Bradley wields axe

jimmybeige

Seems quite a few are being let go. It's a lot to replace!

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/bradley-wields-axe-on-squad-1743472.html

Danny Riordan gone too. I had high hopes for him. Was on the Ireland A a few years ago too if I remember correctly. Not too many locals on the Connacht team, it's a shame to hear he's leaving.

Dunne seemed to be decent backup to Keatley as well. I wonder where he'll go now?

Diom

Bradley is an idiot to let Farley go. Absolute hero in the line-out. I suppose someone has to go so he can pay for Bernie Upton. Rigs has provided good cover, and Riordan not in squad despite scoring regularly in the AIL.

It might be part of a strategy to get a winning mentality in the squad, but I still don't like it. Bradley has never been able to inspire his players and I really don't think it was because of the players.

Robbo

Even with rumoured players coming in, it still leaves us with 1 proper out half and 2 hookers. And Troy Nathan.

With Danny Riordan, when he came back from injury he was never the same. Also, I don't think the way the game has changed suits him in the back 3 with the tendency towards aerial bombardment. Witness the 3 high balls he knocked on last week against Glasgow under little pressure.

jimmybeige

That's too bad about Riordan, haven't really seen him play this year.

They will have to do a lot of recruiting to strengthen the squad with all those exits. Just can't see where they're going to get the quality from.

siltirocker

Robbo wrote: »

Witness the 3 high balls he knocked on last week against Glasgow under little pressure.

Jesus, , , he was diabolical, to say the least!

On another note, what was up with Roberts? Such a big deal was made of it when came but he only made like 2/3 starts at the casual end of the season?

Robbo

siltirocker wrote: »

Jesus, , , he was diabolical, to say the least!

On another note, what was up with Roberts? Such a big deal was made of it when came but he only made like 2/3 starts at the casual end of the season?

Roberts was injury plagued before he arrived and stayed that way during the season. I think he was on a pay-for-play deal so I don't think there was too much of financial risk taken on him.

Zzippy

Can't argue with most of the cuts, except for Farley and maybe Rigney, also can't believe Nathan wasn't cut. I hope to God he has a few players lined up to sign cos thats major surgery to the squad.

thomond2006

Bradley should hire someone to axe himself.

Robbo

Zzippy wrote: »

Can't argue with most of the cuts, except for Farley and maybe Rigney, also can't believe Nathan wasn't cut. I hope to God he has a few players lined up to sign cos thats major surgery to the squad.

Rumours of an outhalf being signed because otherwise it's going to be either Nathan as backup or dip into the AIL.

[Jackass]

Hopefully an influx of academy players from elsewhere now?

siltirocker

Oh yay!

Riordan and Rigney gone.
And with the people Bradley's going to bring in, methinks we are looking like Leinster / Munster A's!

And i think Farley called time as opposed to being cut!

[Jackass]

siltirocker wrote: »

Oh yay!

Riordan and Rigney gone.
And with the people Bradley's going to bring in, methinks we are looking like Leinster / Munster A's!

And i think Farley called time as opposed to being cut!

Not being rude, but on recent seasons, that may not be such a bad thing....

Fair enough Europe was decent this year, but the Magners League, where Connacht are for the most part at full strength all season and least effected by other competitions, have consistanly gotten worse, to the extent where they used to be within touching distance at the bottom of the table, bar an absolute shocking season from Ulster last season, they are consistantly the worst team in the league by 12 or 13 points...that's outrageous and potentially embarresing when Italin regional teams come into the league.

It's not Connachts fault obviously, it's the IRFU, but they need to be helped out in a big way, and there's no point in having the absolute no hopers of other teams in the squad. The young, exciting, players of the future is the way to go. If that means having the stars of the Leinster and Munster academy and "A" teams, then that may not be such a bad thing and imo would be a lot better than now.

First and foremost though, a team can't enjoy any sucsess while the (baffling reasons) very poor coach is still in charge.

Lil' Ian

thomond2006 wrote: »

Bradley should hire someone to axe himself.

+1

IMO i dont think connacht will ever develop into a competitive outfit as long as bradleys there

nerophis

Bradley should have gone two years ago. Clearly he can't motivate the team and there is no sign of any technical development. Proping up the table year after year. The choice for a Connacht manager should be made in Connacht not in Ballintemple. Let Elwood take over. At least he's proud of Connacht and has about the same level of qualifications for the job that Bradley had when he came in. It can't get worse than we are now!

MG

There are one or two you could certainly argue with (and the non development of Riordan is disappointing) but in general I don't think it does Connacht any good to be loaded with journeymen. No harm freeing up a few slots and getting in some guys with potential. Hope they don't just bring in more journeymen (like they often do).
On Bradly, most coaches get stale after a number of years in charge (EO'S for example). Time for Bradley to move up or move on (well, just move on really)

bamboozle

Have Connacht signed anyone apart from the Kiwi 2nd row?

wouldnt mind seeing Lewis spend signing up cause he'd add to that backline.

Robbo

Brian Tuohy has been confirmed by the Cornish Pirates as heading for Connacht. Naturally, there's been nothing about this from the Branch as they want to dripfeed news on signings over the summer to look busy.