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Disapointing, cant believe how quickly team imploded today, from the needless tug by turnball at lineout we didnt get back into game till 67min, from where I was sitting, dont think we got out of our own half in first 25 mins of second half! Not sure where we go from here?

Quote:

tomtwit82
Disapointing, cant believe how quickly team imploded today, from the needless tug by turnball at lineout we didnt get back into game till 67min, from where I was sitting, dont think we got out of our own half in first 25 mins of second half! Not sure where we go from here?

Realsistically with the backs crisis we had we did well to run them that close, had we been full strength there's no doubt we would've blown them out of the water, but we got dealt a tough hand. Dragons aren't up to even this second tier scratch, I'm pretty sure there will not be a welsh team come the final

Quote:

adonisbrah
had we been full strength there's no doubt we would've blown them out of the water - not sure about that - who have we "blown out the water" recently?

Dragons aren't up to even this second tier scratch - neither are we

I'm pretty sure there will not be a welsh team come the final - yep, you got that right

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2015:04:04:17:56:16 by capsgon.

Not so sure we were pretty much full strength up front, think tavis played as wellnas anynof the centres we have had this year(if not better!)with all due respect it was the dragons not some french/english club, we should have been more competitive. Frustraiting that dragons bringing youth through yet we scrape the welsh premiership to fill voids
was a big game for the blues today and the just wernt up to it

Two bald blokes fighting over a comb.

The fact is, until We go through a long period of 'achieving' what we deserve (that is, nothing!), losing any game of meaning and facing up to our woeful lack of quality, nowt will change.

I don't want even the tiniest bit of success at the moment cos those in charge will have the excuse to bumble along with low quality coaches, too many poor players and low ambition.

Gotta wake up and smell the coffee soon.... Please!

C'mon You Blues!!!

?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:04:06:00:08:43 by Ian Robinson Was Innocent.

Can someone please settle a family argument. My brother says that Sam Warburton played for the Blues yesterday but Im absolutely convinced that I didn't see him on the pitch.
I'd be grateful if someone could please confirm one way or the other.

Can confirm warburton and 14 others where spotted in newport yesterday, whether they played or not that is another story

Quote:

southcoast5
Can someone please settle a family argument. My brother says that Sam Warburton played for the Blues yesterday but Im absolutely convinced that I didn't see him on the pitch.
I'd be grateful if someone could please confirm one way or the other.

He was definitely seen smiling away in the post-match team shots on the telly.
Maybe doing a John Terry?

Started the game playing exactly the right way. Completely lost all shape on about 35 minutes and never got it back. Inability to defend a driving lineout came up again, even though NGD played with only 1 second row.

NGD earned the win and raised their game when they sniffed blood. but much of what we produced was shambolic.

It does simplify the question of whether PJ and DM are able to take full control of the team. So far they havent really made a case.

Quote:

Ian Robinson Was Innocent

Quote:

ATTR
Two bald blokes fighting over a comb.

ATTR I thought you quoted a few months ago that you were not following the BLUES, and only watching the RFC team, and you were only going to add the odd comment on this site. Yet you add a comment that is non constructive to today's game. Maybe you really do love us after all. I am sure you will give us a bent refs interpretation as why you still LOVE THE BLUES.

I am not "following them" I still observe an watch incidents that others bring to my attention. Insidentally I did not quote it. I've "quoted" you above. I stated I was no longer going to follow pro rugby. Once again on this site people who have nothing t oback up their views get up set wehen people disagree with them

I resent you slanderous accusation that I am a bent ref. However, I can draw from that comment that you cannot offer anything to support a view so you prefer to indulge in personal insults. Perhaps you would like to support your claims that I am a bent referee.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:04:05:23:40:59 by ATTR.

ATTR I Sincerely apologise for my derogatory remarks, I had a disappointing day at Rodney Parade, as did most of Blues fans who attended, and I suppose I was looking for someone to vent my frustrations out on. As it was it was you, and you have returned in your usual constructive way. Also watching poor matches and to much apple juice do not mix, I was out of order.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2015:04:06:00:13:44 by Ian Robinson Was Innocent.

God knows why the Dragons kept kicking. As soon as their backs got the ball wide they were tearing us apart.

Our problem is we don’t develop player via our region. We will take players when we need them the dragons have done well found players in their area and developed them that are something the blues don’t seem or want to do. We take a couple from Pontypridd but really ignore the rest of the region. We can’t depend on our starts as we don’t have big enough of a squad to do this. When we have a few injuries we suffer. We need to develop more otherwise nothing will change. The dragons were far more creative than us. And why with 10 mins to go did the blues persist with scrums we wasted 7-8 minutes that’s what cost us the game poor leadership and poor tactic on the pitch well done the dragons

Rudderless, no ambition. How the hell did we get to this point. The heady days of the Euro semi final against Leicester and the thumping of Gloucester seems such a long time ago.

Really painful to watch.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:04:06:09:15:46 by Blues Boy.

Quote:

neilcardiff
Our problem is we don’t develop player via our region. We will take players when we need them the dragons have done well found players in their area and developed them that are something the blues don’t seem or want to do. We take a couple from Pontypridd but really ignore the rest of the region. We can’t depend on our starts as we don’t have big enough of a squad to do this. When we have a few injuries we suffer. We need to develop more otherwise nothing will change.

Not sure I agree with this. We have produced a number of home grown players eg Cory Allen, Dacey, Navidi, Hobbs, Andrews, Patch, Cook, Warby have all come through the system in recent years. If anything, it's just that the quality of the players we produce isn't as good as that of The Ospreys.

As for the Dragons, I don't think we should flatter them too much for beating us. We blew them.away in the first half but threw it away in the second. I don't see evidence of them producing more or even better quality youngsters than us.

Building a squad takes time, but our recruitment now must focus on the next 3-5 years. We must spend money smartly on a number of nWq players who can give us a strong core. Dai Young developed an excellent spine running through our team of players who were not Welsh international wannabes, to whomever playing for Cardiff was a privalge and the focus of their career.

These days, too many Welsh international stars see their club side as a hobby between the big games. This apathy is a result of WG's team Wales policy, but perpetuated by the region's own lack of ambition and the lacklustre pro 12.

One way to combat this is to recruit nWq 'leaders', about 27 years old, who come wanting to win trophies. who will create a better club ethos and inspire those around them to want to succeed. Sadly these characters are serverly lacking at the moment.

Admin of theArmsPark.co.uk,
Make Noise and You Will Be Heard!

Quote:

Ian Robinson Was Innocent
ATTR I Sincerely apologise for my derogatory remarks, I had a disappointing day at Rodney Parade, as did most of Blues fans who attended, and I suppose I was looking for someone to vent my frustrations out on. As it was it was you, and you have returned in your usual constructive way. Also watching poor matches and to much apple juice do not mix, I was out of order.

The point is I don't sugar coat it. IF the club and dare I say it the fans had faced the truth about our aging squad a few years ago things might have been different. Sadly the warnings were ignored and people like me were accused of being negative. Well the proof was out on the pitch on saturday and for much of the last few seasons.

You say: "Also watching poor matches". Well why do you think your are havign to do that?

Facing the truth is constructive. hiding from it leads to nowhere. I suggest you vent your anfger where it belongs. I've always supported my arguments. Others on here do not always do so. Attack the message and not the messenger.

Quote:

theArmsPark.co.uk Admin

Quote:

neilcardiff
Our problem is we don’t develop player via our region. We will take players when we need them the dragons have done well found players in their area and developed them that are something the blues don’t seem or want to do. We take a couple from Pontypridd but really ignore the rest of the region. We can’t depend on our starts as we don’t have big enough of a squad to do this. When we have a few injuries we suffer. We need to develop more otherwise nothing will change.

Not sure I agree with this. We have produced a number of home grown players eg Cory Allen, Dacey, Navidi, Hobbs, Andrews, Patch, Cook, Warby have all come through the system in recent years. If anything, it's just that the quality of the players we produce isn't as good as that of The Ospreys.

As for the Dragons, I don't think we should flatter them too much for beating us. We blew them.away in the first half but threw it away in the second. I don't see evidence of them producing more or even better quality youngsters than us.

Building a squad takes time, but our recruitment now must focus on the next 3-5 years. We must spend money smartly on a number of nWq players who can give us a strong core. Dai Young developed an excellent spine running through our team of players who were not Welsh international wannabes, to whomever playing for Cardiff was a privalge and the focus of their career.

These days, too many Welsh international stars see their club side as a hobby between the big games. This apathy is a result of WG's team Wales policy, but perpetuated by the region's own lack of ambition and the lacklustre pro 12.

One way to combat this is to recruit nWq 'leaders', about 27 years old, who come wanting to win trophies. who will create a better club ethos and inspire those around them to want to succeed. Sadly these characters are serverly lacking at the moment.

Spot on. The other thing that dai had as well the spine of nwqs (molitika, fillies, rush etc) was past internationals ie deiniol, Nicky, Alfie, shanklin, trt, Jamie Robinson which meant that when the current internationals returned to the team they were adding stardust to what was a solid base. Currently we have none in that category other than Gavin Evans, Lou reed, Matt Rees and Adam jones of which one is leaving at the end of the season, one will probably retire at the end of the season and and two aren't good enough.

Quote:

theArmsPark.co.uk Admin

Quote:

neilcardiff
Our problem is we don’t develop player via our region. We will take players when we need them the dragons have done well found players in their area and developed them that are something the blues don’t seem or want to do. We take a couple from Pontypridd but really ignore the rest of the region. We can’t depend on our starts as we don’t have big enough of a squad to do this. When we have a few injuries we suffer. We need to develop more otherwise nothing will change.

Not sure I agree with this. We have produced a number of home grown players eg Cory Allen, Dacey, Navidi, Hobbs, Andrews, Patch, Cook, Warby have all come through the system in recent years. If anything, it's just that the quality of the players we produce isn't as good as that of The Ospreys.

As for the Dragons, I don't think we should flatter them too much for beating us. We blew them.away in the first half but threw it away in the second. I don't see evidence of them producing more or even better quality youngsters than us.

Building a squad takes time, but our recruitment now must focus on the next 3-5 years. We must spend money smartly on a number of nWq players who can give us a strong core. Dai Young developed an excellent spine running through our team of players who were not Welsh international wannabes, to whomever playing for Cardiff was a privalge and the focus of their career.

These days, too many Welsh international stars see their club side as a hobby between the big games. This apathy is a result of WG's team Wales policy, but perpetuated by the region's own lack of ambition and the lacklustre pro 12.

One way to combat this is to recruit nWq 'leaders', about 27 years old, who come wanting to win trophies. who will create a better club ethos and inspire those around them to want to succeed. Sadly these characters are serverly lacking at the moment.

Spot on. The other thing that dai had as well the spine of nwqs (molitika, fillies, rush etc) was past internationals ie deiniol, Nicky, Alfie, shanklin, trt, Jamie Robinson which meant that when the current internationals returned to the team they were adding stardust to what was a solid base. Currently we have none in that category other than Gavin Evans, Lou reed, Matt Rees and Adam jones of which one is leaving at the end of the season, one will probably retire at the end of the season and and two aren't good enough.

Quote:

ATTR

Quote:

Ian Robinson Was Innocent
ATTR I Sincerely apologise for my derogatory remarks, I had a disappointing day at Rodney Parade, as did most of Blues fans who attended, and I suppose I was looking for someone to vent my frustrations out on. As it was it was you, and you have returned in your usual constructivpe way. Also watching poor matches and to much apple juice do not mix, I was out of order.

The point is I don't sugar coat it. IF the club and dare I say it the fans had faced the truth about our aging squad a few years ago things might have been different. Sadly the warnings were ignored and people like me were accused of being negative. Well the proof was out on the pitch on saturday and for much of the last few seasons.

You say: "Also watching poor matches". Well why do you think your are havign to do that?

Facing the truth is constructive. hiding from it leads to nowhere. I suggest you vent your anfger where it belongs. I've always supported my arguments. Others on here do not always do so. Attack the message and not the messenger.

Is this a non sugar coated explanation for saying apology accepted

No doubt I'll be accused of being an old 'fart' but I've stopped caring. I've seen some pretty poor performances in 50 years of following the club but I've never experienced such a sustained period of mediocrity as we are currently witnessing. Outside of the Italians we are the worst professional set up in the NH.

It is however important that we fire our bullets at the right target. We should not be blaming players who aren't up to it nor should we blame coaches who are out of their depth. Gavin Evans for example is as limited a centre as one could find, but he gives it everything every week and is currently our first choice. Fish is a local lad with some nice touches and would grace the Premiership but clearly can't cut it at the top level. As for McIntosh and John, they were brought in as fag end bargain bin fill ins but have now found themselves in the hot seat for the last two seasons.

The target who no one seems keen to fire at is our so called benefactor, Peter Thomas but I believe our current demise is down to him. In 1997 anyone looking at the NH game would have assumed that Cardiff would develop into a powerhouse of the pro game - great brand, great support, fast growing and prosperous city. I know he's put money in and I know he's been hamstrung by the WRU and the ownership structure of both the club and CAP but he simply hasn't delivered serious cash nor management nous. In fact since his disastrous move to the CC stadium he has effectively pulled up the drawbridge and closed his chequebook. We get no statement of intent from the club and have no idea what the long game is nor indeed whether there is one.

We need new shareholders but it's not really in our gift. Thomas is well into his 70's and must be looking for an out. The Walkinshaw family are putting Gloucester on the market for sale. They and Thomas are virtually the only first generation benefactors left in the game. All the rest have packed their bags fingers burnt. There will be people out there who'll be interested in taking us over but they'll want Thomas to walk away without taking anything out. I'm not sure he's selfless enough to do it.

There's also the issue of the large debt that we owe PT. He's not just going to walk away and let it go.

I've always thought the Cardiff Board (define who that is as you will) has a little too much say over tactical, player and rugby decisions of the club / region.

I know that as they own it they can do what they want, I'm sure. But then I wonder how much say Hammett was given over player purchasing and backroom staff before he left for 'family reasons.'

It's all a bit of a mess.

I would just like some kind of vision of where supposed to be heading. If it's a few years of consolidation to build a springboard for a prosperous and successful future then why not say so and put in a few milestones so we can all assess progress.
At the moment it just seems to be a case of hanging on and hoping something turns up.

The Board is asking a lot of its rapidly dwindling fan base.

so what you are saying if I read correctly is the following "after twelve years of regional rugby - the 'region' does not have a vision or mission around which it can develop a strategy" - I guess that speaks volumes for the people running the region and for the regional concept??

Quote:

southcoast5
I would just like some kind of vision of where supposed to be heading. If it's a few years of consolidation to build a springboard for a prosperous and successful future then why not say so and put in a few milestones so we can all assess progress.
At the moment it just seems to be a case of hanging on and hoping something turns up.

The Board is asking a lot of its rapidly dwindling fan base.

To be honest, I think thats what they've been saying. The problem isnt that they havent made it clear that we're rebuilding. The problem is that theyve made a complate mess of it and people are running out of patience.

Quote:

Bluesboy65
so what you are saying if I read correctly is the following "after twelve years of regional rugby - the 'region' does not have a vision or mission around which it can develop a strategy" - I guess that speaks volumes for the people running the region and for the regional concept??

That is what many of us have been saying for 12 or more years. We have been chastised for being "negative".

The CLUB has fallen between two stools. We decided to forgo £1 million pounds to stand alone. now we pay players wages to play for other sides against our own team in the premiership! Where is the sense in that? The property deal at the Stade de Risdale was an unmitigated disaster. And DD keeps making PR cock ups by telling the fans to look at themselves and the like when it is those running the club that need to sort their act out.

southcoast5 is right. Don't blame the players: Evans, Fish Gareth Davies, Humberstone, Dico etc are, in the main, hard working triers but they are just not of the quality we need. As Coaches we have had a run of hard working triers like John and the Chief. Their limit is a set down from where they are now.

The blame lies in the boardroom and the WRU. Plain and simple.

Quote:

HeadCoach
The fact is, until We go through a long period of 'achieving' what we deserve (that is, nothing!), losing any game of meaning and facing up to our woeful lack of quality, nowt will change.
I don't want even the tiniest bit of success at the moment cos those in charge will have the excuse to bumble along with low quality coaches, too many poor players and low ambition.

Gotta wake up and smell the coffee soon.... Please!

Exactly. I'm left wishing another season can't finish soon enough and looking forward to some quality rugby played by teams I don't support. If the board doesn't pull their finger out and really show some ambition I'm afraid they'll lose another ST holder.

Quote:

southcoast5

The target who no one seems keen to fire at is our so called benefactor, Peter Thomas but I believe our current demise is down to him.

I know he's put money in and I know he's been hamstrung by the WRU and the ownership structure of both the club and CAP but he simply hasn't delivered serious cash

He cannot invest in the company other than loans due to the ownership criteria. So how do you suggest he does this?

I'm no fan of PT BUT he can't breach the rules. Also there are things he does which can't be shared on this forum.

Of course his role in the SdR fiasco will be a legacy that is hard for him to shake off.

I always shake my head when anyone questions PT, simple fact with out him we would be watching the Dragons

I have sympathy with your view cardifflose. However, he's made some almighty errors which can't be ignored. The SdR for one.

I do shake my head when people expect a rich man just to plough money in to the club as some sort of gift because they don't understand how our club is governed.

Further I despair when people suggest that CAC just gift money to the Limited company fro mthe potential sale of their prime assest when it belongs to the members of CAC and is not CAC's property to give away. Especially when some of those people should know more about it.