Cardiff Blues
How do you solve a problem like Cardiff Blues?
By cardiffsteve
April 29 2015
Going back a couple of weeks, I admit I held out a little hope that the season could be saved. A late push for 7th place was possible, as was a Challenge Cup run.
Naive maybe. But, if you don't allow yourself a little bit of hope you'd have given up on Cardiff Blues years ago (as no doubt more than a few have).
Now though, we can officially brand 2014/15 as a complete disaster area of a season. It has been a sublime mess. I've seen some catastrophic seasons in my time but this one might actually take the cake.
So, as the season dribbles to a close, you begin to think of 2015/16. And, how to begin climbing out of the hole we've dug for ourselves over the past few years.
There are several off field issues which need to be resolved. Not least the ownership of the Arms Park. But putting those aside, what can be done to hopefully improve things on field?
Heres a list. I begin with what might be considered the bleedin' obvious.
HEAD COACH
They key appointment and this time it needs to be done right. It was good to read Richard Holland stating that they want the new man in by the start of preseason. We cant afford another season of caretaker coaches running the team waiting for the head boy to make an appearance at the end of August. Holland also stated that they're looking for a coach with european experience. Again, I'd agree that this is the way to go. We need someone with experience of the long slog of a european season.
Danny Wilson is the name many people have been suggesting and I'd go along with that. He did exceptionally well with Wales U20 and has experience of league rugby on both sides of the border. Its high time he had a head coach job somewhere and I'd like it to be with us.
DEFENCE COACH
Out of the numerous things to have gone pearshaped on the field this season, the standout issue has to be the defence. We have conceded 55 tries in 20 league games. Nearly an average of three a game. Teams that do that wont win many games.
If theres one individual we should splash cash on, it should be the new defence coach. General manager Bill Millard and the new head coach should be told they've a blank cheque to go out and sign the best man available. Go to rugby league, go to New Zealand, go to the moon. Doesn't matter where, find the best man and pay him what he wants.
My suggestion would be Phil Blake, lately of Leicester. Only Bath and Saracens have conceded fewer tries in England this season. This has been a key part of Leicester reaching 4th in the table despite finding tries of their own hard to come by (other than against us, natch). Blake is leaving as Leicester have shook up their whole coaching team. Its not clear what his plans are but I'd be delighted if we could get him.
SECOND ROWS
Thousands will disagree but for me, second row is the most important position on the pitch. Its called the engine room for a reason. And, its also the position where we've consistently struggled to get things right. Jarred Hoeata is a fine player, but isnt the biggest and in this hemisphere I'd like to see him playing at 6.
By my reckoning, we have 5 non Welsh players contracted for next season. That leaves room for 3 more overseas players (one of which must be a timeserver). I think they should all be second rows.
If we were to make one big name signing, I would love it to be Paul O'Connell (seriously). But they don't need to be stars. They need to be big lumps that can do a job week in week out. Somebody like James Percival, former Worcester captain now out of favour and looking for a move, is the sort of under the radar signing that could give us what we need. Ulsterman Ryan Caldwell is also out of contract with Exeter but has had injury issues.
Thinking about the impact Leone Nakarawa has had at Glasgow, it might also make sense to sign a ball carrying second row. Tevita Cavubati impressed in that role for the Ospreys and might make a good signing. In Super Rugby, Marc Kotze of Queensland is another little known player who could maybe fill that role.
YOUTH
World Cup year, when for the first few weeks of the season everyone is under strength, is a perfect time to promote from the academy. Players like Tomos Williams, Seb Davies, James Sheeky (I could go on) now need to be given their head and be full members of the squad rather than remain on the fringe. In the long run, the team's success will depend on the academy products.
CLEAR OUT
The Cardiff Blues website currently lists 54 squad members. Not including academy players and players who have moved on during the season. Thats far more than most sides and is testament to the fact that recruitment got out of control over the past year or so. With players being signed by 4 different coaches, sometimes with the reasons for the signing a little hazy (with respect to Jevon Groves, I have no idea why he was signed. He's just one example).
With new players coming in and several promotions from the academy, I'd say 20 or so players should move on. The squad needs to be completely reshaped.
There, my 5 point plan. None of it is an automatic pancea. But, if most of it happens I'll look forward to next season with a bit more hope and a bit less terror.
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29/04/2015 12:18
20 players out on average say £50,000 (Boosted by Filise, Rees and lowered by Adam Thomas, Groves etc) that's a saving of £1million.
Could get 7 decent players in for that @ £150,000 (£1,050,000)
Still have a squad of 41 plus other intended signings.
People may have more accurate figures but if these 7 would be available all year round ........
"There are several off field issues which need to be resolved. Not least the ownership of the Arms Park."
Cardif Athletic Club owns the Arms Park what resolution are you looking for?
Quote:ATTR
Sorry but I'm not sure what this means:
"There are several off field issues which need to be resolved. Not least the ownership of the Arms Park."
Cardif Athletic Club owns the Arms Park what resolution are you looking for?
As you know, the Ltd Company would like to own the freehold. Plus there are plans in the works which somewhere down the line could mean the WRU or another third party owning at least part of the ground. That situation needs to be resolved.
I trust that clarifies. But I deliberately didnt go into that so if you want to discuss it start a new thread.
Or, if you want to write a longer piece giving your thoughts on it, send it to me and I'll post it as an article.
Quote:Yup
Squad size is clearly a massive problem, I have no idea on the wage structure but a back of fag packet calculation:-
20 players out on average say £50,000 (Boosted by Filise, Rees and lowered by Adam Thomas, Groves etc) that's a saving of £1million.
Could get 7 decent players in for that @ £150,000 (£1,050,000)
Still have a squad of 41 plus other intended signings.
People may have more accurate figures but if these 7 would be available all year round ........
If I were to guess, I'd say a large proportion of that massive squad are on fairly low wages. I dare say the money could have been spent on quality rather than quantity though, you're right.
But I think the main thing it underines is a lack of joined up thinking. A product of several coaching changes in such a short period.
29/04/2015 16:53
For Gods sake stop signing out of their depth semi pro players on the basis of them being mates with Dale Mcintosh.
Too much negativity has taken place over the last few years and the best way to address the full scale culture change that we need is new coaches and a fresh squad, some of who fear for their futures if they don't step up.
I would also like to see Danny Wilson given a run as a headcoach though we need someone of real authority to turn the ship around and i don't know if he has that capability (as i don't know him).
and too bloody right we need to sort the defence - lack of confidence is one thing but our lack of a system that could be followed and engaged is bigger...
Any other suggestions for head coach - let's get a lucky dip pot going, who knows, Dickie may be reading..
30/04/2015 10:11
Mike Ruddock for me (but I know he won't leave the Irish set up...now his son is doing so well) - but danny wilson may be a good shout.
Toby Booth is an assistant at Bath but took LIrish to the Premiership final when he was brieflyin charge there. He might be a good shout, if we could get him.
We want someone on the way up who can't afford to be seen to fail.
Jonno Gibbes at Clermont who'll be expensive or Darryl Gibson at the Waratahs who'll be much cheaper both come to mind.
Danny Wilson has a good record so far and I think he'd be great as forwards coach but I'm not sure if he has the full package.
30/04/2015 13:42
I must point out I would like Danny Wilson but completely disagree that Anscombe failed
Tend to agree that talking about Anscombe failing at Ulster is debatable. I suspect he's well placed to get the job.
If a business is bad at the top, changing a couple of managers and bringing in a few new members of staff isn't going to make the slightest difference.
30/04/2015 14:04
In the long run, we need further changes behind the scenes.
In the short term, theres no reason to think appointing a coach that isnt from semi pro rugby wont make a difference. It quite obviously can make a substantial difference.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:04:30:14:06:05 by cardiff_steve.
Quote:Cardifflose
Anyone else want to tell ash why Ponty are successful?
Let me guess. It's because they rely off Blues players or something along those lines? To be fair they've barely relied off them this season and have been miles ahead of the other clubs.
There's a few guys in their team who definitely should have had a shot at professional, their inside centre for sure! I find it nuts that the blues got Adam Thomas while Dafydd Lockyer was still playing for Ponty. Not saying he'd be anywhere near a starter, but he's miles better than Thomas.
Quote:McIntosh, is that you?ashflash2k9Quote:Cardifflose
Anyone else want to tell ash why Ponty are successful?
Let me guess. It's because they rely off Blues players or something along those lines? To be fair they've barely relied off them this season and have been miles ahead of the other clubs.
There's a few guys in their team who definitely should have had a shot at professional, their inside centre for sure! I find it nuts that the blues got Adam Thomas while Dafydd Lockyer was still playing for Ponty. Not saying he'd be anywhere near a starter, but he's miles better than Thomas.
30/04/2015 17:43
Quote:adonisbrahQuote:McIntosh, is that you?ashflash2k9Quote:Cardifflose
Anyone else want to tell ash why Ponty are successful?
Let me guess. It's because they rely off Blues players or something along those lines? To be fair they've barely relied off them this season and have been miles ahead of the other clubs.
There's a few guys in their team who definitely should have had a shot at professional, their inside centre for sure! I find it nuts that the blues got Adam Thomas while Dafydd Lockyer was still playing for Ponty. Not saying he'd be anywhere near a starter, but he's miles better than Thomas.
If I was Chief, I'd surely be saying that the signing of Adam Thomas was great. Done a bit of research and it turns out Lockyer was once offered a contract, but wanted to keep his current job as it was more stable. The guy's a genuinely decent centre. All the talk about a crash ball up the middle centre, and he's a prime example of one. Wouldn't play for Wales obviously.
Anyone know if Summerhill's likely to get played this season? A mate of mine, who happens to be his best pal has said that the Ospreys want him. See him as a 13/15 much like Payne for Ulster.
01/05/2015 11:04
Quote:ashflash2k9Quote:adonisbrahQuote:McIntosh, is that you?ashflash2k9Quote:Cardifflose
Anyone else want to tell ash why Ponty are successful?
Let me guess. It's because they rely off Blues players or something along those lines? To be fair they've barely relied off them this season and have been miles ahead of the other clubs.
There's a few guys in their team who definitely should have had a shot at professional, their inside centre for sure! I find it nuts that the blues got Adam Thomas while Dafydd Lockyer was still playing for Ponty. Not saying he'd be anywhere near a starter, but he's miles better than Thomas.
If I was Chief, I'd surely be saying that the signing of Adam Thomas was great. Done a bit of research and it turns out Lockyer was once offered a contract, but wanted to keep his current job as it was more stable. The guy's a genuinely decent centre. All the talk about a crash ball up the middle centre, and he's a prime example of one. Wouldn't play for Wales obviously.
Anyone know if Summerhill's likely to get played this season? A mate of mine, who happens to be his best pal has said that the Ospreys want him. See him as a 13/15 much like Payne for Ulster.
Lockyear was trialled by us and NGD years back. Nether wanted him. You look at Dicomidis who also was on the fringe of a contract earlier in his career but didnt get one.... and has spent the last 18 months demonstrating why we were probably right first time around.
All Summerhill needs to do is stay fit for a length of time.
03/05/2015 19:34
Quote:southcoast5
I'm a little tired of having to read b*ll**ks about a small village rugby team many miles away. its all completely irrelevant.
Yes, that feeder club, the other side of the gabalfa flyover.
03/05/2015 19:39
Quote:damnation and eedjfireQuote:southcoast5
I'm a little tired of having to read b*ll**ks about a small village rugby team many miles away. its all completely irrelevant.
Yes, that feeder club, the other side of the gabalfa flyover.
Rhiwbina?
Quote:Cardifflose
Sorry are you saying selling the naming rights was bad business? That is ludicrous
Didn't say it was bad business. But what has that money been spent on? Please don't tell me it was on upgrading the club house.
