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Author Topic: So, what needs fixing?  (Read 2935 times)

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Gone

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So, what needs fixing?
« on: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 08:16* »
Regardless of whether you think we can be judged relegation fodder or otherwise - Gustard said he's never been on the end of a beating like Glasgow, and while we were fielding new players and combinations he clearly wasn't happy.

He came in saying that our defence was what needed sorting and you build everything from there. Then he watched a side go out and give away dozens of points either side of half time.

Watching the "highlights", once they got level, all the tries were the same -- no ability to defend around the breakdown followed by missed tackles once the ball goes out wide.

Now I personally don't believe you can blame Gustard for having not turned it around already, but what it is that needs doing? Is there something rotten at the core of the team?

Everyone always says you get a bounce with a new coach, people out to impress the new boss etc - and indeed we may well win on Friday - but now I've had time to watch that video of Glasgow it looks just like last season.

We seem to panic, compound errors and then look like we've accepted defeat.

The lack of stopping power in the pack was horrible to watch.....

Anyone?

NevsLeftBoot

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Re: So, what needs fixing?
« Reply #1 on: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 09:11* »
As per last year, don’t blame the players blame the coach.....



Oh, hang on?????

In all honesty it is going to take some time to sort out the mess. There isnt a simple fix, it isn’t a case of “just sort out the defence”it appears to be a whole attitude and approach.

It will be interesting to see how Gussy interacts this week, off the back of that result.

He needs to set out his small stall and what he wants, not get relegated and build. Big job.... and some players are going to have to get on board or will be moved on......

Everyone’s a Quinner

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Re: So, what needs fixing?
« Reply #2 on: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 09:59* »
Time is key, both on the management/squads side of things and ours. They need time to mend and to blend back into a good form. We as the clubs supporters need to also give more time for this to happen. We can’t have our cake and eat it. To get better Harlequins need to do what’s best for the long run. Here’s hoping time is on our side
« Last Edit: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 10:04* by Everyone’s a Quinner »

Gone

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Re: So, what needs fixing?
« Reply #3 on: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 10:10* »
Time is key, both on the management/squads side of things and ours. They need time to mend and to blend back into a good form. We as the clubs supporters need to also give more time for this to happen. We can’t have our cake and eat it. To get better Harlequins need to do what’s best for the long run. Here’s hoping time is on our side

Totally agree, just wondering what and where people think it went so wrong? Have we kept players too long - are there negative people in the dressing room? It can't be just raw talent because we know the team sheet reads just fine.

It must be tied in with confidence etc but this falling off tackles and poor strength at the breakdown is a relatively new phenomenon dating to last season...Gustard must be wondering what he's got himself into.

We just seem to freeze in the face of a resurgent opposition - which is bound to happen in every game every - that's how the game ebbs and flows, the good sides manage those periods perfectly.

Nico Wilson

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Re: So, what needs fixing?
« Reply #4 on: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 10:35* »
I am curious to see what message we will see from Gustard this week in the lead up to the home game against Ealing.

We should have an insight into Ealing's defence as Codling recent moved from Ealing to us.

Everyone’s a Quinner

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Re: So, what needs fixing?
« Reply #5 on: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 10:41* »
Time is key, both on the management/squads side of things and ours. They need time to mend and to blend back into a good form. We as the clubs supporters need to also give more time for this to happen. We can’t have our cake and eat it. To get better Harlequins need to do what’s best for the long run. Here’s hoping time is on our side

Totally agree, just wondering what and where people think it went so wrong? Have we kept players too long - are there negative people in the dressing room? It can't be just raw talent because we know the team sheet reads just fine.

It must be tied in with confidence etc but this falling off tackles and poor strength at the breakdown is a relatively new phenomenon dating to last season...Gustard must be wondering what he's got himself into.

We just seem to freeze in the face of a resurgent opposition - which is bound to happen in every game every - that's how the game ebbs and flows, the good sides manage those periods perfectly.

I personally and honestly think it’s been a pressure issue. Ever since 2012 Premiership winners, the next seasons aim was about trying to replicate our achievement and defend the title, or atleast bottle up the same formula of playing attractive, champagne rugby all the while keeping a near top position. We did that to a degree with earning an Anglo Welsh Trophy, but aside from this  and ever since knocks to confidence and pressure have been our fork in the road.

 Eventually Connor left for a fresh venture and Quins hired internally with Kingston who, unfortunately couldn’t turn things around for whatever reasons. Can’t teach an old dog new tricks I’m guessing with Kingston and maybe, although a well respected coach at Quins, the players at the time didnt 100% back the game plan etc probably due to lack of fresh ideas. Pair this alongside the last few seasons having our fair share of a higher number of England call ups and Injury lists, didn’t help what I guess was an already dying confidence. Having to push players on the little juice they have left or rushing back from injury just to field a decent XV just didn’t help matters either. Long periods out injured/the sad retirements of JTH/GL through injury with what was a promising and league winning centre partnership, losing G. Robson in my opinion a year or two too early before moving to France, big time signings who for whatever reason didn’t live up to the mark or spent much time again injured, This list goes on..

Then, and it is to be expected and you can’t blame us really, all these things mounting took some cheer out of The Stoop, and some of that great passion morphed into frustration from the stands. However as much as we did stand by and still support, it just wasn’t enough (I in no way intend to offend anyone or all Harlequins Supporters, my feelings were up and down like a yo-yo last season and feel many Quins fans shared this feeling). Management too change happened late for many’s liking, but finally here we are; with what seems like a good catch of the day in appointing Gustard (dare I call him Gussy 👀 ). We seemed to have once again hired well and although there are still injury’s and we still have a high number of international players for a couple of nations, something seems different this year with regards to depth. I sense a good, healthy, positive vibe inside the Harlequins camp and that’s not something I’ve sensed coming from the players or even the club in general for a good while. What next who knows, but whatever happens atleast we can finally say (at the moment) we seem to finally have a direction both the club, players and supporters seem to be agreeing on and looking forward too.

(Sorry I do go on a bit once I get going!) 😂

Gone

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Re: So, what needs fixing?
« Reply #6 on: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 10:51* »
Pretty much sums up what I think -- hence Saturday's apparent capitulation being a bit worrying -- for all the positive if he can't drag them out of this failing/giving up/confidence thing quickly, a few bad results presumably will make it worse.

Either way I haven't seen a sporting side of any kind go through this kind of slump in person - it has a ghoulish appeal psychologically but clearly as a Quins fan I'd rather not be watching us do it.
« Last Edit: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 11:09* by Blucherquin »

Everyone’s a Quinner

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Re: So, what needs fixing?
« Reply #7 on: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 11:01* »
Pretty much sums up what I think -- hence Saturday's apparent capitulation being a bit worrying -- for all the positive if he can't drag them out of this failing/giving up/confidence thing quickly, a few bad results presumably will make it worse.

Either way I haven't personally seen a sporting side of any kind go through this kind of slump in person - it has a ghoulish appeal psychologically but clearly as a Quins fan I'd rather not be watching us do it.

Very much agree, I too haven’t witnessed a sporting side get stuck this much in the sinking sand. Another thing I guess was our form away from home. Still back this club, squad and management 100% and I just hope they can build positively again

TomBuckQuin

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Re: So, what needs fixing?
« Reply #8 on: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 11:17* »
I've been left wondering if it's a culture issue that comes hand in hand with the fact that we're a London club and what that means in the professional era. Seems like a silly argument, but do players want to play for us to win trophies or to live the London life and get paid handsomely? Wouldn't have been such an argument 10 years ago but now that we're seeing young players like Marcus earning more money in a year than most people in the country make in 4 or 5, the game has actually changed entirely. For me, Billy Millard's role this year is central to everything. I just feel it has to be a culture thing - on paper we have a squad that should be able to live with any other squad in the prem on any given day. So what can Billy realistically do to get the best out of these guys? That's his remit after all.

DOK

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Re: So, what needs fixing?
« Reply #9 on: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 11:36* »
I'm wondering if we got the right ex-Saracens coach. Perhaps we needed Brendan Venter to sort out the philosophy, bring the team together as a unit, work for each other, buy into the culture etc...

TomBuckQuin

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Re: So, what needs fixing?
« Reply #10 on: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 11:40* »
I'm wondering if we got the right ex-Saracens coach. Perhaps we needed Brendan Venter to sort out the philosophy, bring the team together as a unit, work for each other, buy into the culture etc...

Of course we're going to give him time but this has also crossed my mind. Sarries' defence hasn't exactly deteriorated since he left them to join England - whose defence hasn't exactly gone from strength to strength during his time there. Were reports of his influence on the "wolf pack" exaggerated or misinformed? I guess we'll find out. I do want to give him a few months before really ripping into him though.  ;)

Dibden

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Re: So, what needs fixing?
« Reply #11 on: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 12:06* »
What needs fixing is the players attitude.Whether PG can do that is anyone’s guess.A public announcement from him on actions taken before the Sale game would be welcome.If the attitude in that game is the same the chances are it’s not fixable with the current squad-best ever JK said.One swallow etc but Glasgow was a very poor start for the new Coaching team.Concerned.

Gone

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Re: So, what needs fixing?
« Reply #12 on: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 12:47* »

guest257

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Re: So, what needs fixing?
« Reply #13 on: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 12:58* »
IMO the team culture seems rotten to the core.  There is a complacency, combined with a lack of imagination and leadership, along with confidence that has been shot to pieces.  It's going to take time to fix but I think we finally are moving in the right direction set-up wise.

DOK

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Re: So, what needs fixing?
« Reply #14 on: Monday 20-Aug-2018, 13:01* »
I keep wondering why they talk as if playing Ealing was going to be the toughest warm up game. Surely that would be Glasgow?

 

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