Frankly, if the team is as bad this 6 nations as we have been in the autumn, then Johnson and Andrew have to go.
Last year, we could have beaten both Wales and Ireland away - we weren't too far off the pace at all. Coming out of the 6Nations, we seemed to have identified a team and combinations that actually fitted together well, played some adventurous rugby - in other words, the foundations of something reasonably successful for the first time in ages. I actually thought that Johnson might be building something half decent.
But then comes the 2009-10 season.
Our problem of grunt in the pack had been at least partially solved by Simon Shaw, Nick Easter and a dependable front row. All of them, plus a lot of other front row players, were injured. Back to square 1 there.
Our problem in the midfield seemed to have been solved. In Toby Flood we had a creative fly half who could manage a game and was in form. In Riki Flutey we had a creative centre, who could also tackle. Both of them were injured for the autumn, so back to square 1.
Our problem at fullback also seemed to have been solved - Delon Armitage was the 2nd best fullback in the 6N and had played well for England ever since his debut. Finally someone who had attacking panache, but could also catch a high ball, kick properly, and not miss tackles. Again, injured for the autumn. Back to square 1.
Clearly, none of this was Johnson's fault. However, his/ Andrew's choices of replacement for these losses were.
The front row he had nothing to work with so fair enough. But Courtney Lawes had emerged as a massive prospect at lock, and instead Johnson opted for Deacon every time. Deacon is no lineout expert, he adds no grunt, and was anonymous for the whole autumn.
The midfield saw Wilkinson and Geraghty/ Erinle. Wilkinson needs a strong pack and an experienced head at 12 in order for him to play well. Our pack is not strong, and Geraghty is the opposite of a calm and collected 12 - in fact he isn't even a 12. So the midfield was a shambles.
And at fullback, Monye was not the right option at all. He never was.
On top of this, Johnson/ Andrew failed to even think about tactics. The team of early 2009 achieved things when a brutish pack got going forward, got us territory and a platform, and then the creative backs had something to work with. Our defence was also dogged. But in the Autumn, the gameplan seemed to be 1) try bashing it up the middle a lot and 2) when this fails, kick it. Anywhere.
This is not a gameplan.
As a coach, you have to come up with some tactics that fit your team. Johnson must pick the best team he has available to him. In other words, no stupid selections like Deacon. He must have the balls to not pick Wilkinson. And once he's picked his team, he must design a gameplan that actually suits them - and if it involves kicking to the corners and lots of drop-goals, so be it.[/b]
