Tykes Fortunes Look Better Now TeePee Is Back!

Hurray!
By RtR on 31/12/2003
December 31 2003

Its been a tough season for the Tykes so far, and even the most ardent of supporters will be frustrated that last seasons successes have yet to be repeated this time round.

There are several reasons for this of course. One could point the finger at RWC, and the loss of major players, but in reality, thats a poor excuse, as other clubs coped admirably without the core of their first teams.

The real reason for the ropey first half of the seaon is due to the injury crisis, which saw the Tykes having to bring academy players and retired players back in just to make up a side. And in addition, the most damaging of these injuries was arguably that to Tom Palmer.

Palmer's absence during the first half of the season was, in the humble opinion of your author, the worst thing that could have happened to the Tykes, against a background of a large turnover in personnel at the end of last season. A quick look at some match stats proves the point. When TP starts for the Tykes, we achieve a ZP win rate (W17 L17 D2) of 47% . When he doesn't start for the Tykes, that winning rate drops to 26% (W5 L14 D0). To put it short, we win almost twice as many games when TP starts as when he doesn't. Well, nearly anyway.

Whilst it can be argued that many factors affect the long term achievements of a team, the above analysis should provide some insight into just how important TP is to the Tykes. A good pack is built around a great lock. All the great recent packs have had great locks. We have struggled up front on many occassions as we have missed a bit of dog in the pack. The lineout has misfired, and without first phase possession, no team will win. TP's work rate around the park is also immense, and he sometimes acts like another backrow man - this allows the likes of dan Hyde to shine.

TP will give us the grunt, leadership, power, lineout presence and drive that we have missed this year. And with the England pack hardly spring chickens, his form will be closely watched by a certain Sir Clive. He is already talked of as a potential successor to a certain Mr Johnson. (However, it is somewhat frustrating that every time TP goes away on England A team duty, he returns injured!).

So the return of TP to Tykes ranks should be a cause for celebration. TP starts against Saracens on Thursday, New Years day, and a new start for the Tykes season. Expect an uplift in the Tykes fortunes.