Season 2024-2025 - So Far
By Paul I
December 27 2024
We have reached the last game of 2024, Saturday at Nottingham. Thought I would look at the season so far, using what some companies use, the RAG system, Red, Amber, Green. These are purely my thoughts and opinions ahead of what could be a major 2025.
Red, for me has to be Cornish Pirates at the Mennaye. I experienced a reverse Max Boyce, ' I wished I wasn't there.' The performance was so lacking in drive and processes throughout, it was a very hard watch. Apart from the game, the weekend away with friends was very good!
Amber, difficult section to decide this one. The long term injuries haven't helped the cause, Tommy Mathews, now back, but still missing Oli Morris and others have been setbacks. These various injuries have meant very rarely have we seen the same side twice, but the rotation of the players has been evident and seems to have produced another team bonded and all with the same mindset. Could have put the results of the narrow wins here, the wins at Cambridge , Caldy, Ampthill but wouldn't have been fair as CovDog got Cov through.
Green the bulk of my opinions are here. The aforementioned CovDog bringing results gained that were losses last season. Beginning with the rampant wins over London Scottish, followed by Bedford, away wins at Cambridge and Caldy sandwiching a BP home win against Chinnor. Premiership Cup then followed. Success at Nottingham, a win at Leicester Tigers ( any win over a Tigers side is a plus, think we will see a beefed-up Tigers side in February!) a home loss to a strong Saints side. Ampthill, the capitulation in Penzance, then the very solid 60 minutes at home to Ealing, in there pitching and ultimately going down to an interception try and a very experienced and streetwise bench. We are still having a very good season.
A final Red for me, is the reported personal abuse of some players after the Ealing game. Happily, I know, the players feel and know that 99.99% of Cov supporters appreciate what they do and it's just the 1%, shall we say charitably, were not in the festive spirit or, less charitably, had too much of the festive spirits. The tradition of rugby players mixing and chatting freely with supporters is one we should always respect and adhere to. I do not want this aspect to disappear and hope you can all feel the same way.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:01:30:09:20:14 by Kimbo.
Paul, thanks for taking the time to pen this thoughtful update. When you think we have lost Pellingrini, Rigg, Wand, Wilson, and Nicol, and Chudleigh retiring, I think we are doing very well. They were top, top players, and the guys who have come in are good but have yet to prove themselves as good as their predecessors.
Winning the first 7 league games on the trot has probably not helped, in that expectations have grown. Injuries haven't helped either, and when you tot up the number missing this has to be a factor in recent results, stripping a smaller squad down to the minimum.
Tough games coming up vs Doncaster, Nottingham, Bedford, Leicester then Northampton! Wow what a line up....
But overall, what's not to be pleased about. Steady progress without breaking the bank, hopefully.
Thanks for your reply and have to say you have probably ' nailed it!'
The loss of the players you have mentioned has to be a large factor in any examination of , currently, the dip in results and, as you say, the seven wins on the spin probably raised expectations somewhat. This side hasn't become a bad side overnight.
Injuries to KEY players has certainly had an impact. Any side that has lost the services of Suva Ma'asi, Oli Morris, arguably the biggest loss, Rhys Anstey and the steadying influence of Staff Davies will go through a ' sticky patch.'
As my glass is always half full, I am taking the bonus of Fin Ogden, David Opoku and Dan Green gaining game time as a positive.
This extended break offers a chance to regroup, reassess and , hopefully, a chance for some of those missed to return.
See you.
Yet this income is not reflected in the quality and depth of the squad?
We got into a great position pre xmas to make a bid to win the league yet did not invest in strength and depth denoting a lack of ambitiion or poor planning.
We have the premiership stadium and facilities but clearly something is missing.
The money is there ,what is missing ???
Quote:pipper
Looking at COV gates this season plus sold out hospitality and bar profits it is clear that we are the richest club in the Champiinship by far.
Yet this income is not reflected in the quality and depth of the squad?
We got into a great position pre xmas to make a bid to win the league yet did not invest in strength and depth denoting a lack of ambitiion or poor planning.
We have the premiership stadium and facilities but clearly something is missing.
The money is there ,what is missing ???
Coventry according to 2023 turnover were joint 3rd
Ealing (Jun-24) get almost £8.3m from Mike Gooley before rugby turnover
Doncaster Knights (Jun-23) had a turnover of £3.8m
Coventry (Jun-23) showed a turnover £2.4m
Bedford Blues (Jun-23) £2.4m and £2.7m (Jun-24)
Talk of outside or chairman financial input would now be false ,hopefully for them ,an income surplus will be achieved this season and possibly some paid back to them.