the other so called top players to find another club. Clear out required.

Totally Agree !

[Janecory]

So far looks like last week was a fluke

It was a fluke, because Ulster last week were a worse side than Zebre.

[MacKnocked-on]

How awful are Edinburgh? Laidlaw had a stinker tonight, I'll forgive him that as he's not usually that poor but not much better, but for me it's time to tell Ford and some of the other so called top players to find another club. Clear out required.

Totally Agree !

Ford really annoys me, he just appears to have a very lazy attitude on the field, neither up nor down when he constantly cocks up throw-ins for example. His time at Edinburgh should be up. This hyping of players helps nobody, McInally is another, just don't think he's got what it takes, far too soft.

[Janecory]

How awful are Edinburgh? Laidlaw had a stinker tonight, I'll forgive him that as he's not usually that poor but not much better, but for me it's time to tell Ford and some of the other so called top players to find another club. Clear out required.

Totally Agree !

Ford really annoys me, he just appears to have a very lazy attitude on the field, neither up nor down when he constantly cocks up throw-ins for example. His time at Edinburgh should be up. This hyping of players helps nobody, McInally is another, just don't think he's got what it takes, far too soft.

And not forgetting Laidlaw, too many Scottish supporters have him on a pedestal, for whatever reason,he is an average 9 that can also kick, but not to far, because he has limits.
His game control tonight from a 9 and captain was atrocious.
I say again if Laidlaw were English, Welsh, Irish or French he would be no-where near wearing an International shirt.!!!!

[funnyExiledScot]

Agree that mcinally was poor today, but he had a really decent game against ulster. He needs to be careful because denton will be back soon.

Let's just bear in mind how awful those conditions were. All season we'be been playing poorly and losing. Now we're playing poorly and winning. I'm happier than I was two weeks ago, and for the record I thought francis has been ok the last couple of games.

[Janecory]

Agree that mcinally was poor today, but he had a really decent game against ulster. He needs to be careful because denton will be back soon.

Sooner the better.

[Taffineastbourne]

How awful are Edinburgh? Laidlaw had a stinker tonight, I'll forgive him that as he's not usually that poor but not much better, but for me it's time to tell Ford and some of the other so called top players to find another club. Clear out required.

Totally Agree !

Ford really annoys me, he just appears to have a very lazy attitude on the field, neither up nor down when he constantly cocks up throw-ins for example. His time at Edinburgh should be up. This hyping of players helps nobody, McInally is another, just don't think he's got what it takes, far too soft.

And not forgetting Laidlaw, too many Scottish supporters have him on a pedestal, for whatever reason,he is an average 9 that can also kick, but not to far, because he has limits.
His game control tonight from a 9 and captain was atrocious.
I say again if Laidlaw were English, Welsh, Irish or French he would be no-where near wearing an International shirt.!!!!

Blimey!Laidlaw must have been poor as he is pretty average at his best
Not sure that he is good enough for the Lions Supporters Tour to be fair.

[Janecory]

How awful are Edinburgh? Laidlaw had a stinker tonight, I'll forgive him that as he's not usually that poor but not much better, but for me it's time to tell Ford and some of the other so called top players to find another club. Clear out required.

Totally Agree !

Ford really annoys me, he just appears to have a very lazy attitude on the field, neither up nor down when he constantly cocks up throw-ins for example. His time at Edinburgh should be up. This hyping of players helps nobody, McInally is another, just don't think he's got what it takes, far too soft.

And not forgetting Laidlaw, too many Scottish supporters have him on a pedestal, for whatever reason,he is an average 9 that can also kick, but not to far, because he has limits.
His game control tonight from a 9 and captain was atrocious.
I say again if Laidlaw were English, Welsh, Irish or French he would be no-where near wearing an International shirt.!!!!

Blimey!Laidlaw must have been poor as he is pretty average at his best
Not sure that he is good enough for the Lions Supporters Tour to be fair.

[funnyExiledScot]

I swear that some of the Edinburgh fans on here are actually more depressed now that we've won two games!!

I just hope that fact that we've won two games can propel us onwards to beat Connacht, do that and it's three in a row with Treviso (away) and Dragons (home) to play. Great chance to finish with a nice run of results.

Francis and Atiga have started to turn up as well, very encouraging seeing as they are contracted for one more year. If we're going to be stuck with them, they may as well contribute. I'd go as far as to say that Francis has played quite well in the last two games, and he and Atiga have the chance to run hard at Dan Parks in the next match, which should hopefully cause Connacht some problems.

I'd like a strong performance, but I'd already settle for another win.

[Imperialbigdave]

I swear that some of the Edinburgh fans on here are actually more depressed now that we've won two games!!

I just hope that fact that we've won two games can propel us onwards to beat Connacht, do that and it's three in a row with Treviso (away) and Dragons (home) to play. Great chance to finish with a nice run of results.

Francis and Atiga have started to turn up as well, very encouraging seeing as they are contracted for one more year. If we're going to be stuck with them, they may as well contribute. I'd go as far as to say that Francis has played quite well in the last two games, and he and Atiga have the chance to run hard at Dan Parks in the next match, which should hopefully cause Connacht some problems.

I'd like a strong performance, but I'd already settle for another win.

Windy will be hiding out on the wing, and Vissers not exactly going to bully him.

[TJ1]

I have just watched the game and find it hard to see where the critism of Laidlaw comes from - he was right at the heart of things and putting a bit of ace on the ball ensuring the backs got it quickly. A good performance from him I thought. When you are right in the heart of the game and have so much possession there will always be a few mistakes - but his error count was low in comparison to how much positive work he did.

[Janecory]

I have just watched the game and find it hard to see where the critism of Laidlaw comes from - he was right at the heart of things and putting a bit of ace on the ball ensuring the backs got it quickly. A good performance from him I thought. When you are right in the heart of the game and have so much possession there will always be a few mistakes - but his error count was low in comparison to how much positive work he did.

TJ you want to watch the game again perhaps with your both eyes open this time.
Laidlaw had so much possession, he did not know what to do with it, he either kicked the ball away needlessly and aimlessly, or he threw poor ball to Francis and put him under pressure.
His game control was non-existent, as captain he showed no leadership qualities.
The coaches should have put on Kennedy, he would have supplied the backs with quick ball for the backs to do something with.
You claim Laidlaw was "at the heart of things"and "he did a lot of positive work" well I never saw it.
I Wonder what "positive work" he did in that game against a poor Zebre side, and being at "the heart of things" well why didn't he never made things happen.
When was the last time in any game you saw Laidlaw making a break ?, he made 1 in that game, and should have scored, he fell over.
Cant get away from it Laidlaw was poor, if Kennedy or Rees played like that, we would be calling for their heads !

[Imperialbigdave]

I have just watched the game and find it hard to see where the critism of Laidlaw comes from - he was right at the heart of things and putting a bit of ace on the ball ensuring the backs got it quickly. A good performance from him I thought. When you are right in the heart of the game and have so much possession there will always be a few mistakes - but his error count was low in comparison to how much positive work he did.

TJ you want to watch the game again perhaps with your both eyes open this time.
Laidlaw had so much possession, he did not know what to do with it, he either kicked the ball away needlessly and aimlessly, or he threw poor ball to Francis and put him under pressure.
His game control was non-existent, as captain he showed no leadership qualities.
The coaches should have put on Kennedy, he would have supplied the backs with quick ball for the backs to do something with.
You claim Laidlaw was "at the heart of things"and "he did a lot of positive work" well I never saw it.
I Wonder what "positive work" he did in that game against a poor Zebre side, and being at "the heart of things" well why didn't he never made things happen.
When was the last time in any game you saw Laidlaw making a break ?, he made 1 in that game, and should have scored, he fell over.
Cant get away from it Laidlaw was poor, if Kennedy or Rees played like that, we would be calling for their heads !

utter. Poopie.

Francis got more good ball than those conditions shouldve allowed. There were more than enough opportunities for the outside backs to score had they showed more composure than they did. This was because Laidlaw was getting the ball out quickly. If anything he shouldve slowed it down and took more pressure off them when it was clear they were in a world of their own and couldnt hold onto possesion if their lives depended on it. I agree that on pitch leadership looked poor, but the rest of your post is garbage. Rees does everything youve just blamed on laidlaw, and people do call for his head.

Are you JohnnieJ and/or DalkeithLaddie? I know he reads this board, and that reads exceptionally like something he would write.

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