[Truckle]

Originally Posted by Zzippy

Do you ever have anything positive to say if its not Munster-related?
Its not so long since Munster wouldn't have got 8k supporters unless it was a touring international team that brought them out. You've been spoiled the last few years, and success has bred the support base you have now, don't get too arrogant about it.

Ahh to be fair to Aidric, all the problems Connacht had this season are still there. They've had a good cup run and taken their usual few inter-pro scalps. Something big has to happen if they are to become more competitive.

[outwest]

sometihng big has happened,

ever since elwood got announced as connacht coach, the performances have been great,

[Aidric]

Originally Posted by Zzippy

Do you ever have anything positive to say if its not Munster-related?
Its not so long since Munster wouldn't have got 8k supporters unless it was a touring international team that brought them out. You've been spoiled the last few years, and success has bred the support base you have now, don't get too arrogant about it.

Spare me the moral indignation and chippy shoulder. I've given Connacht credit where it's due on this forum. Check my post history if you want.
My point was entirely relevant. They have had a good run in the Challenge cup this season culminating in a bumper crowd for the visit of Toulon. That doesn't mask their woeful record in the Magners. Let's look at the stats shall we:

League Position
Season 05-06 - Joint bottom
Season 06-07 - second from bottom
Season 07-08 - bottom
Season 08-09 - bottom
Season 09-10 - likely bottom

Average Attendance
Season 05-06 - third from bottom (1790)
Season 06-07 - second from bottom (1980)
Season 07-08 - second from bottom (2260)
Season 08-09 - bottom (1989)
Season 09-10 - bottom (2147)

It seems easier for some Connacht fans to dismiss criticism while ignoring the facts. Your lot is unfortunate through lack of investment but don't go accusing Leinster or Munster fans of arrogance for pointing out the obvious.

[inbodwetrust]

Connacht have had a very good year but investment in some areas of the squad is required if they want to make the next step. I would suspect clubs will be interested in signing the likes of Carr, Cronin Duffy and Muldoon and its crucial that they can hold onto players of this calibre to build the team on. Instead of taking in players from abroad they should look into the possiblilty of taking players from the academys in Leinster and Munster .

[sock puppet]

Originally Posted by inbodwetrust

Connacht have had a very good year but investment in some areas of the squad is required if they want to make the next step. I would suspect clubs will be interested in signing the likes of Carr, Cronin Duffy and Muldoon and its crucial that they can hold onto players of this calibre to build the team on. Instead of taking in players from abroad they should look into the possiblilty of taking players from the academys in Leinster and Munster .

I wonder would Tonnetti be interested in a move? He's been decent any time I've seen him and doesn't really look like breaking into the Leinster squad.

[Dave Joyce]

Spare me the moral indignation and chippy shoulder.

Well, I for one would LOVE to hear your opinion on how we can solve our problems especially when the IRFU would love the chance to close us down if they could at all.

Please don't give me the same ol' same ol', build up the crowds (support apart from diehards can be very fickle) who will only come when we have a string of results. Build up the squad, which we can't do without the necessary finance. Please don't tell me we need the results first as that is putting the cart before the horse and besides we need some imports like Munster and Leinster alongside the home grown talent. Where would they be without the Howletts, DeVilliers, Van Der Linde, Hines etc etc

[cityman 18]

Being in Dublin quite a bit, i see regularly the marketing machine that goes on behind Leinster. There are these massive billboards all over the city and adds in the radio, papers etc.....compared to the small pieces of paper that are stuck to a piece of wood and placed in a few areas around Galway. The difference couldn't be more stark. It's very easy for a Leinster fan to bleat on about our lack of support, but we have no marketing money at all, and we're based in a much smaller city also.

[TheTMO]

Originally Posted by cityman 18

Being in Dublin quite a bit, i see regularly the marketing machine that goes on behind Leinster. There are these massive billboards all over the city and adds in the radio, papers etc.....compared to the small pieces of paper that are stuck to a piece of wood and placed in a few areas around Galway. The difference couldn't be more stark. It's very easy for a Leinster fan to bleat on about our lack of support, but we have no marketing money at all, and we're based in a much smaller city also.

One correction, Aidric is very much a Munster man!

But I do see your point. Heres the thing though, Connacht got 8,000 people to this game with the same market budget. Its a simple fact, Connacht start winning and people will start showing up. I disagree with the general consensus though, Connacht may not have the same budget as Leinster, Ulster or Munster but they do have a budget good enough to ensure they aren't finishing bottom of the Magners every year. They have, in some cases more foreign players on big money than some of the Scottish and Welsh teams that finish far above them. Connacht need confidence through the management and the supporters, on Friday we saw what they can do with those two factors.

[thomond2006]

Sorry Connacht.

[outwest]

for what we missed up our season,

[thomond2006]

Originally Posted by outwest

for what we missed up our season,

Would have liked to seen ye in the HEC, particularly with an RWC to come afterwards.

[PhatPiggins]

Originally Posted by sock puppet

I wonder would Tonnetti be interested in a move? He's been decent any time I've seen him and doesn't really look like breaking into the Leinster squad.

+1 isn't this his last year in the academy as well? Can't see him getting offered a contract in Leinster.

[BoarHunter]

i heard on the french Radio today that if Biarritz win the Hcup then That would get a ticket to Connacht for next year's Hcup as France can't get 8 clubs qualified.

This is to be confirmed of course i am just relaying what i heard. It might be rubbish ...

[LeeroyJones]

Rumor has it Connacht are signing up St Marys College winger Fanning.... He'll be in action this weekend on telly in the AIL final if you want to have a look. He played in a Connacht 'A' game a couple of weeks ago

[B0X]

Originally Posted by BoarHunter

i heard on the french Radio today that if Biarritz win the Hcup then That would get a ticket to Connacht for next year's Hcup as France can't get 8 clubs qualified.

This is to be confirmed of course i am just relaying what i heard. It might be rubbish ...

Come on Biarritz if that's true, sure Toulouse don't need another Heineken cup