ANDY FARRELL’S BENCH selection was analysed by James Tracy and Murray Kinsella on the latest episode of Rugby Weekly Extra, the podcast for subscribers to The 42.
“How do you lads feel about some of the bench players not necessarily being impact players?” Tracy asked.
“It is different coming off the bench. Obviously, there’s a merit in experience, don’t get me wrong. But having players that are usually starters on the bench… I’m not saying that they can’t do it but there’s guys who have done that job really effectively for the last season or two who are going to miss out,” Tracy continued.
Kinsella added: “Andy Farrell seems to see the bench a little bit differently, especially depending on the opposition. Like, there are different ways to impact a game.”
“Personally, I would have gone with Craig Casey, and I probably would have had Ryan Baird in there as a personal preference, just as that explosive bench player that you’re talking about.
“But Farrell seems to understand or see it as a case of the calmer player can play an impact role. In fairness, Conor Murray is a good example of a player who has done that.
“When things are kind of frenetic and you’re heading into the last quarter and there’s been loads of changes, it can be a disrupted time. Murray’s quite a calm presence and astute decision maker [in those scenarios], so that’s my sense of it.
“Cian Healy continues to close in on that record that Brian O’Driscoll has. He’ll go to 132 tonight and just one behind BOD, which is phenomenal. Nobody has really challenged his spot enough to push past him, I don’t think.
“So overall, I’m not greatly surprised by this. I think Farrell has selected benches like this in the past and I definitely think the eye-catching athleticism of a Baird, or the speed of Casey’s passes are probably something which we see as the classic form of the bench player impact role. But Farrell views it differently,” Kinsella said.
Shambles.
@Brian Dunne: what is going on
@robbie Delaney: nobody seems to know robbie, least of all ineos it would seem!
@Brian Dunne: An utter shambles Brian, and still the Glazers lining their pockets.
@Brian Dunne: if it was him who signed off Zirkzee deal he should be fired. Worst player I have seen play for United and that’s saying something given some of our recent signings
@Dec: bit harsh he scored twice v everton and anthony comes to mind
Basket Case FC
And its still the Glaziers fault ??
@Michael Carroll: it was always their fault
Everyone kept laughing at Chelsea when they kept hiring and firing players and managers. Nobody is laughing now. Dan Ashworth badly botched his first transfer window. 200m spent did not improve the team.
@Caolan Z: why what have Chelsea done since
@Caolan Z: man u are finished
So change the sporting director and all will be well it seems.
@Bert Carolan: well he was the teapot who signed the most recent duds and extended ten hags contact. Radcliffe won’t tolerate that
@anthony davoren: Did Radcliffe not appoint him?
Will be looking for a new manager shortly
@Hugh Casey:great insight there Hugh. Please explain your deep understanding and reasoning to us all
@Dessie: some patterns are easy to follow.
@Hugh Casey: when
A catalogue of bad decisions at Utd. The most recent being the hire of an unquestionably gifted manager, to manage a squad that in no way suits how he plays.
@Phil McCabe: I assume that’s how it normally works ..then the manager acquires player’s that suits his style to compliment the existing players who can adapt. Then cut loose the players that are unable to adapt.
@Phil McCabe: apparently one of the reasons Liverpool knocked him back, he was uncompromising about playing 3 at the back, best of luck with that lads!
@damien leen: so what your saying is liverpool wanted a manager that played 3 at the back but not want him to play 3 at the back. Sounds like you were in the room when them decisions were made
@anthony davoren: now now Anthony there is no need to speak sense on this forum, we have a few people that will hurt their wee heads reading your comments.
@anthony davoren: sure, that makes sense, but the amount of money they’ve wasted in the last 6 months alone is shocking. Sir Jim needs to change the culture and this sacking must be part of that change.
Jesus these football teams show no patience