Another day another defeat, that’s the familiar theme Bears supporters have been getting used to this season, the latest at the hostile ‘holm of our west country rivals Gloucester in the Rifles Cup.
But is it really all doom and gloom as some would think?
There is no doubt we have yet to find a solution to opposition teams applying the rush defence and our front row and set-piece have at times been creaking like a redwood coming into contact with a chainsaw, but I don’t think we are far away from serving a shellacking to a team soon.
A fit again John Afoa and a returning Kyle Sinckler will immediately stabilise the pack, and we have more than enough grunt behind them to eradicate these early season issues.
This will allow Callum Sheedy the thinking time to more accurately implement the Bears’ system which is completely reliant on receiving quick ball. Incidentally, if there is one criticism of Callum it’s that he doesn’t mix his game enough, at times I am crying out for a dinky chip over the top, a crossfield kick or dare I say… an old fashioned grubber. But these can only be executed when the time allows him to do so.
Having Semi Radradra back is the best Christmas present Santa could bring us. With the pack solid he will have the platform to punch holes through the opposition then we might get to see the real Piers O’Connor making those gazelle like coast to coast runs which became his trademark last season.
Also don’t forget we will soon have another long-term absentee in the form of man mountain Siva Naulago back gliding past people like Robin Cousins on an ice rink.
And remaining on a positive note, take a bow Rory Murray and the staff of the Bears’ medical department, we knew Steven Luatua was close to a return, but when the squad was announced on Friday I was completely shocked to see Afoa, Henry Purdy, Harry Randall and Radradra back too.
I’m not sure what sorcery took place to get these guys back to health but we will need them to keep performing miracles throughout a tough, long attritional season.
Plenty of reasons to be cheerful as the late Ian Dury would say! Up The Bears.
