Synopsis Week One ARS ( after record stops)

By razcal
December 6 2002

Well I blame myself for last week's defeat. By not publishing a synopsis I broke the lucky routine. So the synopsis is back, like it or not.

Not much to report this week. Again all the threads fit on to two pages. But still, some people may wish to catch up.

The week began in sombre mood. The defeat to local rivals, Saints, crushed spirits more for the poor display from Tigers than the end of the home run. Saints played with passion and commitment. They were organized in defence and took every opportunity which came their way to score. In what has become a depressingly familiar pattern this season, Tigers pack provided ball and territory but the backs looked clueless in every attempt they made to use it. The defeat was no fluke. The writing which Bath and Wasps had left large on the Welford Road walls had been ignored by Tigers.

What was pleasing was the good grace the nice majority of Saints fans displayed in victory. With their players their main concern seemed to be to pay tribute to the home record. 52 consecutive league wins, 57 consecutive league games unbeaten. The record has not been broken or ended. That will happen when someone manages 53 consecutive league home wins or 58 consecutive unbeaten league home games. The record has been stopped at 52 and 57.

Obviously an inquest was opened on this board. It was generally felt that the weaknesses displayed against Saints had been apparent for a while. The trend has moved on from pointing fingers at individual players, Oz, Leon and Jamie have taken it in turns to be the fall guy so far this eason, to looking at the coaching and selections. Rod Kafer finished the week by accepting responsibility for the ineffective back play so far this season in tonight's Mercury. Chris C had a fair point when he pointed out the unbalanced nature the team has when Geordan and Stimmo swap places and Corry does not play no 8. Rod promised immediate improvement and more ball to the wings. So maybe we should get Large to write the next match reportfor us.

The defeat also sees Tigers fall from 2nd to 6th in the European rankings. Since that sort of performance would see us lucky to finish the league in 6th place we may havegot off lightly.

The revamped programme which appeared for the first time with its extra 8 pages was analysed. Many posters felt it was not much cop but it found favour with a few people. Apparently you can apply to write a fans page but most of us appear to be supporting Ian C and have no wish to supplant him.

Rob Andrew raised our hackles again by advocating no relegation to protect the investment made by some clubs. Being fair minded people, we on this site, did not for one moment pause to ask why he had never felt this to be an issue when his overpaid band of mercenaries bought its way to the league title only to see the light when his team occupied twelth place in the table.

Some people on this site have long been convinced that Jonny Wilkinson will join Tigers sooner rather than later. This correspondant has never shared this view and now gloats smugly at the news that JW has agreed a two year extension to his Falcon's contract.

Denise started a poll/ comment thing to find out who fans rate as the best current tiger player. Just add your twopennorth at the top of the message board.

Wasps tickets for the 27th are running out fast. You can order online but you will need to be faster than any tiger back last Saturday.

On a more unpleasant note it was sad that a thread had to be deleted during the week because it contained offensive personal abuse. Anyone may post their views on this site and everyone is free to agree or disagree with them. But DenIse will never acceptfoul language, racism or out and out aggression and that's why we like this site so much. If the perpetrator returns the advice is to ignore them or just to play the argument and not the person. This explains why we have had to log in again this week.

It is with nervous apprehension that we now look forward to the game in Béziers on Sunday. We wish all our friends making the trip a safe journey and pleasant weekend. Those of us left at home will have to endure Bleddyn's commentary. Come on you Gods of Rugby. We've had our fair share of punishment. Please look more favourably on us this week. Allez les Tigres!