Comments on: England Player Ratings versus Wales

By: Hutch

Hutch — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:34:25 +0000

I haven’t heard a huge amount of praise for Wales…I think Warren Gatland will be giving them a pretty hard time this week, and they’ll be infinitely better against Scotland.

It will be interesting to see whether Armitage will get dropped. I’d like to see Foden given a chance against Italy – it’s probably not a bad opportunity for him to find his feet, and he could be just what we need in our armoury to take on Ireland.

Will there be any changes when Johnno announces the team tomorrow? Who knows?!

By: Birdies

Birdies — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:37:14 +0000

I find it hard to believe that England win and in the news on on tv they are still slated, yet Wales lose and are praised! (Mainly referring to Nigel Owens on BBC Commentary) It was not a polished performance by any means, Armitage and Floody should be dropped in my opinion, but it was a win, and in the end a fairly convincing one. We all know the tests will come against Ireland and France but last week the majority of people were sure Wales would win, they didn’t it was a good opening performance with plenty left to work on for the following games.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:49:41 +0000

Thats a pretty fair assessment. Payne look out of his depth, but general did what was needed. Hartley got carried backwards too many times, but otherwise had a good game. Wilson looked as though he was struggling with a shoulder problem. Shaw was average. Borthwick played one of his best games ever. Haskell was superb. Moody (IMO) won the battle between him and Williams. Easter – quite simply should of been MOTM. Care was fantastic. Wilko did most of what was asked of him. Monye was average – bring in Ashton! Flood was lucky to play due to Flutey (no.1 choice) was injured and I think he’ll be lucky to even make the bench next week. Tait simply wasn’t used – every time he got the ball it was near always from a hospital pass – showed us a glimpse of his magic.
Cueto was solid as usual. Armitage was crap

Whoever though the combination of Wilko, Flood and Tait was a good idea obviously doesn’t remember when they all played at Newcastle together – they didn’t combine well then, and they see don’t now

By: ronbraz

ronbraz — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:47:57 +0000

Very generious witht he grades.

I didn’t see much improvments from the autumn, the only difference is we were playing a reall weak Wales.

Hook showed more class then the entire English backline and the welsh generally looked dangerous when they we getting quick ball. England almost never got quick ball and looked clueless when they did.

Care had his best game for England but his passing is too slow and this forces the 10 to stand deeper. Not that johnny has any intention of standing flat or taking the ball at pace. It looks like he is perminently looking for a drop-goal even when he’s not.

The forwards are the real bright light, Borthwick had his best game, so did Easter, Haskell and Hartley Moody was his usual hight standard as was shaw even though they can both play better. Add to the pack a couple of massive props, which we do have and we look like having a good pack with room to develop.

So lots of good news but lets not get carried away, we are a mid-table ranked team and we played like one.

France and Ireland look complete class compared to anything we offered, France have injurry/suspension problems and it doesn’t seem to bother them.

I particularly liked Scotland’s attitude to run everything back at the french and maintain possession rather than kick it back. It didn’t always work but they rarely lost the ball while countering and made some good breaks which allowed them to start in french territory with good possession. Other teams take note. You don’t have to kick it back all the time.