By bonso
April 18 2013

It's Saints' last home game of the 2012/13 season and regular COYSDC contributor, bonso, takes a look at what to expect this Saturday evening...

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs SALE SHARKS

Saturday, 20th April 2013 - 5.45pm (Sky)

FRANKLIN'S GARDENS, NORTHAMPTON

MATCH PREVIEW

Well, looks like this is it for this season at the Gardens barring a miracle and I don’t know about you, gentle reader, but to quote the Grateful Dead “What a long strange trip it’s been”. Top of the league and running strongly in the early exchanges followed by a dip in form and a curate’s egg of a Euro campaign, the realisation of a mini crisis and then we are masters of our own fate for the playoffs with Heinikan rugby secured. More of this later.

Our guests on Saturday though have had a more troublesome time. Sale before a ball were kicked, were tipped to be building to a challenging squad with potential to be pushing to the playoffs add to this the prospect of a nice shiny new home and all seemed set fair. As it turned out the rugby gods decreed otherwise and woefull early form and lack of cohesion saw them looking at the abyss. Off field teething troubles and coaching conflicts led many to doubt  the direction and unity of the Sharks set up. Sale to their credit have turned it around and now are not to be taken lightly especially when they have  their own ‘A’ team in Mr Tuitupou. When you look through the Sharks squad it does seem that they have quality with the likes of Mcleod, Peel, Cueto, and Cipriani when switched on, to name but a few, also not forgetting Myall and the now exonerated Roberts. This will not be easy Saintly ones.

So now to the hometown heroes, our local Jeckyl and Hydes. Well, we have been everything thing this season but never really clicking and I think our policy of recruiting potential over proven has hit a roadblock, but not completely so. Many of the guys coming into the set up have big boots to fill and just a suggestion, maybe we should let them find themselves in the team and not ape their forebears. One positive is that for the moment we are settled at 9 and 10 and our pack is still efficient, and with the refereeing wind in the right corner dominating. Also last week we saw some green shoots of recovery in the backs.

I think there is one thing that we can safely assume is that Sharks will not want too much set piece play which may force them to open up. An invitation I hope saints decline unless it’s really on. The young sir in charge might also have an impact and I am sure we will all have an opinion on Mr Pearce at noside, lets all hope its that we didn’t really notice him and that we are celebrating a good contest win or lose.

For a match prediction I think the incentive for Saints as long as they can keep focused and make the right decisions will lead to a win, but I expect Sale to provide stiff and close competition especially if Saints are not wary and play too loosely.

Of course Saturday is the annual SWH walk and please support it in whatever way you can it really has made a difference.

Nearly forgot to say thank you very much to the guys leaving and I hope everyone cheers them roundly for the great contribution they have made to the cause “Nothing without labour boys”

Ooooh and Saints by 10.

News: AP: Northampton Saints vs Sale Sharks - Match Preview

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 18/04/2013 23:48

ComeOnYouSaints.com
18/04/2013 23:48

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Phil.
18/04/2013 23:49

Cheers. bons!

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Saint Tim
19/04/2013 00:40

Like it



“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”

Benjamin Franklin

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Saint Maul
19/04/2013 08:16

A perfect Friday morning read. Thanks Bonso.

I imagine Tiny and Mooj are both pumped so heaven help the Sale front row!

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Duckonstilts
19/04/2013 09:19

A Good read. Looking forward to the match. Have missed too many recently. Will be nice to give my seat one last visit before the summer.

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Wee Jim
19/04/2013 11:40

Good read and something to cogitate on as I plod to the Gardens tomorrow

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smurfomatic
19/04/2013 12:17

Quote:

Wee Jim
Good read and something to cogitate on as I plod to the Gardens tomorrow

Don't cogitate on the footpath Jim, other people have to walk through it...

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