I concur wholeheartedly with all the previous comments and concerns particularly the one about mental scars. Even a short spell of good or even moderate performances and results can work wonders on mental scars but when those scars are constanty re-opened, that hurts. Even losing bonus points go a long way - just look at Plymouth this season with just one win, like Moseley, but double the total points because of bonus points.
I also picked up on andyj's subtle question about experience not paying dividnds in the three quarters as much as it does in the forwards and whislt I feel there are both strengths and weaknesses I feel that weaknesses, particularly in the area of midfield defence, is of great concern. But that weak midfield defence is not just down to the backs. It also applies to the back row as the Esher number 9 highlighted with his audacious dash from the 25 yard line to go under the posts for the opening Esher try.
In my view oppositions make more midfield breaks than Moseley which is sad because whilst Moseley often absorb the intial break, it is 'half the opposing team' supporting the break and 'keeping the ball alive' which causes the damage. Note I said 'keeping the ball alive' because it is that which all too often undermines much of the Moseley effort. Don't misunderstand me though because Moseley can and do make some good, clean breaks themselves but how often is there the option of right and left close support with those breaks - not often.
The pre-season friendly at Coventry in particular, along with the Sale game and to a lesser degree the Esher game illustrated the advanteges of 'swarming' after clean breaks like bees round a honey pot. Moseley, by contrast, often become isolated because 'close' support play is not there and the benefit of the clean break is lost.
On the question of the line-out problems I just cannot understand why the Moseley line out is so unreliable. We have the height and some experience along with a good solid pack to support it so surely a well rehearsed and reliable emergency throw in - a short front ball, for example - could be a back-stop should things continue to go wrong.
Although I often feel like jumping under the next bus into town - are there busses into town? - I can't supress the forlorn hope that things will - must - get better soon. And the coaches should stop saying 'we have learned from last week' because, all too often, 'WE have NOT learned from last week' otherwise noticeable and sustained imrovements would be evident - but they are not.
All the same Pam and I will be there on Saturday and if Moseley do NOT put a cricket score past 'ULL then I'll be very disappointed indeed. I might even ask for my money back.
Come on Mooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose
My only observation from yesterday's line out was that it was too complicated on what was a fairly blustery day. Chinnor did not have any great height in their pack, so I would have told Stedman and Langley to lift Ayling up at number two on our lineout and simply get higher than the opposition. There was no need to be more complicated than that IMHO.
Great to see this in action right before our 5th try yesterday :-)
