Premiership Round 17

Heaf wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Sarries losing is big for Tigers in terms of the table. 12 points up, but Sarries have a game in hand, as opposed to a potential 8 points up with Sarries having an extra game.

Gloucester (H), Sarries (A), LI (H), Chiefs (A), Quins (A), Bristol (H), Falcons (A), Wasps (H)

That's the Tigers run in for the Jeff. 3 really tough away games against Sarries, Chiefs and Quins.

Sarries will be the big one in terms of 1st place. It's a Six Nations rest weekend so they'll have Tompkins and likely Isiekwe back with England's expected second row returnees. Tigers should get Heyes back and I'd hope Chessum as well with all the locks returning. A huge game.

I wouldn't worry too much .... Irish drew away at Sarries and won at home, beat Chiefs home and away, and beat Quins away - yet to play them at home ...  I think I might be dreaming that though ...

Heaf wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:By the way, don't ask me about the Saints match.  

I got that one bang on on Superbru ... sorry

nathan wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

nathan wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Not a great performance but got the job done. I feel I've typed/said that a lot recently as a Tigers fan.

We are developing a frustrating tendency to start strong then fall asleep for long periods and we are leaving points on the pitch.

If I had to predict our Premiership season being brutally honest at the minute I'd say that I think we will hold onto 1st or 2nd in the table leading to a home semi we should be able to win. I could then see us meeting either Sarries or Chiefs in the final and losing a game with a tight scoreline but one that we never really looked in control of as the lineout causes us trouble with retaining our own ball and conceding pens on the oppositions against international quality second rows.

I don't want to sound too negative either. The progress under Borthwick is startling, this is a fantastic squad with many young players that should only get better. I just have this unshakable feeling that it might be one season too early for us to win hard fought KO matches against sides experienced in those situations. We can be absolutely fantastic for periods but still go missing for others.

I think once we get our internationals back, it will define our season.

We certainly aren't as strong as at the beginning of the season, but there has been far more rotation which is good.

Bit of a nervy game with the usual bizaar decisions you expect from Dickson. Not sure how Wells was pinged for rolling when the ball was out and ge hands been tackled.

Thought it should have been a pen try at the end too as a load of Bath players went in at the side as it was marching towards the line.

Still, a win is a win. Great to see Burns putting some performances together too.

Don't think you're allowed to go off your feet and roll forward without momentum. Prevents players going for the ball so is a pen.

Thought he ran and dived on the ball so had the momentum. Either way, not a fan of Dickson (he makes Bob decisions for all teams). No idea how he got a six nations game next week.

No 7&1/2 wrote:

nathan wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

nathan wrote:

king_carlos wrote:Not a great performance but got the job done. I feel I've typed/said that a lot recently as a Tigers fan.

We are developing a frustrating tendency to start strong then fall asleep for long periods and we are leaving points on the pitch.

If I had to predict our Premiership season being brutally honest at the minute I'd say that I think we will hold onto 1st or 2nd in the table leading to a home semi we should be able to win. I could then see us meeting either Sarries or Chiefs in the final and losing a game with a tight scoreline but one that we never really looked in control of as the lineout causes us trouble with retaining our own ball and conceding pens on the oppositions against international quality second rows.

I don't want to sound too negative either. The progress under Borthwick is startling, this is a fantastic squad with many young players that should only get better. I just have this unshakable feeling that it might be one season too early for us to win hard fought KO matches against sides experienced in those situations. We can be absolutely fantastic for periods but still go missing for others.

I think once we get our internationals back, it will define our season.

We certainly aren't as strong as at the beginning of the season, but there has been far more rotation which is good.

Bit of a nervy game with the usual bizaar decisions you expect from Dickson. Not sure how Wells was pinged for rolling when the ball was out and ge hands been tackled.

Thought it should have been a pen try at the end too as a load of Bath players went in at the side as it was marching towards the line.

Still, a win is a win. Great to see Burns putting some performances together too.

Don't think you're allowed to go off your feet and roll forward without momentum. Prevents players going for the ball so is a pen.

Thought he ran and dived on the ball so had the momentum. Either way, not a fan of Dickson (he makes Bob decisions for all teams). No idea how he got a six nations game next week.

One to roll for me . But yes I started this by doubting whether he would be where he was if not for his player base. Every ref makes mistakes but he talks it through then goes against what he's told the players. An odd ref.

doctor_grey wrote:By the way, don't ask me about the Saints match.  

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:By the way, don't ask me about the Saints match.  

Okay, I won't.

Mitchell on the score sheet again though.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Lovely try from Falcons. Picking the Chiefs defence apart, nice hands in horrible conditions.

Penny has been having a good game today.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Dean has to trust the kids now...back them and play them!!!

formerly known as Sam wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Dean has to trust the kids now...back them and play them!!!

Well you've said that a few times now...

There was lots to like about that Falcons performance so I wouldn't think many changes would be required for their next game. Perhaps Radwan to come in and offer some of his magic perhaps.