Time to disband Blues.

by 3rdGrandslamCame Sat 07 Apr 2012, 8:39 pm

Rather than create another region I think the Blues needs to be dispanded and the vacant space re branded with a distinct valleys feel. Obviously due to contracts the games would need to continue to be played at the Cardiff city stadium.

I think the people of Merthyr, Ponty, Caerphilly and the Cynon Valley would have no problem making the short trip down the A470. Smaller matches at Sardis road and a central base somewhere near Ponty or Merthyr.

It would be nice if it was owned by the WRU and there were central contracts so when the young talent matures it doesn't get poached.

As far as the current stars are concerned I would like to see the following player transfers so that the Wales team isn't affected.

Leigh Halfpenny - Ospreys. The dragons can't afford him, the Scarlets have Priestland, Jones and Liam Williams. Fussell and Barry Davies are rubbish and Halfpenny would fit in excellent with Dirksen, Walker nd Prydie etc.. I wouldn't be surprised if Halfpenny goes to France now.

Cuthbert - France. Needs to follow his heart and goto a better club to improve.

Players that need to go:

Czekaj - Rubbish
Tom James - Rubbish
Gavin Evans - mediocre
Dafydd Hewitt - mediocre
Most of the pack

Only the Dragons will take Henson as the Scarlets have plenty of class backs. Even if an offer came from the Dragons I think Henson will be too snobby to take it. There is no way on earth a SH club will gamble on him. Some other French club may give him a chance. I think there is also a possibility that a club like Exeter or Bristol may take interest. I think it would be wrong for Henson to go to Australia. Wales didn't need him in the world cup and especially not to win the grand slam.

I think Warburton and Roberts will stay as they are Cardiff through and through and a new squad of talented youngsters should be built around them. With Tovey joining the region needs to really worry about finding a solid pack. The pack is why the Ospreys have had some success.[list][*]

by lostinwales Sat 07 Apr 2012, 9:01 pm

Given the ethos at Exeter I would imagine the chance that they might take Henson as somewhere between none and none

by 3rdGrandslamCame Sat 07 Apr 2012, 9:07 pm

What about zero and none? That's always a possibility.

The guy is a clown and we have so many better 10s, 12s and 15s so the whole issue is irrelevant really now.

by Cardiff Dave Sat 07 Apr 2012, 9:12 pm

3rdGrandslamCame wrote:

It would be nice if it was owned by the WRU and there were central contracts so when the young talent matures it doesn't get poached.

Good call. Let the WRU take ownership.
Do you have any idea what it would cost them to fund a whole squad whilst retaining the young talent and paying the rent and costs of CCS?
Why not write to Roger with your proposal. I'm sure he'd be delighted.

by Morgannwg Sat 07 Apr 2012, 9:13 pm

I think the word you are looking for is 'disband'. I'd rather see you disbanded than the Blues.

by Liam Sat 07 Apr 2012, 9:13 pm

I see your point. I', sure everyone would like to start regional rugby again, especially the Blues with the mess they're in now. They need to clear out the dead wood and bring through allot of youngsters with a new head coach and coaching set up. Harry Robinson needs to be playing more, the NZ boys need to go as well as the rubbish like you have mentioned.

Need a new name, new base and new kit, you name it Blues are in a mess. There's nothing wrong with losing to Leinster, but, you know it's bad when even before the game in a heiniken cup semi-final that you want the Blues to get within 40 points, in a 1/4 final, shocking.

Anyone know when the WRU's report on regional rugby is coming out?.

by 3rdGrandslamCame Sat 07 Apr 2012, 9:16 pm

Whoever decided on the CCS move isn't wasn't very clever. That rent money could have been used on player development.

All these problems stem from the regions inception. It was always going to affect Cardiff the worst in the end due to them trying to be a superclub and all the underlying issues with Ponty and valleys.

by 3rdGrandslamCame Sat 07 Apr 2012, 9:18 pm

2 horrific results in a row the Glasgow result is far worse than todays in my opinion.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Sat 07 Apr 2012, 9:24 pm

3rdGrandslamCame wrote:What about zero and none? That's always a possibility.

The guy is a clown and we have so many better 10s, 12s and 15s so the whole issue is irrelevant really now.

No, not a possibility, Rob Baxter would never take Henson, lostinwales is absolutely right - simply, never Chief

by Liam Sat 07 Apr 2012, 9:25 pm

They have to go now B and B, and also the executives running the region. Its a complete mess and needs a drastic overhaul. Easier said and done I know, but I would rather Blues keep three or four of their top players, get rid of the dead wood of anyone over the age of 30 and almost start again and invest in the youngsters. Get a couple of props from eastern Europe or Argentina because Scott Andrews is absolute tosh

by Cardiff Dave Sat 07 Apr 2012, 9:27 pm

3rdGrandslamCame wrote:Whoever decided on the CCS move isn't wasn't very clever. That rent money could have been used on player development.

All these problems stem from the regions inception. It was always going to affect Cardiff the worst in the end due to them trying to be a superclub and all the underlying issues with Ponty and valleys.

Right then, so you do have an idea. I'm glad about that and mightily relieved to hear it.
The move to CCS was very dodgy to say the least. More of a property development opportunity in my opinion which wasn't in the best interests of Cardiff Blues by a long chalk. Now that the whole project has gone ar@e over, we are witnessing the fall out in real time and about time too.
Things are going to change very soon. I have no doubt about it and it will be for the better.

by Liam Sat 07 Apr 2012, 9:35 pm

Cardiff Dave wrote:
3rdGrandslamCame wrote:Whoever decided on the CCS move isn't wasn't very clever. That rent money could have been used on player development.

All these problems stem from the regions inception. It was always going to affect Cardiff the worst in the end due to them trying to be a superclub and all the underlying issues with Ponty and valleys.

Right then, so you do have an idea. I'm glad about that and mightily relieved to hear it.
The move to CCS was very dodgy to say the least. More of a property development opportunity in my opinion which wasn't in the best interests of Cardiff Blues by a long chalk. Now that the whole project has gone ar@e over, we are witnessing the fall out in real time and about time too.
Things are going to change very soon. I have no doubt about it and it will be for the better.

I share your optimism Dave, I think we are seeing the worst of it and the sooner this season is over the better. Its a great opportunity for the Blues to start over, wipe the slate clean and bring through some academy boys. As long as the majority of the board and B and B go the only way is up. Oh and get out of that crippling 20 year lease with CCS.

by Breadvan Sat 07 Apr 2012, 9:49 pm

Morgannwg wrote:I think the word you are looking for is 'disband'. I'd rather see you disbanded than the Blues.

Exactly. The armchair fan op is full of censored

as usual. Disband the Dragons is another favourite from the past. Shock horror, Blues get a thumping at Leinster and its crisis. The first thing the blues need to do is move back to the cap, change the coaches and (try) to retain their 'star' players.

by doctor_grey Sat 07 Apr 2012, 9:54 pm

Time to disband Blues?
Seems like Blues management have started down that road already and today was their coming out party, if you will.

I think everyone saw this sad scoreline coming a mile away, and its a shame. Cardiff should be a focal point for great Welsh Rugby. Takes a lot to screw that up. And more than just the move to the sterile CCS. Management failure.

by Cardiff Dave Sat 07 Apr 2012, 9:57 pm

martyr_94 wrote:
I share your optimism Dave, I think we are seeing the worst of it and the sooner this season is over the better. Its a great opportunity for the Blues to start over, wipe the slate clean and bring through some academy boys. As long as the majority of the board and B and B go the only way is up. Oh and get out of that crippling 20 year lease with CCS.

CCS is the biggest problem of all.
It is financially crippling and preventing any progress, but hopefully a way out can be negotiated with the help of Cardiff County Council who wanted them to vacate CAP in the first place. I wonder why???
When they do eventually return to CAP (i'm sure they will) I would go further and discard the "Blues" tag altogether and just be Cardiff. All it has achieved is bad feeling from both sides of the equation. Most Cardiff fans hate it, Ponty fans absolutely despise it and when regional rugby kicked off, Cardiff weren't a region anyway.

by 3rdGrandslamCame Sat 07 Apr 2012, 9:59 pm

Can't go back olto Cardiff. Needs a new name and a new colour.

by Casartelli Sat 07 Apr 2012, 10:10 pm

Time to disband them all?

Llanelli, Swansea, Cardiff and Newport are vital to the future of Welsh rugby. As Premiership clubs.

Please can we have some proper regions now!?

by Cardiff Dave Sat 07 Apr 2012, 10:10 pm

doctor_grey wrote:Time to disband Blues?
Seems like Blues management have started down that road already and today was their coming out party, if you will.

I think everyone saw this sad scoreline coming a mile away, and its a shame. Cardiff should be a focal point for great Welsh Rugby. Takes a lot to screw that up. And more than just the move to the sterile CCS. Management failure.

Cardiff supporters openly and unashamedly booed Gareth Edwards when he addressed the crowd at Cardiff Arms Park in 2009 and mentioned the move to CCS. It was the end of the season game against Edinburgh and our last game at CAP.
Imagine that.

by Cardiff Dave Sat 07 Apr 2012, 10:14 pm

3rdGrandslamCame wrote:Can't go back olto Cardiff. Needs a new name and a new colour.

You clearly weren't at the recent Ulster game at CAP?

by doctor_grey Sat 07 Apr 2012, 10:19 pm

Jeez Dave,
To your question, no I can't imagine booing Gareth Edwards. The whole thing is really spiriling out of control, eh mate? And for a long time, too. It's nuts.

by Cardiff Dave Sat 07 Apr 2012, 10:27 pm

doctor_grey wrote:Jeez Dave,
To your question, no I can't imagine booing Gareth Edwards.

It happened. I can assure you of that.
I was there and it surprised the hell out of me, but at the time I didn't understand why. Now I know different and i'm afraid to say Gareth Edwards accepted the King's shilling, if you get my drift.

by Casartelli Sat 07 Apr 2012, 10:37 pm

Edwards was obviously an 'all time great' etc but he'll say or do anything for cash.

Similarly, selling a fast food snack product for a fortune in the 1980s doesn't miraculously endow you with the ability to manage a professional sports team.

These people just shouldn't be anywhere near the decision making 'loop' in anything involving the domestic game.

by Cardiff Dave Sat 07 Apr 2012, 10:50 pm

martyr_94 wrote:I see your point. I', sure everyone would like to start regional rugby again, especially the Blues with the mess they're in now.

Proper regionalism never happened.
All Cardiff did was change the badge on their jersey and they cocked that up believe it or not, but it's the truth.
If we had proper regionalism we wouldn't be arguing the toss about it 9 years later.
That is why we still argue about it, the valleys thing is kicking off and Welsh nutters from all over the place come up with farcical answers to the regional problem.

by Cardiff Dave Sat 07 Apr 2012, 10:53 pm

Casartelli wrote:Edwards was obviously an 'all time great' etc but he'll say or do anything for cash.

Similarly, selling a fast food snack product for a fortune in the 1980s doesn't miraculously endow you with the ability to manage a professional sports team.

These people just shouldn't be anywhere near the decision making 'loop' in anything involving the domestic game.

Peter Thomas, a Merthyr boy, did once play for Cardiff RFC.

by Seagultaf Sun 08 Apr 2012, 9:16 am

Cardiff are having a bad season. they tried to buy success with a host of NWQ players, they are now realising the errors they have made.

Coaching has been poor, even Dai Young couldn't get the best out of a spectacular cast of stars. The current team are a long way off being Regional quality coaches.

There are clearly issues within the squad, many of you will have seen Laulala's disparaging comments in Twitter this week. He has clearly lost all faith in the club management but is still in the squad and played on saturday (allegedly).

Parks, Laulala, Filise, Rush, Molitika, Tito and Henson, all great players in their day but now way past their best. A clear out is needed, new coaches and players from within the Capital and Valleys Region. Change the name to remove the "Cardiff" bit. Engage with the Premiership clubs, every player to be under a dual contract and play at lease one game for the Premiership side, also turn up to Premiership traing sessions at lease once a month.

One thing Peter Thomas was right about is that the Blues (or any other Region) cannot continue paying the salary of an employee, who is in fact working for someone else (Wales). Dual contracts for all of Wales top players is a must. This will allow the Regions, including the Blues to invest and develop young welsh talent.

by Shifty Sun 08 Apr 2012, 9:52 am

The team from the Welsh capital will NOT be disbanded, the WRU might take ownership of it, or simply liquidate it and start again., without all the hassles of Peter Thomas.

It would be madness for the Union to take over the Blues, pour millions into it to pay off their debts. The Cardiff stadium will still be there as well as the #Arms Park if the Blues go bust, so you simply need to make a new team to play in it.

The Blues going bust would probably be a good thing because it would free them from all their contracts that are strangling the club.

by Coleman Sun 08 Apr 2012, 10:04 am

AlynDavies wrote: The Blues going bust would probably be a good thing because it would free them from all their contracts that are strangling the club.

I hate to agree but he is right. The Blues are dying a death, and its the people in charge that are killing it. We need a new team, start from scratch, engage across a regional level. Peter Thomas is too short sighted to see that he is actually murdering rugby in the capitol.

by Guest Sun 08 Apr 2012, 10:07 am

It has been so painful to watch the Blues for the last few seasons

by dogtooth Sun 08 Apr 2012, 10:17 am

it's been a bad few seasons for the blues. it is very frustrating. ive been a fan since i was a kid. i dont remember things being quite so bad as this, ever. the move to the souless shed was badly conceived, badly thought out, selfish, idiotic, shambolic; a disaster. can anyone say it was anything else.

heads must roll, and i mean litterally; as a fan i dont need to be levelheaded about my team. i want the blood of the idiots who orchistrated and pushed through this shambles, this utter, utter shambolic cockup.

by slartibartfast Sun 08 Apr 2012, 10:27 am

With the valleys seemingly finding some cash this is a very opportune moment to relaunch.

Green and blue Kit - green green grass of home - etc but a Littleton keep city fans happy.

CVWA - Cardiff and Valleys Where's my Alloys

Play on rotational basis between Sardis, Cap and Bridgend, play millennium for big games - keep the money in rugby see - until such time that the team outgrows those grounds - then a purpose built stadium would be in order

And don't forget the single most important ingreedient - a decent coach

by Shifty Sun 08 Apr 2012, 11:46 am

dogtooth wrote:heads must roll, and i mean litterally; as a fan i dont need to be levelheaded about my team. i want the blood of the idiots who orchistrated and pushed through this shambles, this utter, utter shambolic cockup.

The biggest mistake the Blues made was Peter Thomas keeping Dai Young out of loyalty. the Blues had a decent squad for many years and under achieved. Peter threw so much money at them but with such a poor coach in charge they didn't make any decent progress. When they started to run out of money Dai jumped the ship, and now it's about to sink. In a business sense the Blues did most things right, the Arms park is old and needed replacing, at the time it seemed a good idea to move into a new state of the art stadium. but the problems associated with the stadium have been terrible. Parking is a nightmare there, and the way punters are fleeced at these new stadiums are a disgrace.

The fact is many fans have left the club and regional game, and those that haven't have drifted back to the Premiership, if you saw the crowds at Premiership games you'd be amazed at their size. If the Bridgend games kicked off at 15:30 and not 14:30 I would hand in my Ospreys season ticket and get a Bridgend one instead.

by CurlyOsp Sun 08 Apr 2012, 1:22 pm

3rdGrandslamCame wrote:What about zero and none? That's always a possibility.

The guy is a clown and we have so many better 10s, 12s and 15s so the whole issue is irrelevant really now.

Except for the fact that you don't.. Yes he's a bit of a clown, but you'd be a fool to deny how talented he is.

by dogtooth Sun 08 Apr 2012, 1:23 pm

AlynDavies wrote:
The fact is many fans have left the club and regional game, and those that haven't have drifted back to the Premiership,

i am more excited about watching the cheesemen these days. we are div3 and have won three games this year. but i can park the car, the kids get in for free, its 1.50 for a beer and the crowd is a fun, boistrous, chirpy lot.

why do i have more fun watching the div3 team get stuffed every week than i do watching the professionals in their state-of-the-art stadium?

by Shifty Sun 08 Apr 2012, 1:47 pm

dogtooth wrote:i am more excited about watching the cheesemen these days. we are div3 and have won three games this year. but i can park the car, the kids get in for free, its 1.50 for a beer and the crowd is a fun, boistrous, chirpy lot.

why do i have more fun watching the div3 team get stuffed every week than i do watching the professionals in their state-of-the-art stadium?

I have a confession too! I enjoy going into my back garden and watching Kenfig Hill beat the living hell into all the other teams in Division 2 west. censored

We're top and we played 2nd placed Glynneath yesterday beating them 31-5.
Though I went to the Bridgend V Tonmawr game. Time to disband Blues. 3933776953

by dogtooth Sun 08 Apr 2012, 1:55 pm

alyn,

can your guys keep it up til the end of the season? Whistle

by Shifty Sun 08 Apr 2012, 1:57 pm

dogtooth wrote:alyn,

can your guys keep it up til the end of the season?

Well if we played Maesteg teams every week then yes, we have dished out some real hidings to teams from that area this season!

Anyway I'm beating a tactical retreat before Maestegmafia logs on and leaves my car on bricks. Run

by thebluesmancometh Sun 08 Apr 2012, 3:39 pm

Theres a lot of garbage being said on here!!!

There are tons of problems at the Blues but if you beleive it's a Cardiff problem and not a Welsh problem you are deluded!

The regional setup in Wales has major flaws!

by GavinDragon Sun 08 Apr 2012, 4:54 pm

so east west valleys and north anyone? Run

by Shifty Sun 08 Apr 2012, 5:16 pm

GavinDragon wrote:so east west valleys and north anyone?

Suits me!

by slartibartfast Sun 08 Apr 2012, 5:32 pm

thebluesmancometh wrote:Theres a lot of garbage being said on here!!!

There are tons of problems at the Blues but if you beleive it's a Cardiff problem and not a Welsh problem you are deluded!

The regional setup in Wales has major flaws!

How about backing that up with some solutions? What are the flaws?

Fundamentally it seems to me to be coaching at the blues. Edinburgh play at an empty stadium and they're In the semi's.

by JayMaster3000 Sun 08 Apr 2012, 6:29 pm

GavinDragon wrote:so east west valleys and north anyone?

What do you propose for this radical new regional set-up? Where would they play? What will they be called? Remember you need a name that does not favour one club but not a soulless franchise that fans can't relate to. So good luck coming up with a East and West name.

And why so strong on the opinion that North Wales should have a region?

I am of the opinion that each country has to find its own model that will suit them. I would argue that a New Zealand model would suit Wales but that it would not suit Ireland- actually the only thing I would change is the national team set-up, the 'Above Element'. I would argue that the current regions are not perfect but they are a bases to work of, I see no need to a radical change like an East, West, North and Valley spilt.

Could you convince me??

by Casartelli Sun 08 Apr 2012, 7:12 pm

JayMaster3000 wrote:
GavinDragon wrote:so east west valleys and north anyone?

What do you propose for this radical new regional set-up? Where would they play? What will they be called? Remember you need a name that does not favour one club but not a soulless franchise that fans can't relate to. So good luck coming up with a East and West name.

East Wales and West Wales have a nice ring to them??

by Cardiff Dave Sun 08 Apr 2012, 10:31 pm

slartibartfast wrote:
thebluesmancometh wrote:Theres a lot of garbage being said on here!!!

There are tons of problems at the Blues but if you beleive it's a Cardiff problem and not a Welsh problem you are deluded!

The regional setup in Wales has major flaws!

How about backing that up with some solutions? What are the flaws?

Fundamentally it seems to me to be coaching at the blues. Edinburgh play at an empty stadium and they're In the semi's.

thebluesmancometh speaks the truth about there being tons of problems at Cardiff Blues because there are and they have existed for a long time.
The poor performances are but one of the symptoms and it is getting tiresome hearing Baber and Burnell being blamed for the rot. There is huge unrest at the club. It is not a happy camp. Dai Young left last year because he'd had enough I reckon. No doubt the financial director and the chief exec who both left around the same time felt the same. Also, CAC who own the Arms Park were considering legal action last year due to late payment of rent. The Cardiff RFC accounts will be published soon (well overdue at present) and the estimate is that the club lost £2,000,000 in that financial year.
In a nutshell, the fundamental problem is lack of cash and the bloke in charge.
The solution is simple; get back to the Arms Park under new management.

by Hood83 Mon 09 Apr 2012, 10:10 am

As an outsider looking in, it's really hard for me to get a handle on all this!

I didn't watch the Leinster game, but from the scoreline it looked a bit of a pasting. That said, i think Leinster are capable of doing that to a lot of teams. I can see the argument that Cardiff should always be more competitive than that, but was the result a bit of a one off or indicative of bigger problems?

I look at the team and its core of Welsh national players and the only conclusion i can make is that Cardiff doesn't have a decent level of squad depth. Is that about right? It hardly seems anytime ago that the Blues were getting pipped in the HC semis. Has the team really tailed off that much or is it injuries and poor form?

One encouraging thing for you guys - it does appear a strong group of league teams is not a necessity for a good international side. The French league is head and shoulders above the English Prem, but their national team is hardly ripping it up.

by GavinDragon Mon 09 Apr 2012, 10:19 am

jay it was half jokingly but ill anwser your question

West Wales- a combination of the Ospreys and Scarlets encompassing the two regions as they stand right now (except neath who i suppose dont actually participate in ospreylia) 50% of the games at PYS and 50% at the liberty, name god knows colours god knows

East Wales - Cardiff, Newport- then ask Keys/Bedwas/Pooler/Ebbw Vale who they would like to be affiliatd with EW or the Valleys, same premise 50% rodney 50% CAP/CCS

Valleys-as touched on by the valleys rugby movement currently ongoing

RGC Rebels- Erias Park Colwyn Bay, as a development region to start but like connaught if the popularity of the game grows could have equal funding

by Guest Mon 09 Apr 2012, 11:02 am

Hood83 wrote: I didn't watch the Leinster game, but from the scoreline it looked a bit of a pasting. That said, i think Leinster are capable of doing that to a lot of teams. I can see the argument that Cardiff should always be more competitive than that, but was the result a bit of a one off or indicative of bigger problems?

They havent played well at all this season, they already lost by a bigger scoreline against Leinster a few months back. They lack a cutting edge and cannot finish tries.

I look at the team and its core of Welsh national players and the only conclusion i can make is that Cardiff doesn't have a decent level of squad depth. Is that about right? It hardly seems anytime ago that the Blues were getting pipped in the HC semis. Has the team really tailed off that much or is it injuries and poor form?

2 things mainly, a few seasons ago the squad was a bit more settled, Nicky Robinson was playing well at fly half as well. Since then we have made signings that have added nothing but grief, such as Sam Norton Knight and Dan Parks who has been hit and miss. Now the welsh internationals are leaving, the Blues would be very lucky to keep Halfpenny, Roberts, Warburton and Bradley Davies. But no one can hide the fact that they are broke.

One encouraging thing for you guys - it does appear a strong group of league teams is not a necessity for a good international side. The French league is head and shoulders above the English Prem, but their national team is hardly ripping it up.

Dont know about anyone else but I knew this before the 6 nations, while all the pundits were tipping Ireland and France to fight it out for 1st place because their clubs are doing well in Europe.

by Hood83 Mon 09 Apr 2012, 11:16 am

IronMike wrote:
Hood83 wrote: I didn't watch the Leinster game, but from the scoreline it looked a bit of a pasting. That said, i think Leinster are capable of doing that to a lot of teams. I can see the argument that Cardiff should always be more competitive than that, but was the result a bit of a one off or indicative of bigger problems?

They havent played well at all this season, they already lost by a bigger scoreline against Leinster a few months back. They lack a cutting edge and cannot finish tries.

I look at the team and its core of Welsh national players and the only conclusion i can make is that Cardiff doesn't have a decent level of squad depth. Is that about right? It hardly seems anytime ago that the Blues were getting pipped in the HC semis. Has the team really tailed off that much or is it injuries and poor form?

2 things mainly, a few seasons ago the squad was a bit more settled, Nicky Robinson was playing well at fly half as well. Since then we have made signings that have added nothing but grief, such as Sam Norton Knight and Dan Parks who has been hit and miss. Now the welsh internationals are leaving, the Blues would be very lucky to keep Halfpenny, Roberts, Warburton and Bradley Davies. But no one can hide the fact that they are broke.

One encouraging thing for you guys - it does appear a strong group of league teams is not a necessity for a good international side. The French league is head and shoulders above the English Prem, but their national team is hardly ripping it up.

Dont know about anyone else but I knew this before the 6 nations, while all the pundits were tipping Ireland and France to fight it out for 1st place because their clubs are doing well in Europe.

Ah ok, thanks IronMike.

On the plus side, if there is a Blues exodus to France, i don't know of many players who've gone to France and not come back a better player. I can see why people want the likes of Warbs etc to play there, particularly if crowds are low and you need the marquee players, but the regions (some anyway) do seem to be bringing young players through much better than in other leagues/countries.

Never understood Robinson going to England, i presumed he was fed up with his lack of Wales chances. Dan Parks and Norton Knight were awful choices, but people like Tito have been fantastic servants in the recent past. Perhaps the Blues need a clear out of that group followed by a limited and very carefully scouted few overseas players.

by 3rdGrandslamCame Mon 09 Apr 2012, 11:25 am

Ospreys have won at Leinster twice in less than 2 years. It is definitely more the Blurs being awful over Leinster being amazing.

Connacht would put 50 on the blues

by Shifty Mon 09 Apr 2012, 3:15 pm

3rdGrandslamCame wrote:Ospreys have won at Leinster twice in less than 2 years. It is definitely more the Blurs being awful over Leinster being amazing.

Connacht would put 50 on the blues

To be fair the Blues have put in some fantastic performances this year. They beat Racing Metro and London Irish home and away.

The real problem for the Blues is lack of strength in depth with regards to their squad players. You take away their internationals Halfpenny, Roberts, Jenkins, Bradley Davies, and Sam Warburton and your basically left with a load of rubbish underneath it. Basically they are in the same boat as the Dragons. In that you take away the stars out of the team and your left with a lot of aged and very average players.

Fly Half has been a massive problem this season, Dan Parks has been shocking since he moved from Scotland, the Blues have nose dived as a team, he has no idea how to consistently release or make space for his back line. For as long as Parks has been there the fans have been screaming for 35 capped Welsh international Sweeney to have a run in the side, but he has been worse than Parks. Henson was signed but he has not hit anywhere near the top of his game sadly.

Many of their expensive overseas signings are now past their best Paul Tito is 33, Xavier Rush is 34, Maama Molitika is 37, Ben Blair is 33, Taufa'ao Filise is 34. With the exception of Xavier you have to say all these players have been in poor form this season and aren't able to carry the Blues during international periods in the way they have for the past few seasons.
It's also worth pointing out stalwarts Deiniol Jones is 34 and Martyn Williams are 36 so you cannot be suprised that these guys are not hitting the heights they were 4 or so years ago.

Finally the financial problems of the Blues have been well documented with many guys out of contract at the end of the season, and Peter Thomas flatly refusing the negotiate new deals with these players until the financial report is out sometime in March, then he publicly says the internationals will not be paid when their away on duty with other teams. I agree it's a common sense to do, but to say it half way through the season with everything still to play for is lunacy, he has almost single handedly annihilated the Blues teams moral with these public attention seeking comments. How motivated can anyone be when their boss is predicting dooms day for the company that employs them?
How can anyone expect Gareth Baber and Justin Burnell to motivate the players, while having to bridge the gap from having to step up as back up coaches to head coaches, when the owner of the team is undermining team moral in this way?

There is light at the end of the tunnel though, the Blues are Wales biggest region, with the most supporters, but they need a massive clear out starting at the top. If Peter Thomas is not prepared to invest in the Blues then he should píss off to be honest, because a benefactor with no money has no Influence and is of no use.

The Blues need to do what the Scarlets did 2 seasons ago and retreat into their shell a little and focus on developing young players.
Leigh Halfpenny (23), Josh Navidi (21), Alex Cuthbert (22), Dan Fish (21), Jason Tovey (22), Harry Robinson (18), Lloyd Williams (22), Scott Andrews (22), Sam Hobbs (23), Macauley Cook (20), and Sam Warburton (23) are all talented young players who the Blues can easily build a fantastic team around, losing the older guys doesn't really matter but these kids need to be secured. Add to them older heads like Bradley Davies and Jamie Roberts and suddenly in 1-3 seasons you could have a team to be very worried about playing.

The Blues may of been knocked on their backsides this season, but they will easily pick themselves up, and sooner rather than later. thumbsup

by Stone Motif Mon 09 Apr 2012, 4:19 pm

AlynDavies wrote:[The Blues need to do what the Scarlets did 2 seasons ago and retreat into their shell a little and focus on developing young players.
Leigh Halfpenny (23), Josh Navidi (21), Alex Cuthbert (22), Dan Fish (21), Jason Tovey (22), Harry Robinson (18), Lloyd Williams (22), Scott Andrews (22), Sam Hobbs (23), Macauley Cook (20), and Sam Warburton (23) are all talented young players who the Blues can easily build a fantastic team around, losing the older guys doesn't really matter but these kids need to be secured. Add to them older heads like Bradley Davies and Jamie Roberts and suddenly in 1-3 seasons you could have a team to be very worried about playing.

Except Welsh teams can't build around our best players anymore, because they're Gatland's players really, and may as well be with another club for all the use they are to the regions.

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