Mark Fletcher: Reasons to be concerned after Edinburgh's loss to Bulls

Saturday’s bonus point loss to the Bulls in South Africa is extremely respectable on paper, but you could watch any five minutes of the match and realise that it is a tale of what could have been.

The Bulls team were significantly under strength, their lineout was misfiring, their scrum was woeful, they were handing out penalties every few minutes, heck they even received two yellow cards simply due to the number of penalties they were conceding, and yet Edinburgh never managed to take control of the game.

Read more:

• Grant Gilchrist admits individual errors hurt Edinburgh in Bulls defeat

• Five things we learned as late Bulls recovery sees off Edinburgh

• Sean Everitt frustrated as Edinburgh beaten by Bulls comeback

It is often said of Edinburgh that they thrive on broken play with one of the most exciting wingers in the world being able to create opportunities from nothing.

This was a far more accurate description of the Bulls this weekend. Canan Moodie was electric, running from deep, against the run of play and, most importantly, with supporting runners attacking in numbers. Edinburgh’s defence simply had no answer to this.

In my opinion, the aspect of Edinburgh’s game that has provided the most optimism has been the midfield.

Last year’s costly lack of tries has been addressed by playmakers who look sharper, more imaginative and more coherent. Unfortunately, that is all very well until a lack of depth in the player pool leaves us exposed.

James Lang was sidelined before the season started, Currie went off early against Leinster, Tuipulotu didn’t make the team against Lions and Bennett had to be subbed off after just eight minutes. Enough injured centres to have a dedicated hospital ward.

Mark Bennett's early injury added to Edinburgh's early season midfield absentees (Image: SNS) This time last year, our back three was an embarrassment of riches (Kinghorn, Boffelli, Van Der Merve, Graham, Goosen, Henry) and yet we were forced to end the season with a centre at fullback. This week we were forced to have a winger playing at centre.

With no axis of attack, we couldn’t escape the middle of the park. Darcy and Duhan wanted to get their hands on the ball, and occasionally did so. Without the phase play required to stretch the Bulls defence, they were running into heavy traffic. No amount of fancy footwork or brute strength will break through three South African defenders simultaneously.

A number of players required repetitive medical treatment. Most worryingly, I was expecting to see an announcement of Darcy having broken fingers. It was  a huge relief to see neither him nor Mosese listed in this week’s injury update.

Hamish Watson finds no way through the Bulls defence (Image: Photo by Steve Haag Sports/INPHO/Shutterstock)

Our opposition in the opening two URC games have demonstrated the depth of squad that we can only be envious of.

Whilst the Gloucester and Leinster games showed the Edinburgh fans progress in attack, defence and connectivity, the Bulls match showed us that the perennial problems still exist.

Like a pint of Guinness, Edinburgh Rugby is beautiful thing but it does not travel well.

We finish middle of the league by basically winning our home games and losing our away games.

The team I watch on TV is a shadow of the team I see at Hive Stadium.

To add to that, the unfolding narrative of our away games are as predictable as the story arc of a 90s rom-com. We dominate the first half, but go into the break level pegging. The second half starts with a flourish before gifting the opposition a two score lead. We have a gutsy fight back, throwing everything at it in the last ten minutes which we spin into a positive message of players being dedicated to the end, but inevitably it is too little, too late and we come away with a narrow loss. Sound familiar?

Some of the decision-making in the closing minutes of both league games needs to be questioned.

I will staunchly defend a well-executed kicking game, but when the clock is turning red, providing a 50/50 ball and potentially allowing the opposition to end the game seems senseless.

Surely if we have a chance of winning, keeping possession and the game going until we score must be the priority.

I am aware how critical and negative this all sounds. I had hoped that by leaving 48 hours before putting fingers to keyboard, my frustration would have subsided, but I cannot help feeling that a golden opportunity has been dropped over the try line.

Three bonus points from two of the biggest hitters in the league is no mean feat, especially when you have travelled over 6,000 miles and are playing at altitude.

For these bonus points we are certainly grateful.