Scottish Pro team thread

[123456789]

First topic message reminder :

There doesn't seem to be much going on but I thought it might be an idea to set up a thread devoted to transfers, coaching news and general new information to do with the Scottish pro clubs over the summer

[funnyExiledScot]

I'm running out of things to say on this front, which is a first for me!

Having very much enjoyed the Apprentice, I'm coming round to the idea of selecting our next coach via a reality TV show. Most series take between 8 - 10 weeks to complete, which is considerably quicker that the SRU.....

[Brendan]

Where do you all see edinburgh finishing.

I think we all agree that Glasgow will be cementing thier place as one of the top teams in the rabo.

Endinburgh on the other hand have been in the bottom three places more or less for the last few seasons. Their players mean they should be in the top half but noone in the bottom half teams except maybe blues have got better.

So do you think they can get out of the bottom four.

[RuggerRadge2611]

I reckon Edinburgh can be as good as Glasgow. Full strength and fully fit and with a solid game plan we will be a real handfull this season.

Also for the 1st time since I can remember the soap dodgers will be losing more players to Scotland in the Autumn and Spring then Edinburgh!!

1st choice for me this year:

1. Dickinson
2. Ford
3. Nel
4. Cox
5. Gilchrist
6. Basilia
7. Rennie
8. Denton

9. Laidlaw
10. Hunter/Leonard
11. Visser
12. Scott
13. Cairns
14. Walker
15. Tonks

16. Walker
17. Cross
18. Hislop
19. VDV
20. McInally
21. Leck
22. NDL
23. Cuthbert

I should add I have no Idea what this game plan is... Gatlandball anyone? Swap Scott and Cairns for Atiga and NDL and Tonks for Cuthbert, lets batter teams into submission!

[RDW]

Radge, throw in Lawrie and Sean Kennedy on the bench and I'm happy!

[Manky-Flanker]

Also for the 1st time since I can remember the soap dodgers will be losing more players to Scotland in the Autumn and Spring then Edinburgh!!

Yes Radge, fiction can be fun, the 7 players that Edinburgh lost to Scotland last spring completely outnumbered the 19 Glasgow players there.

[RuggerRadge2611]

 

Also for the 1st time since I can remember the soap dodgers will be losing more players to Scotland in the Autumn and Spring then Edinburgh!!

Yes Radge, fiction can be fun, the 7 players that Edinburgh lost to Scotland last spring completely outnumbered the 19 Glasgow players there.

Shhhhhhhhhhh

[Brendan]

Do you think though that endinburgh can get over their mental issue which seems to be win at home, be on the field away. Let visser be top try score.

I think glasgow are as though to beat away from home as they are at home. Edinburgh the last seasons have been as poor as dargons and Zebre away from home were after 30mins the win was decieded and the only left was a BP.

I just think it is more then Bradley wrong with the team.

[Imperialbigdave]

Do you think though that endinburgh can get over their mental issue which seems to be win at home, be on the field away.  Let visser be top try score.

I think glasgow are as though to beat away from home as they are at home.  Edinburgh the last seasons have been as poor as dargons and Zebre away from home were after 30mins the win was decieded and the only left was a BP.

I just think it is more then Bradley wrong with the team.

The culture fell apart at the club 3 or 4 seasons ago, with a lot of senior guys who were that core of honest squad players every team needs, retiring/leaving/getting released. We were left with a talented first choice team, but lacked the hard-nosed-roll-up-your-sleeves guys in the forwards, and some of our backs seemed to enjoy the professional sportsman lifestyle a bit too much. We replaced a lot of these squad players with utter guff, and ignored a lot of local club players who were champing at the bit. There wasnt a sense of pride in the jersey for a while, although I dont think thats the case anymore. Guys like Mossy, Blade, Greeg, and Roddy Grant provided leadership and set an example, but it wasnt really enough.

The big kicker though was Bradleys predecessor, Rob Moffatt. Good backs coach under Robinson, utterly terrible head coach. He dropped players for playing well, because he didnt need to assess them any more, and it was time to give poorer players a shot. This led to underperforming players playing 8 or 9 games in a row, and form guys struggling to string more than 2 games together.

We continually dont sign players in the positions we need (Experienced Fly half, for yet another season a BLINDSIDE FECKING FLANKER!!!!, 2nd row, although we have some good ones now) and sign players in positions we dont need cover (Nikki Walker, Jack Cuthbert, Aleki Lutui, Sep Visser) or get rid of players who were doing well/solid and then realising that we now need a replacement and picking up someone elses rejects (Jim Thompson told to sling his hook, Jack Cuthbert getting picked up. Piers Francis.)

And then weve just had some players who have had seasons to forget (Tom Brown, Lee Jones, Denton, De Luca)

We are hopefully on the up now however. Weve got young guys coming through who have got talent AND work ethic (Matt Scott, Jamie Farndale, Dougie Fife, Stuart Mcinally, Alun Walker/George Turner, Hamish Watson, Alex Allan, Robin Hislop, Harry Leonard) its 3rd time lucky with regards to whomever our coach will be, and I get the impression the SRU will not be allowing a repeat of last season (See Dodsons bollocking of the team post saracens for ruining a massive sky deal that was on the table)

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Yeah suck it up MFLs  

[Brendan]

I would hope in 2 years time that both Scottish teams along with 3 irish and 2/3 welsh and Treviso are pushing for playoff spots.

Do either of the districts play a representive team from the scottish prem in preseason

[Imperialbigdave]

I would hope in 2 years time that both Scottish teams along with 3 irish and 2/3 welsh and Treviso are pushing for playoff spots.

Do either of the districts play a representive team from the scottish prem in preseason

Embra occasionaly play Watsonians/Boroughmuir in a hit out, playing two different XVs each half. Im sure Glasgow played Ayr a while aog, but I may be imagining it.

[reallybored]

Do people think the likes of Leonard, Farndale, Waston, McAlpine, Allan, Walker, Hislop will get a chance next season?

Are they good enough?

Will be interesting to see how Cairns recovers, for all his faults De Luca usually did a pretty good job for Edinburgh at 13.  Could Fife by a long-term option or is he more of a wing?

Hope they stick with Denton at 8, he needs time to develop the sutblties of 8 and going forward he's still a huge asset.  I think McInally is a great player but against top teams we lose out on bulk, surely Lineen can find a big Saffa or South Sea Islander to fill the void.  

Would expect to see a bit more of Westhuizen next season, was a non-event last season but offers everything we need at 5 in terms of physicality.  Gilchrist is progressing well but could do with a bit more bulk alongside him, though Cox has done well.  McAlpine looks like a big unit but a little soft, maybe Adam Sinclair at Perpignan could be an option because he looks like a nasty player.

Front row should be solid but we'll never dominate teams with guys like Dickinson, Cross or Nell.  Poaching the kid Scott Wilson from Newcastle would be a good long-term prospect.

If the front five can provide a platform I'm confident the likes of Laidlaw, Scott, Rennie, Visser, Denton and Tonks can damage teams. Not much behind those guys in terms of depth but if they get lucky with injuries they should be ok.

Don't expect to see Edinburgh really challenging this season but if there's steady progress and the younger guys get a good chance then I'm willing to be patient.

[George Carlin]

Brendan - I think that Glasgow are within 2 years of being title contenders, injuries permitting (although I think unless we can buy a world class, experienced 10 we still aren't going to win it within that window) but I cannot see Edinburgh getting there in a couple of years. Edinburgh is like Cardiff Blues at present - a mishmash of stunning young talent, some journeymen and a lot of 'meh' in between.
 
ReallyBored - as per my previous comment, please post more on these pages if you have the time.  Out of that list you have provided, I think that Leonard and Farndale have the most talent and really should be looking for starts. I also think that young Sean Kennedy is someone to get genuinely excited about. Centre has been a problem for us so I am more than happy to try Dougie Fife there - he is quite a big boy (90kg) so shouldn't have much trouble with the heavy midfield traffic. He also has gas, which I really want to see in any potential Scotland international centre.
 
The problem with all of the locks that you list is that I'm not sure that there is anyone that you can genuinely build a tight game around, although I am expecting much more from VdW this season. What Edinburgh really need is one good lock and one good loose forward from the SH - both of whom are experienced internationals and inspirational players (Josh Strauss being Glasgow's example). The alternative is for Edinburgh's existing players to find another gear this season - not impossible - Ryan Wilson and Tim Swinson did just that for Glasgow last season.
 
I would like our Perpignan boys - Sinclair and Allan - to stay exactly where they are until the SRU can demonstrate that Edinburgh have appointed a coaching and management team that would be able to pick their backsides and their elbows successfully out of a police line up.

The Newcastle prop Edinburgh should be buying is the outstanding Grant Shiells.

[reallybored]

Didn't add Kennedy to the list because I fully expect him to be 2nd choice, was really impressed by the tempo he played at and his service for Scotland A.

Edinburgh need a 19st lock, preferably with a nasty streak, and a big athletic blind-side with work ethic.  What about loaning Ashe for a season, may get more game time for Edinburgh this season and looks like a promising player.  Not convinced there's enough threat outwide, obviously Scott and Visser are top players but outside them it's quite bare.

Shiells would be a great poach along with Wilson, but there is an arguement for leaving them to develop their scrummaging in the Aviva Premiership.

I think Glasgow are genuine title contenders already, when they play well they're irresistible going forward and their defence is incredibly tough to break down.  If they can get the likes of Cusack, Fusaro, Wilson, Cusiter, Weir and Horne fit for the 2nd half of the season, they'll be a great prospect.

Wish Grove had been given a few more chances over the past couple of seasons for Scotland, may not be the most devestating attacker but he's a good defender and decent distributer, sometimes a bit of glue can make a world of difference.

[jimbopip]

reallybored, thanks for the kind words about Glasgow being contenders. I still believe a home semi would seen us beating Leinster.
At the moment the MFL couldn't beat an egg. Home or away.(What's the difference between an egg and a good w@nk? You can beat an egg... )
Edinburgh need a 19st lock, preferably with a nasty streak, and a big athletic blind-side with work ethic[/i]. Do you perhaps mean like Kellock and Harley?
I have gone into tediously minute detail on the subject of why beautiful, cultured Athens of the North produces the MFL and Stab City gives us a real rugby club with an identity which is all about the rugby. Rob Harley; what is he? A tackle monster. Dave Denton? A gorgeous, supremely buffed athlete who plays a bit of rugby. I know who I consider the better rugby man.
Could it all be in the branding? Alistair Campbell and Tony Blair may have the solution. Let's re-name them; Wester Hailles Wasters or Niddrie Neds, or even Leith Walk Losers then we might see a bit of dog in them.
Until then MFL ye are and MFL ye shall remain.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Jimbo,
you have it but it reminds me of taking our foot off the gas v the MFLs home and away and frittering away 2 bps. Did our side feel sorry for them ? We really should have put 50 on them home and away and then a home semi would have been ours. Still here we are.

As you know there is a bit of bunker mentality at The Warriors esp. amongst the supporters. Years ago, pre-pro rugby, it was a bit of the same between West of Scotland and the Embra FP teams. Then between Glasgow Hawks and these teams. Currie kind of changed that dynamic but it still kind of clung on. The SRU were/are a bunch of blazered buffoons who could not see beyond their noses, which were stuffed up the erses of establishment figures to the complete detriment of rugby. The MFLs have inherited this and a number of their support are the same FP wallahs. Hence the very poor support from them for the past few Glasgow 1872 legs. Ulster, Scarlets and Northampton had much larger visiting support. The point is, as you highlighted when comparing Gilchrist (?) and Kellock and Denton and Harley, we have solid, hard as nails pros some of whom are rather good at rugby and some of whom do not take a backward step. Don't see any of them at the MFLs - with exception of Laidlaw.

[tigertattie]

Edinburgh need a proper boot up the bum to get going again.

They also need to have some investment in players in key positions.  

"leaders" like Ford need to grow a pair.  Our replacements are prem 1 club players at best.  Alun Walker is an example of a player who is so far out of his depth it is unfair on him really.  His scrummaging is poor.  His throwing is poor. His breakdown play is non existant.  In the loose he is greedy with the ball and gets turned over too easy.

A team ethic needs to be worked on at edinburgh again.  Its currently a bunch of individuals playing for themselves!

[funnyExiledScot]

Since when has Al Kellock been a 19st lock with a nasty streak??

He's a good leader in that Glasgow pack, but an enforcer he is not. He may have a smaller frame, but Swinson is twice the player Kellock is.

When I think of what Edinburgh need the two players that spring to mind are Jim Hamilton and Al Strokosch. We'll get neither, just to be clear, but those are the sort of players we need.

I think the Denton vs Harley discussion highlights an interesting contrast. Harley is 100% the committed pro, and makes full use of his abilities. Never takes a backwards step and seems to have unlimited concentration when it comes to defensive duties. Denton is almost the complete opposite. A fantastic ball carrier with oodles of ability and potential, and yet when the chips and down and the opposition have the wind in their sails, he just doesn't seem the provide the defensive resistance a man of his size and ability should.

Denton is capable of being a top class international number 8. Harley is more limited in his abilities. Yet based on last season Denton would be lucky to be allowed the opportunity to shine Rob Harley's shoes. If we could take Harley's attitude and concentration levels, and combine with Denton's pace and ball carrying abilities, then we'd have some player.

[George Carlin]

Since when has Al Kellock been a 19st lock with a nasty streak??

He's a good leader in that Glasgow pack, but an enforcer he is not. He may have a smaller frame, but Swinson is twice the player Kellock is.

When I think of what Edinburgh need the two players that spring to mind are Jim Hamilton and Al Strokosch. We'll get neither, just to be clear, but those are the sort of players we need.

I think the Denton vs Harley discussion highlights an interesting contrast. Harley is 100% the committed pro, and makes full use of his abilities. Never takes a backwards step and seems to have unlimited concentration when it comes to defensive duties. Denton is almost the complete opposite. A fantastic ball carrier with oodles of ability and potential, and yet when the chips and down and the opposition have the wind in their sails, he just doesn't seem the provide the defensive resistance a man of his size and ability should.

Denton is capable of being a top class international number 8. Harley is more limited in his abilities. Yet based on last season Denton would be lucky to be allowed the opportunity to shine Rob Harley's shoes. If we could take Harley's attitude and concentration levels, and combine with Denton's pace and ball carrying abilities, then we'd have some player.

And he'd also have a fluroescent orange wavy quiff which would be hilarious.
 
How Kellock makes Rabo dream team lineups is way beyond me. Being a club captain and having a deep Glaswegian voice seems to be enough.

[Captain_Sensible]

Since when has Al Kellock been a 19st lock with a nasty streak??

He's a good leader in that Glasgow pack, but an enforcer he is not. He may have a smaller frame, but Swinson is twice the player Kellock is.

When I think of what Edinburgh need the two players that spring to mind are Jim Hamilton and Al Strokosch. We'll get neither, just to be clear, but those are the sort of players we need.

I think the Denton vs Harley discussion highlights an interesting contrast. Harley is 100% the committed pro, and makes full use of his abilities. Never takes a backwards step and seems to have unlimited concentration when it comes to defensive duties. Denton is almost the complete opposite. A fantastic ball carrier with oodles of ability and potential, and yet when the chips and down and the opposition have the wind in their sails, he just doesn't seem the provide the defensive resistance a man of his size and ability should.

Denton is capable of being a top class international number 8. Harley is more limited in his abilities. Yet based on last season Denton would be lucky to be allowed the opportunity to shine Rob Harley's shoes. If we could take Harley's attitude and concentration levels, and combine with Denton's pace and ball carrying abilities, then we'd have some player.

And he'd also have a fluroescent orange wavy quiff which would be hilarious.
 
How Kellock makes Rabo dream team lineups is way beyond me. Being a club captain and having a deep Glaswegian voice seems to be enough.

Kellock is a good club player. Vocal captain, high-quality lineout operator with just enough physicality to make a mark at Rabo level. Nowhere near enough for international rugby, though.

[funnyExiledScot]

Agreed - he's a very good club captain, and whenever I've heard him interviewed on Alba I've always been impressed. He loves Glasgow, knows the club and provides strong leadership to the squad. It's when he takes the field that his limitations start to show through. Decent (not great) lineout man, but that's about it. When you compare Kellock's performances for Scotland in the summer with Tim Swinson's performance against South Africa, you see quite honestly a different class of player.

Still, I shouldn't keep knocking him. He provides Glasgow with leadership that is sorely lacking at Edinburgh. Laidlaw is a leader, but his form and distribution difficulties last season (largely caused by him being mucked around in terms of position) undermined him.

[funnyExiledScot]

Do people think the likes of Leonard, Farndale, Waston, McAlpine, Allan, Walker, Hislop will get a chance next season?

Are they good enough?

I think Leonard will certainly get plenty chances. He's vying with Piers Francis to be our starting first choice 10.

I'd like to think that Farndale would be first reserve for Tim Visser next season, but it'll come down to whether we get a half decent coach or not.

The others will probably feature from time to time, but don't see those guys challenging the 1st XV next season.

I agree that Fife has a decent shot at 13. He certainly has the skillset. Solid tackler, elusive runner and good finishing pace. He's quite a slipperly customer and I was impressed with him on the wing last season. I suspect Walker will start the season as presumptive first choice right winger, but Fife should be there or there abouts challenging him and NDL for that jersey, and is a good shout for the bench given he can cover wing and centre.

My first squad for next season:

1.Dickinson 2.Ford 3.Nel 4.Gilchrist 5.VDW 6.Basilia 7.Rennie 8.Denton 9.Laidlaw (c) 10.Leonard 11.Visser 12.Scott 13.NDL 14.Walker 15.Tonks

16.Cross 17.Lawrie 18.Yapp 19.Cox 20.McInally 21.Kennedy 22.Francis 23.Fife

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Agreed - he's a very good club captain, and whenever I've heard him interviewed on Alba I've always been impressed. He loves Glasgow, knows the club and provides strong leadership to the squad. It's when he takes the field that his limitations start to show through. Decent (not great) lineout man, but that's about it. When you compare Kellock's performances for Scotland in the summer with Tim Swinson's performance against South Africa, you see quite honestly a different class of player.

Still, I shouldn't keep knocking him. He provides Glasgow with leadership that is sorely lacking at Edinburgh. Laidlaw is a leader, but his form and distribution difficulties last season (largely caused by him being mucked around in terms of position) undermined him.

Are we all sure about that? I rate him as a player, and his knowledge/understanding of the game is clearly up there, but I would question whether he is a 'leader'

[funnyExiledScot]

As far as the Edinburgh squad is concerned he most certainly is. Then again, Neville Chamberlain would be a leader in that crowd.....

When it comes to delivering team talks and direction on the pitch, Cox usually handles the forwards and Laidlaw the backs, with both talking in the huddle. Then everything goes down the tube once the ball is back in play......and Cox gets sent off....

[RDW]

To be fair if Scott Johnson and the Scotland squad were happy for him to be captain I think it's fair to say he's a good leader...

[RuggerRadge2611]

So what is really happening with the Edinburgh head honcho job in the long run?

Do we know? Do the SRU know? This farce has gone on long enough. The Edinburgh fans deserve better than this gross mis management of the Scottish pro game.

We aren't exactly stacked full of talent so we need to maximise our limited resources. With Edinburgh leaderless 50% of the Scottish game is in disarray.

[Brendan]

Any news on season tickets at the two teams. From memory Glasgows attendances were up last year.  Any idea how that side is going.

People get to caught up in how little the teams get rather then saying ut going up by 10-20% a year.  Glasgow's new home also really helped.

What is the former Glasgow boss doing, isn't he in the SRU. He would do a job with edinburgh surely.

[George Carlin]

Any news on season tickets at the two teams. From memory Glasgows attendances were up last year.  Any idea how that side is going.

People get to caught up in how little the teams get rather then saying ut going up by 10-20% a year.  Glasgow's new home also really helped.

What is the former Glasgow boss doing, isn't he in the SRU.  He would do a job with edinburgh surely.

Glasgow's ticket sales are going well Brendan. They sold about 1,500 season tickets last year and they should smash that number because they'd already sold 1,200 at the arse end of May which is really good going. Scotstoun's a nice place to go - they just need to try and make the bar look less like the gym that it is.
 
As for Edinburgh, FES and Imperial Big Dave have doubtless got their season tickets already and as they keep telling us, nobody else really matters. ()
 
Sean Lineen was handed a globetrotting role to try and identify new SQ talent. Given that he's succeeded in getting Strauss and Maitland over there, he's not doing too badly at all. He's managed to find Glasgow a SQ Currie Cup playing openside from the Sharks this season and so hes earning his corn at least. In that respect, he's too valuable to haul back to a coaching job with Edinburgh. Although he's still to sign Kieran Reid and Eben Etzebeth for Edinburgh, sadly.

[RDW]

Sure I heard Glasgow smashed the 2000 mark a few weeks ago

[funnyExiledScot]

He would indeed. Lineen and Mercer on a 2-3 year deal would make a fair bit of sense. Let them lay the same sort of foundations as were laid at Glasgow.

I still hope for a class act like Meehan though. Someone with a bit of vision, coupled with a Telfer-esque hard case to sort out the forwards.

[funnyExiledScot]

As for Edinburgh, FES and Imperial Big Dave have doubtless got their season tickets already and as they keep telling us, nobody else really matters.

Quite right! That's 2 season tickets sold by Edinburgh already....and I suspect before long RDW will win his season ticket in a competition.

The competition question will probably be:

Which former Edinburgh coach is the most useless:

(a) Rob Moffatt; or

(b) Michael Bradley

Tricky.

[RDW]

[quote="\"funnyExiledScot"]

and I suspect before long RDW will win his season ticket in a competition.

Quite right - my recent competition win was a copy of the new Jonah lomu rugby PlayStation game!

[funnyExiledScot]

Now you just need to win a PlayStation.....

Seriously though, I want an answer to my question. Moffatt vs Bradley?

I think Moffatt personally, although Bradley was certainly the more disappointing. Both terrible selectors.

My personal Moffatt favourite was playing Roddy Grant at number 8. Classic.

Bradley's master stroke has to be shunting Matt Scott to 13 to accommodate Ben Atiga at 12, then switching from Francis to Hunter to Leonard on a rotating basis to ensure that the midfield didn't have a hope of functioning properly. Blue Sky thinking.

[RDW]

Roddy Grant at 8 when a certain 20 year old Denton was being left out.

[tigertattie]

Bradley's master stroke has to be shunting Matt Scott to 13 to accommodate Ben Atiga at 12, then switching from Francis to Hunter to Leonard on a rotating basis to ensure that the midfield didn't have a hope of functioning properly. Grey Sky thinking.

fixed that for you

[Welshmushroom]

Glasgow are going to be contenders - no doubt. Plenty of grunt in the front 8 and talented backs. Real good strength in depth when you look at the second 15 as well. Most of the signings and youth have added something to the team.

Edinburgh given the playing budget they have compared to say the Welsh Regions 3.5 million cap really should be doing better. Bradley I actually think is a good coach. Upfront Edinburgh seem to secure enough possession but where went wrong last season was a lack of cutting edge.

Also given Scotland won't release their Star Scottish players the whole season both Glasgow and Edinburgh will be dipping into that reserve 15 quite a bit. This is where the real problems start for Edinburgh in my opinion.

I just don't see the calibre of the second 15 matching up to what is available at other teams.

I would imagine the top 6 sides fighting for the title would look something like this:

1. Ulster
2. Leinster
3. Glasgow
4. Ospreys
5. Munster
6. Treviso

Probably not in that order though. I don't see any chance Edinburgh can break into that top 6

[funnyExiledScot]

Totally agree on the depth point at Edinburgh. Our squad without internationals is very thin indeed. Bradley tried to address that by signing players like Yapp, Titterall, Rees, Atiga and Penn but unfortunately most of these signings just didn't work out.

I wouldn't say there's "no chance" of a top half finish though. I believe the 1st XV can match Treviso for example, the question is consistency given our lack of depth. Time will tell whether the new coach can get more from the squad. Some players woefully underperformed last season.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

No Scarlets in your top 6 Welsh'room - interesting ! 

[jimbopip]

1st XV can match Treviso for example:shock:  
FES, FFS has it come to this? That the MFL consider matching Treviso to be an achievement? Oh dearie me, dearie dearie me.
Slighty disenchanted with people here dissing Al Kellock. I've noticed it before when a player is spot on for his club but never really seems to step at full international level. He is a HUGE part of Glasgow's success and when the time comes he will be sorely missed, I just wish, for him as much as us, that he could make the step up but such is life.
p.s. FES if you had been at Munster-51 or any other of our barnstormers in the latter part of the season you wouldn't be so, apparently,sanguine about matching Treviso.

[funnyExiledScot]

I'm not sanguine about "matching" Treviso. I hate it. But currently we're a bottom 3 side, as confirmed by the last two seasons.

I remember Glasgow being in a similar position a few years back, and Lineen and Mercer starting building and plotting. It can't be done in a season. They built solid foundations. A strong club ethos, big defence and introduced young players into the system. That way you aren't signing players to plug holes, rather signing players to add to the 1st XV, having built a solid and competitive squad.

So, I reiterate, this season we need to be building solid foundations. Not looking at players like Lutui to cover 1-2 years, but adding players who can develop into top players over 3-4 years. Identify those positive players who add something, and eliminate the negative ones who simply drain morale, and don't stand up to be counted. Edinburgh need a shift in culture first and foremost, and that starts with the new head coach and the defence.

If we do that this season and finish top 6, that will have been a massive step forward. But still, it's a "step", and only a "step". I certainly wouldn't settle for it, but if we can do that this season I'll be pleased, with a view to challenging for the playoffs either the following season or the season after that. I do think that is attainable, provided we get the club culture, ethos and squad composition sorted this year.

Treviso are currently ahead of us in the curve. Only a fool would deny that. This season we need to reel them in, as well as Cardiff and Connacht, at the same time as laying down foundations for the future.

[Imperialbigdave]

I havent actually got a season ticket, im doing a bit of contracting atm, but ill try and get through when I can.

As has been said already, its not going to happen overnight. Glasgow are only recently reaping the rewards of the building they did seasons ago. Youd think people would remember some of the truly dreadful seasons they had when they laugh at others, but hey ho.

[21st Century Schizoid Man]

Yes we had one dreadful season (2009-10 ?) but still managed to work it into the MFLs - so much so its getting boring swatting them aside.    This was evident  last year when the Warriors mysteriously stopped hammering them (pity or boredom or a conspiracy theory that the SRU ordered some mercy) and cost us a 5 try bp in both games !       That and the patronising attitude of the SRU and some MFL supporters and there you have it.   We can all have a bloody good laugh though     

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

I'm not sanguine about "matching" Treviso. I hate it. But currently we're a bottom 3 side, as confirmed by the last two seasons.

I remember Glasgow being in a similar position a few years back, and Lineen and Mercer starting building and plotting. It can't be done in a season. They built solid foundations. A strong club ethos, big defence and introduced young players into the system. That way you aren't signing players to plug holes, rather signing players to add to the 1st XV, having built a solid and competitive squad.

So, I reiterate, this season we need to be building solid foundations. Not looking at players like Lutui to cover 1-2 years, but adding players who can develop into top players over 3-4 years. Identify those positive players who add something, and eliminate the negative ones who simply drain morale, and don't stand up to be counted. Edinburgh need a shift in culture first and foremost, and that starts with the new head coach and the defence.

If we do that this season and finish top 6, that will have been a massive step forward. But still, it's a "step", and only a "step". I certainly wouldn't settle for it, but if we can do that this season I'll be pleased, with a view to challenging for the playoffs either the following season or the season after that. I do think that is attainable, provided we get the club culture, ethos and squad composition sorted this year.

Treviso are currently ahead of us in the curve. Only a fool would deny that. This season we need to reel them in, as well as Cardiff and Connacht, at the same time as laying down foundations for the future.

fES, Do you think over-closeness to blazerdom makes this too tall a hurdle?

[George Carlin]

I'm not sanguine about "matching" Treviso. I hate it. But currently we're a bottom 3 side, as confirmed by the last two seasons.

I remember Glasgow being in a similar position a few years back, and Lineen and Mercer starting building and plotting. It can't be done in a season. They built solid foundations. A strong club ethos, big defence and introduced young players into the system. That way you aren't signing players to plug holes, rather signing players to add to the 1st XV, having built a solid and competitive squad.

So, I reiterate, this season we need to be building solid foundations. Not looking at players like Lutui to cover 1-2 years, but adding players who can develop into top players over 3-4 years. Identify those positive players who add something, and eliminate the negative ones who simply drain morale, and don't stand up to be counted. Edinburgh need a shift in culture first and foremost, and that starts with the new head coach and the defence.

If we do that this season and finish top 6, that will have been a massive step forward. But still, it's a "step", and only a "step". I certainly wouldn't settle for it, but if we can do that this season I'll be pleased, with a view to challenging for the playoffs either the following season or the season after that. I do think that is attainable, provided we get the club culture, ethos and squad composition sorted this year.

Treviso are currently ahead of us in the curve. Only a fool would deny that. This season we need to reel them in, as well as Cardiff and Connacht, at the same time as laying down foundations for the future.

I remember the lean years at Glasgow very well and until we can get to the knockout stages of the Heineken Cup, I'm sure as sh!t not laughing at anyone. I do agree that Edinburgh are a good coaching team and a couple of meaty forwards away from being top half of the table.
 
Just as the HC run oversold them two years ago, their league form has certainly undersold them last year. I think that 75% of Edinburgh's problem was coaching and utter lack of strategy and proper player selection.

[George Carlin]

I'm not sanguine about "matching" Treviso. I hate it. But currently we're a bottom 3 side, as confirmed by the last two seasons.

I remember Glasgow being in a similar position a few years back, and Lineen and Mercer starting building and plotting. It can't be done in a season. They built solid foundations. A strong club ethos, big defence and introduced young players into the system. That way you aren't signing players to plug holes, rather signing players to add to the 1st XV, having built a solid and competitive squad.

So, I reiterate, this season we need to be building solid foundations. Not looking at players like Lutui to cover 1-2 years, but adding players who can develop into top players over 3-4 years. Identify those positive players who add something, and eliminate the negative ones who simply drain morale, and don't stand up to be counted. Edinburgh need a shift in culture first and foremost, and that starts with the new head coach and the defence.

If we do that this season and finish top 6, that will have been a massive step forward. But still, it's a "step", and only a "step". I certainly wouldn't settle for it, but if we can do that this season I'll be pleased, with a view to challenging for the playoffs either the following season or the season after that. I do think that is attainable, provided we get the club culture, ethos and squad composition sorted this year.

Treviso are currently ahead of us in the curve. Only a fool would deny that. This season we need to reel them in, as well as Cardiff and Connacht, at the same time as laying down foundations for the future.

fES, Do you think over-closeness to blazerdom makes this too tall a hurdle?  

I have always assumed that the Edinburgh rugby board members looked a little like this:

[jimbopip]

Some posters here have made reasoned, rational, reasonable comments about what is amiss in MFL HQ (rumoured to be the communal changing room in Topshop).
But I'm with 21st on this ; if you can't laugh at the pampered jades of the east when they are down, then what is the point of them? 

[Imperialbigdave]

Yes we had one dreadful season (2009-10 ?) but still managed to work it into the MFLs

Ah yes, I forgot rugby only started when Glasgow first made the play offs.

[RDW]

The weegie short term memory also works both ways - they obviously forgot Edinburgh finished 2nd in the league in Andy Robinson's last season (the year before playoffs came in).

So that's 2 things the great unwashed haven't managed - 2nd in the league and a hk semi final!  

I obviously jest - I'm not for a minute saying Edinburgh are better off than Glasgow but I just think some of the gloating weege need to remember it wasn't that long ago that Glasgow were rank average and Edinburgh had some success.

Now Edinburgh are just rank.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Come, come now, RDW - what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger - there's no way that Zebre can be as bad as they were last year, maybe you'll drop to bottom after all!

[RDW]

there's no way that Zebre can be as bad as they were last year, maybe you'll drop to bottom after all!

Christ I hope not! Concerned about Connacht - they've recruited very well this year and are starting to build something.

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