Scotland Can't Handle Pressure

[Rugby-Jock-Lad]

So currently it's SCO 6 FRA 27 with 8 minutes to go. We have made some glaring basic mistakes during the game:-

Droping balls at critical times even from easy passes.

Dan Parks missing an easy kick.

Not having the confidence to take high balls.

Is it a case we just can't handle the pressure or are we just not good enough??

Personally I think it's lack of confidence and not skill in certain areas. If players would just take that extra second to weigh up their options.....looks like we lack genuine World Class players who can handle the pace of the game.

What is our problem then do you think????

 

[tommo9999]

Just finished and we looked a little undercooked. We were competitive but lacked that bit of class to take the opportunities when they came, and ultimately paid the price.

 

[True Blue Jack]

Scotland came roaring out of the starting blocks but when Parks missed that kick early on his confidence vanished. The first French try should not have been awarded (and the line judge who missed the forward pass is refereeing the Wales/Scotland match - deep joy) but when it was the Scottish heads went down.

There were good passages of play by Scotland and Henderson did much to dominate the centre - it's a shame he lost his cool. Parks is the best tactical kicker in the tournament when he puts his mind to it but he needs to learn to shrug off missed kicks. I think Jason White leaves much to be desired as captain.

The good news from my point of view was Vincent Clerc. 2 tries and MoM - my fantasy league team has done pretty well overall. DT_Xtremez_31:

 

[The Bowmeister]

can't wait to see the English v the Jocks. If they both play like they did in they're respective 2nd halves it will be a Shocker!!!!
Scotland looked quite good in the 1st half though and the pack looked immense.
C'monthe ospreys

 

[Rugby-Jock-Lad]

The first French try should not have been awarded (and the line judge who missed the forward pass is refereeing the Wales/Scotland match - deep joy) but when it was the Scottish heads went down.

In my view this error was cancelled out later on by Ref Alan Rolland who disallowed a disengenious quick tap penalty by Ellisalde which looked certain for a try, but the Ref was talking to Scotland Flanker Barkley. We were lucky here!!

And Henderson was lucky to stay on the pitch (fair play to Traille who took it like a man unlike footballers who would no doubt roll about in agony on the floor for 5 minutes)!!

Our lack of class was shown at the end of the game though when Henderson elected on his break to pass right instead of left to 5 unmarked Scottish players. We had a serious lack of vision.

Patterson (our one World Class player) looked class when he came on and was unlucky not to get the break of the bounce ball when he chipped ahead near the French line.

 

[squipper]

Patterson needs to start next week in any position at all as the whole team seem to be better when he is around. He is to Scotland what Johny was to England a few years ago, totally irreplaceable and the play maker for the whole team outside the pack.

The Scots were playing exactly the same leaderless game as England did, its time for the senior players to stand up and earn their crust. France had a very inexperienced team and were on a loser to nothing from the start, the pressure was all on Scotland as it was for the English and they buckled.

 

[Sospan]

Todays result was such a shame, if the sweaty's could have nicked a win against a inexperienced French side the whole tournament would have been blown wide open.

 

[Skelf]

A good effort but as per usual, just not enough.

 

[Rugby-Jock-Lad]

A good effort but as per usual, just not enough.

What did you think were the problems then Skelf?????DT_Xtremez_42:

 

[Skelf]

What did you think were the problems then Skelf?????DT_Xtremez_42:

Not that gen'd up on rugby and only caught the highlights mate, itd just be nice if we won. From what i saw i think we were fairly routed.