Connacht v Scarlets *possible spoilers*

EdgarAllenPoo

Is it just me or does it look like even at this early stage that Connacht will be propping up the bottom of the league again this year?

Also whoever that one Scarlets fan is that you can always hear chanting at EVERY match needs to be banned from attending games.

[Jackass]

I don't know, Connacht actually have a lot going for them. The odd lapse in defence has cost them dear, but on a whole I think their defence has been very good.

Also Keatly is doing very well with the poor ball he is receiving to gain Connacht terretory and I think Campbell is doing very well at scrum half.

Their biggest problem is their lack of ideas in attack and a complete lack of pre-rehersed moves from the set piece.

That comes down to coaching, but I think they have a very decent squad this year and individually some of their players seem to be doing very well.

12 - 3 down at half time, considering the game, they are doing well ,and could be within 6. I'm still hoping they can pull it out for maybe a losing bonus. Which isn't a bad return away to Scarlets.

Stev_o

Connacht look awful in defence this could be a 50 point loss for them

[Jackass]

Yeah, if they were bullish in the first half, the wheels have completely come off since the first second of the second. I spoke too soon I guess

toomevara

Oh dear, if this is a foretaste of things to come it looks like another season propping up various tables for Bradley's men...utterly hopeless...

leeroybrown

We were awful. Truly inept. Defensively poor and slow to the ball. I've seen us struggle against big powerful aggressive teams before but not to the degree where our defense is that porous. I hate to think of the damage the Scarlets would have done if they had Regan King fit to add some real quality to their attack.

Things better improve or I'll have a season of cold wet and and very depressing Friday evenings.

Dave Joyce

Jaysus, that was woeful:(:( I'm not a fan of Bradley's and I think his gameplans at times are very poor, however, whoever is the coach responsible for tackling should be SACKED now, as the tackling which has always been a problem was absolutely terrible tonight. Doesn't augur well for the season....God help us:eek:!!

il gatto

If the IRFU had anywhere to put Bradley he'd be gone. Connacht are stuck with him for another while. If hewasn't who he is, he'd be long gone.

[Jackass]

True, Bradley for some reason has the blazers in Lansdowne road in his pocket. No coach should be given this amount of time after so much failure. Connacht challanging for the European shield and getting to the semis etc. is a distant memory at this stage.

toomevara

Professional rugby in Connacht just isn't working...sad but true. I certainly wouldn't pay money to watch, or get behind, a team that regularly replicates performances like that...think its time for a rethink/re-evaluation

Zzippy

leeroybrown wrote: »

Things better improve or I'll have a season of cold wet and and very depressing Friday evenings.

+1. Can't be any worse than last night though. Hopefully!

RuggieBear

zzippy, post edited. No need for that sort of stuff.

Debate the posts not the poster.

Jackz

Just watched it on Setanta, pretty bad at the breakdown. FYI if you were at the Leinster match you can watch a repeat on Setanta at 15:30.

Zzippy

RuggieBear wrote: »

zzippy, post edited. No need for that sort of stuff.

Debate the posts not the poster.

Sorry, just sick of people trolling every time Connacht have a bad defeat. The issue has been debated on here before, the facts are Connacht are much less supported money-wise than other provinces, and yes we have a smaller fan base - its hard to compete on attandences with a team based in a city of one million people - but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be allowed have a rugby team to support. People popping up in every 2nd thread related to Connacht - even ones about a specific match and not about the future of rugby here - and saying there shouldn't be a pro team here are just trolling for a reaction by this stage. I accept I shouldn't have said what I said in the way I said it but I stand by the points I made.

Dave Joyce

Didn't see Zzippy's original post but gotta agree with him and TOTALLY understand his/our frustration when people keep piping on about Connacht not deserving to have a Pro team!!! By the way, I think a lot of responsibility lays at the hands of the people on the sidelines for SOME of the problems. The players put in 100% and a lot of them KEPT trying even when we were well down last night.

Zzippy

toomevara wrote: »

Professional rugby in Connacht just isn't working...sad but true. I certainly wouldn't pay money to watch, or get behind, a team that regularly replicates performances like that...think its time for a rethink/re-evaluation

In light of the other heavy defeats suffered by the Dragons and Edinburgh, I think this shows that the ML is more a case of the haves and have-nots, much like the Big 4 in the soccer premiership in England. Or maybe you think the Dragons and Edinburgh don't deserve to have rugby teams either? Sure why don't we just have the wealthiest clubs allowed to field teams... :rolleyes:

[Jackass]

I don't think anybody is against Connacht Zzippy, I think for most people we would support Connacht as our second team almost (with the exception of Connacht fans of course ) and it is frustrating that it just doesn't seem to be taking off there no matter what.

I think Connacht have been given a large amount of support this year with certain players they have been given and improvement is expected. This isn't to say the team should be dumped, but imo Connacht is a burden to IRFU and other provinces at the moment if truth be told, and they need to be developed.

I think main problems are the funding they are shafted with, the coaching set up that doesn't change, but also a major problem is with the fan base themselves and rugby in the region. The sad truth is that professional sport means that running teams is as much about smart business as it is about passion and talent. To sustain anything professional into the long term you have to set up ground work for the future and be smart in "the market" to promote your "product".

None more so than the likes of Leinster and Munster who have a large brand that is worth multi-millions to the association each year. (I think I read in todays paper that Leinster ticket sales this year alone, already sold and paid for have pocketed the union close to €10,000,000.00 <- I put in all the 0's to emphasize the size of that number!! )

But it's difficult to invest in a product with no redeeming features. No fan base, No "brand value", No indication of a potential market in the region, No suitable venue, No development of the sport in the region, No players coming through, No money coming through...there's just so much wrong it's difficult to throw millions at it and jepradise the rest of the branch's sucsess.

I think Connacht need to move out of Galway and to a proper ground of about 5,000 - 6,000, an FAI ground share or something. The population of Connacht is so dispersed though that there are lots of small towns, but no major city really, which means no matter where the ground is it'll be very difficult to get people to travel long distance to the games with no real history, heritage or loyalty to the team already there. They need proper staffing to develop the game in the region as grass roots level, get it played in schools, but it's more or less a closed shop in Connacht with GAA tradition, it's very difficult to compete with.

Connacht have gone down hill on a free fall over the last few years and I don't think the team should ever be downgraded, but a serious rethink and strategy needs to be devised to make the team viable. Even if it means moving them out of Connacht to a midlands team or something, I don't know.

There's nothig I'd love to see more than Connacht do well and be able to compete with the other Irish teams, but in all the years of Celtic / Magners league, they are the only team still in existance that have shown no improvement, only gotten worse. I think this is a real make or break season for them, but something has to be done as it's a complete failure at the moment.

toomevara

Zzippy wrote: »

In light of the other heavy defeats suffered by the Dragons and Edinburgh, I think this shows that the ML is more a case of the haves and have-nots, much like the Big 4 in the soccer premiership in England. Or maybe you think the Dragons and Edinburgh don't deserve to have rugby teams either? Sure why don't we just have the wealthiest clubs allowed to field teams... :rolleyes:

No, no,no!!!..complete wrong end of the stick if I may say so! Thats not what I'm saying at all, I know there are alot of really good rugby people working their collective holes off down in Galway to get a team on the field week in week out in a totally thankless task..I don't doubt their commitment or passion in any way. I would love to see a strong, competitive Connacht outfit, every Irish rugby fan would...

The point I was making was that, the system as its currently constituted is not working and Connacht are, to my eyes, and forgive me if is not what you want to hear, failing badly on the field in every major competition in which they're active.

I don't know why: IRFU structures/funding? Crap coach? Not enough indigenous Connacht players? Not a big enough support base in the province? A combination of all or any of the above, but the fact remans the situation re: Connacht needs re-assessment and re-evaluation at this point. That, the way I see it, is a simple statement of fact and not meant in any way to be disrespectful to Connacht or Connacht fans.

A re-asessment is required.

il gatto

Part of the problem is that it is people in Galway working their holes off, but that's it. The Connacht franchise only seems to represent the province in name only. They don't promote the game or team in any way outside of Galway. Their results and news don't make local radio in Connacht, they don't advertise matches or play at different venues around the province. They don't seem to want money that would come to them from outside Galway. People accepted it for ages while they were supposedly getting on their feet professionally, but I know alot of people who are getting fed up of the insular attitude, the treatment by the IRFU and the never ending reign of Bradley. Connacht is capable of supporting a professional provincial team, if only that's what the IRFU and Connacht Rugby wanted. Doesn't feel like it.

bamboozle

i'd say its time for Connacht to be very innovative when it comes to marketing the team, imagine the buzz if they played even half of their Magners league games at different clubs in the provence, it would be great to build up a fan base if games were played in sligo, athlone, ballina etc

Webbs

[Jackass] wrote: »

but also a major problem is with the fan base themselves and rugby in the region. The sad truth is that professional sport means that running teams is as much about smart business as it is about passion and talent. To sustain anything professional into the long term you have to set up ground work for the future and be smart in "the market" to promote your "product".

None more so than the likes of Leinster and Munster who have a large brand that is worth multi-millions to the association each year. (I think I read in todays paper that Leinster ticket sales this year alone, already sold and paid for have pocketed the union close to €10,000,000.00 <- I put in all the 0's to emphasize the size of that number!! )

But it's difficult to invest in a product with no redeeming features. No fan base, No "brand value", No indication of a potential market in the region, No suitable venue, No development of the sport in the region, No players coming through, No money coming through...there's just so much wrong it's difficult to throw millions at it and jepradise the rest of the branch's sucsess.

I agree with much of your post but I believe there is a fan base in Galway/Connacht that is there to be tapped. There are 2 major 'Buts' to this (ok probably more but bear with me).

First the sportsground is a soulless place that even when its full is impossible to generate an atmosphere, when full, half the crowd get a non existant view. If I was a casual visitor who went to see a game with a full house there (SA and Munster spring to mind) and all I saw was half the pitch if I stood on my toes then I wouldnt be going back in a hurry. To me a ground share with Galwegians in the development of their new facilities is the ideal scenario getting the 5-6000 stadium in purpose built rugby environment.

Secondly you talk about the money generated by Munster and Leinster from ticket sales etc, but there is nothing like getting bums on seats than success. What would the season ticket sales be like if Leinster say weren't in the HC and languishing down the bottom of the Magners league - its a chicken and egg scenario. If investment is made in Connacht and results improve then you will see an increase in crowd numbers, any sort of run in the European cup for example has always boosted crowd numbers.
However the IRFU are reluctant to put the money in, in case that scenario of increase in fan numbers doesnt occur (or more likely the IRFU as we know dont really want Connacht around so are probably quite happy with the situation at present).

After watching the first few games around the Magners league you can see why Connacht arre struggling, yes there are a few players who have come into the set up, but look at the make up of the teams who will be at the bottom probably come the end of season (Glasgow, Dragons, Ulster? etc), they are far far better squads than Connacht.

il gatto

If Connacht folded, it would be a disaster. Firstly for Connacht supporters, but also for Irish rugby in general and the ML. What's happened in Scotland is terrible. Expecting Reivers and Reds fans to transfer their allegiances to Edinburgh and Glasgow has not made Scottish rugby stronger, it's just turned it's back on vast areas of the Scottish rugby fanbase.
Connacht may be the sick man of Irish rugby, but letting it die isn't the answer.

buck65

Surely it is too early in the season to write Connacht off?
I rememeber how good they were against the Springboks last year, I think we may see a backlash against Glasgow at the weekend. Give them a chance. Maybe replacing Bradley with a higher profile coach with a clue would bring a bit of a buzz there.

toomevara

buck65 wrote: »

Surely it is too early in the season to write Connacht off?

Professional rugby is a harsh world, Glasgow has massive significance for Connacht, a must win.

spursman

connacht looked without shape in defense and really poor in terms of fitness. shockin when you think scarlets had a match earlier in the week.

il gatto

Bradley's not good enought to go somewhere better, and too well connected to go somewhere worse.:mad:

toomevara

Gave Connacht alot of stick last weekend so only fair I eat a bit of humble pie (happily I might add) today...good performance V Glasgow, alot of pride and an excellent defensive display, keep on playing like that and maybe the futures not as bleak as last weekends game suggested for this season...

[Jackass]

Didn't see the game myself, but good result and fair play to them. They now hold a spot above Ulster, so it's time they pull their socks up, the only team without a win, although it could be all so different considering they've lost all 3 games by less than a score.

Zzippy

Was at the game, yes great defence but still too many penalties conceded. Very lucky the Glasgow kicker (Gregor?) couldn't hit a barn door - he was terrible. Impressed again with Keatley and Carr. Gavin Duffy made a howler to let Glasgow in for their try. Second week running he's done that. Only green jersey he'll be wearing again is the Connacht one.
BTW, the ref was atrocious in terms of spatial awareness - decisions were ok for the most part, but several times he played advantage then brought the play back - to somewhere at least 10 metres forward from where the offence occurred. One knock on happened halfway between the 10m line and the 22, yet he gave the scrum almost on the 22. Ridiculous stuff...
Anyway, good result gets us off the mark. Hopefully we can get at least a bonus point away to Cardiff this week...

toomevara

Zzippy wrote: »

.
BTW, the ref was atrocious in terms of spatial awareness - decisions were ok for the most part, but several times he played advantage then brought the play back

The standard of refereeing in the ML to date has been appalling, it needs to be reviewed. It's clear that refs are having extreme difficulty getting to gips with the ELVS and Applications...I have no idea what these guys have been doing to prepare for their introduction but whatever it was its been ineffective. The GP refs have gotten to grips with it much more quickly and much more effectively.

Anyway, good result gets us off the mark. Hopefully we can get at least a bonus point away to Cardiff this week...

+1