Keith Earls, over hyped or poor run of form?

jimbomalley

Personally I think it's a combo of poor coaching, playing out of position, playing with a poor backline and being low on confidence.

SomeFool

being played out of position, thread is unnecessary.

CIARAN_BOYLE

jimbomalley wrote: »

Personally I think it's a combo of poor coaching, playing out of position, playing with a poor backline and being low on confidence.

He is good at what he can he do. He is fast and a decent tackler. The speed often lets him finish off tries which is very handy. Doesn't have much of a rugby brain in terms of positioning and he doesn't pass well.

Ireland's fourth best winger imo

boynesider

Earls is not a centre and I don't think it's fair on the lad to keep playing him there. It must be destroying his confidence.

Definitely a back 3 player and personally I think his best position could be at full back.

clsmooth

Over hyped. I don't think he's improved at all since 2009. He's good but listening to some people on hear you'd think he's world class. I'd have Bowe, Trimble and Fitz in front of him for Ireland. I'd have him as number 22 as he's a good winger and can cover 13 and 15. Better choice than Paddy Wallace anyway.

thomond2006

His best form was during the 2011 6N, where he showed great defensive capabilities on the wing.

Kidney McGahan moving him back to 13 this season is madness.

iwasonbwh

He needs a better 12 inside him than Mafi to suit his game when at 13.

Tox56

iwasonbwh wrote: »

He needs a better 12 inside him than Mafi to suit his game when at 13.

That's not the issue, Mafi probably doesn't help, but his decision making is just poor at 13, it's an unnatural position and he is infinitely more effective on the wing.

porterbelly

Overhyped

Good pace and feet at times but his passing his poor and he doesn't seem to bring his brain to games at times.

4th choice winger in my book and doesn't register on the list of 13's because he's not a 13

Benny Cake

thomond2006 wrote: »

Kidney McGahan moving him back to 13 this season is madness.

What other option have we in Munster? Barnes & Chambers aren't up to it at this level. Earls is really the only choice for 13 at Munster...

thomond2006

Benny Cake wrote: »

What other option have we in Munster? Barnes & Chambers aren't up to it at this level. Earls is really the only choice for 13 at Munster...

I agree with you, he probably is the best 13 considering, but we're losing our best winger in the process (with Dougie out).

irishbucsfan

iwasonbwh wrote: »

He needs a better 12 inside him than Mafi to suit his game when at 13.

Why? Mafi put him through a massive gap today and Earls just dropped it.

He needs the space that playing on the wing gives him, he's lethal in space so long as you don't expect him to actually pass the ball once (if) the opposition have caught him.

Cave at 13 and Earls on the wing would be a brilliant combination (I'd prefer Trimble or Fitz on the wing, but I think Earls isnt far behind them at all).

Sindri

Benny Cake wrote: »

What other option have we in Munster? Barnes & Chambers aren't up to it at this level. Earls is really the only choice for 13 at Munster...

O' Callaghan?

Earls is a good winger. Brilliant pace and a good finisher, he genuinely has played to an exceptional standard before, though only when he's given the ball in plenty of space and it's a race to the line.

He is a bit overrated, the way some people talk about him, and we have better wingers and he is certainly not a center. Deco won't play him there either, unless he's trying to get sacked (hopefully).

irishbucsfan

thomond2006 wrote: »

His best form was during the 2011 6N, where he showed great defensive capabilities on the wing.

I think this is key. In the 2010 6N he was really poor in defense but Kidney stuck with him and in 2011 he completely reversed that and was brilliant in defense. Stability breeds consistency and moving him to 13 is only going to detract from his comfort levels on the wing. He should be under orders to play 11 for Munster between now and the 6 Nations, rather than messing about in a position he doesn't have the skillset to play.

.ak

Ah sure when Wally comes back from injury just play him at 12 and move Mafi to 13.

Quint2010

Kidney has obviously had an input into him being picked at 13 but he had a terrible match there today. He hasnt done his Ireland chances any good at all.

Amazotheamazing

5 tries in the RWC, been injured since, who says he's in poor form? Scored a lovely try last weekend too.

twinytwo

Seriously threads like this are just pointless..... and op i take it you dont know much about rugby

Cpt_Blackbeard

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

5 tries in the RWC, been injured since, who says he's in poor form? Scored a lovely try last weekend too.

It appears that, he has earned TOL's title of Munster-player-who-is-criticised-for-every-thing-he-does-on-a-rugby-pitch*.






*Please note that, this title can only be won by Irish internationals in the Munster squad. It will be a highly contested and coveted prize this 6N as, Horan, Varley, Ryan, DOC, Ronan, POM, Murray, ROG, Earls and Hurley all have competition for a place in the Irish squad. Betting has not yet been opened as, the 6N squad is yet to be finalised. Once it is expect Earls to have the shortest odds with all of DOC, TOL, ROG closely following. Due to POC not having any viable competition for a place, he is not eligible for the title.

Tox56

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

It appears that, he has earned TOL's title of Munster-player-who-is-criticised-for-every-thing-he-does-on-a-rugby-pitch*.






*Please note that, this title can only be won by Irish internationals in the Munster squad. It will be a highly contested and coveted prize this 6N as, Horan, Varley, Ryan, DOC, Ronan, POM, Murray, ROG, Earls and Hurley all have competition for a place in the Irish squad. Betting has not yet been opened as, the 6N squad is yet to be finalised. Once it is expect Earls to have the shortest odds with all of DOC, Murray, ROG closely following. Due to POC not having any viable competition for a place, he is not eligible for the title.

Why does seemingly every post you make have to be so bitter?

irishbucsfan

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

It appears that, he has earned TOL's title of Munster-player-who-is-criticised-for-every-thing-he-does-on-a-rugby-pitch*.






*Please note that, this title can only be won by Irish internationals in the Munster squad. It will be a highly contested and coveted prize this 6N as, Horan, Varley, Ryan, DOC, Ronan, POM, Murray, ROG, Earls and Hurley all have competition for a place in the Irish squad. Betting has not yet been opened as, the 6N squad is yet to be finalised. Once it is expect Earls to have the shortest odds with all of DOC, Murray, ROG closely following. Due to POC not having any viable competition for a place, he is not eligible for the title.

If Earls had done anything right at all today, then maybe he wouldn't win the award.

Even one decent pass, perhaps.

Amazotheamazing

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

It appears that, he has earned TOL's title of Munster-player-who-is-criticised-for-every-thing-he-does-on-a-rugby-pitch*.






*Please note that, this title can only be won by Irish internationals in the Munster squad. It will be a highly contested and coveted prize this 6N as, Horan, Varley, Ryan, DOC, Ronan, POM, Murray, ROG, Earls and Hurley all have competition for a place in the Irish squad. Betting has not yet been opened as, the 6N squad is yet to be finalised. Once it is expect Earls to have the shortest odds with all of DOC, Murray, ROG closely following. Due to POC not having any viable competition for a place, he is not eligible for the title.

It's a title that's been passed from Munster player to Munster player since time immemorial, but the trophy that goes with it, the Tony Ward Cup, is a new addition in the last 30 years, replacing the old Tom Clifford shield.

Amazotheamazing

irishbucsfan wrote: »

If Earls had done anything right at all today, then maybe he wouldn't win the award.

Even one decent pass, perhaps.

Meh, the entire team was flat, Coughlan knocked on 3 or 4 times, at least, in the first half but haters gonna hate.

[Jackass]

He has great pace, decent feet and a good finisher from 10 yards out.

He's an average defender on the wing, when he has the touchline to cover his outside, but infield (even by 15 yards) he is a terrible defender, which some people seem to choose to be blind to, as it's as clear as day, and not for his lack of ability to tackle (although his technique can be very poor, I could trawl through youtube examples, one that springs to mind immediately is his "tackle" one on one when infield vs Toulon last season), the problem is with his awareness in defence and decision making.

Definitely a good winger, but as with most young Munster players (and only saying this out of genuine opinion) extremely overhyped, and this is reflected in his lions inclusion.

Can't play centre, can't play full back, only spot for him is onthe wing, but he is an international quality winger, but far from world class.

When he plays his best rugby though and isn't bothered too much in defence and gets space with ball in hand, he can be very dangerous.

I'd still take Fitz over him though personally if I was picking which is better to have in a squad. Earls is good at what he does, but has more glaring limitations and is a one trick pony, all be it a good trick at that.

jimbomalley

twinytwo wrote: »

Seriously threads like this are just pointless.....

Yawn. So are all discussions on boards, they achieve very little yet people keep talking and posting irrelevant topics. Strange one that. Maybe we should stop these discussions altogether?

irishbucsfan

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Meh, the entire team was flat, Coughlan knocked on 3 or 4 times, at least, in the first half but haters gonna hate.

The Munster front 5 were excellent, I thought. Don't see how you couldn't agree with that.

:pac:

What did you think about Earls in particular so?

justsomebloke

Attack the post not the poster lads

jacothelad

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

It appears that, he has earned TOL's title of Munster-player-who-is-criticised-for-every-thing-he-does-on-a-rugby-pitch*.




*Please note that, this title can only be won by Irish internationals in the Munster squad. It will be a highly contested and coveted prize this 6N as, Horan, Varley, Ryan, DOC, Ronan, POM, Murray, ROG, Earls and Hurley all have competition for a place in the Irish squad. Betting has not yet been opened as, the 6N squad is yet to be finalised. Once it is expect Earls to have the shortest odds with all of DOC, Murray, ROG closely following. Due to POC not having any viable competition for a place, he is not eligible for the title.

Isn't Tony Buckley the Perpetual Holder of that one? To be fair, that was for doing eff all squared on a pitch - relentlessly.

twinytwo

jimbomalley wrote: »

Yawn. So are all discussions on boards, they achieve very little yet people keep talking and posting irrelevant topics. Strange one that. Maybe we should stop these discussions altogether?

What was the point of the thread??? every man and his dog knows that earls isnt a centre... but still you feel the need to moan... yawn indeed

Cpt_Blackbeard

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Meh, the entire team was flat, Coughlan knocked on 3 or 4 times, at least, in the first half but haters gonna hate.

We have the red "Irish by birth.." t-shirts for Munster games but, I think it is time we has one for Irish games commissioned. I'm thinking a green t-shirt with Earls', DOC's, ROG's, TOL's and Kidney's faces present on the front with "Haters gonna hate" emblazoned across it.

Tox56

twinytwo wrote: »

What was the point of the thread??? every man and his dog knows that earls isnt a centre... but still you feel the need to moan... yawn indeed

He's still favourite to play it for Ireland, and is still playing it for Munster. When he moves to wing, the moaning will stop.

GerM

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

It appears that, he has earned TOL's title of Munster-player-who-is-criticised-for-every-thing-he-does-on-a-rugby-pitch*.
*Please note that, this title can only be won by Irish internationals in the Munster squad. It will be a highly contested and coveted prize this 6N as, Horan, Varley, Ryan, DOC, Ronan, POM, Murray, ROG, Earls and Hurley all have competition for a place in the Irish squad. Betting has not yet been opened as, the 6N squad is yet to be finalised. Once it is expect Earls to have the shortest odds with all of DOC, Murray, ROG closely following. Due to POC not having any viable competition for a place, he is not eligible for the title.

My Munster, my preciousssssss.



Lighten up. He had a stinker. He's a great player but he's not a great centre. It's the weekend before the 6N squad is announced and he's the primary candidate to replace the countries top player. Did you expect his performance not to be scrutinised?

twinytwo

Tox56 wrote: »

He's still favourite to play it for Ireland, and is still playing it for Munster. When he moves to wing, the moaning will stop.

For sure.... its not his fault they insist on playing him at 13.

justsomebloke

GerM wrote: »

My Munster, my preciousssssss.

I have already given a warning not to attack posters any more and infractions and bans will follow

shuffol

Its not really a Munster bashing thing though is it, its just that the players that Kidney has shown unjustifiable loyalty towards are primarily Munster players, TOL, Buckley, Leamy. I hope Earls puts in a good performance next week but if he doesnt I cant see how Kidney can justify picking him, problem is that it hasnt stopped him before.

irishbucsfan

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

We have the red "Irish by birth.." t-shirts for Munster games but, I think it is time we has one for Irish games commissioned. I'm thinking a green t-shirt with Earls', DOC's, ROG's, TOL's and Kidney's faces present on the front with "Haters gonna hate" emblazoned across it.

Players being criticised for poor performances has to stop. Too many southern tears are being shed.

Cpt_Blackbeard

jacothelad wrote: »

Isn't Tony Buckley the Perpetual Holder of that one? To be fair, that was for doing eff all squared on a pitch - relentlessly.

He completely slipped my mind and is no longer eligible for the award due to leaving Munster for greener pastures. I propose we name the award the Tony in his (and Ward's according to Amazo) honour.

Cpt_Blackbeard

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Players being criticised for poor performances has to stop. Too many southern tears are being shed.

As I said, I haven't seen much of the game but, having ~4 threads dedicated to his current and past performances is a bit much.

twinytwo

GerM wrote: »

My Munster, my preciousssssss.



Lighten up. He had a stinker. He's a great player but he's not a great centre. It's the weekend before the 6N squad is announced and he's the primary candidate to replace the countries top player. Did you expect his performance not to be scrutinised?

that is why we have match threads.... its getting to the point anytime a munster player who is in contention for a international spot plays badly there seems to be a need to start a thread on it.

jimbomalley

twinytwo wrote: »

jimbomalley wrote: »

Yawn. So are all discussions on boards, they achieve very little yet people keep talking and posting irrelevant topics. Strange one that. Maybe we should stop these discussions altogether?

What was the point of the thread??? every man and his dog knows that earls isnt a centre... but still you feel the need to moan... yawn indeed

Not true, have a look at the ireland 13 thread before you include all of us in your sweeping statements

twinytwo

jimbomalley wrote: »

Not true, have a look at the ireland 13 thread before you include all of us in your sweeping statements

take a deep breath and relax

irishbucsfan

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

As I said, I haven't seen much of the game but, having ~4 threads dedicated to his current and past performances is a bit much.

Well then maybe you should watch it before you join the discussion. He did nothing to shut his critics up.

I don't think there should be more than the match thread + the Ireland thread though.

justsomebloke

And we are done don't think there is a real need for his and what ever the point was has now gone off topic