Ospreys V Edinburgh Sat Jan 29th at 5.15pm

@ospreysfanforum As you know OFF I entirely agree with you on Roots being MOTM, he really has improved remarkably in the last month or so, having watched the game back the yellow card for Ashley was a ludicrous decision, it was given IMO by Morris the Welsh touch judge, their number 8 not getting a yellow was as bad in the opposite way.

A bit of food for thought, Ashley missing cost us 14 points when he was missing, when he was on the field we were in the ascendency by 23 points to 5. So is he as bad as everyone says on this forum?

@ogwrwayne I know that Ashley is very well liked within the Squad but he lacks certain top end physical attributes - he isn't the tallest or the strongest or the fastest and he doesn't really win the collision battles. He isn't really a lineout threat on our or their ball and he is not a jackal threat either. He does a job for the team but his major flaw is that he is not that great at any of the qualities we really need in our second rows.

@ospreysfanforum yes Jason, totally agree with all your points, that is the reason he's the lowest ranked 2nd row in our squad, and only plays if nobody else is available.

@Jake Bullet Nobody can doubt Luke Morgan's heart but he is a real speed bump in defence. His tackling technique is terrible, He has no awareness of his position in space and is like a batsman who has no idea where his off stump is.

@Fiddler gotta be honest I’m no expert in terms of defence and positioning so I wouldn’t really know. I can see he’s not as good as others in defence, But that charge down was a key moment in my opinion as if it didn’t happen it could’ve left Edinburgh leaving a penalty for the win.

@Jake Bullet Indeed Jake nobody takes that away from him and them needing four rather than three to get a resuult made a huge difference at the end, but unfortunately he plays in a very exposed position so a mistake from him can lead very quickly to a score. If you look at one of our very weak players like Ashley he misses countless ruck clear outs that leads to us conceding penalties and turnovers but they are not so obvious because of where on the field they happen.

@Cymro100 from my view, the ref cost us those first half 14 points that Edinburgh scored after he yellow carded Ashley. Oh, that and the fact that we do not compete at the opposition's lineouts which gives them easy possession.

We need to dilute their impact on the side by phasing them out, today was us doing that a bit. But still Morgan and Ashley are huge drags.

@JMG It was after Ashley’s and Morgan’s “attempt” that my heart sank, again. Kudos to the team for turning it around, but we have to stop handicapping ourselves before we even kick off.

@ospreysfanforum No, it wasn't. On replay it looked exceptionally harsh on Ashley.

@TaI moreso now given that first half.

Sorry not had chance to get down Llandarcy today.

It looks like Deaves and Sutton, who are involved against Sale, could well be in the squad again for this game.

@ospreysfanforum I am sure they will be as will Rhys Henry. The key issue though will be if the likes of Rhys Davies Will Griffiths Parry Lydiate Bradley Davies Max Nagy will be available. If you have to pick Ashley and Cross in the 23 you are in trouble. Same goes for Dan Evans. I do not know on what planet RMW and Aubrey are beter 9's than Harri Morgan or Luke Morgan is a better wing than Giles.

@Fiddler The only thing I can think of is that Booth is not going to risk players like Rhys, Will and Dan Lyds in what is essentially a dead rubber v Sale. Surely it is far better to have them well rested for the Edinburgh game? I think that loaning Morgan out is kind of a last chance for him to prove he is not made of glass. Completely agree with you.