When will Edinburgh next win a game?

2 rounds of the Heineken Cup played and we've failed to sore a single point. In both these matches we've been massively outplayed, embarrassingly so.
In the league we're 9th with just 2 wins.
Looking at the fixtures list, and how poor Edinburgh are at the moment I can't see where the next win is going to be.
Edinburgh V Scarlets - Lost 28-29
Ulster V Edinburgh
Edinburgh V Ospreys
Connacht V Edinburgh
Racing Metro V Edinburgh
Edinburgh V Racing Metro
Glasgow V Edinburgh
Edinburgh V Glasgow
Edinburgh V Lenister
Edinburgh V Muster
Saracnes V Edinburgh
Munster V Edinburgh
Edinburgh V Blues - Maybe a chance here...

Scarlets are beatable, as are Connacht, aside from them 2 you'll have to wait until the Blues rock up.

If Treviso could turn us over at home, I'd expect the Scarlets to do the same.
Imagine that Connacht will be close, but the Sports Ground is a very tricky place to go, we lost convincingly there last season. Plus Parks always enjoys playing against Edinburgh.

Scarlet have an electric flashy backline but their basics skill levels and decisions are typically welsh = very beatable!!!

Treviso are a very strong product this season, beating Ospreys and shouldve beaten the Blues.

I think I know whats going wrong GLove

Last season was all about getting across the gain line via forwards and then back line play, Talaei pick and drive, Denton pick and drive, Cox Pick and drive (perhaps a break) then Blair would chuck it to the backs, (more ground made) then it would go back to the forwards again. I loved this style of play, it ensured a good mix of tactics, lots of offloads and we seemed to always gain ground, quite often creating a good opportunity from deep. The reason it worked so well is that guys like Cox, Denton and Talaei were breaking tackles and forcing opposition to bring more defenders in to deal with them. That was when Blair would spread it wide and allow backs to take advantage of gaps.

This season there has been little of no forward play, it seems to either be kicks or with the backs, meaning our pretty decent backline keep coming up against a strong defence with no gaps to take advantage of. Our backline cannot deal with this and will just end up going backwards and players will get isolated and turned over. Bradley has to get the forwards picking a driving for longer phases, 6 minimum I'd say. Put our awesome backrow to use!!!

Sad to see you struggling like this. Got to be the basics and co-ordination of forward/back play. Can't believe the talent isn't there so it has to be coaching that's lacking.

Yeah, think you're spot on Bsando, can't think why Edinburgh have moved away from those tactics.
Rest of the seasons looking bleak, can't imagine there'll be much of a crowd for the Scarlet's next week. Reading comments from other fans on here, FB & twitter a lot of anger and rightly so. Grim times indeed.

Yup, I really haven't a clue as to what Bradley is trying to do with the players this season, all I know is its not working at all. seasons looking hard indeed.. I expect Edinburgh to lose next 3 games. Scarlets are great team, Ulster are the team to beat just now and Ospreys have found their true form, they looked pretty good against Leicster today from what i saw of them. We might beat Connacht but DP is superb at ticking the scoreboard over with penalties and drop goals. No way we're beating Glasgow, they are strong side. Lots of injuries and they still put up a decent fight this weekend and last. Munster, Leinster, Saracens .. eek! I think you're right about Blues match, that may be our only win apart from Connacht game

Unless of course Bradley reverts back to last years gameplan!!!

Think it might be a record low turnout next week. Currently very low on my list on what I wanttto spend 20 quid on just now!

Got to wonder what team he'll pick too with a 5 day turnaround.

Atiga lasting 12 minutes - unbelievable. I'm assuming he's managed to get through training sessions that have been full contact? How can he not last 40 mins?

Basalaia's attempts at catching high balls today was just plain embarrassing.

Talei was anonymous.

Cross was destroyed and hooked at half time. Next up is the all blacks.

At least the scrum was slightly better with nel on.

Got to get back to basics on Friday - get chunk and Rennie back and show some bloody desire!

I think for Bradley it's very simple now, either he effects change or gets chopped, same goes for Neil Back.

Gonna be a big team selection decision for Friday - suspect he was going to use it to rest players with the AIs coming up but he surely can't put a 2nd XV out now?

Suspect it will come down to who made it through this weekend unscathed.

Ford needs to be dropped and spend some time deciding whether he's happy just picking up his 250k paycheck or if he wants to do something with his career.

Shudder to think what a record low turn out at Edinburgh would look like, somewhere between 4,000 and 0. Agree with you RDW £20 for Edinburgh just doesn't add up at the moment. Can't believe they put their prices up from last season. Reckon that until they start playing like a professional team again they should charge amateur prices...

Really starting to wonder why we signed Atiga? Maybe we could wrap him up and give him away as a Christmas present?

Hard to believe how bereft Scotland are of tight heads.

Problem is they can't lower the ticket prices now because it wouldnt be fair on the season ticket holders who bought their tickets based on each game costing 20 quid and the savings a season ticket would make on that.

True, unless they offered a refund, but obviously that'll never happen.
Must say there's some great comments on the Scotsman article about the game, my personal favorite has to be...

If there's a whip round to send the hypochondriac Mr Attiga back to NZ on a one way ticket put me down for a fiver !!
Ditto for Bradley to Cork.
Ditto for Back to Leicester.

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/top-rugby-stories/heineken-cup-munster-33-0-edinburgh-toothless-edinburgh-still-without-win-1-2591228

Guy, please forgive the uneducated intrusion but have you any idea why Bradley would have changed things?

I know you had completely different fortunes in the league and cup last season but Bradley really seemed to have found the magic button to get you guys to win in the HEC.

If it's the forward play that's the problem surely Neil Back must be the issue, no?

Did you lose many forwards this season?

GLove39 wrote:I think for Bradley it's very simple now, either he effects change or gets chopped, same goes for Neil Back.

Who would you bring in in place of Bradley? I didn't really understand the SRU opting for him in the first place but can't think of any experienced coaches who could come in on a short-term basis. Richie Dixon, maybe?

Craig Chalmers would be an outstanding coach IMO.

Chalmers would be a good shout, definitely passionate enough!
Another possibility would be Sean Lineen, he did very well with limited resources at Glasgow. Although his conservative game plan wouldn't fit with Edinburgh and question marks over his player management.

Sorry to say this... but if you look at Michael Bradleys coaching career, the run to the semi-final was the exception. Whereas Edinburghs current form is more like the standard. Remember they were not very good in the Pro12 last year.

I feel for Edinburgh fans. I remember the 2007-2008 season with Ulster. Between the start of the season and the 1st January our record was;

Played 13 Won 2 Drawn 1 Lost 10

We finished the season with a record of;

Played 24 Won 7 Drawn 1 Lost 16

It was a very difficult season. It was also the first ever season I attended every single one of Ulsters home games. Edinburgh need their fans now more than ever.

But look at where Ulster are now. Going well, not yet where we want to be by any means but getting closer. David Humphreys as Director of Rugby and Shane Logan as CEO came in with a genuine vision to make Ulster THE Number 1 side in European Rugby, a goal both would say we are still some way off achieving. I just want to see us win the European Cup for a second time and there's a long way to go.

My point is, in the deepest darkest depths of our losing streak I never could have dreamed this. But things turn around in sport. Going through that dark time with the team, feeling every defeat each week like the twist of a knife, just makes winning all the sweeter. So stick with it, Edinburgh fans. Stick with your team and one day you may be rewarded.

We've been sticking with it since the turn of professionalism notch...!

Hunter, Atiga and Basalaia all out for the foreseeable future with concussion, knee and hammy injuries respectively.

Looks like Atiga will be doing a lot more of wisdom imparting to the young guys- one of the reasons he was brought over apparently

The real question should be 'when are Edinburgh next going to score a point'?

Chortle.

Jimpy wrote:The real question should be 'when are Edinburgh next going to score a point'?

Chortle.

Great contribution mate.

Edinburgh have been rancid this season. If the downward spiral continues into the new year Bradley should be chopped.

The lack of points is the worst thing and although I'm not making excuses, Munster & Sarries do play the sort of Rugby that really kills Edinburgh's style of play. However it should be on the likes of Bradley and the older more experienced players to adjust on the fly and play whats in front of them.

To me it looks like over coaching.

Jimpy why is it that you have to "enjoy" the woes of another team?

I'm not, although it was pointed out to me last week on several occasions that Edinburgh were a good team, well worthy of European cup participation, despite me arguing otherwise. Last year's Semi finalists no-less.

I've just been proved right thats all.

How did they qualify for the semi finals last season if they are as poor as you suggest?

Well done Jimpy - you were right after all

Right let's move on from Jimpy now that he's been proved correct.

I think we're still too early to be talking about a coaching change. The main reason being there will be no decent coaches available just now in the middle of the season to take over!

Well, they had a good run thats for sure, but as I was at pains to point out, one swallow doesn't make a SUmmer, and they are, as of now, quite patently, poor.

RDW, I read elsewhere that Scotland is being hit with injuries, do you think this has an affect on the performances of edinburgh?

They are Jimpy - so can we move on please?

We already had a thread ruined last week by this debate so can we leave it there?

Unless you have any thing else to add to it, then it would be good if you leave us to wallow in our self pity!

Biltong - Edinburgh have been fine with injuries, so no.

Glasgow have been really hit with injuries, which is why Scotland are having a problem - especially at tighthead.

Jimpy wrote:I'm not, although it was pointed out to me last week on several occasions that Edinburgh were a cracking team, well worthy of European cup participation, despite me arguing otherwise.

I've just been proved right thats all.

Is that all you have to contribute?

Yes you have been proven right, is there really any need to come on here gloating and trolling?

Your participation on this forum is bereft of class, knowlege and value.

Every post I have read from you has been an attempt to antagonize and agitate people. I think Bilt and RDW are being far more patient with you than I would.

I agree RDW, changing the coach so quick is possibly a Knee jerk reaction. These players that played so well last year haven't become Rubbish all of a sudden. There is defenitly something wrong behind the scenes.

I haven't seen any of their games in the last two weeks, is it intensity that lacks, or just basic skills?

RDW_Scotland wrote:Biltong - Edinburgh have been fine with injuries, so no.

Glasgow have been really hit with injuries, which is why Scotland are having a problem - especially at tighthead.

Okay, Okay, i've had my fun... is there a Glasgow thread somewhere?

A bit of Both I would say. More commitment than intensity.

Watch how Glasgow played against Ulster, with a devestated backline they still wen't out there, fought hard, dug deep and hit the rucks with commitment, passion and pride.

Edinburgh were at least doing that in the 1st half, and then they just seemed to give up. They lost the edge.

In the 1st half they were still making mistakes but at least they looked hungry. I don't know what happened at half time.

At least Glasgow have had the massive injury list as an excuse. And even then they are doing better than us in the Rabbo!

Biltong - I'd say both! I'm seriously not over stating it when I say we literally had no attempts to gain points yesterday - not even close. We didn't have any kickable penalties, we had one attacking lineout (which we lost) and no attacking scrums. Literally nothing!

We used to be a team that was good at rucking - it let us play our fast game - so I have no idea where that has gone. We were pretty much turned over at the first, or sometimes second ruck every time.

Dropped high balls too didn't help.

RDW_Scotland wrote:We already had a thread ruined last week by this debate so can we leave it there?

That thread was excellent!

It also spawned the idea of HC top 4 vs. S15 Top 4 regardless of nation just for the Rugby glories and ultimate world showcase. I maintain this would still be amazing, although it obviously will never happen

I hate to sound fickle too, but I'm sorry I'm just not going to pay £20 every second weekend to go to a freezing cold, nearly empty Murrayfield to feel like this.

This trully is Edinburgh's darkest hour.

If this had happened before last season I wouldn't have been so downhearted - we'd been rubbish in the HK for years leading up to then so normal service would just be resuming.

After last year though this was meant to be the big breakthrough year for pro rugby in Scotland. 38 000 people came to watch the quarter final, and so the hope was that a lot would come back. Then all of these 'star' summer signings start being announced - people start getting interested in the team and there's a real buzz about Edinburgh over the summer.

So this was mean to be the year - success on the pitch, backing off the pitch, what can go wrong?

Pre season starts by getting humped away to relegated Newcastle then at home at Northampton.

Then we lose to a 2nd string Munster team.

Then we beat a poor Cardiff team (Hooray!) to suggest we've finally got our erses in gear.

Then we hump Zebre (right, 2 wins in a row - time to get some momentum)

We lose to the Dragons (baws - they are our bogey team though, maybe just a blip)

We lose to Leinster (OK it's Leinster away- bound to happen)

We lose at home to Trevisio (starting to get worried now)

We get humped by Sarries and Munster without scoring any points.

Season over, momentum lost, no breakthrough year, crowds losing interest.

Normal service resumed.

Well that's the thing when your team does well one year, you expect them to move on from there. Has the squad changed a lot from last season?

Lots of new signings, which I still think has improved the depth of our squad, but the first team hasn't changed a massive amount.

Of the 22 yesterday 7 were new signings - 4 starting

I see they have also struggled in the RABO, but 3 of their four losses have been by less than 7.

Maybe they need to gel and get their team ethos re established.

I know that Edinburgh were not great in the Rabo last season but they never had any problem scoring. It was their defence which let them down.

This seems to be a new problem.

its almost like the team have stopped trying. Edinburgh had thier fun last year so this year they are having a rest???

its poor. very poor. My local side would be more efective out there than that bunch of "professionals"

I would be willing to put money on Edinburgh winning Friday night.

ScarletSpiderman - what kind of team do you think the Scarlets will put out? You guys got any key injuries?

As has been said we've got a 5 day turnaround, what have the Scarlets got?

Is there any time when Edinburgh get a week break?

If so I would recommend they do what Saracens do. Have a week team bonding. Preferably another country just to re group mentally.

Edinburgh have good players.The problem seems to be confidence.

If the problem is indeed the coach and management I would have a wholesale clear out. Why not look at the likes of Brian Ashton or Dave Ellis?

RDW_Scotland wrote:If this had happened before last season I wouldn't have been so downhearted - we'd been rubbish in the HK for years leading up to then so normal service would just be resuming.

After last year though this was meant to be the big breakthrough year for pro rugby in Scotland. 38 000 people came to watch the quarter final, and so the hope was that a lot would come back. Then all of these 'star' summer signings start being announced - people start getting interested in the team and there's a real buzz about Edinburgh over the summer.

So this was mean to be the year - success on the pitch, backing off the pitch, what can go wrong?

Pre season starts by getting humped away to relegated Newcastle then at home at Northampton.

Then we lose to a 2nd string Munster team.

Then we beat a poor Cardiff team (Hooray!) to suggest we've finally got our erses in gear.

Then we hump Zebre (right, 2 wins in a row - time to get some momentum)

We lose to the Dragons (baws - they are our bogey team though, maybe just a blip)

We lose to Leinster (OK it's Leinster away- bound to happen)

We lose at home to Trevisio (starting to get worried now)

We get humped by Sarries and Munster without scoring any points.

Season over, momentum lost, no breakthrough year, crowds losing interest.

Normal service resumed.

Sad to say this is so true. I have been following Edinburgh since eh start and have been to a fair few games. Last year I went to more games than any previous year, took family and everyone enjoyed it - this year there seems little point.

That's the thing though - this is the team you support and after all that is said and done, I might just end up going on Friday.

Just wouldn't take much to dissuade me otherwise!

Surely it can't get any worse...