Ulster Team Talk Thread III: Les Miserables SEE MOD WARNING POST #1924 + #2755

stephen_n

salmocab wrote: »

Not really sure about this Soper, he’s a schools coach so it would be a massive step up, what Ulster need is a good strong coach who can rip that squad apart and start again, it’s a long term project but that means that some quality will be needed short term and a schools coach won’t attract that.
He may well be a good enough coach but ulster can’t take risks at the moment they need a quality coaching team.
I know people were suggesting a strong DOR and then other indigenous coaches but to me that’s just a waste maybe in 2/3 years time but right now they need a seriously strong hand.

I’ve heard this notion of ripping the squad apart and starting again a few times now. How exactly does that work? The budgets won’t change, so the quality of player coming and going won’t change. Without and effective functioning academy supplying talent, it’s going to be hard to build a new team. Ulster will have some extra money from Pienaar and Piutau but not enough to fill the gaping holes in that squad.

salmocab

stephen_n wrote: »

I’ve heard this notion of ripping the squad apart and starting again a few times now. How exactly does that work? The budgets won’t change, so the quality of player coming and going won’t change. Without and effective functioning academy supplying talent, it’s going to be hard to build a new team. Ulster will have some extra money from Pienaar and Piutau but not enough to fill the gaping holes in that squad.

Well I was probably using hyperbole but there is the bones of a decent team but no depth. They really need to attract 2/3 players from other provinces to bolster the squad and sign 2/3 decent niq to bolster the first xv. Jordi is an excellent signing and hopefully Moore will get back to where he was too. But there are a few players who should be moved on too.

prawnsambo

salmocab wrote: »

Well I was probably using hyperbole but there is the bones of a decent team but no depth. They really need to attract 2/3 players from other provinces to bolster the squad and sign 2/3 decent niq to bolster the first xv. Jordi is an excellent signing and hopefully Moore will get back to where he was too. But there are a few players who should be moved on too.

From the player POV, I suspect you're right. There seems to be a group of 'untouchables' who know that they won't be dropped because of lack of depth in their positions. I could be wrong about this, but I've seen enough Ulster games this season to be a bit concerned about the lack of effort from guys who are much better than what they are putting out on the pitch.

Stripping them out isn't the answer, building a decent squad is. But with a malfunctioning academy, a bunch of championship level signings and injuries/absences, the situation isn't quickly fixable.

I could say that next season may be different, but that'd be wildly optimistic. The likes of Jordi Murphy and Marty Moore are good signings and will make a difference, but they are starting players, not squad depth. And then there's the coaching revolving door for which each revolution will lower the quality available and willing to take the job on.

$ausage$

Throwing a WILDDDDDDDDDDDD card in here. Rory B for interim forwards coach / player after 6 nations

stephen_n

$ausage$ wrote: »

Throwing a WILDDDDDDDDDDDD card in here. Rory B for interim forwards coach / player after 6 nations

You’ve got a perfectly good forwards coach there, who can’t get anywhere approaching a consistently good level of performance out of that pack. Making the guy who is already Captain, who has no experience as a coach, will hardly help matters. If Best can’t stimulate them as Captain, it’s unlikely to be different in a player/coach role.

MJohnston

Best as forwards coach would be just another example of jobs for the boys that is rampant at Ulster already. He needs to work his way up to that kind of position, similar to what ROG is doing.

Buer

Is Best not pretty much just waiting to start back farming full time once he calls it quits with Ulster?

irishbucsfan

Buer wrote: »

Is Best not pretty much just waiting to start back farming full time once he calls it quits with Ulster?

No, I believe he will go into coaching because he hates money

errlloyd

Buer wrote: »

Is Best not pretty much just waiting to start back farming full time once he calls it quits with Ulster?

I remember combing through his twitter account once and it was an hilarious mix of farming and rugby.

"Thanks @Adidas for the boots, beautiful"

"What is the best type of bolt lock to secure a 5 bar gate, thanks"

$ausage$

huh
Neil Doak: Worcester Warriors appoint attack and backs coach in reshuffle
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43303864

Scythica

Apparently Shaun Edwards is interested in a head coach role.

Dean Richards time at falcons is coming to a natural end as well.

There's also Mallinder but don't think he would suit.

Given what Dean has done with falcons I think he would be a great addition, with the right team underneath him.

Soper is doing the rounds but that's some step up. Don't think McLaughhlin should or would be considered.

Scythica

$ausage$ wrote: »

huh
Neil Doak: Worcester Warriors appoint attack and backs coach in reshuffle
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43303864

Glad he's got somewhere. By all accounts he's a fantastic skills coach, but head coasch was a step too for him I feel

irishbucsfan

If Ulster hire Dean Richards, you are all dead to me

JPCN1

Edwards mightn't be a bad call. Not a man to take any guff I'd imagine.

awec

I see Campbell beat Methody in the schools semi final today.

prawnsambo

irishbucsfan wrote: »

If Ulster hire Dean Richards, you are all dead to me

So, the chances are strong then?

bilston

$ausage$ wrote: »

huh
Neil Doak: Worcester Warriors appoint attack and backs coach in reshuffle
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43303864

When Doak was our backs coach he seemed to do a good job, it's when he became Acting Head Coach (or whatever his title was) that it went pear shaped.

I hope it goes well for him at Worcester.

**** it lads, I'll do it.

prawnsambo

Deleted User wrote: »

**** it lads, I'll do it.

Have you no care for your reputation? :P

$ausage$

Fez wants a local coach
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43306963

Dubinusa

How about geordan Murphy. He's been with the tigers for quite a while. Might be worth a shot.

salmocab

$ausage$ wrote: »

Fez wants a local coach
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43306963

Did he suggest anyone?

launish116

Copeland anyone?

awec

launish116 wrote: »

Copeland anyone?

No thanks.

launish116

awec wrote: »

launish116 wrote: »

Copeland anyone?

No thanks.

We ain't exactly coming down with I'Q back rowers

awec

launish116 wrote: »

We ain't exactly coming down with I'Q back rowers

Yea but no point just signing more bodies for the sake of it.

launish116

we need some bodies, we have no squad depth what so ever, let a lone a natural 8.

awec

awec wrote: »

No thanks.

Don't be too hasty his injury profile fits in perfectly

awec

I'd rather just give game time to some academy lad than sign a 30 year old dud, who we are only considering purely because he's Irish qualified.

launish116

I totally agree academy should get a shot! But doesn’t retract from the situation we have no depth in the back row! And can’t flog academy players all season! We’re stretched at minute and with the likes of Henry a season older, Desel 1 week on 1 off injuries. We need depth to work along side academy and bring on the academy, not parachute players in when we’re short.