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Exeter Chiefs:

15 Tommy Wyatt

14 Ben Hammersley

13 Joe Hawkins

12 Will Rigg

11 Paul Brown-Bampoe

10 Will Haydon-Wood

9 Stu Townsend


1 Scott Sio (c)

2 Dan Frost

3 Josh Iosefa-Scott

4 Lewis Pearson

5 Richard Capstick

6 Ethan Roots

7 Jacques Vermeulen

8 Greg Fisilau


Replacements:

16 Jack Yeandle

17 Kwenzo Blose

18 Marcus Street

19 Christ Tshiunza

20 Martin Moloney

21 Tom Cairns

22 Tamati Tua

23 Josh Hodge



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:14:12:00:52 by Lowerwatha.

Gloucester

15 Jake Morris

14 Louis Hillman-Cooper

13 Will Butler (C)

12 Morgan Adderly-Jones

11 Jack Cotgreave

10 Charlie Atkinson

9 Charlie Chapman

1 Archie McArthur

2 George McGuigan

3 Alfie Petch

4 Freddie Clarke

5 Cam Jordan

6 Freddie Stevens**

7 Caio James

8 Olly Allport

16 Morgan Nelson

17 Aristot Benz-Salomon

18 Jono Benz-Salomon

19 Dan O'Reilly*

20 George Knowles

21 Mike Austin**

22 Max Knight

23 Ioan Jones

*Called up from U18s.

**On loan.

Match Officials

Referee: Harry Walbaum

Assistant Referees: Iain Kiy and Gareth Holsgrove

Weather Forecast as at 1200 Friday

Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze from the south east
Temperature: 7 degrees will feel like 5 degrees
Precipitation is not expected

We need a 5 point win to secure home advantage for the next 3 rounds. Hopefully we will start better than we did last week against CP, I almost left at half time we, were that bad. Doesn’t look to be a particularly strong Glos team, will be good to see Josh Hodge back in action, shame Harvey Skinner isn’t in the squad.

Chiefs 36 18 Glos.

I sense a decent performance. Chiefs 43 Glaws 19

So we have gone strong and Glaws playing a development side - no surprise there then plus our young players like Bailey and Wimbush to name but two totally ignored again. I know a lot of people will have their own opinions on how we have approached this competition but for me it’s so shortsighted and against everything we have done in the past re young player development. Pellow has always said the club treat this competition to blood young players, to give them experience it’s so disappointing to see that he has changed his outlook re our academy prospects. A bit like last week not really excited about watching tomorrow we will learn nothing and potentially will pick up injuries again. Cairns a young nine starved of game time this season who played well last week dropped I just don’t get it!
I assume it’s all about money it can’t be game time as most have played all season !! Another game where we start with no specialist 2nd row so expect our line out will be a shambles again. Despite fielding an inexperienced line up I expect Glaws will push us very close if they play an expansive game.
Chiefs 31 Glaws 24.

Chiefs 40 that Glaws side 10

Harvey skinner banned for 3 games for tip tackle v hartpury
Won’t be available until after prem cup quarter final

First choice XV against a bunch of kids.

Enjoy your useless 80 point win.

Chiefs 52 - 15 Gloss

Chiefs 42 - 12 Glaws

Chiefs 46 Glos 23

I like that bench a lot. If it works on Saturday, don't be surprised if Hodge becomes our utility back during the rest of the season.

Chiefs 38 - 19 Gloucester.

#COYC

Cueto wasn't in touch, at least in my dreams.

Chiefs 35 Glaws 25

With our callow selection, I suspect your boys should win by 20-30 points.

Disappointed that we are not giving more time to fringe/young players but :
Exeter 56 - 10 Gloucester

I’m predicting Chiefs 31, Gloucester 19, but in truth it should be a much bigger margin…

Chiefs 34 - 21 Glos

You could come and join us lineoutball seems you need a injection of being civilised instead of sitting next to your laptop trolling all sites, Its a wonderful life out there and you may incur some intelligence.

Chiefs 45 Glaws 12

I get why we have a very strong team out - home games and progression means much needed rugby, a winning habit/experience and £ for the coffers but would like to see just a bit more youth….will have to trust there is a plan for some already mentioned in the thread

Quote:

lineoutball
First choice XV against a bunch of kids.
Enjoy your useless 80 point win.

Oh we will! 😇

New box of tissues for Ballsup please.

Chiefs 26 Gloucester. 22

Chiefs 48 Gloucester 12

Quote:

Chopsy
Harvey skinner banned for 3 games for tip tackle v hartpury
Won’t be available until after prem cup quarter final

see here

That's a strong looking team against a 2nd string Glaws outfit. I'm going big Chiefs 38 Glaws 20

Quote:

dwhite805
That's a strong looking team against a 2nd string Glaws outfit. I'm going big Chiefs 38 Glaws 20

Almost a third string....average age of the squad is just 22, and all three of the backrow are 18; the backrow cover is provided by an 18 year old hooker; and the lock cover is also 18.
I fear for them...

This is down to financial survival, three home games would help a lot, we are doing no different to Gloss in the cup last season.
We should win, but it’s never a given.

can only see another win against these young lads chiefs 38 Gloucester 19

Chiefs 43 Gloucester 15

I understand that having three extra home fixtures helps the finances of the club, but feel that we should have been able to achieve that playing some youngsters/ players lacking game time. Saints played a team just like that away to Nottingham tonight, and ran in ten tries in a 66- 33 win. The concerning thing for me is that we select pretty much a first team at home to pirates and don't get anywhere near that points level. Saints aren't spending to the cap either, even though they probably won't win the title this year, they play some lovely attacking rugby and are all coached to slot into the side and play that way. We all know the style in which they play as we do most other prem sides, how would people describe our style??

Despite the above we should win and win well tomorrow, I'm going Chiefs 45 Glous 12.

The trouble with games, and selections like this, is it's a bit of pointless exercise, we could win,as my prediction, but still feel we should have put 70-80 points on that sort of Gloucester side. If we do win by a cricket score we'll all say that we should have! It would be great to see some running rugby with clear plays that have been worked on in training.

Quote:

westglos

Quote:

dwhite805
That's a strong looking team against a 2nd string Glaws outfit. I'm going big Chiefs 38 Glaws 20

Almost a third string....average age of the squad is just 22, and all three of the backrow are 18; the backrow cover is provided by an 18 year old hooker; and the lock cover is also 18.
I fear for them...

With the greatest respect we have picked a 1st XV at each stage of this competition. Gloucester's selection is the responsibility of their coaches. We can only play what is put in front of us and it would be disrespectful to suggest that we would do anything other than go full on at leasst until the game and the 5 pojnts are in the bag.

I don't think it will be much of a game nor in any way a fair fixture but years ago I argued for this competition to be restricted to second XV and recovering injured players and was widely disagreed with by many posters. For the first ime in years we are exploiting the flaws in the system to our advantage.

Quote:

dwhite805
That's a strong looking team against a 2nd string Glaws outfit. I'm going big Chiefs 38 Glaws 20

“2nd” string. Ha. If you guys don’t win by 60 points that’d be very embarrassing .

The unflushable turd has surfaced again to entertain us with his vitriol.
Last season Gloucester couldn’t buy a win in the Premiership and put out their first team to win the Premiership Cup and they are flying this season.
Chiefs 45 Gloucester 12.

Chiefs 52 Glaws 10

Quote:

lineoutball

Quote:

dwhite805
That's a strong looking team against a 2nd string Glaws outfit. I'm going big Chiefs 38 Glaws 20

“2nd” string. Ha. If you guys don’t win by 60 points that’d be very embarrassing .

Wow! That's a whole 25% lower that your last prediction! Consistancy not a strong point either!

The fact is, most on here would agree with you regarding selection if you weren't so unpleasent.

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Chiefs 38 - 19 Glaws

Simple fact is, we need the cash! I completely agree that more of our 'youth' should have the chance to run out, but it is what it is, and also, 'what Lowerwatha said': "Last season Gloucester couldn’t buy a win in the Premiership and put out their first team to win the Premiership Cup and they are flying this season."
We can but hope!!
Chiefs 55 Gloucester 14

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Quote:

Exeforever

Quote:

westglos

Quote:

dwhite805
That's a strong looking team against a 2nd string Glaws outfit. I'm going big Chiefs 38 Glaws 20

Almost a third string....average age of the squad is just 22, and all three of the backrow are 18; the backrow cover is provided by an 18 year old hooker; and the lock cover is also 18.
I fear for them...

With the greatest respect we have picked a 1st XV at each stage of this competition. Gloucester's selection is the responsibility of their coaches. We can only play what is put in front of us and it would be disrespectful to suggest that we would do anything other than go full on at leasst until the game and the 5 pojnts are in the bag.

I don't think it will be much of a game nor in any way a fair fixture but years ago I argued for this competition to be restricted to second XV and recovering injured players and was widely disagreed with by many posters. For the first ime in years we are exploiting the flaws in the system to our advantage.

You guys continue to rewrite history as if you don’t play much stronger Cup teams than everyone else every single year. All the way back when internationals Moray Low and Greg Holmes were starting for you in this competition.

Chiefs 49 Gloucester 8

Quote:

lineoutball

Quote:

Exeforever

Quote:

westglos

Quote:

dwhite805
That's a strong looking team against a 2nd string Glaws outfit. I'm going big Chiefs 38 Glaws 20

Almost a third string....average age of the squad is just 22, and all three of the backrow are 18; the backrow cover is provided by an 18 year old hooker; and the lock cover is also 18.
I fear for them...

With the greatest respect we have picked a 1st XV at each stage of this competition. Gloucester's selection is the responsibility of their coaches. We can only play what is put in front of us and it would be disrespectful to suggest that we would do anything other than go full on at leasst until the game and the 5 pojnts are in the bag.

I don't think it will be much of a game nor in any way a fair fixture but years ago I argued for this competition to be restricted to second XV and recovering injured players and was widely disagreed with by many posters. For the first ime in years we are exploiting the flaws in the system to our advantage.

You guys continue to rewrite history as if you don’t play much stronger Cup teams than everyone else every single year. All the way back when internationals Moray Low and Greg Holmes were starting for you in this competition.

That's rubbish. Don't worry. We're used to it. 🤣😂🤣

Quote:

lineoutball

Quote:

Exeforever

Quote:

westglos

Quote:

dwhite805
That's a strong looking team against a 2nd string Glaws outfit. I'm going big Chiefs 38 Glaws 20

Almost a third string....average age of the squad is just 22, and all three of the backrow are 18; the backrow cover is provided by an 18 year old hooker; and the lock cover is also 18.
I fear for them...

With the greatest respect we have picked a 1st XV at each stage of this competition. Gloucester's selection is the responsibility of their coaches. We can only play what is put in front of us and it would be disrespectful to suggest that we would do anything other than go full on at leasst until the game and the 5 pojnts are in the bag.

I don't think it will be much of a game nor in any way a fair fixture but years ago I argued for this competition to be restricted to second XV and recovering injured players and was widely disagreed with by many posters. For the first ime in years we are exploiting the flaws in the system to our advantage.

You guys continue to rewrite history as if you don’t play much stronger Cup teams than everyone else every single year. All the way back when internationals Moray Low and Greg Holmes were starting for you in this competition.

"Make like a tree and leave" springs to mind, Ball-less.

Cueto wasn't in touch, at least in my dreams.

Even worse first half than last week if that’s possible

There’s a saying “can’t get any worse “. Today is proof that things can always get worse.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:15:16:46:19 by Currychef.

Sounds like a very disappointing "performance" from our team. Well done Gloucester. Look forward to hearing about the learning etc...

I will quote you RB ‘Why would any team want to have no game for a month’ .
Gloucester – who were excellent and full credit to them - sent a 2nd/3rd string and beat us comfortably.
It’s officially time to get rid of Rob and Ali imo
There is no other discussion.
We are not just skint - Our primary issues is we are devoid of modern coaching talent.
Enough is enough



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:15:16:53:52 by EX6 CHIEF.

Well done Gloucester, only one team seamed to want to win, and they made sure they did.
Worst performance I’ve seen from Chiefs for a long long time, some individual flare could not make up for penalty count. Did think a penalty try was incorrect, but the game was lost and our chance to be top seeds.
Tackling was soft and quite laughable at time, a common theme this season, where are big guns made little headway against young players out for something to prove and they did.

A deserved win, and a shameful Chiefs display.

That was a disgraceful performance, how many penalties and dropped balls? Have the coaches lost the dressing room? Need for a change imo.

Quote:

clalan
Well done Gloucester, only one team seamed to want to win, and they made sure they did.
Worst performance I’ve seen from Chiefs for a long long time, some individual flare could not make up for penalty count. Did think a penalty try was incorrect, but the game was lost and our chance to be top seeds.
Tackling was soft and quite laughable at time, a common theme this season, where are big guns made little headway against young players out for something to prove and they did.

A deserved win, and a shameful Chiefs display.

Agreed.
We now have our supposed front line 1st team blocking development players from gametime with that type of performance.
Unacceptable.
Not just a bad day.
There is a major issue here.and it’s NOT FINANCES

So RB who’s gonna take one for the team them? Enough enough!!

Justice.

Quote:

lineoutball
Justice.

Maybe. But you can't have it both ways. It was either an embarrassing performance by the side that was selected. Or it was embarrassing to select the side that played.

Your prediction was comfortably the worst by the way....

Well played Gloucester! Thoroughly deserved win. Whisper it quietly, but im always delighted to see a young and inexperienced side confound expectations and prove a point.

I'd just rather it hadn't been against us!

Let the post mortem begin. 😬

I think that is the first time that I have seen a team look as if it was trying to lose. Whether this was some sort of player power protest or simply a dead rubber that failed to excite players who have played too many games I do not know.

But: the coaches had clearly failed to motivate the team to care enough to play. There is no greater failure for a coach.

The supporters were similarly disillusioned. If this is the sort of dross to which we are to be subjected week after week then the 1,000 who are claimed to have renewed are likely to have plenty of room to move around in next season as I can't see many others joining them.

The silver lining is that the Board will now have declining attendance numbers and declining renewals to concentrate their minds. Unless there is a change in the coaching department nothing will improve on the field and the off-pitch experience will continue to deteriorate as well.

The imbecile announncer has not calmed down at all and was put in charge of the "zorbing" which is as pointless as the exhibiting of small girls last week was tacky in the extreme.

IMO the Stadium Manager should be disposed of as quickly as several of the coaches.

The match day experience today moved from something to be endured to something to be abjured.

If I didn't have a S/T there was nothing at all today to make me consider returning and that is what ought to be worrying the Board and the coaches. Funnily enough the reslt was almost incidental, it was the on-field play and overall "Match day experience" that were so appallingly bad.
'
Bizzarely, if Newcastle get 'nil points' away at Sale tomorrow we are still No1 seed according to the BBC.

So we did what we needed to ie kept injury free and our points difference at a level Newcastle are unlikely to be able to match; so everything's alright really and Ali Hepher is a genius (as Rob will tell the press).

Even more tellingly we are very likely to get Glaws in the Q/F so we were keeping our powder dry and lulling them into a false sense of security today, "all part of the master plan Mr Bond".



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:15:18:54:26 by Exeforever.

I have said it all along we are desperately short of quality players and today that stood out.Take nothing away from Gloucester they were superb and really worked as a team. I am sure our players were roasted in the dressing room after so probably i dont need to add more insult to injury. But what i would say is we need to take a long hard look at our style of play which is down to the management we are outdated, the team just not jellying ,players are not playing to their potential and I even lipread a player swearing behind a coaches back after being giving a instruction. There are major issues up their at the moment which obviously need sorting. What i witnessed today was a complete shambles and the result speaks for itself.

Firstly well done Glaws thoroughly deserved victory.

My optimism evaporated after 2m 30 seconds when we had the simplest walk in try ever only for Hammersley not to pass run into the only defender in sight and then get turned over. Sadly he is a car crash waiting to happen, every game, offers absolutely nothing in my view offensively or defensively. As I have said on numerous occasions Baxter has put together a very slow pack with limited attacking skills hence we offer nothing in open play. Coupled with our half backs (especially the 10 who is contracted for next season !) having horrendous games the scene was set for another woeful performance. The final straw was to take Frost off after the predictable and premeditated 52m into the game to be replaced by the slowest forward on the pitch. You just can’t make it up!!

The unforced error count must have been off the charts coupled with another ridiculous penalty count. Bringing on Christ with just 9 mins to go showed how out of touch the coaches are the starting second row x2 offered nothing. The back line looked like they didn’t know each other let alone played together.

Got what we deserved zero.

We have not renewed our season tickets yet and are now having reservations about doing so with this squad and coaching set up for next season. Just how long can a team’s performance go backwards !!

Old school coaches with old school methods.
Like many old, back in the day, school teachers, the philosophy could well be ‘if you’re poor at something you must do more of it. Until you get it right you’re having no free time’. Crazy not to give players a rest during 6N. We are being left behind by the rest of the evolving coaching teams around the Prem. I’ve a lot of time for Skivington and feel really pleased for him on todays win.
Maybe our players are subconsciously no longer mentally as fresh as they could be. All the c**p about ‘no player wants to go weeks without a game’. It’s working well Rob 🤔
No one is suggesting they rest for the whole period. The balance is all wrong.
We now face the rest of the season with a knackered group of ‘senior’ players, some of whom will no doubt be willing the end of the season to arrive and they’ll be on their way.

Quote:

Exeforever
Bizzarely, unless Newcastle win by 77 clear points away at Sale tomorrow we are still No1 seed according to the BBC.

Ex and Newcastle are both on 25 points.
Any points at all for Newcastle will put them ahead of Ex.

League Points > wins > points difference

Still 2nd seeds, so guaranteed home QF and a home SF if getting there.
Home final if playing against anyone but Newcastle

A man who cannot change his mind, cannot change anything

RAEBURN SHIELD



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:15:18:51:00 by Which Tyler.

What has to happen for senior coaches to go. If TR and his board can't see it then there needs to be changes there.
I'd have a clearcut of older players and bring on the kids.

Quote:

Which Tyler

Quote:

Exeforever
Bizzarely, unless Newcastle win by 77 clear points away at Sale tomorrow we are still No1 seed according to the BBC.

Ex and Newcastle are both on 25 points.
Any points at all for Newcastle will put them ahead of Ex.

League Points > wins > points difference

Still 2nd seeds, so guaranteed home QF and a home SF if getting there.
Home final if playing against anyone but Newcastle

Apologies you are of course quite right.

Here come the emails trying to get me to go to the quarter final!! I won’t be paying for 2 adult tickets at the usual price unless greatly reduced!! I already pay £1500 for 2 season tickets and not prepared to pay more to watch that shower!!

Quote:

Exeforever

Quote:

Which Tyler

Quote:

Exeforever
Bizzarely, unless Newcastle win by 77 clear points away at Sale tomorrow we are still No1 seed according to the BBC.

Ex and Newcastle are both on 25 points.
Any points at all for Newcastle will put them ahead of Ex.

League Points > wins > points difference

Still 2nd seeds, so guaranteed home QF and a home SF if getting there.
Home final if playing against anyone but Newcastle

This is, of course, a purely academic discussion. To imagine that we’ll get beyond the quarterfinals with this current shambolic bunch is fanciful in the extreme!
But at least those who’re bemoaning the potential cost of three extra home games will be relieved…

Apologies you are of course quite right.

Quote:

Not Manichean

Quote:

lineoutball
Justice.

Maybe. But you can't have it both ways. It was either an embarrassing performance by the side that was selected. Or it was embarrassing to select the side that played.

Yes, you can have it both ways.

It was A) an embarrassing side to select, and B, an embarrassing performance, made all the more embarrassing by A.

Not only are the first team being flogged every week and have seemingly lost confidence in the coaches, but the rest of your up and comers in the squad aren't playing. Great job Rob.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:02:15:21:07:51 by lineoutball.

Lots to agree with the above posts. the most striking thing to me was how inept leaden footed and predictable our backline is. It goes something like this. 9 with a short pass to a 10 who kicks. Perhaps at a ruck a slow ball is passed to a stationary forward who accelerates with the speed of a tortoise into two tacklers and falls to the floor. When an overlap is created there are two or three choices. Kick, do not pass, or run sideways and then a long loopy pass soo the winger receives man and ball. Another skill we have is passing at the person nearest - of whatever team or above the head or pass running crabwise across the pitch. Above all go into contact if possible falling quickly to the floor but do not offload. One could go on but they are big features of our attack. In defence alinement creating dog-legs and missed tackles are really common. Gloucester today just showed how appalling our backplay has become. By comparison their play in the backline was often a different quality without most of their first team squad.

Quote:

cornwallchief
Lots to agree with the above posts. the most striking thing to me was how inept leaden footed and predictable our backline is. It goes something like this. 9 with a short pass to a 10 who kicks. Perhaps at a ruck a slow ball is passed to a stationary forward who accelerates with the speed of a tortoise into two tacklers and falls to the floor. When an overlap is created there are two or three choices. Kick, do not pass, or run sideways and then a long loopy pass soo the winger receives man and ball. Another skill we have is passing at the person nearest - of whatever team or above the head or pass running crabwise across the pitch. Above all go into contact if possible falling quickly to the floor but do not offload. One could go on but they are big features of our attack. In defence alinement creating dog-legs and missed tackles are really common. Gloucester today just showed how appalling our backplay has become. By comparison their play in the backline was often a different quality without most of their first team squad.

+1 more worringly is that if Pellow is our skills coach then he is part of the problem not the solution based on CC's astute observations above!

[quote Exeforever][quote cornwallchief]Lots to agree with the above posts. the most striking thing to me was how inept leaden footed and predictable our backline is.

+1 more worringly is that if Pellow is our skills coach then he is part of the problem not the solution based on CC's astute observations above![/quote]

Plus one, I have read lots of posts saying that Pellow is the man to save us and take us forward. I only listen to the game on the radio, but my understanding is Pellow runs the Prep cup team. If this is right then he should be sacked. Why is he coaching players like Hodge to come on and drop the ball, why is he coaching them to give away so many penalties.

Apart from Fisilau and Brown all the rest of that team should be shown the door when their contracts are up, they are not fit to wear the shirt.

What the hell was that guys? "How bleep are you, we're winning away" sang the Glaws fans and it was a fair question! I get the impression they simply wanted it more than we did, possibly had more to play for?

There goes the number 1 seed I suspect!

To be fair on Hodge he just came on a greasy pitch he is not perfect as for Pellow i am sure he is capable but has a hierarchic above him perhaps are poking their nose in. Just one of a few things that need sorting no doubt.

It was quite plain that the Gloucester lads wanted the win more than we did. It’s hard to imagine a more dispirited crew. The clear difference was that they didn’t give away a steady stream of stupid penalties, they didn’t keep dropping the ball and their (second string) backs played with a bit of structure and imagination. How many times did their 12, in the red scrum cap, either run an effective dummy line or come back on the angle and make real inroads in the midfield. This is not because he’s an outstanding player, it’s simply because he and his fellow backs have been properly coached!

Watched the Quins v Sarries game. Quins played a full strength side bar England internationals and Sarries beat them with a very inexperienced side.Quins looked home and hosed but Sarries fought back and won narrowly. Just shows, predicting big wins against a purportedly weaker side is a potential banana skin, particularly if your team don’t get off the bus!

I'd like Keith's crystal ball please.

By my reckoning we’re at home to Sale in the quarter finals. I wonder if we should put a message to Sale fans on their message board to warn them not to waste the petrol travelling down if they’re going to have to watch a repeat of yesterday’s fare…

Just had the email from the club about the quarter final, as expected no reduction offered for season ticket holders. I’m away then anyway so can’t go, but disappointed that STHs aren’t being given any extra incentive bearing in mind the dreadful seasons fare so far. And expecting ST renewals now.

Very shortsighted.

Also had an email. Only states my ticket is reserved when on sale tomorrow. No prices mentioned and no details in my account, so price could be reduced. Previously, champions cup progress games have been reduced as they were all pay, so hoping the same. Typical club tease (poor Comms to season ticket holders)..

Interesting that some very youthful sides put in great performances. Our coaches should take note.

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

I've seen a few bad performances from Chiefs over the years but effort and application is never in doubt. They have always fought hard, win or lose.

This was the first time I've come away thinking the effort wasn't there. Movement off the ball to get into position was sluggish, players seemed to have a lack of focus, kicks, passes, catches, tackles were weak, communication was flat - they looked like they really couldn't be arsed.