Johnson and Holley have left the Ospreys with immediate effect

They've gone. Rumours I heard is that the Bridgend coach Tandy will be taking over

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17018127


THANK THE LORD

No mention on the Ospreys website of who is actually going to be taken over the reigns there?

I lied, it is tandy

I've heard a lot of Tandy rumors.
Is it definite?
Long term contract?
How's he going at Bridgend?

Being the other side of the world has left me slightly out of the loop!

Anyone know why Holley left mid-season? Seems a bit strange given they've kept him for so long (even though the evidence was he was rubbish)

MonkeyOwain12 wrote:I've heard a lot of Tandy rumors.
Is it definite?
Long term contract?
How's he going at Bridgend?

Being the other side of the world has left me slightly out of the loop!

It's official Tandy is the new head coach. He's done a decent job at Bridgend, got them promoted and they're currently mid table. Tandy has also been coacing the 'B' team, bascially the youngsters who have been playing the LV cup

Yeah, to be honest I knew about his roles and successes but was wondering more on philosophy and style of play?

With him and Humph, who else is to come in to take the backline/attack?

How does Andrew Hore always seem to avoid any flak? Surely he must be the most accountable person at the Ospreys.

Ive gone down to watch Bridgend a couple of times, they do try and play an exppansive game and i've enjoyed watching their brand of rugby, much more than the Ospreys.

Humphries is to remain forwards coach

That is a big change for the middle of the season - and it seems more and more likely that we'll be calling them the Bridgend Ospreys soon.

But thank god for them and Wales that they've gotten rid of at least 2 of the three problem coaches - it might mean a bit of pain for the rest of this season, but should mean a much better team/playing style going into next season

Smirnoffpriest wrote:That is a big change for the middle of the season - and it seems more and more likely that we'll be calling them the Bridgend Ospreys soon.

But thank god for them and Wales that they've gotten rid of at least 2 of the three problem coaches - it might mean a bit of pain for the rest of this season, but should mean a much better team/playing style going into next season

That would be the coup of the century 'Bridgend Ospreys', not bad, still prefer 'Bridgend Ravens'...who knows...maybe when can get it changed

Fairplay to the Ospreys, they've realised the resources theyve got having Bridgend in the region and have invested accordingly

Really hoping Tandy will take some notice and not continue with the dross game plan that we've had to put up for the last couple of seasons

I hope Tandy doesn't stay on as head coach next year.

gowales wrote:I hope Tandy doesn't stay on as head coach next year.

CAn only judge him on how it goes for the rest of the season. There isnt any talk of bringing in anyone else, so unless it goes badly wrong for the remainder of the season he'l probably stay on as head coach for next season.

The Ospreys are trying to create a inward looking culture. Looking within the region for players and for coaching which is why Tandy has been giving the job

I just don't see why an ex player with little to no coaching experience is given the role of head coach. Very unprofessional IMO. I would have preferred him to be a caretaker coach, bring in a proper one next season with proven success and someone who isn't involved in Welsh rugby. Thats the only way things can truly change.

gowales wrote:I just don't see why an ex player with little to no coaching experience is given the role of head coach. Very unprofessional IMO. I would have preferred him to be a caretaker coach, bring in a proper one next season with proven success and someone who isn't involved in Welsh rugby. Thats the only way things can truly change.

I guess it might have something to do with lack of funds.
See how it goes though. He might be very good for the O's.

Yes but can the O's afford someone like that, gowales? I doubt it somehow.

They are trying to keep things in house, cost is a big factor also. A big name would cost too much i reckon.

Like i said, unless he balls this up bigtime he'll keep the job

I know its just wishful thinking. I suspect we'll do even worse next year.

Careful what you wish for O's fans. All us Dragons fans were happy when Edwards took over form Turner half way through the season and we got good results then.....well look what's happened to us now. I'm sure Darren is not to blame for it all but he is learning on the job at the expense of our results this year and it's really cost us players imo.

Good luck to Tandy and I guess the difference is you still have Humpreys there to guide him.

^^Thats exactly my fear. Humphreys there to guide him... ha.

What the Dragons, Blues and O's are now going through is exactly what the Scarlets went through a couple of season ago, where we got rid of Phil Davies and Nigel got the job. We also then got a lot of backroom staff labelled as "jobs for the boys" (and yes that is true a bit).

We did it out of necessity though, because we couldn't afford anything else. If I were you, and speaking from a Scarlet pov, I would prepare yourselves for a couple of really tough seasons, like what we had to go through.

I know the Scarlets aren't perfect, but hopefully if all other three regions do the same, and really start using their academies too, they'll start going down the Scarlets route. We are by no means a top side yet, but at least we now have the building blocks in place to develop one.

Imagine how good it will be when all 4 regions can say that?

That is a very big possibility, granted, but who would we be realisticly be able to afford. A new headcoach would bring extra staff, meaning extra costs.

Holley has been there along time, the big aim was always the HC and the Ospreys never came close.

Then there was the style of play. Until the HC against Treviso they most tries the O's scored at home was 2! It was their approach to the game that turned away so many fans.
this change had to come, good or bad we're going to find out

rugbydreamer wrote:What the Dragons, Blues and O's are now going through is exactly what the Scarlets went through a couple of season ago, where we got rid of Phil Davies and Nigel got the job. We also then got a lot of backroom staff labelled as "jobs for the boys" (and yes that is true a bit).

We did it out of necessity though, because we couldn't afford anything else. If I were you, and speaking from a Scarlet pov, I would prepare yourselves for a couple of really tough seasons, like what we had to go through.

I know the Scarlets aren't perfect, but hopefully if all other three regions do the same, and really start using their academies too, they'll start going down the Scarlets route. We are by no means a top side yet, but at least we now have the building blocks in place to develop one.

Imagine how good it will be when all 4 regions can say that?

At least you got Nigel Davies though a coach with some experience. Steve Tandy doesn't have any.

And trust me i am preparing for the worst. Strangely though most of my fellow Ospreys fans still expect us to be at the top of the Pro12 and qualify for the HC quater finals every year though...delusional to say the least especially with the squad we have now.

We can already see the Ospreys going down the Scarlets route this year. Next year will be even more so with more players out of contract and leaving.

The main problem for the regions IMO is losing international players and then not having the money to buy good backup players like the Irish and French can. The regions will always struggle unless we can fix that. No matter how good our local players are.

It's going to be tough all round for the regions. Just got to hope we can get through the rest of the season without any bad results, with the squad we have at the moment we should be near the top of the table.

As for next year, we have to remain as many as top players but with the salary cap, it's going to be a tough ask

gowales - yep holding onto the internationals will be key. I think for a lot it's not a solely financial decision though (especially not the very young ones). The club ethos/atmosphere/aspirations have all got to be good too. It's about the Welsh regions setting out a business and marketing plan that is attractive to players and fans alike. Tis a very difficult thing for them to manage.

Graham Henry is coming.

Good luck Steve! At least with SJ & SH gone, he doesn't have anyone over him and can use his own ideas and methods (unless hore starts messing around) I'm feeling better about the rest of the season already!

I am not sure about an ex-player as head coach who has not long played for the Ospreys, will the players have any respect for him as many of the senior players are dame sight brighter than Tandy! Also the players probably have some dirt on the coach that could be a risk to the coach and the club in the future, I think it would be better to bring in a coach/coaches with a track record e.g., Cheif/John as the Blues are not using them!

I think Tandy always had the right attitude on the pitch, which is something that has been lacking at the OSpreys for a while. Maybe he can help develope more level headed players come through the system, as opposed to the 'Gavin Henson' style ones that appeared over the years (the I am bigger than the region attitude).

gowales wrote:

rugbydreamer wrote:What the Dragons, Blues and O's are now going through is exactly what the Scarlets went through a couple of season ago, where we got rid of Phil Davies and Nigel got the job. We also then got a lot of backroom staff labelled as "jobs for the boys" (and yes that is true a bit).

We did it out of necessity though, because we couldn't afford anything else. If I were you, and speaking from a Scarlet pov, I would prepare yourselves for a couple of really tough seasons, like what we had to go through.

I know the Scarlets aren't perfect, but hopefully if all other three regions do the same, and really start using their academies too, they'll start going down the Scarlets route. We are by no means a top side yet, but at least we now have the building blocks in place to develop one.

Imagine how good it will be when all 4 regions can say that?

At least you got Nigel Davies though a coach with some experience. Steve Tandy doesn't have any.

And trust me i am preparing for the worst. Strangely though most of my fellow Ospreys fans still expect us to be at the top of the Pro12 and qualify for the HC quater finals every year though...delusional to say the least especially with the squad we have now.

We can already see the Ospreys going down the Scarlets route this year. Next year will be even more so with more players out of contract and leaving.

The main problem for the regions IMO is losing international players and then not having the money to buy good backup players like the Irish and French can. The regions will always struggle unless we can fix that. No matter how good our local players are.

But Nigel had an awful time when he came in - the muttering in the stands never stopped for the 1st 2 seasons, and he was constantly questioned - especially with some of the poor decision making he displayed - while he's certainly grown with the region and we are looking in a very good place. I still wouldn't say that everything is the way it is because Nige was such an amazing coach 3 seasons ago - more that he's grown and developed as times gone by.

Im not saying he was an amazing coach. Just he had more experience and coaching credentials than Tandy

Exactly that Priest.

In Nige's 2nd season, even I was beginning to have serious doubts. I though okay, give him one more season, and he's finally starting to come good.

What is key I htink is that none of the regions should expect instant success. We need to put sustainable processes in place now, on and off the field, and that means giving coaches a chance. Yes it might be a bit of a gamble, but where we are financially, I can't see us being able to do it any other way.

rugbydreamer wrote:Exactly that Priest.

In Nige's 2nd season, even I was beginning to have serious doubts. I though okay, give him one more season, and he's finally starting to come good.

What is key I htink is that none of the regions should expect instant success. We need to put sustainable processes in place now, on and off the field, and that means giving coaches a chance. Yes it might be a bit of a gamble, but where we are financially, I can't see us being able to do it any other way.

+1

I think what I was trying to say is that no matter how much/little success Tandy (or Edwards, or Nige) has it's still going to take a few seasons to reorganise the squad and get back up to competing at the top.

yep yep. And in a weird way, as well as developing players and squads, we're developing coaches too. We really are finally catching up with professionalism. It's taken us long enough!

Hard work that goes in now (even if the regions suffer a fair bit in the short term) will pay massively for us in the future.

Or at least, it helps if I keep telling myself that

Yup I'm praying for that as well - though the words professionalism and WRU don't really sit together well.

I still believe that when we recover from this recession that the regions will be in a much better place! (some may call me a dreamer but I'm not the only one)

I reckon we'll have very strong identities for each of the regions, strong attendance figures with passionate fans and rivalries with other teams (such as Scarlets/Ulster) which will only be blunted by few away support. This will be backed by lots of young players coming from the academies and challenging for international honours.
(I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one)

At least having Tandy in place the Ospreys may pick their best back row i.e., not the lightweight JT at 8 and Smith as first choice 6. Who is the backs coach or are they going to give up on the backs and play 10 man rugby with Biggar constantly kicking (badly).

glamorganalun wrote:I am not sure about an ex-player as head coach who has not long played for the Ospreys, will the players have any respect for him as many of the senior players are dame sight brighter than Tandy! Also the players probably have some dirt on the coach that could be a risk to the coach and the club in the future, I think it would be better to bring in a coach/coaches with a track record e.g., Cheif/John as the Blues are not using them!

I think the players may be able to relate to him better and he will know a lot of what goes on amongst the players and who the trouble makers may be. I think he could sort the problems out, though at 32 surely he is the youngest professional coach out there at the moment!

This change is at least three years too late, The players the Ospreys had at their disposal should have made them regularly one of the top sides in Europe.

I wonder if this is fall out from the poor Heineken Cup performance?

Performances over the last two years and poor team selections such as I Evans not even in the squad against Sarries playing two back row forwards in the second row! Some of the players recently brought in have been poor such as Bearman, Stowers and Fussell played well on the wing but all over the place at FB. The biggest issue is at 10, constantly playing the same player with limited talent and losing J Hook. The new coach has to take the team forward with all the back stars gone and little experience (in the backs) after this year.

something doesn't add up, why the rush? tandy is already within the organisation and isn't going anywhere. why did they not wait until the end of the season? johnson's contract was up in the summer, but why has holley walked away from the 2 years remaining on his contract?

holley states:

I am still only 41 and so I feel I've got a lot offer. I have learned a lot in my time here and achieved a lot too. I am now looking forward to exploring some new challenges and opportunities that have been presented to me and to enjoying the next part of my career."

maybe johnson has had a word with his new employers, and got holley a job (hopefully not for scotlands sake) don't know seems like there is more to this story.

As long as Holley's opportunities are outside Wales, good luck to him, could be bad news for J Hook or M Phillips as their teams are looking for managers!

pioden gorllewin wrote:something doesn't add up, why the rush? tandy is already within the organisation and isn't going anywhere. why did they not wait until the end of the season? johnson's contract was up in the summer, but why has holley walked away from the 2 years remaining on his contract?

The story is, Holley wanted to have Johnsons job and was told he wasn't going to get it, hence why he left.

glamorganalun wrote:As long as Holley's opportunities are outside Wales, good luck to him, could be bad news for J Hook or M Phillips as their teams are looking for managers!