Attwood's Rallying Cry

By P G Tips
October 20 2014

Can it get any worse? Following two defeats in a row, the most recent a 10-37 humbling by Glasgow, Bath next face the galacticos of European royalty, Toulouse, while suffering an injury crisis in the back row.

Glasgow’s speed of thought caught Bath napping. They pounced like panthers on every error and turned defence into attack in a heartbeat. In doing so they “out-Bathed Bath” and turned a close contest into a rout. Hardly the best preparation for facing the 4 times winners of Europe’s premier club competition.

Glasgow also rode their luck, profiting from mayhem at the breakdown and the disruptive impact of their rush defence. A glance at the match statistics is revealing: Glasgow and Bath were similar in most phases bar the lineout & Bath won the scrums, rucks and mauls. However, the scoreboard told a different story- about taking chances. Glasgow did, Bath did not.

The back row crisis is a real worry and fans will be hoping there is truth in the Twitter claim that Bath are lining up an “English born international loose forward” as medical joker. Certainly the breakdown was Bath’s undoing last Saturday; unpicking the visitors attack and allowing Glasgow plenty of chances to counter which they grabbed with a will. Another concern is Kyle Eastmond who looked to be in a lot of pain from a heavy knock to the midriff – possibly a broken rib.

Toulouse have started the Top 14 slowly by their usual standards and could be looking to European competition to restore their reputation and rescue their season. They will be in no mood to be charitable. In Dusatoir, Harinordoquy, McAlister, Fritz , Huget and Medard they have class up front and behind. Last Sunday they beat Montpellier with the likes of Albacete, Flood & Clerc on the bench.

So how should Bath counter the threat? First they must not panic. The Glasgow game slipped away from Bath because the visitors played into the hands of their hosts. To win Bath must be more streetwise at the breakdown and punish any over eagerness in the blitz defence. It is not easy to imagine Fearns, Louw or Garvey allowing Glasgow’s shenanigans on the ground to go unchallenged. Similar generosity to Dusatoir and co would hand the match to Toulouse, but playing the breakdown on their own terms could frustrate the visitors and cause mistakes which offer penalty chances. These should be taken. A high chance of 3 points is better than a low chance of a try-at least in the opening stages. For the rush defence a different approach to kicking strategy could pay dividends. Against Glasgow George Ford used the high bomb and tactical diagonal to good effect, but did not offer the close chip or short grubber to turn the defenders. Defence also needs to tighten-particularly the front on tackle at fullback.

By the time of the match the England squad will have been announced. Whether in or out, many of Bath’s likely starters will want to make a statement to Stuart Lancaster: Webber, Wilson, Attwood up front and Ford plus the entire threequarter line behind. All will be desperate to impress. Dave Attwood has offered challenging and brave words: "If we're going to feature at all in this competition we really need to step it up," he says.. "Next week we need to make a good account of ourselves and I expect a big reaction." That is the least that fans will expect. Those fans can be the sixteenth man: let’s hope they also step up.

A home crowd, a home team smarting from two embarrassing defeats and a French team (admittedly top pedigree) on the road. This is a recipe for a close and cracking match. Bring it on!

Possible Teams:
James, Webber, Wilson, Day, Attwood, Hooper , Mercer, Sisi, Young, Ford, Rokoduguni, Eastmond, Joseph, Watson, Agulla
Bench: Catt, Batty, Thomas, Ewels, Ellis, Stringer, Devoto, Woodburn

Toulouse: Steenkamp, Flynn, Johnston, Tekori, Maestri,Albacete, Nyanga ,Dusatoir, Harinordoquy. Doussain, McAlister, Huget, Fickou, Fritz, Clerc,Medard.
Bench: Ralepele, Pulu, Kakovin, Milou-Chlusky, Picamoles, Bezy, Flood, Matanavou,

Match Preview: Can it get any worse?

Discussion started by Comeonmylovers.co.uk (IP Logged), 20/10/2014 18:03

Comeonmylovers.co.uk
20/10/2014 18:03

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:10:28:09:30:48 by Stuart Anderton.

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Peasedown Exile
21/10/2014 23:14

Great read TG. And yes, it can get worse, a lot worse.

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joethefanatic
22/10/2014 08:44

If Banners, as suggested elsewhere, is part of our back row plan B then I will be watching through my fingers. I genuinely fear for us this weekend.

... IMHO, of course.

Now in Honolulu

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Widcombe boy
22/10/2014 08:46

Lets see what the boys are made of, injuries or no injuries.

Allez Bath

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