Monday 17 November 2014 12:20, UK
Dean Ryan says England are “in a bit of a hole” after falling to their fifth successive defeat against South Africa last weekend.
Stuart Lancaster’s side have suffered back-to-back three-point losses this month against New Zealand and the Springboks, and the head coach has come in for criticism over his selection policy.
England are expected return to winning ways against Samoa on Saturday, with Lancaster set to make wholesale changes, but Ryan admits the head coach is under increasing pressure.
Ryan told Sky Sports News HQ: “For two weeks in a row the gap has been three points against the top two teams in the world, but I don't think that's where England are.
“I don't think they looked like winning either game; the opposition was in control all the way through and we ended up in a chasing situation.
“When we looked at the autumn we talked about getting three wins out of four as a stepping stone towards the World Cup campaign and we haven't achieved that. We had to win against New Zealand or South Africa to keep momentum going.
This is the first time this group has found itself under pressure. Lancaster has put a lot of changes in place culturally. He's been able to be stable and show a lot of loyalty, but now he has to make changes.
“In reality Lancaster finds the whole England camp in a bit of a hole. Selection-wise he's not sure which way to move. He's got two tricky games; Samoa are a tricky opponent and Australia under Michael Cheika can be a real curve ball.
“He has got to get wins, he's got to get momentum going and he's got to keep positive thoughts around, but he doesn't know what his team is and what style they are. Two disappointing performances and Lancaster is going to get a little bit of heat this week to see what changes he makes to influence it to be more positive this weekend.
“This is the first time this group has found itself under pressure. Lancaster has put a lot of changes in place culturally. He's been able to be stable and show a lot of loyalty, but now he has to make changes.
“Owen Farrell not in the best of form and Owen has been great for him. He's been great in the Six Nations, he's shown great composure, but now he's got to make changes.
“There a clash of what Lancaster has done in the past by creating security and loyalty in the group and now being under pressure because it's not worked. He has to find a different answer and find a way out and that is going to clash with his own culture.
“All the southern hemisphere coaches are saying it's too far out for making psychological gains, but confidence is key, winning is key because it makes everything else feel much better.
“There is going to be some psychological damage. There is going to be some hesitancy because the next time we play these guys it will be for real in the World Cup at Twickenham.
“There is some baggage and we're not going to be able to lose it. What's happening now is going to carry around until the World Cup starts.”
Fly-half Farrell has struggled for form since returning from injury and George Ford is expected to wear the No 10 jersey against Samoa. However, Ryan is unsure whether the Bath youngster is the man to get England’s backline firing.
“Ford deserves his chance and has to play against Samoa," said the Worcester director of rugby. "We have to find different options. To be one year out and be that uncomfortable with where we're heading is a concern for everybody.
"I'm not sure Ford is the man England need. Farrell, Ford and (Stephen) Myler are all quite similar. The real concern is about the backline as a whole not working.
"We are missing some key players through injury. I'm a big Sam Burgess fan and I have my hands firmly clasped hoping he's the man that can turn it around in the Six Nations, but he's not even played union yet.
“(Lancaster) might have run with a few of the wrong horses and this close to the World Cup, it's difficult to jump around now.
“Experience is one thing, but experience with the wrong people isn't going to win us a World Cup.”
Watch England v Samoa live on Sky Sports 2 on Saturday from 6.30pm
