Stephen martin

Just here to talk rugby, neither smart enough or interesting enough to talk much else
Dad of 3, no social life, junior Coach occasional bang average player!

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

Now @premrugby round 18 done & know semi’s
Pub chats started whos best & worst signing of season

My best: Billy Searle
Special mentions: Varney & Bailey

Worst: Ross Byrne
Special mention: Carreras, was best player at Gloucester just seems lost in stars at Bath
#GallagherPrem

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

@pdutto1 @A_Dan_Rainbow If I’m being honest over last few weeks Lions/England seems to be catching up with Chessum, not had a bad game but struggling to have major impact he was just 5% off
Got to be an argument for anyone involved with Lions having summer of some been playing 12/24 months straight

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

@pdutto1 @A_Dan_Rainbow Still might depending on how the World Cup goes! Farrell’s out the mix now, realistically who is there ROG, Dowson/Vesty, Baxter, Van Graan would need buying out of contracts!
Scott Robinson never coached in the northern Hemisphere
16 Month offs a decent rest

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

@MattGillard98 Possibly but a kick like that is 50/50 at best!
We need to be able to back ourselves to go through a few more phase to draw them in & make space to get Radwan an opportunity on the edge with Cokanasiga off

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

Why’s he kicked that away?
#GallagherPrem #BATvLEI

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

Don’t get kicking it away at the end, at best 50/50
But we improved 2nd half & finishing stronger
Think Saints may give us better chance to reach final!
Teams seem to have worked out if they match up at scrum & breakdown stops us playing
Think Bailey starts 10 if Searles not fit

[Leicester Tigers @LeicesterTigers]

Full-time at The Rec.
Next-up: The Play-offs.

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

How goods Flats on comms, Bath through & through but will call out mistakes the ref makes even if its favour Bath!
#GallagherPrem #BATvLEI

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

Hes clearly lost that short & then double movement!
Officials definitely going with home field advantage!
That said Du Toit the difference between the 2 teams at the minute
#GallagherPrem #BATvLEI

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

People seem to love to taking Pearson out in the air! But he keeps going up for it that the confidence you need to make it to the top level
#GallagherPrem #BATvLEI

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

Tiger got to be happier with that score line
Goal kicking could be the difference today
Bath looked more physical, Tigers bit 1 dimensional going back to 1 out, get its wet but need to play a bit more test Arundell/Lawrence in D
Would bring on Martin & maybe Kata with Bailey @ 10

[Leicester Tigers @LeicesterTigers]

Too close to call at half-time 👀

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

Bath winning the Physical battle here & Tigers just playing 1 out ball again which they did last week making it easy for them to put in big shot!
Tigers need to make some changes feel They need Martin on, possible Kata on & Bailey to 10
#GallagherPrem #BATvLEI

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

What is Blamire doing? 1st thing your taught is play to the whistle!
But the ref is just guessing at the breakdown
#GallagherPrem #BATvLEI

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

@spkeene @FromLe2 Not seen anything of him, but looks big lad & 23 with 3 years of senior rugby, come through Sarries academy who have good record with producing locks worth a punt
Would like another experienced lock thought, in case Chess/Hendo/ stooke get injury llike Dino Lamb or Alemanno

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

@spkeene @FromLe2 Does seem the general opinion, remember talking to some Lions coaches they weren’t impresssed
Having not played any Prem by 23 feel needs a seasons in Champ to see how he copes at senior level
Rally concerned for lock for next season & feel we need 2 more, 1 international level

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

@spkeene @FromLe2 Ilione so unlucky with injuries, hopefully full summer off & preseason means both him & Carnduff & get a run of games to get back to levels they were before
But do wonder if we try & sign Watson on a 1 year
How did L Chessum look? feel a lot of our lock depth rests on him & Manz

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

Does having all @premrugby games kickoff at same time add more jeopardy?
I’ll admit currently doing washing & 16:30 tomorrow may think its amazing
But feel could of told you 2 months ago GLOvNRB dead rubber, couldnt they of played today & got more viewers?
#GallagherPrem

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

@spkeene @LeicesterTigers Thought it was reported a while back he was injured, but it’s a real shame. This would of been a great game for him
Really hope these become a regular thing next season & dont just get dropped like the regular game we were meant to play against Munster!

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

@LeicesterTigers U23 vs England
Great to see Illione, L Chessum & Manz playing, shame no Carnduff hopefully gets fully fit over summer
Glad Woodwards & Williams getting game, hopefully get more game like this next season
Excited to see how Talbot, Johnson, Izu & Ayiehfor go
#COYT

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

@EddyCrowe Oh I agree with Gabe starting
I thought OHC should be on bench over Perese offers a bit more flexibility coving 15 as well
But get Perese capable of producing something out of nothing just feel bringing both him & Kata completely changes our midfield both in attack & defence

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

JOC back will make a big difference
Think right to bring GHW in but suprised OHC isn’t on bench
Henderson starting a suprise, had great season but thought want Martins physicality 1st 50, but going for loaded bench
Big chance for Bemand did well Prem Cup, seems hes passed Allen

[Leicester Tigers @LeicesterTigers]

Ready for The Rec in Round 18 🔥

Bath Rugby V Leicester Tigers 
Sat 6 Jun | 3.15pm

[Stephen martin @18stephenm]

@EddyCrowe Appreciate that, especially Moro who’s played lot more then expected coming from non professional
But I would of gone a 6-2 with Moro on the bench to add more carrying off bench
Or OHC in 5-3 just not keen on Perese/Kata together & means completely changes the way back line plays