Will Holmes
@willholmes.bsky.social
It’s also the fact that even when they are injury ‘doubts’ they end up in the squad and often picked.
I’m surprised there haven’t been more injury issues already with how keen Farrell is to risk guys carrying knocks.
I’m surprised there haven’t been more injury issues already with how keen Farrell is to risk guys carrying knocks.
January 13, 2026 at 1:58 PM
It’s also the fact that even when they are injury ‘doubts’ they end up in the squad and often picked.
I’m surprised there haven’t been more injury issues already with how keen Farrell is to risk guys carrying knocks.
I’m surprised there haven’t been more injury issues already with how keen Farrell is to risk guys carrying knocks.
American sports leagues, the NFL in particular, are very socialist in nature. Which I find fascinating.
January 12, 2026 at 5:00 AM
American sports leagues, the NFL in particular, are very socialist in nature. Which I find fascinating.
I love those high quality, limited series (and of course I end up binging them), but I just think you need a bit of both.
My theory is the problem is the death of the TV star - when every big show is centered around Movie stars, you just can’t make a series every year.
My theory is the problem is the death of the TV star - when every big show is centered around Movie stars, you just can’t make a series every year.
January 5, 2026 at 8:58 PM
I love those high quality, limited series (and of course I end up binging them), but I just think you need a bit of both.
My theory is the problem is the death of the TV star - when every big show is centered around Movie stars, you just can’t make a series every year.
My theory is the problem is the death of the TV star - when every big show is centered around Movie stars, you just can’t make a series every year.
Yeah I always wonder about episodes like that. The ones that make me laugh in retrospect are the attempted backdoor plots that never end up getting made.
Some filler episodes I do wonder what the thinking was - and whether it is a case of ‘we need one more episode to hit our order’ or not.
Some filler episodes I do wonder what the thinking was - and whether it is a case of ‘we need one more episode to hit our order’ or not.
January 5, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Yeah I always wonder about episodes like that. The ones that make me laugh in retrospect are the attempted backdoor plots that never end up getting made.
Some filler episodes I do wonder what the thinking was - and whether it is a case of ‘we need one more episode to hit our order’ or not.
Some filler episodes I do wonder what the thinking was - and whether it is a case of ‘we need one more episode to hit our order’ or not.
It’s up there for me, though maybe not quite number 1.
I just miss the rhythm of network TV - 16-24 episodes, starting every September.
You don’t need to go and do a rewatch to remember what happened in the last season, and you actually get suspense from week to week.
I just miss the rhythm of network TV - 16-24 episodes, starting every September.
You don’t need to go and do a rewatch to remember what happened in the last season, and you actually get suspense from week to week.
January 5, 2026 at 8:39 PM
It’s up there for me, though maybe not quite number 1.
I just miss the rhythm of network TV - 16-24 episodes, starting every September.
You don’t need to go and do a rewatch to remember what happened in the last season, and you actually get suspense from week to week.
I just miss the rhythm of network TV - 16-24 episodes, starting every September.
You don’t need to go and do a rewatch to remember what happened in the last season, and you actually get suspense from week to week.
The VW bus episode of Lost is one of the most enjoyable bits of TV I’ve watched.
January 5, 2026 at 8:31 PM
The VW bus episode of Lost is one of the most enjoyable bits of TV I’ve watched.
Some of the filler episodes are the best episodes of some of those series to be honest.
Cutting out every ‘unnecessary’ episode also means leaving a lot of character development and world building out.
More than anything though, you can’t slash the number of episodes and triple production time, too
Cutting out every ‘unnecessary’ episode also means leaving a lot of character development and world building out.
More than anything though, you can’t slash the number of episodes and triple production time, too
January 5, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Some of the filler episodes are the best episodes of some of those series to be honest.
Cutting out every ‘unnecessary’ episode also means leaving a lot of character development and world building out.
More than anything though, you can’t slash the number of episodes and triple production time, too
Cutting out every ‘unnecessary’ episode also means leaving a lot of character development and world building out.
More than anything though, you can’t slash the number of episodes and triple production time, too
The thing that is killing TV is the inability to make series in a timely manner, for a decent length of series, that is released weekly.
We need the 20 episode per season shows back.
We need the 20 episode per season shows back.
January 5, 2026 at 8:24 PM
The thing that is killing TV is the inability to make series in a timely manner, for a decent length of series, that is released weekly.
We need the 20 episode per season shows back.
We need the 20 episode per season shows back.
Yeah I think you’re projecting your feelings about the situation onto the players, here.
I don’t think any of us know what they actually think. And nor will we.
In the same way I think it’s a stretch to assume Mo definitely wants to leave.
I don’t think any of us know what they actually think. And nor will we.
In the same way I think it’s a stretch to assume Mo definitely wants to leave.
December 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Yeah I think you’re projecting your feelings about the situation onto the players, here.
I don’t think any of us know what they actually think. And nor will we.
In the same way I think it’s a stretch to assume Mo definitely wants to leave.
I don’t think any of us know what they actually think. And nor will we.
In the same way I think it’s a stretch to assume Mo definitely wants to leave.
And we are playing to Mo’s strengths this season?
The problem with all these attacks on Mo is that they can be applied to others just as easily.
Disagree with him going public? Fair enough. But let’s not start with all these personal dogs at him.
The problem with all these attacks on Mo is that they can be applied to others just as easily.
Disagree with him going public? Fair enough. But let’s not start with all these personal dogs at him.
December 7, 2025 at 7:31 PM
And we are playing to Mo’s strengths this season?
The problem with all these attacks on Mo is that they can be applied to others just as easily.
Disagree with him going public? Fair enough. But let’s not start with all these personal dogs at him.
The problem with all these attacks on Mo is that they can be applied to others just as easily.
Disagree with him going public? Fair enough. But let’s not start with all these personal dogs at him.
Right, but these same conversations around Mo were happening at the end of 2023/24 season.
In fact, whenever he’s had a dip in form - fans and media cannot wait to stick a knife in.
Slot also talked about ‘rotation’ - didn’t admit to having dropped him when that was clearly the case.
In fact, whenever he’s had a dip in form - fans and media cannot wait to stick a knife in.
Slot also talked about ‘rotation’ - didn’t admit to having dropped him when that was clearly the case.
December 7, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Right, but these same conversations around Mo were happening at the end of 2023/24 season.
In fact, whenever he’s had a dip in form - fans and media cannot wait to stick a knife in.
Slot also talked about ‘rotation’ - didn’t admit to having dropped him when that was clearly the case.
In fact, whenever he’s had a dip in form - fans and media cannot wait to stick a knife in.
Slot also talked about ‘rotation’ - didn’t admit to having dropped him when that was clearly the case.
Yeah this isn’t at all what is happening…
December 6, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Yeah this isn’t at all what is happening…
That is not the only measure of output… but based on that, is he really the only one who should be getting dropped?
December 6, 2025 at 6:29 PM
That is not the only measure of output… but based on that, is he really the only one who should be getting dropped?
His output hasn’t collapsed. And he’s struggling because of the system being played…
December 6, 2025 at 5:33 PM
His output hasn’t collapsed. And he’s struggling because of the system being played…
I don’t think he’s getting off the bench
December 3, 2025 at 8:39 PM
I don’t think he’s getting off the bench
The Six Nations squad will tell us whether Farrell is actually interested in doing this or not.
There’s a small part of me worried that he’s leaving after 2027 either way, and is trying to get there with this current squad.
There’s a small part of me worried that he’s leaving after 2027 either way, and is trying to get there with this current squad.
December 3, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The Six Nations squad will tell us whether Farrell is actually interested in doing this or not.
There’s a small part of me worried that he’s leaving after 2027 either way, and is trying to get there with this current squad.
There’s a small part of me worried that he’s leaving after 2027 either way, and is trying to get there with this current squad.
This Autumn, the only centre who looked on top of their game was Stu, and he missed half the games through injury.
If there aren’t a few of these lads in the 6 Nations squad, it’s pretty clear Farrell has little intention of building for the future.
If there aren’t a few of these lads in the 6 Nations squad, it’s pretty clear Farrell has little intention of building for the future.
December 1, 2025 at 7:07 PM
This Autumn, the only centre who looked on top of their game was Stu, and he missed half the games through injury.
If there aren’t a few of these lads in the 6 Nations squad, it’s pretty clear Farrell has little intention of building for the future.
If there aren’t a few of these lads in the 6 Nations squad, it’s pretty clear Farrell has little intention of building for the future.
I think you’re right on that… but that’s kind of why I still tie Sam breaking through to Sexton’s retirement.
The wider point remains… guys aren’t being brought in until the incumbent steps aside, and I think this is a big issue for an aging squad.
The wider point remains… guys aren’t being brought in until the incumbent steps aside, and I think this is a big issue for an aging squad.
November 27, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I think you’re right on that… but that’s kind of why I still tie Sam breaking through to Sexton’s retirement.
The wider point remains… guys aren’t being brought in until the incumbent steps aside, and I think this is a big issue for an aging squad.
The wider point remains… guys aren’t being brought in until the incumbent steps aside, and I think this is a big issue for an aging squad.
I take your point to an extent, but the opening at 10 was because of Sextons retirement, and Crowley hadn’t fully established himself as ‘the guy’ by the time Sam started getting in squads.
November 27, 2025 at 1:18 PM
I take your point to an extent, but the opening at 10 was because of Sextons retirement, and Crowley hadn’t fully established himself as ‘the guy’ by the time Sam started getting in squads.
I was thinking about this the other day. Since the 23 WC, Joe McCarthy is the only guy who’s broken into the 15 that wasn’t down to a retirement.
Like, I don’t think that’s normal, nor good.
Like, I don’t think that’s normal, nor good.
November 27, 2025 at 12:50 PM
I was thinking about this the other day. Since the 23 WC, Joe McCarthy is the only guy who’s broken into the 15 that wasn’t down to a retirement.
Like, I don’t think that’s normal, nor good.
Like, I don’t think that’s normal, nor good.
It’s mad how much of the top cover is just other guys shifting position.
And I don’t think you’re wrong on your analysis of that at all.
We need more genuine depth and rotation over the next two years to have a squad deep enough to contend at the WC
And I don’t think you’re wrong on your analysis of that at all.
We need more genuine depth and rotation over the next two years to have a squad deep enough to contend at the WC
November 27, 2025 at 12:42 PM
It’s mad how much of the top cover is just other guys shifting position.
And I don’t think you’re wrong on your analysis of that at all.
We need more genuine depth and rotation over the next two years to have a squad deep enough to contend at the WC
And I don’t think you’re wrong on your analysis of that at all.
We need more genuine depth and rotation over the next two years to have a squad deep enough to contend at the WC
I think Farrell really has to re-evaluate his squad building before the 6 Nations with a view to the next WC.
Hansen was a revelation at full back, but it seems like he was rushed back. Stu was immense but rushed back against Aus.
He needs to not just build depth, but actually trust it.
Hansen was a revelation at full back, but it seems like he was rushed back. Stu was immense but rushed back against Aus.
He needs to not just build depth, but actually trust it.
November 24, 2025 at 10:23 AM
I think Farrell really has to re-evaluate his squad building before the 6 Nations with a view to the next WC.
Hansen was a revelation at full back, but it seems like he was rushed back. Stu was immense but rushed back against Aus.
He needs to not just build depth, but actually trust it.
Hansen was a revelation at full back, but it seems like he was rushed back. Stu was immense but rushed back against Aus.
He needs to not just build depth, but actually trust it.
Two years is still enough time to sort things before the next WC.
But only if there is a commitment to change and freshening things up, not just doubling down on the status quo.
But only if there is a commitment to change and freshening things up, not just doubling down on the status quo.
November 22, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Two years is still enough time to sort things before the next WC.
But only if there is a commitment to change and freshening things up, not just doubling down on the status quo.
But only if there is a commitment to change and freshening things up, not just doubling down on the status quo.
I don’t have a problem with Hansen at 15 - I think he could be quite exciting there.
I just wonder how fit he is, then look at all the centres having recently had knocks, and do worry about how robust this backline will prove to be.
Of course I hope I’m worrying about nothing!
I just wonder how fit he is, then look at all the centres having recently had knocks, and do worry about how robust this backline will prove to be.
Of course I hope I’m worrying about nothing!
November 13, 2025 at 2:48 PM
I don’t have a problem with Hansen at 15 - I think he could be quite exciting there.
I just wonder how fit he is, then look at all the centres having recently had knocks, and do worry about how robust this backline will prove to be.
Of course I hope I’m worrying about nothing!
I just wonder how fit he is, then look at all the centres having recently had knocks, and do worry about how robust this backline will prove to be.
Of course I hope I’m worrying about nothing!