Saints vs Ospreys

[Puja]

Northampton: Mallinder; Tuala, Horne, Burrell, Foden; Francis, Groom; van Wyk, Hartley (capt), Ford-Robinson, Ribbans, Day, Lawes, Ludlam, Harrison.

Replacements: Haywood, Ma'afu, Hill, Paterson, Gibson, Reinach, Myler, Estelles.

Ospreys: Evans; Dirksen, Fonotia, Watkin, Hassler; S Davies, Habberfield; Smith, Baldwin, Arhip, D Davies, Wyn Jones (capt), Lydiate, Cracknell, King.

Replacements: Otten, Jenkins, Fia, Beard, McCusker, Morgan-Williams, Hook, John.

[Puja]

When Northampton were losing to Newcastle last week, Mallinder's first recourse was to whip Stephenson and Grayson off the pitch. Come his next selection and they don't even make the XXIII. Good to see that whole trusting in youth phase lasted well Jim. On the bright side, at least Ludlam's back in the starting side after recovering from his glandular fever

That Saints lineup and the 9 changes therein does just smack of Mallinder randomly rolling the dice and hoping something comes out of it. I can't identify what the strategy or plan is or how he wants the team to go forward. It just feels like panicked flailing.

Puja

[Adam_P]

When Northampton were losing to Newcastle last week, Mallinder's first recourse was to whip Stephenson and Grayson off the pitch. Come his next selection and they don't even make the XXIII. Good to see that whole trusting in youth phase lasted well Jim. On the bright side, at least Ludlam's back in the starting side after recovering from his glandular fever

Puja

Or it could just be that Luther is just back from injury and Francis had been away with England and was therefore eased back in on the bench. Not playing Grayson this weekend is 100% the right call, Francis and Groom is our best half back pairing in my opinion, let's hope Jim actually allows them a number of games together before trying yet another combo.

The return of Ludlam is very welcome, with how passive we have been at the breakdown in recent weeks with the Gibson Wood combo. Also great to see Ribbans back.

[Adam_P]

I can't wait for Piers Francis to start a game for Saints without getting injured

[Adam_P]

And now Myler, who replaced him, is also crocked. The number 10 merry-go-round continues

[Timbo]

Don’t think I’ve seen Franklin’s Gardens so empty before. Desperate for new management and some fresh ideas. Too many good players in this squad to be so incredibly average.

[Adam_P]

Indeed, new stand pretty much empty and plenty of spare seats elsewhere. People have finally had enough of watching utter rubbish with no sign of change after 3 years

[Adam_P]

There's another competition Saints can kiss goodbye too, Ospreys have the bonus point inside 50 minutes

[Timbo]

Indeed, new stand pretty much empty and plenty of spare seats elsewhere. People have finally had enough of watching utter rubbish with no sign of change after 3 years

What’s Courtney Lawes contract status? He must be seriously fed up.

[Adam_P]

I'm really hoping that as a local lad his loyalty to the club will win him over. I'm pretty sure he is due for renewal this season. It's just absolutely confusing how we can perform so poorly all the time recently, when there are plenty of high quality players in the team. It's actually impressive that the coaches manage to get so little from this group of players

[Tigersman]

Lawes to Tigers please

[Adam_P]

Here we go, Saints offering a glimmer of hope of a come back

[Adam_P]

This has been brilliant watching for the last 20 mins. 32-43 with 9 mins to go!

[Adam_P]

That is the softest 2 yellow cards I have ever seen

[Timbo]

This has been brilliant watching for the last 20 mins. 32-43 with 9 mins to go!

Feels like it took a bit of aggro for Saints to become bothered, do you think?

[Scrumhead]

Good comeback to save some face, but Mallinder must be clinging-on now ...

[Adam_P]

This has been brilliant watching for the last 20 mins. 32-43 with 9 mins to go!

Feels like it took a bit of aggro for Saints to become bothered, do you think?

Absolutely, certainly isn't the first time that that can be said for Saints. Which is incredibly frustrating.

[Adam_P]

Good comeback to save some face, but Mallinder must be clinging-on now ...

One part of me is happy because the comeback was so entertaining, but another quite large part of me is annoyed because it will allow Jim to roll out the 'we won the 2nd half' bollocks and paper over the cracks.

A first though, first team to go through 4 fly halfs in a game!

[Raggs]

That is the softest 2 yellow cards I have ever seen

Ref had completely lost the game, the yellow cards may have helped focus peoples minds a little. Ridiculous cards though. Mallinder had no issue with smacking Andy Goode when he was taking his time with the ball a couple of seasons ago (albeit not for a try), yet got all pissy when someone hits him in an attempt to stop him scoring. If he'd just put the ball down, he'd not have got a whack.

[Puja]

That is the softest 2 yellow cards I have ever seen

Ref had completely lost the game, the yellow cards may have helped focus peoples minds a little. Ridiculous cards though. Mallinder had no issue with smacking Andy Goode when he was taking his time with the ball a couple of seasons ago (albeit not for a try), yet got all pissy when someone hits him in an attempt to stop him scoring. If he'd just put the ball down, he'd not have got a whack.

Indeed - it was hardly a cheap or dirty shot from the Osprey either, so I'm almost in favour of yellowing Mallinder to teach him a lesson for being such a pr*ck.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Good comeback to get the try BP. They have the personnel and can play some decent rugby at times but going 3-10 to 8-43 in a little over 20 minutes is going to kill any sides ambitions.
Very concerning that there were large gaps in the stands, though given the curerent run not unexpected perhaps..
Saints are one of our big clubs and really should be challenging top 4 in the Premiership, and making a decent fist of Champions Cup rugby.
An overhaul from the top is overdue and surely unavoidable.

[Banquo]

Good comeback to get the try BP. They have the personnel and can play some decent rugby at times but going 3-10 to 8-43 in a little over 20 minutes is going to kill any sides ambitions.
Very concerning that there were large gaps in the stands, though given the curerent run not unexpected perhaps..
Saints are one of our big clubs and really should be challenging top 4 in the Premiership, and making a decent fist of Champions Cup rugby.
An overhaul from the top is overdue and surely unavoidable.

could say similar about Tigers, as well

[Puja]

Good comeback to get the try BP. They have the personnel and can play some decent rugby at times but going 3-10 to 8-43 in a little over 20 minutes is going to kill any sides ambitions.
Very concerning that there were large gaps in the stands, though given the curerent run not unexpected perhaps..
Saints are one of our big clubs and really should be challenging top 4 in the Premiership, and making a decent fist of Champions Cup rugby.
An overhaul from the top is overdue and surely unavoidable.

could say similar about Tigers, as well

Mind, Tigers have actually started working on that, with getting rid of Cockerill and bringing Hare back to handle recruitment. Whether it's working...?

Saints appear determined to continue with Mallinder, come what may.

Puja

[Banquo]

Good comeback to get the try BP. They have the personnel and can play some decent rugby at times but going 3-10 to 8-43 in a little over 20 minutes is going to kill any sides ambitions.
Very concerning that there were large gaps in the stands, though given the curerent run not unexpected perhaps..
Saints are one of our big clubs and really should be challenging top 4 in the Premiership, and making a decent fist of Champions Cup rugby.
An overhaul from the top is overdue and surely unavoidable.

could say similar about Tigers, as well

Mind, Tigers have actually started working on that, with getting rid of Cockerill and bringing Hare back to handle recruitment. Whether it's working...?

Saints appear determined to continue with Mallinder, come what may.

Puja

IMO both are longish term projects, because the root cause hasn’t been addressed for a long time

[Banquo]

change of management seems to have not paid off!