News: AP: Northampton Saints vs Bath Rugby - Match Preview

By PelerinStJames
February 22 2013

It's another must win game for Northampton Saints if they want to hang on to the coat-tails of the current Aviva Premiership top four. Saints welcome Bath Rugby to Franklin's Gardens for a Saturday afternoon kick-off and regular COYSDC contributor PelerinStJames takes a look ahead to an eagerly awaited fixture...

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs BATH RUGBY

AP: Saturday, 23rd February 2013 - 3pm

FRANKLIN'S GARDENS, NORTHAMPTON

MATCH PREVIEW

It has often perplexed me that we only ever sing one verse of Wendy. For those that have never heard the full version, for the Saints to March in, there are actually several convergences that all need to happen, presumably simultaneously. My hypothesis today is that we are not hitting all the criteria laid out in our song, and hence, this is why we are stuck in a bit of a rut. Now, some steps forward have been made recently in certain areas, but there are of course plenty more to work on. See what you think.

We are travelling in the footsteps
Of those who've gone before
but if we stand reunited
then a new world is in store

Oh when the Saints go marching in
When the Saints go marching in
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

So here we are again then folks, the annual midwinter drive to march into the top four just as next seasons’ squad begins to take shape. Those that are going will hopefully be desperate to leave on a high, whilst for those that are staying, then this is their chance to justify the faith of their coaches, and the size of their contracts. This week, the team directly below us in the table come to town, with Bath on an impressive run of 6 straight wins in all competitions. A win for the men from Aquae Sulis will elevate above us in table as the Saints recent run of patchy form now sees us 5 points and 2 places away from the coveted 4th place spot. Yet, following on from the hard fought win last week up in Worcester, the platform is set for the players to reunite and push on to claim a playoff place.

And when the sun begins to shine
And when the sun begins to shine
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

Now, around here, deep in the Shire, the weather this week has remarkably improved and, wonder of wonders, the sun has appeared. The seemingly endless weeks of indescript greyness and gloom seem to have disappeared and I see no reason why this cannot be mirrored by the players in GBG on Saturday. Hopefully, the fog will lift, there will be clarity of vision and the boys will begin to play with a smile once again. Forecast is looking good.

When the moon turns red with blood
When the moon turns red with blood
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

If I am reading these song lyrics right, I suspect is more metaphorical than literal. Can someone tell the pack, that we really don’t need any more yellow or red cards, and that really, it is your own blood, sweat and tears that we want to see, not the oppositions. #bleedgreen

On that hallelujah day
On that hallelujah day
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

The no.10 debate has been resolved, Hallebloodylujah!.

Oh when the trumpet sounds the call
Oh when the trumpet sounds the call
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

Does Uncle Geoff have a trumpet? If not, why not? Maybe we will have a jazzband or some singers, but failing that, it’s up to us guys to get behind our team and sing our hearts out, and create an atmosphere to be proud of. And yes, that’s all of us, Churches and the Corporates included!

Some say this world of trouble
Is the only one we need
But I'm waiting for that morning
When the new world is revealed

When the revelation comes
When the revelation comes
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

As we all know, the trouble at the Gardens has been speculated upon ad nauseam, yet there is always the promise of tomorrow, and in rugby terms, the promise of the next match as a chance of redemption. The lost MoJo will return, and I think that it will this weekend.

When the rich go out and work
When the rich go out and work
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

When the air is pure and clean
When the air is pure and clean
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

It would seem to me that from the outside at least, the top brass have indeed got off their backsides and been busy in the last few weeks, organising forums, appearing on the Radio etc, and hopefully, any internal issues or problems have been addressed and the air cleared.

When we all have food to eat
When we all have food to eat
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

I hate to break the bad news…..it is entirely possible that the Saints are not going to march anywhere unless the Balti and Pasty vans return to the village. Chris W. please inform the board as a matter of urgency and make it happen!

When our leaders learn to cry
When our leaders learn to cry
Oh lord I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in

All we want is passion and emotion. Show us how much it means to you, that’s all we ask.

So there you have it, still plenty to work on, but hopefully the march in has already begun. Word is that some of our injured players are returning back to fitness, and that the mood in the camp is good. Congratulations must go to Dylan, Courtney and Tom Wood who will be playing for England this weekend, whilst Dicko and Foden are both available for us.

I am therefore going to guess that our team would look something like this

15 Foden
14 Wilson
13 Pisi
12 May
11 Elliott
10 Myler
9 Dicko
1 Waller
2 Heywood
3 Mercey/Mooj
4 Sorrenson
5 Manoa
6 Dowson
7 Nutley
8 van Velze

Bath, somewhat surprisingly, have only lost 1 player, David Wilson, to international call ups, and despite a few injuries will no doubt field an extremely competitive side. Under new coach, Gary Gold, their recent form suggests that they may well be an emerging force with talented young players and some experienced veterans spread across the park. Their fans seem to think that their team will look something like this

15 Bendy
14 Augulla
13 Banahan
12 Eastmond
11 Biggs
10 Heathcote
9 Stringer
1 Beech
2 Webber
3 Perenesie
4 Day
5 Attwood
6 Gilbert
7 Fearns
8 Skirving

To my eye, that looks like a very impressive back division, and as long as we can contain their back three, then I am confident that our forward muscle will win the day. The omens, if my interpretation of Wendy is correct, look promising, and the Saints will march in with a narrow victory come Saturday afternoon, and I will be the lone voice on the terrace, singing more than the one verse!

News: AP: Northampton Saints vs Bath Rugby - Match Preview

Posted by: ComeOnYouSaints.com (IP Logged)

Date: 22/02/2013 09:11

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.