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We're at exactly the halfway stage of the Prem season, since most of us presumably don't have time to watch every game, this is a thread to both report on your own team and get fans' insights into other teams, as well as disagree and argue with each other of course.
Saracens and Wasps clearly way out in front, then clear water before the rest - I doubt many would disagree that, the table ertainly doesn't. At the bottom, Bristol looked locked on for relegation until a change of fortune in the last few weeks - I have to be honest I haven't seen much of them but from what I've read here and elsewhere it sounds like they are picking up as Worcester are getting worse, Bristol's win in the bottom of the table clash the other day could turn out to be the start of an interesting battle. Sale are also in the running at the bottom but Olyy is on record saying he isn't worried so that's OK.
Bath's Half Term Report
If you'd offered me third at halfway on the fist day of the season I'd have bitten your arm off. Even more so if you'd also told me the number of injuries we'd have early season. Every week I think we don't look that good, and we're bound to come unstuck against a top team but we keep winning games and top teams keep not really playing well against us. As ever in sport, eventually you have to start putting that down to an effective gameplan even if we aren't pulling up trees. Todd Blackadder has got the players playing for each other (cliche alert) after bringing together a horrendously divided dressing room, the exciting back play of Mike Ford's peak era is not there by any stretch but there is a pragmatism and defensive solidity which is a great base to build on. Hopefully in the second half of the season with some top class players coming back from injury and other new signings starting to gel, some more flair can be added to that. I don't see us challenging Wasps and Sarries just yet, but reasonably confident of an away playoff which would be an excellent season in the circumstances and something to build on next year.
Top performers:
Rokoduguni - as ever
Fotoali'i - a brilliant signing, Northampton must be kicking themselves for playing him behind whiny mediocrity Lee Dickson for so long
Tapuai - maybe early to tell but has looked fantastic and should improve as he grows into the combinations with Ford and JJ
Zach Mercer - brilliant season from the academy lad, stepping up to the plate when injuries gave him an opportunity to make a name for himself
Garvey - on field captain and always a tough, give-it-your-all blindside.
Disappointments:
Ford - a little bit, judged by his own standards rather than actually playing badly. The gameplan and speculation about him leaving can't help
Louw - has looked off the pace in his couple of games since coming back, but harsh to judge him on that, I'm sure he'll be back to his best soon
Saracens and Wasps clearly way out in front, then clear water before the rest - I doubt many would disagree that, the table ertainly doesn't. At the bottom, Bristol looked locked on for relegation until a change of fortune in the last few weeks - I have to be honest I haven't seen much of them but from what I've read here and elsewhere it sounds like they are picking up as Worcester are getting worse, Bristol's win in the bottom of the table clash the other day could turn out to be the start of an interesting battle. Sale are also in the running at the bottom but Olyy is on record saying he isn't worried so that's OK.
Bath's Half Term Report
If you'd offered me third at halfway on the fist day of the season I'd have bitten your arm off. Even more so if you'd also told me the number of injuries we'd have early season. Every week I think we don't look that good, and we're bound to come unstuck against a top team but we keep winning games and top teams keep not really playing well against us. As ever in sport, eventually you have to start putting that down to an effective gameplan even if we aren't pulling up trees. Todd Blackadder has got the players playing for each other (cliche alert) after bringing together a horrendously divided dressing room, the exciting back play of Mike Ford's peak era is not there by any stretch but there is a pragmatism and defensive solidity which is a great base to build on. Hopefully in the second half of the season with some top class players coming back from injury and other new signings starting to gel, some more flair can be added to that. I don't see us challenging Wasps and Sarries just yet, but reasonably confident of an away playoff which would be an excellent season in the circumstances and something to build on next year.
Top performers:
Rokoduguni - as ever
Fotoali'i - a brilliant signing, Northampton must be kicking themselves for playing him behind whiny mediocrity Lee Dickson for so long
Tapuai - maybe early to tell but has looked fantastic and should improve as he grows into the combinations with Ford and JJ
Zach Mercer - brilliant season from the academy lad, stepping up to the plate when injuries gave him an opportunity to make a name for himself
Garvey - on field captain and always a tough, give-it-your-all blindside.
Disappointments:
Ford - a little bit, judged by his own standards rather than actually playing badly. The gameplan and speculation about him leaving can't help
Louw - has looked off the pace in his couple of games since coming back, but harsh to judge him on that, I'm sure he'll be back to his best soon