Glasgow Warriors | Dan prepares for a monster of a game
Share

Next article
Previous article
Got an opinion?
Discuss this article in the comments section or register with the glasgowwarriors.com forum.

Search this site

March 24, 2007

Dan prepares for a monster of a game

Posted by Assistant Editor on March 24, 2007 01:28 PM | 2 comments | Print | E-mail author

Dan is looking forward to a challenging end to the season
With the debate about Chris Paterson playing at stand-off still rumbling on and on, Dan Parks realises he has to perform for Glasgow - starting with the forthcoming European quarter-final against Saracens.

"I just have to focus on what I can do and all I can do now is put in some good performances for Glasgow, and hope that is enough to retain my place."

In that sense he is likely to have much more opportunity to prove his worth to the Scotland coaches than Paterson will. While Paterson returns to skipper Edinburgh as they bid to climb into the top three in the Magners League, and is likely slot back into either wing or full-back, Dan Parks returns to the No 10 jersey at Glasgow as they prepare to add some European gloss to their season. Paterson has been given the summer to come up to speed at stand-off, but will have very few opportunities to play at ten before the World Cup begins in October.

Glasgow have no game this weekend but will head down to Vicarage Road, Watford, the following weekend to face Saracens for the third time this season, this time in the quarter-finals of the European Challenge Cup.

It may seem some time ago now that Glasgow ground out an exciting 6-6 draw in horrendous conditions at Hughenden to secure their last-eight place, but Parksy believes the mood of the squad is such that Glasgow will head south confident of prolonging their European adventure.

He said: "It's very exciting - that's a monster of a game for us. I would imagine it will be one of the biggest games in Glasgow's short history, simply because it is a quarter-final in Europe.

"So, it's massive for us and it is something I am looking forward to. Then we've got five games left in the Magners League and while we're not well-placed right now, down at ninth, we're just five points off fourth so we know a couple of wins will push us right up the table.

"But it won't be easy because we have a tough run in. We do have to pick it up again because of the break for the Six Nations, and we had a bit of a set-back down in Gwent when we lost late on in atrocious weather during the Six Nations break, but I think the momentum is still there."

Posted by gnasher on March 26, 2007 01:07 PM | Reply to this comment

Is all this talk of Paterson playing No 10 just aimed at winding Dan up and getting him to up his game. If FH is serious about CP being the No 10 he needs game time. Stand off is all about reading and controlling a game as it evolves in front of you. This idea of playing Dan for this match, Godman for another, maybe bringing in CP at some point in the game (usually with about 10 minutes to go) is missing the point. Whatever game plan you may start out with, a class stand off ought to be able to adopt it but, more importantly, adapt that game plan as the game goes on depending on weather, how the opposition is playing, what the score is, etc. On the evidence available I still think that Dan is about as good as it gets in Scotland at the moment. CP might be the answer to a maiden's (or a nation's) prayer but if he doesn't get significant game time between now and the World Cup how will we know? More importantly how will FH know?

Posted by Phall on March 27, 2007 07:48 PM | Reply to this comment

None of it matters...

Dan and the guys have one job to do now. Get us into the semi-final.

They do that and Haddie has to answer for his actions.

Add a comment to this article

If you're replying to an existing comment, please use the 'Reply to this comment' link above the entry. This will display the comments in a way which is far easier for other readers to follow.