It's a Wonderful Strife

By Paul
March 11 2007

Wales cannot be so entrenched in this siege mentality, or they will only continue to implode.

Defeat after defeat and feelings of disillusionment are starting to nestle in. What's more the numbness yesterday evening has only served to compound an already desperate situation.

We've been here before and it certainly isn't pretty. When winning becomes so elusive, everything from the media to officials appear to conspire against a team almost isolated from it's own supporters. Disillusionment is beginning to set in, Wales unable to impose nor control any facet of matches, in other words little to set foundations and build upon.

Perpetrator-In-Chief Gareth Jenkins appears stuck to a certain extent. Although not entirely at fault for Wales's fall from grace, Jenkins although loyal to his troops, appears too absorbed in fending off their and his own critics, to show the type of vision and leadership needed after the Ruddock-Gate farce.

His coaching past at the Scarlets has put in him in a nigh on impossible situation with his captain and play-maker - a decision that may very well define his tenure as Wales coach. It's all very well Jenkins doing things his way and sticking to a plan, but form is such a strong indicator.

Undoubtedly next Saturday we will get a backs to the wall display against England, however I think it's fair to say we have seen four "gutsy" displays, which ultimately have not served Wales well.

Now is the time to step back and re-asses. 2005 was about a lot more than "heart".

Yes I know I said I was retiring from this....