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Excellent report Finno. You're 100% right about the 'no criticising the team' nonsense, some of our fans on twitter are far too positive...!

I'm all for supporting the team and I want us to do well as much as the next person, and I am fully supportive of Tom Coventry and the team. When we have witnessed such an utter shoiteshow, though, I think I have the right to show my frustration.

What we saw against Quins was not London Irish standard. A performance like that makes us the laughing stock of the Premiership. When you see your team capitulate like we have seen against Bath and Quins (and Wasps for 10 mins) you can't possibly be praising our players for the shift they put in (as good as our defence has been in some games).

Let's hope that this was just [yet another] bad day at the office and the boys get their game together for the Edinburgh games, COYI

Did Tom Coventry read your piece before his piece to camara this week stating that he wants us to stick with them and be positive to the team on social media!

I too can be critical (remember me on Smithy) and we are all entitled to our view and to state that, but we need to be realistic about the options and for example Dan Carter is not coming to be our 10 (although he was at Sunbury 6 weeks ago!!)

Chat to any of the players and you can tell the camp hurting and trying to work out the way forward but it is no surprise that we are near the bottom, most of us looked at the fixture and said it wouldn't be a suprise to be on 0 by Christmas and that's come true

So either end of the spectrum we need to remain behind the team when we can, Keeping the moral going in the camp was likely to be tough with the fixtures but at least we have to play all the weaker sides twice, nobody else has that luxury so there is still hope!

Excellent report Finno, I think you have summed up both the performance at the weekend and our teams deficiencies perfectly.

I particularly agree with your assessment of Noakes. Certainly he's not the best, but as you say Dan Carter would struggle behind forwards unable to assert dominance. Perhaps a bit more selection consistency (injuries permitting) amongst our pack would give our 10 more of a chance to get us going forwards.

We really do need that 80% kicker as well, but getting one , as we all know is much easier said than done.

Really hope TC can work out the magic formula soon, we could all do with a bit of Christmas cheer!

---

Cheers & Beers
BB

Finno,

You have gone to all home and away games, you have spent quite a lot of time and money supporting the team and are entitled to express your concerns publicly. The problem is the odd casual supporter coming in here or other social media sites bleating their opinion.

Here's the thing on criticism .. Other than venting your own frustration on these pages, who or what help has it achieved??
We all know we in a very tough fight this year, that could go to the wire,with very small margins splitting 3\4 teams. Now what if those margins are us supporters??? What if its the difference the Gloucester "shed" make over the Irish drummers!!!!
Now with the huge changes the club has made this season things were almost certainly going to be shaky at best.when this happens ,the management, team and US fans HAVE to tighten up together!! No one in this league,or sky sports or BT or the rugby papers etc gives a monkeys about us... Fact.
Cliché or not,it maybe your unwavering support that helps us cling on,and onto brighter things.... It's the same as supporting your own son\ daughter and watching them get hammered each week... You still go the following week ..hoping for the day your kid gets the winner!!!!
It's the easiest thing in the world to follow a Bath or a Saracens



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2015 20:17 by Bill the chip.

Here's the thing on criticism.. Other than venting your own frustration on these pages, who or what help has it achieved??
We all know we in a very tough fight this year, that could go to the wire,with very small margins splitting 3\4 teams. Now what if those margins are us supporters??? What if its the difference the Gloucester "shed" make over the Irish drummers!!!!
Now with the huge changes the club has made this season things were almost certainly going to be shaky at best.when this happens ,the management, team and US fans HAVE to tighten up together!! No one in this league,or sky sports or BT or the rugby papers etc gives a monkeys about us... Fact.
Cliché or not,it maybe your unwavering support that helps us cling on,and onto brighter things.... It's the same as supporting your own son\ daughter and watching them get hammered each week... You still go the following week ..hoping for the day your kid gets the winner!!!!
It's the easiest thing in the world to follow a Bath or a Saracens

I don't think anyone has suggested 100% blind optimism is called for, and I say that as one of the people who you'd no doubt put in the happy clappy club. However, if you want to see a small example of the relentless negativity from some quarters that is winding some of us up, have a look at the responses on here and on social media to the club's announcement that a well respected guy has rejoined our community team. So many people used it as yet another opportunity to bang on about totally unrelated issues. It is a very small thing but imagine you were him or a member of his family reading that, what'd be your impression of the fanbase? I think it is an unfair reflection as the reality is, a lot of people now sadly steer clear of the craic because they feel it has become overly negative. The attitude and warmth I experience every time I met London Irish fans in person is a world away from the impression that you can get from reading a lot of stuff online.

personally, I now post on here considerably less than I have at any point in the last decade as I find the tone OTT negative. I now prefer chatting about stuff on Facebook where people use their real names and while they're still critical in their assessments, they are considerably less personal and vitriolic in nature. This is by no means related to everybody or even close to it, but I felt it was worth giving the 'happy clappy club' some context.

Regarding criticism, I feel it's just a matter of being fair & realistic.

There's no call for personal comments and some of the stuff on here is very flippant, poorly thought through and frankly, maddeningly repetitive.

At the same time, the OTT positivity (etc., we're somehow nailed on to beat Falcons & Worcester, so nothing else seems to matter) is equally frustrating.

For me, it's a case of come on here and be honest & fair in your assessment - if that means we've been horrendous, we've been horrendous. If we've had a great game, enjoy it and give it the praise it deserves.

Regarding the fans making the difference - performance wise, I don't see that it matters. In the heat of the game inside the stadium, I'm nothing but shouting the boys on. The comments on here are about assessment & reflection, not about encouragement when it really matters.

Quote:

Exile44
Regarding criticism, I feel it's just a matter of being fair & realistic.
There's no call for personal comments and some of the stuff on here is very flippant, poorly thought through and frankly, maddeningly repetitive.

At the same time, the OTT positivity (etc., we're somehow nailed on to beat Falcons & Worcester, so nothing else seems to matter) is equally frustrating.

For me, it's a case of come on here and be honest & fair in your assessment - if that means we've been horrendous, we've been horrendous. If we've had a great game, enjoy it and give it the praise it deserves.

Regarding the fans making the difference - performance wise, I don't see that it matters. In the heat of the game inside the stadium, I'm nothing but shouting the boys on. The comments on here are about assessment & reflection, not about encouragement when it really matters.

Thanks Exile44, that about sums up my sentiments exactly also..

..and Caimh..as a fan of your posts in general, I do dispair of the sanctimonious 'high horse' stuff..you post at times.

Yeah - never met anyone as sanctimonious and on his high horse as Caimh McDonnell...!

LMFAO

But you're a massive fan of criticism right up until the point you receive some. Apologies, duly noted.
Woah their Nelly.

Quote:

Caimh
But you're a massive fan of criticism right up until the point you receive some. Apologies, duly noted.
Woah their Nelly.

I don't mind criticism, but sport is in the entertainment business and lots of us pay a lot of money to support our team...I've been to every game this season and as such, I believe that entitles me, and everyone else to express an honest opinion about our performances..

What I find difficult to take, is being effectively accused of being a 'lesser' supporter because i, and others choose to post an honest assessment of what they witness( some go a little OTT.. But that's life)

However, I understand that you maybe a little 'Happy Clappy' as you are, after all a London Irish employee...be difficult no to be ;-)

Who had a go at you for posting an honest assessment?
At no point did I say reasoned criticism was unfair.
My point was about people using things like a new community coach as an opportunity to roll out the same unrelated remarks as they've already made repeatedly elsewhere. I also don't agree with some of the personal vitriol aimed at certain players that I consider to go beyond legitimate criticism of their play.

Speaking of repetition, what's with all the full stops in every sentence? They're confusing the horse. Are you talking half in morse code? :-)

Please post more rather than less Caimh. Informed, witty and to the point. Yours and Foggy Balla's are amongst the few that lighten the (understandably at present) doom and gloom. And Ozzy3213 is, in my opinion, comfortably the best poster on LI rugby matters.

Quote:

ehfer
Please post more rather than less Caimh. Informed, witty and to the point. Yours and Foggy Balla's are amongst the few that lighten the (understandably at present) doom and gloom. And Ozzy3213 is, in my opinion, comfortably the best poster on LI rugby matters.

Well, that's put the rest of us back in our box! Obviously, we are not witty, or worthy enough!

But we're all on the same side chaps - here's to a good game tomorrow ... -- .. .-.. .

...in answer to your title, I'm going to madstad tomorrow, for the 1st time this season! via various railway stations on my newly acquired senior railcard, which will save me >£8 every time!! :¬)

I'm with the happy clappy crowd btw, just there to enjoy a game of rugby in a sociable gathering ...or I can sit with the edin burrowers if you'd prefer :¬D

Quote:

frank2u
...in answer to your title, I'm going to madstad tomorrow, for the 1st time this season! via various railway stations on my newly acquired senior railcard, which will save me >£8 every time!! :¬)
I'm with the happy clappy crowd btw, just there to enjoy a game of rugby in a sociable gathering ...or I can sit with the edin burrowers if you'd prefer :¬D

Seating arrangements depend on how much of that saved £8 you'll be cashing in for drinks. If the answers 'all of it', you're very much welcome next to myself...

my expenses for the day will certainly amount to the cost of the 3 year railcard 44er!

i'm unreserved so may sit in many seats, i'm sure we will rub shoulders

...the smileys have deserted my screen, so cheers :¬)

...onwards and upwards from here...top squad each and every match...

craicing day out!

just back & have to say the burrowers were a crowd I like to be amongst!!

...sorely tempted to fly up next week, & everyweek come to that; cummonn li, jump up for joys sakes! :¬)

Quote:

Caimh

personally, I now post on here considerably less than I have at any point in the last decade as I find the tone OTT negative.

Hey Caimh, for someone who really doesn't use The Craic anymore, you've certainly been VERY active this weekend!! Happy Clappy Mania ?? ;-)

Quote:

Finno

Quote:

Caimh

personally, I now post on here considerably less than I have at any point in the last decade as I find the tone OTT negative.

Hey Caimh, for someone who really doesn't use The Craic anymore, you've certainly been VERY active this weekend!! Happy Clappy Mania ?? ;-)

I got the train instead of drove.

lest anyone was lost by this thread & wondering where ppl are going when they come on this site?

"The Craic (Pronounced ‘crack’) – An Irish word with no direct translation in English. Means partying, enjoying the company of others, having a good time and a fair amount more. This is a particular speciality of London Irish and it’s supporters."

...the 'fair amount more' is presumably an open playground for anything else anyone may wish to bring to our attention?
lost on me I'm afraid :¬D

Quote:

frank2u
lest anyone was lost by this thread & wondering where ppl are going when they come on this site?
"The Craic (Pronounced ‘crack’) – An Irish word with no direct translation in English. Means partying, enjoying the company of others, having a good time and a fair amount more. This is a particular speciality of London Irish and it’s supporters."

...the 'fair amount more' is presumably an open playground for anything else anyone may wish to bring to our attention?
lost on me I'm afraid :¬D

Yep..Caimh and I have just been having a bit of good natured Craic with each other..or at least I was!

I'm just upset that nobody spotted what I thought was my really clever post referencing Caimh's bit about morse code

Sorry Heaf, don't do Morse...just fullstop diarrhea,...

But I've just Googled it !

Big mistake Heaf.... crediting the denizens of this place with that sort of wit.

There's only about half a dozen who realise that irony isn't something you do to your clothesy