- Sat Feb 15, 2020 6:56 pm
#9640
Just got back from the game. We were dross. Utterly clueless. Our kicking game was awful. We learned nothing from the Exeter away game in the HC. After watching England last week and Sarries in the first half, what on earth possessed WC to box kick high hanging balls in the second? If you are going to kick into the wind, it is pretty obvious the best tactic is low and flat, looking for field position. We were well beaten by the better organised team who coped with the horrendous conditions much better than us.
Agree too about the comments re Jono and his interaction with the ref. He was poor today again and listening on reflink WB was clearly irritated. Stark contrast to when Bryn skippered the other week, though I realise that leading the team is more than just being on the right side of the ref.
Worried about the injuries as well. Bryn, Ben and Akker all took knocks and van Cannonball was also replaced at HT though whether that was due to an injury, I don't know.
First visit to (the soon not to be) Allianz Park and two things in particular struck me.
Firstly, I will never again complain about any aspect of the AJB. Compared to AP, our place has first class transport links, with shuttles superbly organised. Our bar staff are superbly efficient, our pitch is fantastic and the general infrastructure of the ground is streets ahead. I have been to most of the Premiership grounds and AP is comfortably the worst of the lot.
Secondly, Saracens have the ubiquitous drummer(s). No problem with that but the total lack of respect shown to the opposition is, frankly, embarrassing. Every high ball we had to field and every line out throw to us, the clown with the sticks insisted on a drum roll in an effort to intimidate. Pathetic.
Finally, talking to a few of their fans and overhearing others. They are genuinely upset and embarrassed at the misdeeds of Wray and co over the salary cap issue. They certainly feel the issue was mishandled by the authorities, and we can probably all agree about that. However, there seemed to a general acceptance of the sanctions and an acknowledgement that their club has a great deal to do before it can hold its head up again.