They did the proverbial ‘job’ on us. Studying for hours on how the new Saints ticked Messrs. Melville and Ryan came up with a gameplan that kept us on the backfoot virtually the whole afternoon. No sooner had we made inroads into their territory than the ball popped up to Duncan McRae who pinned us back with some very smart tactical kicking putting us straight back deep into our own half.
Then when we finally fought back to reduce the deficit to one point we suffered the sucker punch of yet another kick from McRae being picked up by Marcel Garvey who slid over the line for the killer try.
Overall though I’m not too despondent about the defeat. Gloucester may have started with (bar Olivier Azam) an inexperienced front row but outside of this they fielded quality in just about every other position and if we needed a reality check now was probably the best time to get it. Yes our lineout was exposed as wanting and the new press defence obviously needs tightening up to stop another player doing a McRae on us but these are things that can still be worked on in their infancy.
Of course its never nice to lose at home. But with new players still learning the ropes a short sharp shock that makes us think twice and still leaves us two points off the summit is preferable to a well bedded and drilled team that losing to the likes of London Irish at home. Time will tell if that early reminder of our non-invincibility pays dividends. I’ve a feeling it just might.
LOOKING AHEAD
On Saturday we travel up to Welford Road for the local derby against the Tigers. We may joke to Leicester supporting friends (yes I’ll admit to that crime) that the games not that important to us anymore now we have won there two seasons in succession. We kid them that to us now its just another ZP game but of course in reality its still one of the most eager awaited clashes of any season.
The clash holds some great memories. The last minute drop goal by Paul Grayson that secured the 15-15 draw in 1998, another monster one from Nick Beal last season that went over the bar a full ten minutes after it left Nicks boot (or so the legend increasingly goes). The memory that caps the lot though was young Mr Pountney’s steal of a try in 2002 when we were the first side to win there in five years. The wool was pulled over the Tigers lineout jumpers eyes and Budge just ambled to the front of the line to stroll over unopposed for the try.
With Tigers having not beaten us now since 2002 and the fact we nilled them here at the Gardens the last time the two sides met, the Tigers will be chomping at the bit for revenge. Going on Saturdays performance it’s a tall order to get anything out of the game but if you look over that as a blip and go on the Quins game form there’s no reason why the lads cannot put in some heavy work on the paddock this week, iron out a few problems and travel up in hope of competing on equal terms.
If they do they’ve every chance of coming away with something from the game.
The game is already a sellout. If you are travelling to Welford Road by rail be aware that the service to Leicester from Coventry is currently out of action and buses have replaced trains from Nuneaton onwards. A better option is to pop over to Wellingborough or Bedford and get a train direct.
The Saints Supporters Club will also be running coaches. They will be leaving late morning from Franklin’s Gardens VIP car park. The prices are: Adults: £9 Children/Students/OAPs: £5. To book places call Jean Collingwood on 01604 583283, after 6pm, with your name, telephone number and the number of seats required.
LEAVING EARLY
There has been some talk post match on both the official and unofficial website’s about the ‘mass exodus’ of supporter’s minutes before the final whistle. Of course its up to the individual when they leave but on two counts it just doesn’t seem right to me.
Firstly those leaving en masse like this, block the view of the diehards who are staying till the bitter end of the game especially those at the lower levels including where our disabled fans sit.
Secondly, what message does that send out to the team, especially when on Saturday they were still in the hunt for the spoils while those of little faith sloped off.
One day I’m hoping that after these fair weather supporters have exited the Saints run in three late tries to remind them it aint over till the fat lady sings. However a better suggestion came from a chap online who said it might be an idea for Geoff Allen to remind these people, as he does with silence at kicks, that not only are they doing the team a diservice but they are also ruining the enjoyment of their fellow fans. It might fall on deaf ears but then again it might make a few think twice.
SUPPORT
On the subject of support it wasn’t just the team that underperformed on Saturday, we were very low key in the stands too. Yes its hard to raise yourself when things are not going right on the pitch but I guess the definition of being a supporter is to support and we didn’t pay our part of the bargain either.
After last season finished I was lucky enough to travel down to Montpellier for the French championship semi final between Toulouse and Perpignan. Those that went to Saints Heineken Cup game two seasons ago in Toulouse will know how well organised, numerous and colourful the Stade fans were but though numerous they were nothing compared to the 30,000 Catalans that turned up for the game from Perpignan, They were simply overwhelming.
Their support from start to finish was relentless and unwavering even when their team was behind. Partisan in the extreme they surprised me even more in victory when five minutes after the final whistle they started a chant of ‘Toulousain, Toulousain’ which was soon taken up by all to honour the team they had just defeated. Its the most sporting thing I’ve ever seen or heard and although I’m not suggesting we go to Welford Road cheering ‘Tiger, Tigers’ there’s a lot we can learn from those Catalan fans.
We’ve two massive games coming up and it’s a chance yet again to put down the marker both on and off the pitch so sing yourself hoarse whatever’s happening on the pitch and for everyone’s sake please don’t clear off early!
Then when we finally fought back to reduce the deficit to one point we suffered the sucker punch of yet another kick from McRae being picked up by Marcel Garvey who slid over the line for the killer try.
Overall though I’m not too despondent about the defeat. Gloucester may have started with (bar Olivier Azam) an inexperienced front row but outside of this they fielded quality in just about every other position and if we needed a reality check now was probably the best time to get it. Yes our lineout was exposed as wanting and the new press defence obviously needs tightening up to stop another player doing a McRae on us but these are things that can still be worked on in their infancy.
Of course its never nice to lose at home. But with new players still learning the ropes a short sharp shock that makes us think twice and still leaves us two points off the summit is preferable to a well bedded and drilled team that losing to the likes of London Irish at home. Time will tell if that early reminder of our non-invincibility pays dividends. I’ve a feeling it just might.
LOOKING AHEAD
On Saturday we travel up to Welford Road for the local derby against the Tigers. We may joke to Leicester supporting friends (yes I’ll admit to that crime) that the games not that important to us anymore now we have won there two seasons in succession. We kid them that to us now its just another ZP game but of course in reality its still one of the most eager awaited clashes of any season.
The clash holds some great memories. The last minute drop goal by Paul Grayson that secured the 15-15 draw in 1998, another monster one from Nick Beal last season that went over the bar a full ten minutes after it left Nicks boot (or so the legend increasingly goes). The memory that caps the lot though was young Mr Pountney’s steal of a try in 2002 when we were the first side to win there in five years. The wool was pulled over the Tigers lineout jumpers eyes and Budge just ambled to the front of the line to stroll over unopposed for the try.
With Tigers having not beaten us now since 2002 and the fact we nilled them here at the Gardens the last time the two sides met, the Tigers will be chomping at the bit for revenge. Going on Saturdays performance it’s a tall order to get anything out of the game but if you look over that as a blip and go on the Quins game form there’s no reason why the lads cannot put in some heavy work on the paddock this week, iron out a few problems and travel up in hope of competing on equal terms.
If they do they’ve every chance of coming away with something from the game.
The game is already a sellout. If you are travelling to Welford Road by rail be aware that the service to Leicester from Coventry is currently out of action and buses have replaced trains from Nuneaton onwards. A better option is to pop over to Wellingborough or Bedford and get a train direct.
The Saints Supporters Club will also be running coaches. They will be leaving late morning from Franklin’s Gardens VIP car park. The prices are: Adults: £9 Children/Students/OAPs: £5. To book places call Jean Collingwood on 01604 583283, after 6pm, with your name, telephone number and the number of seats required.
LEAVING EARLY
There has been some talk post match on both the official and unofficial website’s about the ‘mass exodus’ of supporter’s minutes before the final whistle. Of course its up to the individual when they leave but on two counts it just doesn’t seem right to me.
Firstly those leaving en masse like this, block the view of the diehards who are staying till the bitter end of the game especially those at the lower levels including where our disabled fans sit.
Secondly, what message does that send out to the team, especially when on Saturday they were still in the hunt for the spoils while those of little faith sloped off.
One day I’m hoping that after these fair weather supporters have exited the Saints run in three late tries to remind them it aint over till the fat lady sings. However a better suggestion came from a chap online who said it might be an idea for Geoff Allen to remind these people, as he does with silence at kicks, that not only are they doing the team a diservice but they are also ruining the enjoyment of their fellow fans. It might fall on deaf ears but then again it might make a few think twice.
SUPPORT
On the subject of support it wasn’t just the team that underperformed on Saturday, we were very low key in the stands too. Yes its hard to raise yourself when things are not going right on the pitch but I guess the definition of being a supporter is to support and we didn’t pay our part of the bargain either.
After last season finished I was lucky enough to travel down to Montpellier for the French championship semi final between Toulouse and Perpignan. Those that went to Saints Heineken Cup game two seasons ago in Toulouse will know how well organised, numerous and colourful the Stade fans were but though numerous they were nothing compared to the 30,000 Catalans that turned up for the game from Perpignan, They were simply overwhelming.
Their support from start to finish was relentless and unwavering even when their team was behind. Partisan in the extreme they surprised me even more in victory when five minutes after the final whistle they started a chant of ‘Toulousain, Toulousain’ which was soon taken up by all to honour the team they had just defeated. Its the most sporting thing I’ve ever seen or heard and although I’m not suggesting we go to Welford Road cheering ‘Tiger, Tigers’ there’s a lot we can learn from those Catalan fans.
We’ve two massive games coming up and it’s a chance yet again to put down the marker both on and off the pitch so sing yourself hoarse whatever’s happening on the pitch and for everyone’s sake please don’t clear off early!
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