Well, we asked for a win in the last home game of the season, and we got it. The fact that Gloucester beat strong opposition in an excellent game to watch give us a couple of very welcome bonuses. Glaws won the game in the first half then spent much of the second defying London Irish to come back in a stirring afternoon at Kingsholm.
But hopefully, coach Bryan Redpath (right) is not deluding himself with his suggestion after the game that Glaws are a top six team. With 27 points in a first half during which Akapusi Qera was sin-binned, Glaws had Kingsholm rocking and must have had office staff who have been hoping for a good summer of season ticket sales rubbing their hands in anticipation. And the team did well in the second half, too, as the inevitable Irish retaliation materialised and at times threatened to turn the game upside down. The fact that it failed was down to the way Glaws battled to hold their lead. After the season we have gone through it was a more than satisfactory way to say goodbye until the end of the summer, and it only remains now for Glaws to end their season with a difficult trip to Worcester in two weeks, against old rivals who are playing for their Premiership lives. Glaws coach Bryan Redpath will be hoping that anything Glaws do in the future – at Wuss next month and all next season – is based on the first half. He told the BBC: "I was very happy with the first 40 minutes, we controlled field position, created pressure and took our opportunities. "We've got to go to Worcester now in two weeks' time and prove we are a side who should be in the top six. "It's a case of ifs and buts and we've got a big challenge in two weeks." In fact, Bryan, Glaws have already proved they are a side who should NOT be in the top six – as in all sport, the league table NEVER lies and it shows Glaws are a mid-table team.
We have flirted with danger, we have played well and we have played badly – the fact is that we have lacked the consistency needed to achieve a top six place and are not a shadow of the team that spent so long at the top of the table before the rot set in last season.
Yes, it was a good way to end the home season and we have not had the best of luck with injuries, but let’s not get carried away – there is massive scope for improvement.
Lesley Vainikolo and James Simpson-Daniel scored first half tries, while Nicky Robinson kicked 17 points to virtually wrap up the win, and though Irish came back with a Kieran Roche try, Glaws responded with their third from Alasdair Dickinson and the game was won.
If Glaws stay in seventh, they can qualify for the Heineken Cup if wasps win the Amlin Cup – but we are not a top six team … yet.
Whisper it very quietly but the foundation for a decent Glaws side is already at Kingsholm. Up front there have been some very decent discoveries in Doran-Jones and Attwood. Q is back to somewhere near his best and add in tidy operators such as Brown and Strokosch and the makings of a decent pack are already in place. I agree that Yoda and Delve are big losses, they would be to any side but that is modern Rugby unfortunately. That's not to say there are not concerns in the forwards. Ideally I think Glaws need a quality lock in the face of Marco and Eustace going put the real priority for me is an absolutely top quality 7. Hazey is picking up the injuries and Q is not the ball stealing, awkward customer Glaws need at the breakdown and a ballstealing 7 would really help Glaws get on the front foot. It seems Glaws are going to gamble on Narraway staying fit for next season because there doesn't seem to be any suggestion of another 8 being signed to replace Delve so that would leave Glaws relying on Naz and Deacon which could be a gamble. In the 3/4s I think Glaws have a pressing priority for a top class 9 with a quick, accurate pass but they tend to be like Hen's teeth. Lawson is as brave as they come and I dont for a second question his commitment or attitude but his pass is variable and a top side cant afford that in a first choice 9. I would also like to see Glaws sign a veteran out and out fullback who would be happy to cover for Morgan. Whoever came in at Fullback could be fairly confident he would play at least half a season so it is not as if they would be gathering dust on the bench! Other than that I think the backs are potentially very exciting but I believe there is some defensive work to be done over the pre-season with the likes of Sharples, May, Trinder and Burns.
Whilst I think Glaws lack the overall strength to challenge the very top sides I am already optimistic that this season is as bad as it gets and next season will be a big improvement. There are big concerns, defensively Glaws look soft with far too many first up tackles being missed and forwards being exposed in the centre of a drift defence for opposition 3/4s to just waltz around. The well documented travel sickness is something that desperately needs to be sorted out too. Glaws' forwards are starting to rediscover some dog in the setpiece. It is good to see the scrum going well and the rolling maul occasionally pops up too. On the downside the lineout seems forever destined to be a lottery. The 3/4s are looking dangerous, Robinson seems to improve with every game and Big Les seems to be responding to being in the game a lot more. You can argue the centres are one dimensional but Molenaar in particular has had a decent first season at Kingsholm and has proved to be another gem dug up from the league below. Whilst I still think Glaws are a little short in key areas I cant see a reason why they cant be back challenging top four next season IF the defence and travel sickness is sorted. Over to you BR!
Glaws can still creep into the HEC but to be honest it would be too much for us at the moment. Next season I would rather see Glaws bed in during an Amlin Cup run and concentrate on a top four finish rather than go out of the Heiny Cup at the group stage.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment.
We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals.
We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards.
If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing
abuse@sportnetwork.net
But hopefully, coach Bryan Redpath (right) is not deluding himself with his suggestion after the game that Glaws are a top six team.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
