Plymouth Game Is Massive
By Blues Ed
November 18 2013
Mike Rayer needs to pull something out of the hat to get confidence restored to a squad which just doesn't know how to win ..
The opportunity to beat fellow strugglers Moseley at home was well and truly lost in the second half when we eventually capitulated 13-26.
Even players like the Booj are looking like they just dont want the responsibility of receiving the ball, and we can't rely on Ealing continuing to have an even worse season than us if we are to guarantee Championship rugby for next season.
Moseley did themselves a power of good moving up to 15 points - five places off the bottom. We are rooted in second bottom place with just 10 points so the importance of that deafeat is plain to see.
Plymouth have 20 points and are comfortably in mid-table - a win at the Brickfields would put a whole new complexion on our season.
Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: Blues Brothers (IP Logged)
Date: 18/11/2013 11:17
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Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: charleyboy (IP Logged)
Date: 18/11/2013 11:49
I think you will find that we have 10 points, not just 8.
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: Jonathan Wilcox (IP Logged)
Date: 18/11/2013 20:49
Yes it is, not sure what the other fixtures are for teams down the wrong end of the table but max pts could see us ump a couple of places. With Jake and Aaron out, could be a chance for Patrick Tapley or Ben Calder to step in. For me Burke at 10, Atkinson at 12 and Booj at 15.
What's happened to Sam Stanley, is he injured?
What's happened to Sam Stanley, is he injured?
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: iron blue (IP Logged)
Date: 18/11/2013 20:57
Jonathan do you know for certain that Jake and Aaron are out? I haven't seen anything on the web.
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: bigbluepip (IP Logged)
Date: 18/11/2013 22:22
If Jake is out I'd have Booj at 10, MA at 12 and Brendan at fullback, assuming MA is fit again, didn't Corey hircock go off injured as well, hopefully Sam Stanley will be back.
All these injuries are beginning to take there toll making things even harder for us to start to click, if the 3 from Friday night are out for a few weeks we are certainly looking stretched in the backs.
All these injuries are beginning to take there toll making things even harder for us to start to click, if the 3 from Friday night are out for a few weeks we are certainly looking stretched in the backs.
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: Ol' Blue Eyes (IP Logged)
Date: 18/11/2013 22:35
The signing of Booj, while undoubtedly a talented payer, confuses me.
He doesn't seem to be competing directly with Sharpe for the 10 jersey in the way Dorrian was at the end of last season.
Given that, why did we bring in another fullback when we have Pritch and at least two other players who can fill in if he's away with Canada or injured (Burke for e.g.)
Given the players we lost, the priority for me would have been a decent, proven hooker to replace Cochrane or a better quality prop.
We have bitterly missed Neil's power and urgency from the breakdown.
He doesn't seem to be competing directly with Sharpe for the 10 jersey in the way Dorrian was at the end of last season.
Given that, why did we bring in another fullback when we have Pritch and at least two other players who can fill in if he's away with Canada or injured (Burke for e.g.)
Given the players we lost, the priority for me would have been a decent, proven hooker to replace Cochrane or a better quality prop.
We have bitterly missed Neil's power and urgency from the breakdown.
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: bigbluepip (IP Logged)
Date: 18/11/2013 23:12
OBE, my pereonnal thoughts are Booj was bought in as Skippys understudy and to cover there while Skippy was away and to take over that position. Skippy isn't getting any younger and whilst still one of the best in the league in his position, time is catching up on him. I also think it'll be his best position, hence the Sam Stanley signing as cover for 10 or 12, with MA's main position being 12. It does give us good brains in 10 and 12, something I like to see.
I agree Cochraine was a big loss, I'm positive Chris Locke would still be here if we'd known earlier that Neil was going and I think NC leaving was a late call when he may have already pledged intentions to stay for this season, I could be wrong, I usually am.
I agree Cochraine was a big loss, I'm positive Chris Locke would still be here if we'd known earlier that Neil was going and I think NC leaving was a late call when he may have already pledged intentions to stay for this season, I could be wrong, I usually am.
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: ping pong blue (IP Logged)
Date: 19/11/2013 13:39
Iron Blue did you really expect to find details of injuries on the new website????????
I think us Blues supporters feel a bit like mushrooms
I think us Blues supporters feel a bit like mushrooms
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: Devonian (IP Logged)
Date: 21/11/2013 13:03
Only 4 retain places after Moseley game.
Jake out with a haematoma in his right quad = hope thats not too serious, but needs taking care of.Morris out - knock on head.
15. Mike Le Bourgeouis
14. Patrick Tapley
13. Corey Hircock
12. Ollie Dodge
11. James Short
10. Mark Atkinson
9. Luke Baldwin
1. Darren Fearn
2. Charlie Clare
3. Ben Cooper
4. Mike Howard
5. Paul Tupai (c)
6. Tim Jubb
7. Matt Hankin
8. Nick Fenton-Wells
Replacements: 16. TJ Harris, 17. Nico Steenkamp, 18. Phil Boulton, 19. Ben Gulliver, 20. Tom Armes, 21. Darryl Veenendaal, 22. Brendan Burke.
Now all we need is for the team to believe in themselves and get out there, play and enjoy.
Jake out with a haematoma in his right quad = hope thats not too serious, but needs taking care of.Morris out - knock on head.
15. Mike Le Bourgeouis
14. Patrick Tapley
13. Corey Hircock
12. Ollie Dodge
11. James Short
10. Mark Atkinson
9. Luke Baldwin
1. Darren Fearn
2. Charlie Clare
3. Ben Cooper
4. Mike Howard
5. Paul Tupai (c)
6. Tim Jubb
7. Matt Hankin
8. Nick Fenton-Wells
Replacements: 16. TJ Harris, 17. Nico Steenkamp, 18. Phil Boulton, 19. Ben Gulliver, 20. Tom Armes, 21. Darryl Veenendaal, 22. Brendan Burke.
Now all we need is for the team to believe in themselves and get out there, play and enjoy.
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: bigbluepip (IP Logged)
Date: 21/11/2013 13:37
Where has TJ Harris comes from? It also looks like Neville Edwards is injured, hence the appearance of James Short, although Corey seems to be OK after going off last week.
I think it will be difficult but we could win at Brickfields, to be honest I'd just like to see us put in a solid performance.
I think it will be difficult but we could win at Brickfields, to be honest I'd just like to see us put in a solid performance.
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: Jonathan Wilcox (IP Logged)
Date: 21/11/2013 16:51
IB, I could tell by both injuries that they would be out. Seems that I was also right on us getting a player from Colin Jackson - TJ Harris.
Excellent news on Short!
Excellent news on Short!
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: charleyboy (IP Logged)
Date: 21/11/2013 16:53
Quote:bigbluepip
Where has TJ Harris comes from? It also looks like Neville Edwards is injured, hence the appearance of James Short, although Corey seems to be OK after going off last week.
I think it will be difficult but we could win at Brickfields, to be honest I'd just like to see us put in a solid performance.
From the official website "Bedford have snapped up young hooker TJ Harris from New Zealand side North Otago where he was under the tutelage of former Blues coach Colin Jackson. The 19 year old, who stands at six feet tall and weighs in at 102kgs,has been training with the Blues for a couple of weeks and now gets an opportunity off the bench due to a shoulder problem with Scott Spurling"
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: Jonathan Wilcox (IP Logged)
Date: 21/11/2013 17:02
Charleyboy - Sounds good, sure he'll get a chance tomorrow. A big lump in the centre would help, and I don't mean the 'one-eyed hooker' 
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: Jonathan Wilcox (IP Logged)
Date: 21/11/2013 17:15
Well looking at North Otago website and google images we now have a ball carrier that can do some damage. Blimey this is getting exciting!
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: bigbluepip (IP Logged)
Date: 21/11/2013 18:04
Cheers cboy, lets hope he makes some difference.
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: McGee (IP Logged)
Date: 21/11/2013 19:25
Who is "former Blues coach Colin Jackson"?
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: iron blue (IP Logged)
Date: 21/11/2013 20:47
Quote:Looks a big unit, he was also West Midlands boxing champion and apparently played for Wuss.Jonathan Wilcox
Charleyboy - Sounds good, sure he'll get a chance tomorrow. A big lump in the centre would help, and I don't mean the 'one-eyed hooker'
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: Amser rygbi (IP Logged)
Date: 21/11/2013 22:19
Quote:McGee
Who is "former Blues coach Colin Jackson"?
Surely you couldn't have forgot him Bernie, he was the director of rugby you criticized after the Blues loss at Penzance and Newlyn after the Powergen loss in 2004.
Re: Plymouth Game Is Massive
Posted by: McGee (IP Logged)
Date: 22/11/2013 02:12
Quote:MagooQuote:McGee
Who is "former Blues coach Colin Jackson"?
Surely you couldn't have forgot him Bernie, he was the director of rugby you criticized after the Blues loss at Penzance and Newlyn after the Powergen loss in 2004.
You must have a better memory than me. Please supply evidence of my criticising Mr Jackson. If I ever had an issue with Jacko I spoke to him direct, I was never what he referred to as a "Monday morning quarterback". I had and still have the utmost respect for what he did for BRUFC. BTW I spent the evening of the P&N defeat in Jackos company.
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