Season Review 2009-10 Part 3- The Treatment

By Whaley Shark
May 31 2010

Well, we've had a backwards look at what went on last season. Now, I can no longer avoid gazing in the crystal ball, and suggesting some changes which I think will lead to more success in 2010-2011. It’s gone very quiet over new signings since the appointment of Mike Brewer and, after his initial, clear statement, he’s said little. So let’s see if I can second guess the Sale management team…

Our Approach to Next Season.

 I think failing to qualify for the Heineken will actually make our job easier next season. We could put out strong sides and go for it in the Amlin, in the hope of winning some silverware. Dishing out a few hammerings against weaker European sides would be good for confidence, and our Oxford final of a few years ago was a good day out. Alternatively we can use it to help what’s likely to be a rather changed team settle, and/or bring on young players. Me, I’d see how the first few Premiership games go and then, unless something’s badly wrong there, I’d give the Amlin a serious go.

The Premiership has to be our first priority, though. Whatever the competition, I’d like to see a bit less programmed rugby-by-numbers, and a bit more heads-up play. We can do it, because we did it a couple of times this season even though it seemed at times we’d almost forgotten how to. So let’s trust our players a bit more, and let them take responsibility for decisions on the field. In particular, let’s stop being so scared of running the ball. We may also want to look again at our defensive strategy. I think we are predictable in defence and get away with it through organisation and aggression but I think it costs us in injuries and, when it goes wrong, it goes badly wrong, so can we do something different? After saying all this though, the first few Premiership games will be critical because, if they go badly, confidence will leak away very quickly (see our away performances in the second half of last season). But, if it works, you never know, you might even see us playing with smiles on our faces again.

LV= Cup- blood some of the youngsters. Dragons showed us what could be achieved by a young team, playing without fear. Let’s give that a try.

 

Who Plays?

 I don’t expect us to sign half a dozen superstars in the next few weeks and, honestly, I don’t want us to. I think we need to develop a strong team ethos, and that’s easier to do without too many new, big egos, and with continuity, which is not helped by losing big names to international squads, or pandering to the wishes of some big names. Look how many games we lost last season to teams that played as teams- being a team is something we have, in my view, shown only occasionally for some seasons now.

Anyway, we already have a core of very fine players indeed. We also have a number of proven, excellent players coming back after major injuries- look what Kris Ormsby contributed in the last few games of the season. We have Cox, Sherri and Gaskell, among others, to come back properly before September. So I’d be content to see us draw a bit more on the Jets, and also recruit a number of bright young things, or lesser names with a point to prove. After all, when we first signed them, the likes of Bruno or Seabass weren’t the big names they were later to become.

Finally, while a (hideously expensive) current, top-flight international might not be that keen to come to Sale, I think we are still strongly attractive to many aspiring or proven players. We recognise that we messed up last season, and we have made changes. In addition, there is a rather brutal market forces argument- Premiership squads are getting smaller, some for the second year in succession, so there aren’t nearly as many openings as there once were. In a smaller squad for one of the lesser sides (let’s be honest about where we currently stand), there’s a lot of opportunity for someone to make a reputation.

 

The Proof of the Pudding…

…is in the eating. However, by the time anyone can check out the accuracy of my crystal ball gazing, you’ll hopefully have forgotten that I ever wrote this. BK and Mike Brewer have said a lot of the right things so, if things go as we hope, then next season will be worth waiting for. The early signs are promising in my view. Meantime, I have a garden to look after.