Player ratings v Northampton
By Leipziger
November 2 2014
Back by popular demand (OK, one person):
15 Lee Smith – didn’t do anything wrong really at the back, not much chance to attack. 6
14 Tom Catterick – a constant threat to Saints when we were on the attack, strong in defence. Star man for the Falcons. 8
13 Danny Barnes – his slip for the fourth try was just one of those things. Not very noticeable during the game, unfortunately I don’t think we’ll be seeing him in the Premiership any time soon. 6
12 Jamie Helleur – took his first team chance with both hands in the first half, pushing the team forward through the centre channels, and we missed his drive in the second half. 6
11 Alesana Tuilagi – looked revitalised after a few weeks off, not necessarily leaner but faster and hungry for work. Obviously not the player he once was, but showed glimpses of his ability and can still knock defenders out of the way. Would have had a try but for a fumble with the line beckoning, and suffered a harsh yellow card. 7
10 Rory Clegg – another who is looking back in form. Knocked over all of his kicks from the tee and found openings for the backs. Either tactics or execution of kicking from hand need looked at. 7
9 Mike Blair – competent and often positioned to try to take advantage of Saints’ errors, but doesn’t seem to be able to match Ruki Tipuna’s speed these days. 6
1 Rob Vickers – often a go-to guy to make metres in the loose and did that competently, but suffered in a backwards scrum. 6
2 Scott Lawson – very lucky not to be sent to the bin for getting involved in a silly fight in the second half. One of the hooker’s quieter games in a Falcons shirt. 4
3 Scott Wilson – a big presence in defence but struggled under pressure from Ethan Waller in the scrum. 6
4 Calum Green – another quietly solid performance by the former Leeds man, makes hard yards and a tower in defence. 7
5 Scott MacLeod – a reliable performance as always, but maybe doesn’t quite have the strength of Green and Barrow to drive forwards. Nothing wrong but nothing special. 6
6 Dan Temm – put himself about but couldn’t quite impose himself on an experienced Northampton back row. Still has the potential to be a competent Premiership player though I think, worth persevering with. 6
7 Andy Saull – a very vocal captain who got on the nerves of some home fans, and almost always in the right place, I get the feeling with Saull that he is a good thinker. Kept the Saints honest at the breakdown and a great run for the first try. 7
8 Uili Kolo’ofai – a long-awaited competitive debut was cruelly cut short by injury, but in his ten minutes Big Willy showed that he could be a big driving force once fit. 6
Subs I have a rating for:
Dom Barrow – looked to drive forward as always, but another who came up against brick walls a lot of the time in the shape of the Saints’ back row. 6
Juan Pablo Socino – the Argentine didn’t have a lot of opportunities to attack in the second half, but when he did, he found gaps and set a good platform. 7
Simon Hammersley – not necessarily for great reasons. A lively attacker but pulled out of position at the end when he didn’t need to be, and inexperience has showed at times this season. Not a big worry, he will keep improving. 5
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