BathSaddler wrote:A terrible display from us yesterday. We did improve in the second half with a bit more urgency once Flo and Morris came on but that is not saying much. I feel sorry for Roberts and Candlin having 'to blood' themselves in that mess of a performance and I hope it does not do them any lasting damage in their development. I thought Roberts started competently but once he began committing mistakes (including losing possession that led to the second goal) he was liability and had to be taken off whilst Candlin touched the ball perhaps once (?). I question the wisdom of starting him in this game - he's simply not ready.
I'm not sure if JW is trying to make a point about the paucity of resources he has at his disposal or whether he genuinely thinks giving these lads a learning opportunity is the right thing to do. I can only say that whatever plan he had in mind has backfired and has now probably put his own job at risk. I'm sure the board (i.e. Bonser) will be meeting to discuss 'progress' this season but I can't help thinking that there is a real possibility that JW could be sacked after the recent run of performances/results.
I actually don't think he's even played the right youth players apart from Roberts. Cockerill-Mollet played regularly in the JPT so surely when Laird was told he wasn't playing again this season he should've been given games at LB unless he's injured?
Butterfield is another one I thought would be involved once Osbourne was sent packing given his similarities in build. I don't know if he's been any good for the reserves though.