By Saint Ted
October 8 2021
This is the Wasps v Northampton Saints match thread
Who:
Wasps v Northampton Saints
When:
Sunday 10th October 2021 15:00
Where:
Coventry Building Society Arena
How do I watch:
BT Sport 1/Ultimate
Officials:
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Assistant referees: Greg Macdonald and Jonathan Healy
No.4: Peter Allan/Neil Chivers
TMO: Rowan Kitt
Teams

Not considered for selection:
Matthew Arden, Callum Burns, Oisín Heffernan, Dani Long-Martinez, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Ollie Newman, and JJ Tonks.

Quote:TommySaint
5 pointer statement performance incoming


Quote:Saint Maul
Betting odds very even with Wasps slight favourites. Best odds for a Saints win 11/8. Best odds for Wasps to win 3/4.
Oddschecker showing odds shortening for Saints and Wasps drifting. Possibly suggesting the bookies like the saints team following team announcements.
Quote:Saint Maul
Wasps are missing a number of their best players: Launchbury, Willis, Fekitoa, Barbeary, Odogwu.
So, like the Exeter game, this is a massive opportunity to get an away win against a potential top 4 rival. So this is an 8-10 pointer game we need to target.
Robson is their biggest remaining game-changer. So we need to disrupt Robson and put him off his game. Tie him in on the floor. Ruffle his feathers when he makes a mistake. Put pressure on any kicks from the base of the ruck. Take every opportunity for legitimate big hits. Disrupt the breakdown and counter-ruck so the ball isn't presented cleanly. Make him waste his energy running from side to side of the pitch. Basically, cut off the head of the snake.
Quote:SaintsAsh
I thought their team looks really good, they have a good squad do ole wasps.
Quote:saint krige
On a + side, Freeman has looked very sharp today.
Quote:saint krige
.....Wasps so much more energetic......
Quote:....Waller.....
Quote:Deesaint
For those complaining the lack of Saints games on BT
Perhaps there is the answer
Quote:saint krige
Poor, really poor, after such a bright first 15/20'.
They missed 2/3 kicks too which flatters the scoreline even more.
Discipline is appalling.
Freeman looked great, Mitchell played well, Augustus showed glimpses.
Quote:CMK asked his assistants, they offered no counter.Aberavon Wizard
Just watching the yellow card incident back. Last week we had a TMO who seemed determined to penalise Saints in the last minute but who was over-ruled by the referee aided and abetted by his touch judges one of whom of course was Wayne Barnes. This week we have head contact with a partially swinging arm which the TMO feels is more than a yellow card. However, CMK appears to have no meaningful discussion with his assistants and over-rules the TMO. Consistency ?
Quote:TommySaint
5 pointer statement performance incoming
Quote:ajackQuote:TommySaint
5 pointer statement performance incoming
Fair play to Tommy for getting it spot on. Four for Wasps and one for Saints.
Quote:Longers
" I think the Saints coaching team will be a little disappointed with some of the errors made...." understatement of the season so far from Ben Kay.
I am now officially looking for a fundamental change to the way in which the team is coached. We have tolerated poor decision making and penalties from repeat offenders for far too long and today we have seen the result.
Enough. At least three players need a new orifice ripping!
Quote:DeesaintQuote:Longers
" I think the Saints coaching team will be a little disappointed with some of the errors made...." understatement of the season so far from Ben Kay.
I am now officially looking for a fundamental change to the way in which the team is coached. We have tolerated poor decision making and penalties from repeat offenders for far too long and today we have seen the result.
Enough. At least three players need a new orifice ripping!
Perhaps bring Paul Tupai back for a short intense training programme on how to aggressively get on the front foot
Quote:higgy365
Despite the wailing and gnashing of teeth in some quarters I’m relatively sanguine about that result. Can’t win them all, however much we’d like to, and a losing bonus point is a fair result from a game where we were decidedly second best in that second half.
If Umaga had kicked his shots at goal we wouldn’t have had a look in.
The yellow card should have been red.
Tough intro to the Prem for Slomani. Augustus is going to be a star.
I hope Proctors injury isn’t too lserious/ long term.
Thank the stars we have a bye week to regroup and work on stuff.
PS Imagine my surprise that TommySaint is back sharing the boon of his wisdom with us so soon after his latest assertion he was leaving the board and wouldn’t be posting for the foreseeable. Imagine that. Like an emotionally incontinent teenager that comes back to slam the door again just in case you didn’t notice the first strop.
Quote:HymenopteraQuote:CMK asked his assistants, they offered no counter.Aberavon Wizard
Just watching the yellow card incident back. Last week we had a TMO who seemed determined to penalise Saints in the last minute but who was over-ruled by the referee aided and abetted by his touch judges one of whom of course was Wayne Barnes. This week we have head contact with a partially swinging arm which the TMO feels is more than a yellow card. However, CMK appears to have no meaningful discussion with his assistants and over-rules the TMO. Consistency ?
CMK is the ref, not the TMO..so there is no 'over rule'.
The arm hits the ball first, albeit 'only just'..it could have gone either way, it went yellow...nothing really to discuss
Quote:TommySaintQuote:ajackQuote:TommySaint
5 pointer statement performance incoming
Fair play to Tommy for getting it spot on. Four for Wasps and one for Saints.
If I made that comment I’d be told I was ruining the board and causing confrontation blah blah, no doubt that won’t be forthcoming
But you’re a good old boy or something
My thoughts are in the post above
Quote:batty
Tommy you are entitled to your views but we don't want it rambed down our throats but you can't seem to understand that
Quote:saint krigeQuote:batty
Tommy you are entitled to your views but we don't want it rambed down our throats but you can't seem to understand that
I can't see where he's exactly rammed it down anyone's throat. If you don't like it, ignore it? I don't understand the intolerance on this board that everyone is always offended by something (two people in particular). There's clearly a double-standard on the forum amongst some regulars, but they are unable to see it.
I actually smirked at Ajack's reply, making bold predictions is going to provoke a light-hearted fun poke. Embrace it.
Quote:Exactly.saint krigeQuote:batty
Tommy you are entitled to your views but we don't want it rambed down our throats but you can't seem to understand that
I can't see where he's exactly rammed it down anyone's throat. If you don't like it, ignore it? I don't understand the intolerance on this board that everyone is always offended by something (two people in particular). There's clearly a double-standard on the forum amongst some regulars, but they are unable to see it.
I actually smirked at Ajack's reply, making bold predictions is going to provoke a light-hearted fun poke. Embrace it.
Quote:higgy365
Re the card, a neutral (Exeter supporting) friend messaged me that he thought CMK pushed back against the steer the TMO was giving him as a reaction to missing it. Politically, I doubt it’ll be picked up by the citing officer.
PS “grumpy old fart” sounds like a personal attack despite your protestations that isn’t your vibe, TommySaint. Yet another example where what you do and what you say are entirely different things. Weak.
Quote:Awaywin
We need to be out of sight before our bogey man Gopparth comes on …
Quote:TommySaintQuote:ajackQuote:TommySaint
5 pointer statement performance incoming
Fair play to Tommy for getting it spot on. Four for Wasps and one for Saints.
If I made that comment I’d be told I was ruining the board and causing confrontation blah blah, no doubt that won’t be forthcoming
But you’re a good old boy or something
My thoughts are in the post above
Quote:Happywifehappylife
And this is why I decided to give up Moderating this Group & only watch from the sidelines until things change - it's so tiresome & boring that one person can ruin everything for others & not understand it. I just don't get it.
It doesn't matter how many names, warnings or bans.
The cries of I'm done here etc etc are now so many that we just laugh because a couple of weeks later
we all know the lure of addiction to be "I'm right" is too strong...
One person will always ruin what could be a very good discussion group. Sadly only one person can sort this problem...but then pride's an amazing thing to admit it's your fault & leave the group
Quote:Iamasaint
It seems to me that you are obviously taking sides.
I would rather let Tommy, Krige and whoever have their say, than be shut down by the Ajack/Longers gang.
Maybe moderating isn’t for you if you can’t treat people fairly.
Just my opinion.
Quote:HappywifehappylifeQuote:Iamasaint
It seems to me that you are obviously taking sides.
I would rather let Tommy, Krige and whoever have their say, than be shut down by the Ajack/Longers gang.
Maybe moderating isn’t for you if you can’t treat people fairly.
Just my opinion.
Thank you for "just your opinion".
There's a difference between debate & personal abuse.
I run an online group with 27500 active, debating members. Oh....& it's won many awards for well-being & support so I think I might know how to treat people fairly :-)
Quote:Happywifehappylife
it's so tiresome & boring that one person can ruin everything for others & not understand it.
Quote:Santiago
Please stop it.
Why did Proctor and Furbank go off?
Quote:Deesaint
And that is why it is so frustrating
20 minutes play showing what they can achieve
Followed by 60 minutes of dross
It just has to be in their heads
They don’t take the pitch to play badly
They want to win
They have trained to win
Not sure I know the answer
Do we need someone in the coaching setup that can bring that focus and be mental strength into the team
The excuse ‘it’s a young team’ passed some time ago



Quote:Dragonboy
We clearly list our way when Proctor went off and commentators said it was a hand injury so hopefully the week off will give him a chance to mend.
Wasps should have been out of sight if Umaga had nailed his kicks and that probably shows why he’s slipped off the England radar and it does surprise me that Wasps select him ahead of Jimmy Gopperth who rarely lets anyone down and often pulls the rabbit out of the hat. Bit of a Smyler in that respect I think.
Quote:saint krige
Can only echo the above, so irritating when threads get so derailed.
Easy for people to pile on one person, and I understand why they do, but in fairness Tommy's first post on this thread was about rugby. Longers and a few others then provoke people into feeling they have to defend themselves (happened to me multiple times) and you went up with this nonsense.
Why can't people just ignore Tommy's posts if you don't like them? Problem solved!
Quote:LongersQuote:saint krige
Can only echo the above, so irritating when threads get so derailed.
Easy for people to pile on one person, and I understand why they do, but in fairness Tommy's first post on this thread was about rugby. Longers and a few others then provoke people into feeling they have to defend themselves (happened to me multiple times) and you went up with this nonsense.
Why can't people just ignore Tommy's posts if you don't like them? Problem solved!
Well I would appreciate you highlighting the points you're making. How am I shutting anyone down? Unless by asking such questions, they feel unable to reply? I really don't know.
My first comment on this thread, was concerning props.
My second was meant to be in support of your energy/Waller post. Perhaps it failed? Only you can tell me.
My third comment was aimed at the coaching team who put this side out, supposedly ready to play? I was and am dissatisfied.
My fourth was a follow up response.
Then both Lamasaint and Tommy come in with broad brush attacks on individuals. And on it went. Plenty of mentions, but no involvement from me.
Quote:OldMarovian
I was really looking forward to your game with Wasps and had posted here to say that pack in particular was as strong as I had seen for a while for Saints. TBH I don't really get what's not working but Boyds insistence on playing a more SH type of team and style feels like a factor.
From the highlights the CMK yellow call was poor but sometimes you get those. Equally it's early in the season and tbh from the games so far I have no idea whose good and who isn't.
There's no doubt you've hugely talented players in your team though so it will be interesting to see how they continue to develop and some of your backs are a joy to watch in a similar vein to the Quins players. I think most successful teams have a spine around which their built. Not just a leadership group but players who drive standards, help pick the team up when they're down, etc I wonder who that would be for Saints now (not me saying they don't have it just saying I don't know)
Quote:higgy365
Only thing that does surprise me is that they are publicly inferring CMK made the wrong call by going for yellow. If Oghre cops a ban, they can’t say he didn’t see it, just that he made a bad decision.
Quote:higgy365
Yellows getting ‘upgraded’ are certainly not unheard of but relatively unusual.
Quote:saint krige
Watching the highlights; I just don't see how Waller can continue to put in shifts like this and still get picked.
Presumably he was dropped as captain because he's no longer a guaranteed starter?
Quote:Aberavon Wizard
A lot of criticism of Alex Waller both here and elsewhere which is a little sad bearing in mind the time he has spent at The Gardens, not to mention 'that try'. AW was over-used by West and Mallinder and in my view never translated his experience and ability to step up to the next level which is a pity for the club and the player. For whatever reason he seems to attract the attention of the referee in a negative sense and as such the penalty count seems to mount up - he's not alone in this by any means but it just seems rather more noticeable. Neither Boyd nor Ferguson seem able to nail down a starting front row in their minds and whilst the pack can often stand up to a lot of pressure, there are other occasions when they seem to lose their shape and/or footing too easily - the line out is another issue completely.
Quote:Longers
Anyway, somethings definitely wrong there.
Quote:OldMarovianQuote:Longers
Anyway, somethings definitely wrong there.
It's almost as if playing a young prop as your starter game in game out for four? plus seasons might not be the ideal way to manage a player you hope to be playing for you into his 30's?
Quote:Longers
If we were able to climb into Doctor Who's Tardis and go back to that time, you would have seen quite a number of supporters arguing for him to be given a break even then. It never happened.
Quote:Dragonboy
We have lost Van Wyke and arguably because he wasn’t getting enough game time when he was probably playing better than anyone, and we now have Danny Hobbs kicking his heels and Manny either not picked or farmed out to Bedford to learn.
Well Manny certainly learnt when he was last man standing and I would hate us to lose either he or DHA because of some misguided sense of loyalty to Alex. DHA went to the not nots for more game time and it would be criminal to let that happen again.
Alex isn’t entitled to either the 1 or 16 shirt and his continuing to give mindless penalties away and then look up at the ref with incredulity is doing the team a disservice and has now cost us a game.
Rest him and send him off to rethink his game.
Quote:StatesmanQuote:Dragonboy
We have lost Van Wyke and arguably because he wasn’t getting enough game time when he was probably playing better than anyone, and we now have Danny Hobbs kicking his heels and Manny either not picked or farmed out to Bedford to learn.
Well Manny certainly learnt when he was last man standing and I would hate us to lose either he or DHA because of some misguided sense of loyalty to Alex. DHA went to the not nots for more game time and it would be criminal to let that happen again.
Alex isn’t entitled to either the 1 or 16 shirt and his continuing to give mindless penalties away and then look up at the ref with incredulity is doing the team a disservice and has now cost us a game.
Rest him and send him off to rethink his game.
A little unfair on Alex - he was no worse than our other 3 props on display - all very poor. He certainly didn’t cost us the game - we were poor from 1 to 15 (with the exception of 13 minutes from Proctor). A lot of the focus is on the players (quite rightly) but I remain unconvinced by our coaching set up.
Quote:saint krigeQuote:StatesmanQuote:Dragonboy
We have lost Van Wyke and arguably because he wasn’t getting enough game time when he was probably playing better than anyone, and we now have Danny Hobbs kicking his heels and Manny either not picked or farmed out to Bedford to learn.
Well Manny certainly learnt when he was last man standing and I would hate us to lose either he or DHA because of some misguided sense of loyalty to Alex. DHA went to the not nots for more game time and it would be criminal to let that happen again.
Alex isn’t entitled to either the 1 or 16 shirt and his continuing to give mindless penalties away and then look up at the ref with incredulity is doing the team a disservice and has now cost us a game.
Rest him and send him off to rethink his game.
A little unfair on Alex - he was no worse than our other 3 props on display - all very poor. He certainly didn’t cost us the game - we were poor from 1 to 15 (with the exception of 13 minutes from Proctor). A lot of the focus is on the players (quite rightly) but I remain unconvinced by our coaching set up.
Full agreement. We have no/little resilience and I think that's largely reflective of our coaching set up.
Quote:SaintsAsh
Wasps were not taking the weight I think.
Quote:SaintsDuncanQuote:SaintsAsh
Wasps were not taking the weight I think.
I thought that too.
