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none has been made

none that I can see unfortunately

Agreed no progress! But realistically there was never going to be with the amount of players who left? Really that should have happened over 2-4 Seasons! Positives from this year are navidi and patchell. But really Phil can't be judged until the end of next season! I believe the signings of Paulo, g Jenkins and Mather Rhys will help improve the pack but we are still short a good centre and tight head and utility back for next year. However next year could be Scott Andrews break through year? He's got great skills and work rate he's just cant scrummage! And I have high hopes for a centre partnership of owian Williams and Corey Allen! Not sure if there are any other players that might make the step up next year? Ponty always seen to do well in the premier ship so are there any players there who could make the step up?

Several individuals have improved, notably Navidi, Patchell and Owen Williams. Some good additions to strengthen the squad but don't feel tulip has done anything to contribute to the team's progress. Get what you pay for I guess.

No progress made, as far as I can see.
Not much in prospect, either

Those first few seasons were really really poor you know? Cardiff were bottom of the then five regions and uncompetitive in europe, atleast now they are third at worst and able to make a challenge in the Heineken. That was a tough group with montpellier and toulon in this season and the team didn't get smashed like many thought.Its not the same as the humiliation in Leeds a few years back under dai to name but one.

However....the standard on display this year, regardless of the rebuilding of the side has been poor and not what has come to be expected of a blues side.The basic skills, handling wise has particularly been poor, even from players who are experienced at this level now. The scrum has naturally been beaten most games due to the weight and inexperience of the pack which will take time but the team haven't played to their strengths in pace out wide. The delivery and awareness of the inside man is key to making that work this year and its just not been there meaning most of the attacks have been ineffective and not broken the line and then the ball has been lost.Too many times good posession has been wasted andall the effort in the build up comes to nothing.They should try some league during the summer, first thing we teach the young union converts in summer training is controlling the ball with two hands then one hand and being able to pick the ball up from any height.

This year waa written off before the season really started, but next year the same old excuses will not be accepted.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:26:15:52:44 by sgorpioncaerdyddrob.

You think it's bad here? Imagine being a Scarlets fan and watching your club let Samson Lee join Glouscester in order to fund the signing of a Scottish flanker!!!!!

Quote:

Cardifflose
You think it's bad here? Imagine being a Scarlets fan and watching your club let Samson Lee join Glouscester in order to fund the signing of a Scottish flanker!!!!!

Man that would be the death of Welsh regional rugby imo!! getting rid of, quite possibly, the next Adam Jones for a "foreigner"!!!!

The WRU will have to act soon, losing 26 year olds for a few seasons i can accept but 19/20 year olds should not be happening

On the progress front i think next season will be another difficult one but if we see more of the likes of Allen and O Williams (at 13!!), and if Robinson, Hamilton, Andrews, Patchell step up another level then the following season could be interesting, thats as long as we keep the players!!

Quote:

sgorpioncaerdyddrob
Those first few seasons were really really poor you know? Cardiff were bottom of the then five regions and uncompetitive in europe, atleast now they are third at worst and able to make a challenge in the Heineken. That was a tough group with montpellier and toulon in this season and the team didn't get smashed like many thought.Its not the same as the humiliation in Leeds a few years back under dai to name but one.

Thats true. Although that season also saw us finishing 6th. The season after that was far worse, when we finished 9th with just 8 wins. Which sounds familiar.

Quote:

sgorpioncaerdyddrob
Those first few seasons were really really poor you know? Cardiff were bottom of the then five regions and uncompetitive .......
......This year was written off before the season really started, but next year the same old excuses will not be accepted.

They were bad before it became 5 pro teams, so no surprise at that.....
.... As for next season, they aren't really excuses but, reasons why they may well do much of the same... The WRU (I of course mean RL) trying to force through coomplete dominance of the 4 teams (this despite them being private companies & only held together by the backers, where will the WRU get that money replaced or get the money to buy them up come from???)
Team Wales + BL affecting early team selections, then the 'wonderful*' AIs possibly affecting the following HC games.... Lack of depth in key areas of the squad, having to bring youngsters through a tad too soon, underweight/strength fowards?? will all affect the teams ability to move forward...

Still, with more money having come into the coffers after the last 3 years of madness and with 1 or 2 possible signings to come in during the summer (only rumours though!) maybe, just maybe things might be better...


*only wonderful because they haven't been able to get a 4th AI !!!!

___________________________________________________________

Soldier: This is the worst part. The calm before the battle
Fry: And then the battle is not so bad?
Soldier: Oh, right. I forgot about the battle

Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot

Quote:

Neil
Still, with more money having come into the coffers after the last 3 years of madness and with 1 or 2 possible signings to come in during the summer (only rumours though!) maybe, just maybe things might be better...

Proper tidy signings or.... just some guys?

We could be doing what the English and Irish are doing and waiting for the top 14 teams to announce there signing this Thursday and just go pick up the left over, I imagine there will be some tidy left overs, also read good piece this weekend with agen boss saying within 12 month French players will move to rabo and jeff to get some rugby as some tidy players sit on the bench week in week out

Quote:

Cardifflose
We could be doing what the English and Irish are doing and waiting for the top 14 teams to announce there signing this Thursday and just go pick up the left over, I imagine there will be some tidy left overs, also read good piece this weekend with agen boss saying within 12 month French players will move to rabo and jeff to get some rugby as some tidy players sit on the bench week in week out

This....

___________________________________________________________

Soldier: This is the worst part. The calm before the battle
Fry: And then the battle is not so bad?
Soldier: Oh, right. I forgot about the battle

Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot

with no money can't see us getting anyone tidy

Quote:

hands in the ruck
with no money can't see us getting anyone tidy

With the dog's doo dahs that the WRU and RR are making of the game in Wales, it's enough to put anyone tidy off coming here.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:04:30:20:16:03 by Selgwent.

too true

Quote:

sgorpioncaerdyddrob
Those first few seasons were really really poor you know? Cardiff were bottom of the then five regions and uncompetitive in europe, atleast now they are third at worst and able to make a challenge in the Heineken. That was a tough group with montpellier and toulon in this season and the team didn't get smashed like many thought.Its not the same as the humiliation in Leeds a few years back under dai to name but one.
However....the standard on display this year, regardless of the rebuilding of the side has been poor and not what has come to be expected of a blues side.The basic skills, handling wise has particularly been poor, even from players who are experienced at this level now. The scrum has naturally been beaten most games due to the weight and inexperience of the pack which will take time but the team haven't played to their strengths in pace out wide. The delivery and awareness of the inside man is key to making that work this year and its just not been there meaning most of the attacks have been ineffective and not broken the line and then the ball has been lost.Too many times good posession has been wasted and all the effort in the build up comes to nothing.They should try some league during the summer, first thing we teach the young union converts in summer training is controlling the ball with two hands then one hand and being able to pick the ball up from any height.

This year was written off before the season really started, but next year the same old excuses will not be accepted.

Bottom, Just, of 5 It was a close run thing. This time we are heading downwards with only the dreadful NGDS below us (but the gap seems to be losing). Also We have Treviso and Connacht above us.

The pack has been heavier than a number of the packs we met this year, if the TV stats are valid, but we have no technique.

The French approach to the HEC is simple. Win the game without extending yourself if the BP appear on in the last 15 minutes then go for it. Otherwise settle for a 4-0 point score. Therefore I feel the stats against both Toulon and Montpellier need to be read carefully. Away in Toulon we were dead and buried. Job done, Toulon relaxed and we made the score respectable. In truth it was a hammering.

Quote:

ATTR

Quote:

sgorpioncaerdyddrob
Those first few seasons were really really poor you know? Cardiff were bottom of the then five regions and uncompetitive in europe, atleast now they are third at worst and able to make a challenge in the Heineken. That was a tough group with montpellier and toulon in this season and the team didn't get smashed like many thought.Its not the same as the humiliation in Leeds a few years back under dai to name but one.
However....the standard on display this year, regardless of the rebuilding of the side has been poor and not what has come to be expected of a blues side.The basic skills, handling wise has particularly been poor, even from players who are experienced at this level now. The scrum has naturally been beaten most games due to the weight and inexperience of the pack which will take time but the team haven't played to their strengths in pace out wide. The delivery and awareness of the inside man is key to making that work this year and its just not been there meaning most of the attacks have been ineffective and not broken the line and then the ball has been lost.Too many times good posession has been wasted and all the effort in the build up comes to nothing.They should try some league during the summer, first thing we teach the young union converts in summer training is controlling the ball with two hands then one hand and being able to pick the ball up from any height.

This year was written off before the season really started, but next year the same old excuses will not be accepted.

Bottom, Just, of 5 It was a close run thing. This time we are heading downwards with only the dreadful NGDS below us (but the gap seems to be losing). Also We have Treviso and Connacht above us.

The pack has been heavier than a number of the packs we met this year, if the TV stats are valid, but we have no technique.

The French approach to the HEC is simple. Win the game without extending yourself if the BP appear on in the last 15 minutes then go for it. Otherwise settle for a 4-0 point score. Therefore I feel the stats against both Toulon and Montpellier need to be read carefully. Away in Toulon we were dead and buried. Job done, Toulon relaxed and we made the score respectable. In truth it was a hammering.

Agree 100% think Toulouse would be case and point they have won the cup 4 or 5 times always seem to win by a clear 20 but never get a TBP