Championship round 20 - Pirates v Chiefs
Big Bob
By Big Bob
February 2 2010
Big Bob steers clear of statistics when he reviews the first of this months trips by the Chiefs to the Duchy. If you know the answers to the questions posed, or even some better questions then why not post them.
Match Preview
Cornish Pirates v Exeter Chiefs 
A rambling preview
When I wrote the Chiefs v Pirates preview earlier in the season I said,“How the Pirates played against Bedford is irrelevant, it’s how they play against us that counts – and how will they play? The answer is “with passion”. Forget their injury list, whichever Pirate fifteen walk onto the pitch will want to win, not just because we are unbeaten but because we are Exeter.”
At the time they had just beaten Bedford and now they have just lost. I am not too sure about the Pirates injury list but whatever it is like will have no effect on their passion but their desire to beat us that will remain constant.
This being said I have more questions than answers when it comes to the away fixture.
Now that at least second place guaranteed what sort of team will Rob and Co put out? Will he some players a chance or anther chance to stake a claim whilst resting key players? I doubt it, we have the cup and for some Friday’s Lanson game for that, but won’t know for sure until the team selection is out.How about the players will they take it easy?
We have seen some soft tries leaked in second halves of the last two home games – was this “job done and relax.”? I doubt that we will be 28-0 up at half time for the third week in a row so taking it easy will probably not be an option.
Based on Moorsman’s comments about Steeno I doubt that he will be going down to see his old club, and judging by the way that Phil Dollman came off the field Saturday it would seem improbable that he will make the trip too. If I am right about Phil then exactly who should Rob bring in? Paul McKenzie would be the fan’s choice based on my few bar room discussions.
How about the full-back berth? I would keep Steve Jones in, due to his place kicking ability – no offense to Danny, whose kicking accuracy will have gone up as a result of the last game but....
Sadly, or luckily due to work I won’t be able to follow up on this once the team selection is up so others can provide the answers – all of which will be know by next Sunday evening.
The only question I know the answer to is who will win –c’mon you Chiefs!
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We know the quality of our other players at full back, lets see how he plays away. Danny will hopefully improve in confidence and with that his accuracy in-front of the posts, if that fails we have Steve to throw the ball to.
East Terrace Central
Our roads are paved with hope, and there are no stop signs.
"COME ON EXE!"
He may well be the fan's choice but he sure isn't with the people who matter judging by Sunday's squad. Is there any information on him at present??
. Apart from his outing against Welsh U20's he hasnt featured sinch defeat against Bristol so must be out of favour!!Quote:clalan
Maybe the coach knows and trusts his ability and doesn't want to risk injury.
Not sure i understand the logic of this.....there is surely the risk of injury to all the players involved in this "friendly" game!! The fact is RB has a large quality squad to pick from and they cant all be in the match day 22.
We do not know the mindset of the coaching staff, they know the players, maybe he is out of favour I do not know, but I do think there is place for him at the sharp end, you can't play your top team all the time as RB has said. But those so called resting still need to stay match fit.
After all we are were we are, know are playing schedule for the play offs so why risk players when result is pride. After the Albion match I think that RB is more concerned with promotion than bragging rights.
But Im probably wrong this league system has brought up alot of strange things.