Solomons must sign some flair players at Edinburgh
EDINBURGH’S problems didn’t start with head coach Alan Solomons, but they certainly don’t look like being solved by him unless he brings in some quality players for next season.
For the sixth year in a row — three of them under the South African’s guidance — the club have failed to finish in the top six of the Pro12.
The last time they made the top half of the table was in 2010 under Rob Moffat. Since then, it’s been a constant battle in the lower reaches.
Consecutive finishes of eighth, 11th, 10th, eighth twice and now ninth show how the team have failed to progress.
The move from Murrayfield to Myreside for the second part of next season, with a view to playing there permanently, is a step in the right direction.
But there’s a danger they won’t be able to fill the stadium — which will have a capacity of 6,000 — unless they improve on the pitch.
The Edinburgh fans have been loyal and long-suffering these past six years while watching Glasgow Warriors leave them behind. But their patience is wearing thin.
Since 2010, apart from one 11thplaced finish, Glasgow have always made the play-offs — culminating in last season’s league title victory.
They have real crowd pleasers in their squad like Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell, Tommy Seymour and Jonny Gray.
Edinburgh, by comparison, saw David Denton leave for Bath earlier in the season, while local boy made good Matt Scott — who the fans identify with more than any other player — is now off to Gloucester.
Openside flanker John Hardie and the front row of Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford and Willem Nel continue to perform well but, as a club, Edinburgh lack the excitement of Glasgow.
Yes, they’ve signed stand-off Duncan Weir from the Warriors, but he had fallen down the pecking order at Scotstoun and didn’t even make the Scotland squad for the summer tour to Japan.
Grant Gilchrist will be fit to play next season after a series of injuries but expect him to stay for just one more campaign before heading for pastures new.
That’s why it’s up to Solomons, with any money he has left from the SRU transfer budget, to think big and bring in a well-known name, or names, to add a spark to the squad.
For too long now he has signed overseas journeymen. With the prospect of a far more atmospheric and intimate stadium to play in from next January, now is the time to bring in some flair players and freshen things up.
If he doesn’t, another season in the bottom six beckons.