Glaws stars need form as team looks for a revival


JSD - needs form
By Cherry Picker
December 2 2009

Two of Gloucester’s injury-hit internationals are aiming to make December the month in which the team’s season turns round, exchanging frustration and failure for stability and success. And if James Simpson-Daniel and Olly Morgan do hit form, there’s no doubt that a revival is more than an outside possibility for the cherry and whites.

And what better time and place to start than against a rejuvenated Newcastle Falcons at Kingsholm on Saturday afternoon in a match that starts at the traditional time of 3pm?
Morgan feels he needs to repay the club for the problems caused by his niggling run of injuries this season, while coach Bryan Redpath has called on JSD to reproduce the form that saw him shine in the defeat against Harlequins last weekend.
Redpath says he believes Sinbad has under-performed this season – though why he has chosen to single him out for that accusation when the same could be said of so many others is a bit of a mystery.
He told the Citizen: “He looked strong and dangerous every time he touched the ball. He's always been a great player, no-one has ever questioned that.
"He's had bad luck with injuries but he's probably under-performed at 13 for us this year.
"Harlequins was his first performance for us this season when he actually looked very dangerous. He looked comfortable in a lot of things he was doing. That's credit to him.
"He's had to work hard and fight through a lot of things and he's got to keep doing that.
"You can't just have one week when it's good and the next you standards drop. For him I hope he pushes on and I'll certainly be saying that to him."
There’s no doubt that the Sinbad of old can play a major part in the revival Glaws so badly need this season if they are to at least gain some  self-respect out of the campaign.
Morgan try at SarriesAnd the same applies to Morgan (right), who also did well against Quins.
He told the Citizen: "It's disappointing letting the guys down and the management, but I can't help the body. I was just pleased to get through it.
"I'm happy to be back, although for me it was a so-so game.
"I want to keep playing, but I'm just setting game-by-game goals at the moment, that's the most important thing for me."

There’s a long way to go yet and if Gloucester’s injuries do start clearing and players rediscover their form they are more than capable of zooming up the table. But nobody wants to stay near the danger zone any longer than necessary and Saturday is a must-win game.
Falcons are comfortably-placed in mid-table, five points ahead of Glaws.Leeds are at home to Quins on Friday night, Bath are at Saracens on Saturday, when the other team below Glaws, Worcester, are at London Irish. A Kingsholm win could make a big difference, specially if other results go their way.  

Glaws stars need form as team looks for a revival
Posted by: Shedloads (IP Logged)
Date: 02/12/2009 11:06

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Re: Glaws stars need form as team looks for a revival
Posted by: cheerycherry (IP Logged)
Date: 02/12/2009 12:09

I would guess that Sinbad doesnt want to play 13 in the same way Voyce doesnt want to play 15 but end up "taking one for the team". Their body language and looking thoroughly miserable when playing out of position may be a clue. Any co-incidence that when Glaws went to Quins, Sinbad gets a rare game on the wing and he has arguably the best game he has had all season?

Re: Glaws stars need form as team looks for a revival
Posted by: Two Sheds (IP Logged)
Date: 03/12/2009 11:03

Is it blind optimism that makes me think somebody will get a thumping of Glaws sooner rather than later?
Or is there a bit of realism in there too?

Re: Glaws stars need form as team looks for a revival
Posted by: cheerycherry (IP Logged)
Date: 03/12/2009 12:45

I assume you meant "thumping off Glos..." Sheds? If that was what you meant then I agree. I think Redpath is not far off getting his message across about how he wants the game to be played and although it has took a while for all the players to 'buy into it', with Glaws you can sense a side that is just starting to settle into a new gameplan and feel confident and comfortable with it. Now the players seem comfortable with how they are being asked to play, once the side settles into somewhere near a regular lineup I honestly think someone somewhere will cop a big defeat. You can see momentum is just starting to gather and results are definately on an upward curve.

Re: Glaws stars need form as team looks for a revival
Posted by: Two Sheds (IP Logged)
Date: 03/12/2009 15:33

Yes, I did mean off... fat finger trouble again.

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