A few weeks ago now I posted either in this thread or a game thread that I thought the Reds were a deteriorating side not only because of current coaching standards, not just from the head coach, but also because of a lack of forward planning. That post received a fair bit of sarcastic comment, but a few weeks on and we are seeing a bit of genuine critique and questioning of the results and more importantly the manner in how they are being achieved.
I understand the comments regarding the Reds developing home grown talent through the ranks, but that being said they really needed to recruit and search more widely to fill the gaps left by Higgers, Ioane, Samo, Hynes. In particular Higgers and Samo have not been replaced adequately and in most games this year the Reds backrow has been well and truly defeated in all aspects. I just do not rate Quirk in particular, but Shatz is also struggling this year. I am sure that somebody can post plenty of stats to argue this point, but bear in mind the game last night, the only time the Reds got any real go forward was when Cotterell was sin binned.
A quick look at the Reds bench also doesn't give any relief, there just isn't anybody playing well enough to come on and make a real difference.
Finally I was disturbed to see on the Rugby Club that Genia believes his form is good. I think along the same lines as many others here and as Bob Dwyer has opined earlier this week, his passing is slow and laboured, his kicking (in particular box kicks) poorly executed in general and decision making very up and down.
As stated by an earlier poster this can't be all laid at the feet of Graham. The lack of recruitment and effective development has been building since 2011 when players to replace Hynes, Ioane, Morahan, Samo and Higgers should have been brought on. It just hasn't happened.
