Martin Johnson's future lies in his hands.

First topic message reminder :

THe man was chastised by Englaish fans up until last summer in one form or another. Finally a decent performance at the end of the six Nations followed by an away in on tour win Australia and things look rosie. The man England wanted to move on has found his feet, found his players and has turned the fortunes around making England a top five team again and outside contenders for the RWC in NZ.

The developments in the senior department of the RFU have apparently little to do with Johnson or the way he runs his side, but the current upstairs upheaval leaves Johnson with no boss.

Sounds great, I am sure many people envy his situation

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_7032956,00.html

Hammerofthunor Allen or Brown would be fine too. Yes of course I think two of the best inside centres and two of the best full backs should get a shot.

Shaw is past his sell by date - will be 38 in September.

You and MJ have seen that picking young guns like the players you mention is successful. Why can't either of you see that he should continue to do so?

Our centres are appalling they need a shake up.

Geordiefalcon if MJ made the correct decisions no one would complain.

He's done it slowly and introduced them into settled team with settled players (as much as he could). Just because that worked doesn't mean you should get rid of all the other experienced players and replace them with fresh faces.

Building an international team isn't just about throwing the best players into a team and playing them. As most people know rugby truelly is a team game. Getting the best out of players requires balance throughout the side. IMO a proper team of average to good players with an odd great players will beat of group of individuals of good to great players. Or a balanced team of average to good players will beat an unbalanced side of good to great players.

The 'best' players in any particular spot will change regulary. You can't pick a side on that. You use it highlight the main contenders and then pick the squad for balance. As I've said many times on here (and I know we don't agree) I think we need to stay settled at the moement in the centre due to the relative inexperience around them. Would I have dropped one of Hape or Flutey? Yes and I would have put one of Allen or Barritt in their place. But do I think it's a disaster as it is? No.

beshocked wrote:Geordiefalcon if MJ made the correct decisions no one would complain.

What's a 'correct decision'? One that you agree with? Do you really think it's possible for everyone to agree? I certainly don't.

nottins wrote:England last beat Scotland away from Twickenham in 2004. Two losses and a draw since then.

Exactly, and other than Shaw, were any of the current squad involved? Neither of us have great records against each other away from home in recent times.

England certainly have the edge, but it'll be a real battle over there for the right not to play the All Blacks (assuming we both manage to edge out the Pumas).

On MJ, I think he made a poor start, with poor team selections and the wrong approach to tactics. To be expected from a novice finding his feet.

In the last 18 months things have turned around, both I think with selections and tactics (which he deserves credit for), but also in the development and production of some key players (Youngs, Ashton and Foden etc.) for which he has been fortunate.

I think the side is on an upward trend and starting to fulfil its potential, and he should now be given some room to take matters forward.

beshocked wrote:Hammerofthunor Allen or Brown would be fine too. Yes of course I think two of the best inside centres and two of the best full backs should get a shot.

Shaw is past his sell by date - will be 38 in September.

You and MJ have seen that picking young guns like the players you mention is successful. Why can't either of you see that he should continue to do so?

Our centres are appalling they need a shake up.

Geordiefalcon if MJ made the correct decisions no one would complain.

But one reason for the young guns being successful could be that they've played with experienced players around them, you can't chuck 15 young players that are in form in a team and expect them to win. Most of them wouldn't have a clue about playing in a world cup!

You know the real story behind this don't you???

All the RFU executives are passing the buck on sacking Johnson after that awful defeat to Ireland, they'd rather resign than get thrown through a window by an angry Johnson!

Martin I'm sorry about this but your sa...aaaaa.. aaAAAAAAHAHHHHHRRRGGHHH "SmAsH, cRaSh, BaNg" :run2:

Bóllucks to it, they'd prefer to resign and live!