Cardiff Blues Fans - what the Hell happened...???

I just watched the Leinster vs Blues game I had recorded last night. What an awful performance, completely fell apart, let in a myriad of soft tries through lack of tackling.

Looks like the Blues need a serious kick up the backside from someone, because that level of play, lack of skill and final result were appalling and shouldn't happen to any team that have aspirations grander than getting humped by 50 points by Leinster.

I couldn't believe that when they interviewed the massively obese Justin Burnell after the match he let Phil Steel appropriate the blame on the WRU.

The Blues are missing 8 Players to the Welsh squad, The Scarlets have lost two less and they didn't have anywhere near the problems the Blues did they came away from Belfast with an LBP. They were also using only 3 NWQ players in their match day squad, the Blues had five in their pack, plus Lualala who was awful in defence.

What happens from here?

This game exposed some huge holes in the blues campaign, you cant go from winning your pool one week in the HEC to falling to pieces with a few players missing in the Rabbo the next.

When the full squad comes back they'll be fine. Leinster at home is always tough especially if your missing a lot of front line players. They've got Edinburgh at home next week so it'll be a good opportunity to get back on track.

With Jenkins, Brad Davies, Warburton, Roberts, Lloyd Williams and Halfpenny back they're performance will rise considerably. No need to worry...yet

At full strength the Blues are a very good side, but this has shown just how heavily they rely on a few players, and that they have a serious lack of depth within the squad.

Blues fans need to pray that none of their internationals get injured today, otherwise it could be a long 80 minutes for them on Friday night against what is a talented and confident Edinburgh side.

I dont think it was to do with players missing, I thought there was poor leadership on the pitch, lack of brains at nine, poor ball going to ten and then when it started going wrong the heads went down very very quickly and they caved in.

Blues had tonnes of possession and Rees did nothing with it, when they had Leinster pressured in the scrum on their own line one man down and they couldn't turn that into points...!

Blues have some very talented players, when all fit and available. They had some very talented players playing last night, they should not have lost by fifty points.

That tells me there are other issues, that the team are not as rounded as they appear.

On that performance, even taking into account that 8 Welsh squad players will return next monday, Edinburgh will take them to pieces home and away.

Simple solution

Bring in a decent head coach + backs coach + forward coach + scrum coach

Make Warburton captain

Get rid of Tito, Deniol, Martyn, Molitika, Blair, Rush, Parks and Rees

Get a decent THP and 10

Kick Peter Thomas out

Move back to the Arms park - Start actually earning money and buy some decent backup players

Pray that Gavin Henson is a brilliant 10



Simple....:/

606

I think that wont make a difference in the near future, but those are valid suggestions.

I was very annoyed with Lualala, always really rated him and thought he was one of the Blues best foreign buys since Rush and Blair. But last night he lost interest, made silly decisions and his defence was awful. Not a team player.

The WRU ought to be hanging thier head in shame after that result, the arrangement of such a pointless fixture today (never thought I would say that about a Welsh game) has ripped all regions of players and valuable prep time ahead of next week HC games.

Going to Leinster is hard enough with full side but with players out even harder, lets just hope for all our Regions sake that no injuries are picked up today.

Well the international game isn't completely pointless. It's to earn money for the WRU. Maybe it'll be worth it if the cost is just one bad week in the Pro12. But what if one or more of the regions Heineken Cup campaigns are derailed next week? The HEC is cut throat. One defeat and you can be on the brink of a pool exit. The regions were going well so far. I hope this international doesn't ruin Welsh chances in the tournament.

And I have to say Leinsters squad is so strong. Nearly up there with the biggest French teams. Some of the young players who wouldn't be considered first choice, were excellent last night. Bodes well.

I it should be noted that the Leinster youngsters were more experienced than the Cardiff youngsters

bedfordwelsh wrote:The WRU ought to be hanging thier head in shame after that result, the arrangement of such a pointless fixture today (never thought I would say that about a Welsh game) has ripped all regions of players and valuable prep time ahead of next week HC games.

Going to Leinster is hard enough with full side but with players out even harder, lets just hope for all our Regions sake that no injuries are picked up today.

Bedford the blues had enough players in that team to be a lot more competitive... They have no right to blame the WRU. That is a pathetic excuse in the circumstances.

if they lost as the Scarlets did by a couple of points maybe.. But they were humped... Half a century means they werent up for it. Not that they were missing a few...

bedfordwelsh wrote:The WRU ought to be hanging thier head in shame after that result, the arrangement of such a pointless fixture today (never thought I would say that about a Welsh game) has ripped all regions of players and valuable prep time ahead of next week HC games.

Going to Leinster is hard enough with full side but with players out even harder, lets just hope for all our Regions sake that no injuries are picked up today.

If you believe the WRU should hang their head in shame then so should the regions as they all agreed to this extra AI and Gatland's 13 day law because they got a few quid out of it.

But this is irrelevant anyway since Leinster were not at full strength either. Cardiff had a few more players missing of course and I never expected us to win, but that doesn't excuse a 50 point, 6 tries to none hammering and not even looking as if we could get near to scoring a try. It's the manner of the defeat and players not seeming to care is the main concern. As Shane Byrne put it, "lack of fight". Now why is that?

maestegmafia wrote:606

I think that wont make a difference in the near future, but those are valid suggestions.

I was very annoyed with Lualala, always really rated him and thought he was one of the Blues best foreign buys since Rush and Blair. But last night he lost interest, made silly decisions and his defence was awful. Not a team player.

I reckon moving back to the Arms Park would send out a huge message and therefore make a huge difference overnight and players WANT to play there anyway, not at CCS.
You mentioned one; Laulala. I'll mention another; Jamie Roberts who loves the place actually. I bet you the Breadman does too since that is where he used to watch Cardiff as a youngster inspired by players such as Martyn Williams who as it happens also prefers the Arms Park. I understand that Martyn requested his testimonial match was played there, but the club refused. Mmmm...I wonder why?
Also all the supporters I know or have ever met WANT the team to play at the Arms Park. Some on the board of directors would prefer it as well believe it or not.
All very odd isn't it when the club is paying £0.5m a year to be at a place where the vast majority don't want to be.
Well it isn't actually very odd when you think about it.

gowales wrote:I it should be noted that the Leinster youngsters were more experienced than the Cardiff youngsters

I wouldn't know, but Cardiff only had 3 youngsters in the starting XV; Fish, Navidi and Hill.
The rest of the XV were experienced pros.

Cardiff Dave
As a matter of interest what do you call the other regions ?

gowales wrote:When the full squad comes back they'll be fine. Leinster at home is always tough especially if your missing a lot of front line players. They've got Edinburgh at home next week so it'll be a good opportunity to get back on track.

Shipping in excess of 50 points isn't fine though and shouldn't be swept under the carpet to be forgotten about. I wonder if Leinster have lost by a similar margin in recent times.

Cymroglan wrote:Cardiff Dave
As a matter of interest what do you call the other regions ?

It varies.
O's/Librarians/Neath Swansea Bridgend Llandarcy Ospreys/The One True.
Turks/Llanelli/Scarlets/Llanelli Scarlets.
Dregs/Drags/Newport GD/Newport.
Cardiff/Cardiff Blues/Blues/Bloos.
Although I do have other names for all depending on the circumstances, who i'm with, what i'm drinking, what mood i'm in, etc.

Why do you ask by the way?

Because it's not often you hear people still call the regions by the town or city names these days most have moved on..
Bad move by the WRU in using existing names when the regions were formed

Cymroglan wrote:Because it's not often you hear people still call the regions by the town or city names these days most have moved on..
Bad move by the WRU in using existing names when the regions were formed

So you don't/can't refer to Cardiff Blues as "Cardiff Blues" even though that is the name of the team? That is very odd. Check out the Cardiff Blues website if you're not sure of the name. The English, Irish, Scottish, French and the rest of the world know us as Cardiff, so why can't the bloody Welsh?
Have you been to a Cardiff Blues game? Most supporters, when they can be bothered, chant "Cardiff, Cardiff". There's another clue for you as to who we are. A rugby club. Not an imaginary "region", but simply a rugby club as are Llanelli by the way aka the Scarlets, but they were always known as the Scarlets for generations in any case.
Then we have Newport Gwent Dragons (the name of the team) and the O's are...... well i'm not sure what they are anymore, but still mostly Swansea I think.

I call them the Blues more often than not but will sometimes call them Cardiff Blues but never Cardiff unless I'm talking about the premiership side.

Cardiff Newport Swansea and Llanelli all play in the premiership and that is the name they use in the league table.

And yes I have been to a few Blues games and heard a few people shouting Cardiff Cardiff and you are correct it only happens at the Cardiff City Stadium.

It was pretty silly to call them the Blues in the first place how can you come up with a chant for that.

You could try :-

"Blues, Blues we are the Blues,
the only way we can watch this cr8p,
is when full of booze"

It could catch on

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:You could try :-

"Blues, Blues we are the Blues,
the only way we can watch this cr8p,
is when full of booze"

It could catch on

Cardiff Dave wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:606

I think that wont make a difference in the near future, but those are valid suggestions.

I was very annoyed with Lualala, always really rated him and thought he was one of the Blues best foreign buys since Rush and Blair. But last night he lost interest, made silly decisions and his defence was awful. Not a team player.

I reckon moving back to the Arms Park would send out a huge message and therefore make a huge difference overnight and players WANT to play there anyway, not at CCS.
You mentioned one; Laulala. I'll mention another; Jamie Roberts who loves the place actually. I bet you the Breadman does too since that is where he used to watch Cardiff as a youngster inspired by players such as Martyn Williams who as it happens also prefers the Arms Park. I understand that Martyn requested his testimonial match was played there, but the club refused. Mmmm...I wonder why?
Also all the supporters I know or have ever met WANT the team to play at the Arms Park. Some on the board of directors would prefer it as well believe it or not.
All very odd isn't it when the club is paying £0.5m a year to be at a place where the vast majority don't want to be.
Well it isn't actually very odd when you think about it.

I really dont think the Arms Park will stop the Blues getting thumped by fifty points in Dublin.

Feckless Rogue wrote:Maybe it'll be worth it if the cost is just one bad week in the Pro12.

The regions lost their players for 2 weeks, not 1 week.
We (Ospreys) had 18 players missing against Connacht, and 19 against Munster.
Thankfully we were still strong enough to win both games!

This has really hurt all the other regions though, who don't quite have our depth.

I think the Blues have a poor habit of simply not being up for it occasionally, you only have to look at their gutless performance at home to Glasgow (a 13-34 loss), to see how inconsistent they can be at times.
Then again not to be too harsh they can also turn it on and beat teams they hammered Edinburgh away 15-38.
They are also hampered by a lot of field issues, firstly up to 20 of the squad players are out of contract with few of them likely to be retained, while their coaches don't know if their coming or going, which can't be helping moral at the region.
A big issue seems to be they either win a game well, or get smashed off the park, they haven't really got a middle ground.

Its amazing how much depth the Ospreys have with 19 players missing I looked at the team they put out against Munster and still thought it was a pretty strong side.

IronMike wrote:Its amazing how much depth the Ospreys have with 19 players missing I looked at the team they put out against Munster and still thought it was a pretty strong side.

People do say we were doomed this season when Lee Bryne, Gavin Henson, James Hook, Mike Phillips, Craig Mitchell all left with a few others but to be honest it seems to have brought the squad closer together and frankly it seems like quite a few of the trouble makers have now left which has improved team moral.

The Ospreys real strength is their pack, we probably have 2-3 international players in every position.
Duncan Jones, Ryan Bevington, Paul James at Loose head.
Richard Hibbard, Huw Bennett, Mefin Davies at Hooker
Alun-Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Ian Gough, at locks etc.

Throw in a raft of very, very promising young players like Justin Tipuric (7), Matthew Morgan, Dan Biggar (10), Tom Prydie, Eli Walker, Hanno Dirksen (11/14), Rhys Webb (9), James King (4,5,6,7,8), Ryan Bevington (1) and you have a very good squad.

maestegmafia wrote:I really dont think the Arms Park will stop the Blues getting thumped by fifty points in Dublin.

I agree, the Arms Park can't influence anything on its own and that team should not have shipped over 50 points wherever they were based.

However, my opinion is that by returning to the Arms Park, the message from the top would be that they care about what the players and fans want and not dubious property deals and funds would therefore be invested in the squad whenever possible and not wasted on a smegging stadium in the backwoods.
Another advantage would be that the south terrace supporters at the Arms Park could tell the players/coaches in no uncertain terms what they thought of their woeful performance on their return from an away game. That used to happen, but it doesn't at CCS since everybody is seated in neat little rows.

I was at the game and bar the very last try I couldn't put my finger on a missed tackle or poor pass that caused a Leinster try.

AlynDavies wrote:

I think the Blues have a poor habit of simply not being up for it occasionally, you only have to look at their gutless performance at home to Glasgow (a 13-34 loss), to see how inconsistent they can be at times.
Then again not to be too harsh they can also turn it on and beat teams they hammered Edinburgh away 15-38.
They are also hampered by a lot of field issues, firstly up to 20 of the squad players are out of contract with few of them likely to be retained, while their coaches don't know if their coming or going, which can't be helping moral at the region.
A big issue seems to be they either win a game well, or get smashed off the park, they haven't really got a middle ground.

Indeed the Glasgow game was disappointing and so was the London Irish HEC match even though we won. They were down to 14 men after 19mins yet outscored us during the rest of the game.
Good point about the 20 players coming to the ends of their contracts at the end of the season. Bad timing you could say. Should be reasonably ok in the backline, but the forward pack I suspect will be a bit different next season. I reckon we'll lose Rush, Molitika, Deiniol, Nugget, Tito and Filise, but who will replace them is anyone's guess. There are a few players to come back from injury, but to have strength in depth will cost and that's another problem.
They also need to replace Dai Young, but will probably make do with how it is at present and what about Bob? Norster the chief exec is leaving if he hasn't already. The financial director left a few months ago and has been replaced.
Something is definitely stirring and I don't think it's a happy camp.

wales606 wrote:Simple solution

Bring in a decent head coach + backs coach + forward coach + scrum coach

Make Warburton captain

Get rid of Tito, Deniol, Martyn, Molitika, Blair, Rush, Parks and Rees

Get a decent THP and 10

Kick Peter Thomas out

Move back to the Arms park - Start actually earning money and buy some decent backup players

Pray that Gavin Henson is a brilliant 10



Simple....:/

Agree mostly, but suggesting getting rid of players is a bit strong.
Letting them go would be kinder and in fact the ones you mention could still do a job under the right circumstances.
There is only one person I would want to see get rid and he aint no player, i'm sure you'd agree.

606 I agree those players need to go the blues need to get more academy talent playing and maybe it would be a good idea for the WRU to sanction and consult on any foreign NwQ players they want as some of their previous decisions were awful, leaving a poor NwQ taking a young welshmans place. Parks and Sam NK...!

So if everybody wants to go back to the arms park why aren't they? what is the benefit of playing at Leckwith?

mckay1402 wrote:So if everybody wants to go back to the arms park why aren't they? what is the benefit of playing at Leckwith?

If you really want to begin to get an idea as to why, google this "athletic club turns down bids for cardiff arms park" for the Walesonline article.

I would post a link, but i'm not allowed to yet since i'm a newbie.

mckay1402 wrote:So if everybody wants to go back to the arms park why aren't they? what is the benefit of playing at Leckwith?

Peter Thomas want to buy the Arms Parks and turn it into flats in the city centre (worth a fortune) to recoup his investment at the Blues.

Because he is the chairman/money man he can do what he want and it will take a lot of pressure for him to get kicked out - I have my suspicions that PT decision was behind Dai Young and Norsters resignation.

The CCS is bankrupting the Blues slowly (making us more reliant on PT, hence making it more likely we will stay there :/)

The Arms Park is Cr*p, but at least we can afford to play there.


I have a feeling this could end very badly with the WRU forced to step in (personally I think the WRU should have more of a say on regions finances to stop things like this happening)

That's interesting, didn't know about that.

Nor steer has been a Cardiff man since he was a young man, such a shame to hear of him being ousted.

I agree that the WRU should have more say, in an advisory capacity, of how regions are financially managed, maybe also on who is and isn't signed as NWQs

wales606 wrote:

Peter Thomas want to buy the Arms Parks and turn it into flats in the city centre (worth a fortune) to recoup his investment at the Blues.

Because he is the chairman/money man he can do what he want and it will take a lot of pressure for him to get kicked out - I have my suspicions that PT decision was behind Dai Young and Norsters resignation.

The CCS is bankrupting the Blues slowly (making us more reliant on PT, hence making it more likely we will stay there :/)

The Arms Park is Cr*p, but at least we can afford to play there.


I have a feeling this could end very badly with the WRU forced to step in (personally I think the WRU should have more of a say on regions finances to stop things like this happening)

How is the Arms Park Cr*p?
I'll admit the toilets are compared to CCS and the place needs a lick of paint, but if you go there just to watch a game as many do, you'd be sat on plastic set in concrete just like Leckwith.
Not sure if you know, but the WRU made a seperate bid on their own to purchase the Arms Park. Nice of them.

maestegmafia wrote:That's interesting, didn't know about that.

Nor steer has been a Cardiff man since he was a young man, such a shame to hear of him being ousted.

I agree that the WRU should have more say, in an advisory capacity, of how regions are financially managed, maybe also on who is and isn't signed as NWQs

The director of rugby, the chief executive and the financial director have all left in recent months. A coincidence?

Cardiff Dave wrote:

wales606 wrote:

Peter Thomas want to buy the Arms Parks and turn it into flats in the city centre (worth a fortune) to recoup his investment at the Blues.

Because he is the chairman/money man he can do what he want and it will take a lot of pressure for him to get kicked out - I have my suspicions that PT decision was behind Dai Young and Norsters resignation.

The CCS is bankrupting the Blues slowly (making us more reliant on PT, hence making it more likely we will stay there :/)

The Arms Park is Cr*p, but at least we can afford to play there.


I have a feeling this could end very badly with the WRU forced to step in (personally I think the WRU should have more of a say on regions finances to stop things like this happening)

How is the Arms Park Cr*p?
I'll admit the toilets are compared to CCS and the place needs a lick of paint, but if you go there just to watch a game as many do, you'd be sat on plastic set in concrete just like Leckwith.
Not sure if you know, but the WRU made a seperate bid on their own to purchase the Arms Park. Nice of them.

Yeah, saw the WRU made a bid.

The Arms Park is falling down to be honest - needs serious renovation.

I just seen on Facebook that Blues have just appointed a Richard Holland as their new CEO (Chief Executive Officer). Can any fans explain this move in a bit more detail and what it means for the future of the Blues? Is he capable of bringing in the dollar?
http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/5574.php

Some players need to get ruthlessly axed or fired. Back on 606 I was quite outspoken about how worthless Martyn Williams' extension on his "loyalty" membership was, mentioning the long list of good 7s that were and still are available to the Blues; only to be attacked by you fans. Well seems you all have a change of heart now.......

IMO get rid of get rid of Tito, Deniol, Martyn, Molitika, Parks, Yapp, Dan Fish and would go as far to say Filise.

It is probably worth keeping hold of Rush, Blair, Rees and Lualala. The three Kiwis have good rugby brains and are capable of stepping into a coaching role with the Blues. These are the guys that are "loyal." Without Williams there's no scrum half, pretty handy to have another international in that position. Just give him some time to work on his game. Pray your internationals stay put and help out the guys coming through the ranks. Especially those of Pontypridd. After seeing their back-row prospects I can't for the life of me think why they have not been offered a contract.

wales606 wrote:

Yeah, saw the WRU made a bid.

The Arms Park is falling down to be honest - needs serious renovation.

Come off it 606 you know very well it's not falling down. Why say that? You're not PT are you?
If it was falling down PT would have to pay to fix it because that is one his his responsibilities being a tenant. Also games are still played there, so it's as sound as a pound.
The north stand is solid, the hospitality boxes at either end including the pack lounge, offices and shop are relatively new buildings and in very good shape. The south stand roof has a couple of holes in it I believe, but the structure is perfectly ok and the clubhouse is in good nick. I could suggest a few improvements, but these could be done at any time. Wish they'd been done years ago, but there we are.
So what inparticular do you think requires "serious renovation"? Be specific and be honest, warts an all.

Morgannwg wrote:I just seen on Facebook that Blues have just appointed a Richard Holland as their new CEO (Chief Executive Officer). Can any fans explain this move in a bit more detail and what it means for the future of the Blues? Is he capable of bringing in the dollar?

He'll toe the line I should imagine.

Morgannwg wrote:

It is probably worth keeping hold of Rush, Blair, Rees and Lualala. The three Kiwis have good rugby brains and are capable of stepping into a coaching role with the Blues. These are the guys that are "loyal." Without Williams there's no scrum half, pretty handy to have another international in that position. Just give him some time to work on his game. Pray your internationals stay put and help out the guys coming through the ranks. Especially those of Pontypridd. After seeing their back-row prospects I can't for the life of me think why they have not been offered a contract.

I doubt whether they can afford to appoint any more coaches.
Who are these Ponty back rowers you mention?

The Ponty back rowers are Hamilton, Tom Young and another. I forgot his name. I noticed them in the U20s.

Morgannwg wrote:The Ponty back rowers are Hamilton, Tom Young and another. I forgot his name. I noticed them in the U20s.

Luke Hamilton and Thomas Young (Dai's lad) play for Cardiff and are in the academy.

Well back then I did hear the commentator mention they were from Ponty. Ed Siggery is the other btw. But still why do they not have a contract offer when looking at the calibre of some of the players in their positions?

Morgannwg wrote:Well back then I did hear the commentator mention they were from Ponty. Ed Siggery is the other btw. But still why do they not have a contract offer when looking at the calibre of some of the players in their positions?

All of Cardiff's Welsh players are from Ponty or didn't you know? It is written.
Only joking.

Well both Luke (blindside) and Thomas (openside) at least have academy contracts whatever that means and the calibre of player they are up against in the first team are;

Luke Hamilton at blindside; Molitika, Paterson, Pretorious.
Thomas Young at openside; Warburton, Martyn Williams, Navidi.

Think they're good enough to warrant a full contract up against that lot? No, nor me although they might get in if/when Molitika and Martyn leave. They'll be cheap as well, so win, win. Money is tight don't forget.

These changes, relying on home grown youngsters over NWQ foreigners will put the Blues development a few years behind the other regions who now have squads full of home grown young talent.

Cardiff Dave wrote:
Luke Hamilton at blindside; Molitika, Paterson, Pretorious.
Thomas Young at openside; Warburton, Martyn Williams, Navidi.

Think they're good enough to warrant a full contract up against that lot? No, nor me although they might get in if/when Molitika and Martyn leave. They'll be cheap as well, so win, win. Money is tight don't forget.

Well just highlights my point RE Martyn Williams. Molitika always makes to many mistakes and rushes up out of the defensive line too often for my liking, he should have been down the pecking order over a season ago. Pretorious is being considered more of an 8 I thought.

Davies, Downes,
Patterson, Pretorious, Warburton - Hamilton, Young and Hill/Cook on bench. That's the back five sorted. Now you just need a new front row.

It needs to be remember than Leinster were , at least, 7 players short of their first team

Ross, Sexton, D'Arcy, Fitzgerald, Kearney, Heaslip and O'Driscoll.

Cardiff were only playing Leinster reserves