Tait: We need more flair
Newcastle coach Alan Tait has admitted the club will need to produce more flair if they want to have a better Premiership season than last year.
The club finished ninth last season after a poor run of results made them look strong relegation candidates at one stage. Tait suggests that the standard has been raised by a lot of clubs during pre-season and this will force his team in to playing more exciting rugby.
Newcastle are a club that depends a great deal on being in the Premiership each season. The Premiership means greater financial possibilities and it would be catastrophic for the club if they went down at the end of this season.
There are some very simple ways that Newcastle can inject some more flair and excitement in to their rugby. However, it still looks as though it could be a long season for the club and they will have to fight just as hard as they did last season.
Some simple changes
One way to play more attacking rugby is to make sure that the faster players in a side are on the ball more often. If these players have good agility then it means they can run at a defence and dodge more tackles.
As soon as Newcastle win the ball in the middle of the pitch they need to either get the ball forward or switch it out wide to someone who has plenty of pace. This player can then run for a gap and it could mean Newcastle get on the scoreboard very quickly in games.
The more experienced and perhaps slower players in the middle of the field can be more expansive and creative. This means looking for longer passes and new ideas. All of these things combined will delight the home fans who will increase the noise and this will make things more intimidating for the opposition.
Tait said: "If you want to be a really good side, the forwards have got to be able to play rugby. They've got to get into positions, where to go from the breakdown and making themselves available. Backs are asked to be more involved in contact stuff, and as a back myself why not get the forwards involved in carrying the ball and offloading?"
Up for the fight
Newcastle can make a lot of plans to be aggressive and play exciting rugby but they will still find it difficult to perform under heavy pressure and this could mean the side reverts to old ways.
If this happens then they have to be up for the fight and they must do all of the ugly things well when they are in and out of possession. This is because there will be other teams scrapping like never before to stay in the Premiership this season.
Tait added: "It's been a lot different, there's a lot of responsibilities and organisation. I'm lucky I've got some great guys around me, that's all you can do is surround yourself if you're in charge. Richard Arnold's been brought in from the academy, he looks as if he's doing a wonderful job and getting a rapport with some of the players."
Betting advice
Wait to see how Newcastle play in their first few games of this season. If they look good and are moving the ball around well then do not hesitate to back them to stay up.
Tait is a very intelligent and sensible coach who should ensure the side play good enough rugby to stay up. You could have a punt on them to survive right now but it may be a little safer to wait and see whether they are going to raise eyebrows or confirm expectations.
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