8 wins from 8
Exeter Chiefs
By Moorsman
October 25 2009
Exeter Chiefs are top of the Chamionship with 8 from 8 and nobody's excited.....
Chamionship Farce?
Exeter Chiefs are 8 wins from 8 starts, top of the pile and I suspect I'm not alone in feeling short changed by the farcical arrangement of this league.
In a 'normal' season this situation would see a swell of support and discussion on The Tribe message board. This season, it's ticking along at a steady rate but feels like everything is in limbo. Don't get me wrong, I'm really pleased with the way the new coaching setup and squad have performed. I'm also sure we haven't seen the full potential of this years Chiefs yet. Full marks to Rob Baxter and the coaches for keeping motivation on the pitch at such a high standard.
BUT.... when promotion this season will be decided by 1 game, in May 2010 any victory in the 'league' feels a little hollow and it feels like there are more than a few fans finding it difficult to maintain their motivation. I think we are already seeing this with reduced attendances at Sandy Park although we do still have a sizeable 'hardcour' supporter base.
I can't see the British and Irish Cup promoting much more interest either. What sides are going to risk valuable player fitness etc. for the chance of a trip to Twickers when the real prize is still up for grabs. Even though it presents us with two more Wet Country derbies I don't think these will have the same bite as league encounters usually do. The introduction of opponents from Ireland, Scotland and Wales adds some interest but a knock-out competition would have more appeal for me.
So, what have we got? A series of almost meaningless games, until we reach the play-offs. At which point the whole thing could end up as a lottery with the eventual outcome dependent on luck as much as skill.
Added to this the eventual winner will be in the position of having to recruit players for the Premiership with very little time before the season commences.
This may be a negative view of The Chamionship but it's how I'm feeling about it. What about you?
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It is great to see the team doing so well and I do wonder how they keep motivated. May next year is a long way off.
The only advantage I can see of being at the top of the table is purely psychological when it comes to our opponents mind set and a so called, slightly easier draw in the play offs.
But - what happens if a team such as Moseley have luck with them on the day of the final and win??? They surprised everyone last year by beating us and Leeds in the EDF. There is no way their ground is anywhere near the Prem standard and would they be able to arrange a ground share so quickly and satisfy the RFU - I very much doubt it......
It does leave a very strange taste in my mouth and that taste could become very sour by the middle of next year......
Living the dream
Supporting The Chiefs in the AP
Really pleased with the performance so far, but will the lads efforts be wasted at the final hurdle?! It seems ridiculous to me that it becomes a bit of a lottery and does nothing to reward consistent high quality rugby. But who am I to question the wisdom of the almighty RFU!!
Saying that I reckon we can and will do it..bring on the Premiership
The guts have been ripped out of the season by this ridiculous competition. If the playoffs were to take place now, we (with 8 wins and 36 points) could quite conceivably be beaten to the promotion place by Moseley (3 wins and 16 points) just as Kilo 5 points out above. And the gap will only increase as the season wears on.
Come on we need to support them all the way wether we agree or not with the new stucture. We can't change things
I am not sure that the attendances are being affected by this format, rather the lack of cash available, as for the cup matches well it will be nice to see a few new opponents at the park.
Bottom line though we just have to keep winning!
quote]
Actualy it's EIGHT more matches. 6 pool matches. semi final & final
We will support the boys every step of the way but what a ludicrous system, I thought people at the top of large organisations such as the RFU were supposed to be intellectual and logical!
(see main heading) Well I found it funny!!!