Martin Johnson fumes at careless England

ENGLAND team manager Martin Johnson was in furious mood in Dublin last night after England’s 14-13 defeat by Ireland. Johnson was incensed that yet again, rank indiscipline saw two of his players sent to the sin-bin, the fourth time in consecutive games that this has happened.
Ireland scored eight crucial points when England were denuded, five in the absence of prop Phil Vickery and a further three after the banishment of scrum-half Danny Care. “It is very, very annoying. I am trying to keep my cool,” said Johnson. “I have just told the lads that [lack of discipline] cost us a Test match.”
Johnson was seen to bang a desk angrily when Care was sent to the sin-bin. He was also fuming at the general indiscipline of the team. “You are on a slippery slope when the penalty count is 17 or 18,” he said. When asked if he would consider dropping a man for ill-discipline, Johnson replied: “It is not the right time now to start asking questions like that. It is not just one individual doing it, it is different individuals at key moments. Some of them are stupid. It is incredibly annoying and frustrating.”

Statistics show that England have conceded 41 penalties in the Six Nations this year, and they have also conceded 30 points when players have been in the sin-bin. The vital Irish score yesterday, a try by captain Brian O’Driscoll, came after Vickery was banished for handling the ball in the ruck. Care was yellow-carded later for a garish late charge into the back of Ireland prop Marcus Horan. As Care charged into Horan, the ball was already away and in the hands of the Irish scrum-half.
Johnson’s anger is understandable, although large question marks are now being raised. Not only are he and his management team finding it impossible to stem the streams of yellow cards and penalties, but their approach to the whole issue is being criticised.
Last week, England coach Brian Smith was reprimanded by the International Rugby Board for criticising the refereeing of the recent Wales-England match at Cardiff, where Wales made crucial scores with England players in the bin.
England captain Steve Borthwick was as bewildered as Johnson, and his own leadership will be called into question. He did try to defend Care. “He was trying to get to the ball . . . he wouldn’t do that again. But in the heat of battle, that is what has happened. It is not just down to Danny Care, it is down to the discipline of the whole side.”
Ireland’s victory puts them two games away from only the second Grand Slam in their history. They move on to play Scotland at Murrayfield in a fortnight, while England meet a resurgent France.

Source:the times