Review of the Season for your team?

by maestegmafia Tue May 08, 2012 9:44 am

First topic message reminder :

I was wondering if any of you would be kind enough to write a few words on how you feel the season went for your club/province/region this year, as for all but a few of us our season is now over...!

In the endeavour to create an interesting thread minus pointless trolling mocking and jeering. It would be the gentlemanly thing to do to encourage a review of your own club before you start to pass opinion on what other board members have contributed as opinions of their own clubs.

by jeffwinger Tue May 08, 2012 8:52 pm

Relegation has been good for some teams in recent times.

Harlequins and Northampton were big clubs with histories of success who, for whatever reasons, hit rough patches which lead to relegation. This forced them to restructure and refocus, and they came back far stronger as teams and clubs. They are now 2 of the top teams in the country again.

There is no reason Newcastle can't and won't follow a similar model. No guarantees of table-topping or HC finals though...

by aitchw Tue May 08, 2012 8:54 pm

Geordie, have your new management slipped Pirates a fat backhander? If not they should. I reckon you've got a better than even chance of staying up.

by Feckless Rogue Tue May 08, 2012 8:54 pm

Leinster

Positives
3rd HC final in 4 years
The second team to win an away HC semi final in France
The first Irish team to win all inter-pro Irish derbies home and away in one season
Topped the league by 10 points.
Long absence of O'Driscoll was barely noticed
Young players improved massively, especially Madigan, but also others.
Unbeaten away from home since the opening day defeat to Ospreys
Might do the double

Negatives
Lost two home games
Might end up with no silverware
All achievements were down to cheating and filling the team with expensive foreigners

by Geordie Tue May 08, 2012 9:00 pm

jeffwinger wrote:Relegation has been good for some teams in recent times.

Harlequins and Northampton were big clubs with histories of success who, for whatever reasons, hit rough patches which lead to relegation. This forced them to restructure and refocus, and they came back far stronger as teams and clubs. They are now 2 of the top teams in the country again.

There is no reason Newcastle can't and won't follow a similar model. No guarantees of table-topping or HC finals though...

Agree mate, Mr Kurdi is a strong guy in control...Dean Richards back - a very good coach (at last) and he will have a lot to prove after completing his ban....and we have another batch of real quality academy lads due to graduate. I am feeling confident for next season....although i'd give my left...ahem, to just see some decent rugby...ie the ball getting beyond number 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Geordie, have your new management slipped Pirates a fat backhander? If not they should. I reckon you've got a better than even chance of staying up

.

Ah you never know mate....quite possibly.

by jeffwinger Tue May 08, 2012 9:07 pm

Dean Richards is a great catch for you. He is such a strong forward-thinker and team-builder. Much of the current success at Quins is based in foundations he laid. Very few of their current first XV weren't there under him, and the youngsters that are coming through show that he must have had a good effect on their youth systems too.

by wasps Tue May 08, 2012 9:09 pm

Wasps

A deeply upsetting season, offset slightly by staying in the Premiership on the final day.

The season started well with back to back wins against both Saracens and Leicester, albeit both sides were depleted of their International players.
Fans were then brought back to reality with just 2 further league wins until March.

In the intervening months, nearly every 1st choice player suffered some kind of serious injury, and a large number had to retire because of them.

The vast number of injuries forced numerous academy players to make the step up to 1st team rugby far earlier than was expected.
Players such as Launchbury, Jones, Vunipola, Everard, Wade, Daly and Wallace all performed admirably under extremely tough conditions, and should have gained invaluable experience from such a difficult season.

However, even with such good quality academy players stepping in, there was never any consistency in selection which meant that the team were rarely competitive for a full 80 minutes.

Added to all of this is the ongoing uncertainty around ownership, finances and all other off field issues.
Each of these issues has contributed to where Wasps found themselves on the final day of the season.

As a passionate supporter I truly hope that the worst of these issues are now behind us and we can concentrate on being a rugby club once again.

Next season, with a combination of experienced players, ex-academy players and new signings, I'm hoping that Wasps can re-establish themselves as a proper Premiership club, and provide us with a platform to once again compete at the top of the table, and in European competition.

Players such as Wentzel, Poff, Simpson, Southwell, Haskell, Palmer, Jones, Launchbury, Wade etc. will hopefully allow us to be a threat once again.

Allez Allez Allez

by 21st Century Schizoid Man Tue May 08, 2012 9:17 pm

Southwell- you are having a laugh surely laughing

by wasps Tue May 08, 2012 9:23 pm

He gets some stick, but has played well for us.
Haughton is our other full back this season, and while he is amazing when running at a broken field, I am always far more confident in Southwell than Haughton when the opposition have the ball

Sometimes, you need 'solid' players, rather than standout players to form a team

by Geordie Tue May 08, 2012 10:21 pm

Wasps...

Good summing up...the one real silver lining of the season though is the number of real quality young guys who have played a large number of games which they probably wouldnt have in another time.

Lindsay, Launchbury, Wade, Daly...etc.

Add a few really good solid pros around them...Haskell & Palmer returning and suddenly a horror show of a season can lead to optimism for next season.

I dont think Wasps will be in the same position next season.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed May 09, 2012 8:55 am

Updated

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Exeter:

~ Amlin Quarter Final
~ 5th in the AP => Heineken Cup rugby next year.
~ Braves win the 'A' league competition
~ Rob Baxter ~~shortlisted for~~ awarded Director of Rugby of Season award (2nd yr in a row)
~ James Scaysbrook shortlisted for AP Player of the Season award
~ Gonzo Camacho ~~shortlisted for~~ awarded Gamechanger of Season award
~ Only 2 league games in which we didn't score any table points
~ Undefeated in the league vs Leicester Tigers (no other team has achieved that this season)
~ Likely to be one of only 3 profitable AP clubs
~ Stadium development plans agreed with council
~ Target of improving versus last year soundly achieved
~ 3 players in England U20 JWC squad (Luke Cowan-Dickie, Henry Slade, Sam Hill)
~ 3 players in England U19 squad (LC-D, HS, Jack Arnott)
~ 1 player in England U18 squad (Joel Conlon)

What a season!

by Mickado Wed May 09, 2012 9:17 am

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Updated

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Exeter:

~ Amlin Quarter Final
~ 5th in the AP => Heineken Cup rugby next year.
~ Braves win the 'A' league competition
~ Rob Baxter ~~shortlisted for~~ awarded Director of Rugby of Season award (2nd yr in a row)
~ James Scaysbrook shortlisted for AP Player of the Season award
~ Gonzo Camacho ~~shortlisted for~~ awarded Gamechanger of Season award
~ Only 2 league games in which we didn't score any table points
~ Undefeated in the league vs Leicester Tigers (no other team has achieved that this season)
~ Likely to be one of only 3 profitable AP clubs
~ Stadium development plans agreed with council
~ Target of improving versus last year soundly achieved
~ 3 players in England U20 JWC squad (Luke Cowan-Dickie, Henry Slade, Sam Hill)
~ 3 players in England U19 squad (LC-D, HS, Jack Arnott)
~ 1 player in England U18 squad (Joel Conlon)

What a season!

Didn't Scaysbrook make the team of the year As? Chalk that one down.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed May 09, 2012 9:34 am

And Haydn Thomas

by Poorfour Wed May 09, 2012 10:35 am

Poorfour wrote:Quins:

- The season's not over yet
- Topped the AP table (for what that's worth) for the first time in our history
- Don't know if we have what it takes to win the playoffs, but I think we'll put up a very good fight.

- The squad's been very cannily managed: COS saw the opportunity at the start of the season, took it, and has managed to keep the squad pretty fit until the end of the season (potentially only 2 players missing through injury on Saturday, with good cover for both of them)
- I feel there's some powder being kept dry somewhere, and I don't think we've seen the squad's real form yet
- A more rounded team than in previous seasons. Won games we would have lost a year ago, added a rolling maul and a scrum to our high-tempo attacking game
- Need more Plan B. Still not quite smart enough at playing the referee (especially Messrs Barnes and Clancy), or the conditions (Connacht), or chasing the game against the best sides (Sarries at Twickenham, Saints at FG, Toulouse and Tigers at the Stoop)
- But, when the team does front up, look what it can do (Toulouse and Sarries away).

- Next season will be tougher, but we aren't losing many players and there are several very promising prospects emerging from the academy (Chisholm, Wallace, Buchanan, Matthews).
- Key to success next year is going to be threefold: learning how to adapt when it's not going our way, getting squad rotation working in more positions, learning how to maintain our performance when Robshaw's not on the pitch.

To which we can add:
- Chris Robshaw winning Premiership Player of the Season and expected to be confirmed as England captain for South Africa
- 4 other players in the Premiership Dream team (Marler, Easter, Lowe and Brown)
- And the kiss of death... tipped by Jeremy Guscott to win the semi and playoffs.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed May 09, 2012 10:36 am

Poorfour wrote:
Poorfour wrote:Quins:

- The season's not over yet
- Topped the AP table (for what that's worth) for the first time in our history
- Don't know if we have what it takes to win the playoffs, but I think we'll put up a very good fight.

- The squad's been very cannily managed: COS saw the opportunity at the start of the season, took it, and has managed to keep the squad pretty fit until the end of the season (potentially only 2 players missing through injury on Saturday, with good cover for both of them)
- I feel there's some powder being kept dry somewhere, and I don't think we've seen the squad's real form yet
- A more rounded team than in previous seasons. Won games we would have lost a year ago, added a rolling maul and a scrum to our high-tempo attacking game
- Need more Plan B. Still not quite smart enough at playing the referee (especially Messrs Barnes and Clancy), or the conditions (Connacht), or chasing the game against the best sides (Sarries at Twickenham, Saints at FG, Toulouse and Tigers at the Stoop)
- But, when the team does front up, look what it can do (Toulouse and Sarries away).

- Next season will be tougher, but we aren't losing many players and there are several very promising prospects emerging from the academy (Chisholm, Wallace, Buchanan, Matthews).
- Key to success next year is going to be threefold: learning how to adapt when it's not going our way, getting squad rotation working in more positions, learning how to maintain our performance when Robshaw's not on the pitch.

To which we can add:
- Chris Robshaw winning Premiership Player of the Season and expected to be confirmed as England captain for South Africa
- 4 other players in the Premiership Dream team (Marler, Easter, Lowe and Brown)
- And the kiss of death... tipped by Jeremy Guscott to win the semi and playoffs.

by TrailApe Wed May 09, 2012 11:33 am

Big hopes for the new regime though...odd how relegation has actually created optimism amongst the falcons fans......

Yeah, bloody strange, we are (we should be if it eveything was fair) going down and people have a skip in their step.

Rebirth it seems like.

by Janecory Wed May 09, 2012 8:42 pm

Surprised no-one has done an Appraisal of Cardiff Blues season.

by Moorsman Wed May 09, 2012 10:22 pm

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Updated

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Exeter:

~ Amlin Quarter Final
~ 5th in the AP => Heineken Cup rugby next year.
~ Braves win the 'A' league competition
~ Rob Baxter ~~shortlisted for~~ awarded Director of Rugby of Season award (2nd yr in a row)
~ James Scaysbrook shortlisted for AP Player of the Season award
~ Gonzo Camacho ~~shortlisted for~~ awarded Gamechanger of Season award
~ Only 2 league games in which we didn't score any table points
~ Undefeated in the league vs Leicester Tigers (no other team has achieved that this season)
~ Likely to be one of only 3 profitable AP clubs
~ Stadium development plans agreed with council
~ Target of improving versus last year soundly achieved
~ 3 players in England U20 JWC squad (Luke Cowan-Dickie, Henry Slade, Sam Hill)
~ 3 players in England U19 squad (LC-D, HS, Jack Arnott)
~ 1 player in England U18 squad (Joel Conlon)

What a season!

Sums it up nicely, I've cancelled the operation (again) to remove my smile Very Happy

The specialist is going to have to wait a bit longer but he's used to that, it's been there since 26th May 2010 Laugh

by Londonirishollie Wed May 09, 2012 10:47 pm

London Irish
7 in AP, Out in the group stages of heineken.

Decent Start to the season (not as good as some years though), hit December and we have no form what so ever. Failed to qualify from the easiest Heineken Pool. And if the season had started in January we'd be close to going down. We're losing some big players including Dermody, Faan, BBC, Kennedy, Delon, Dodge, Bowden and more.. And in terms of coaches Booth, Bishop, Catt and Hatley.

BUT

Brain Smith is back, and with him a new wave of optimism has hit the club. Our form has improved and our new signings look good despite what Ulster and Munster fans think of the half backs they are losing to us.

Could still do with a tighthead but then i think most clubs in the AP think they need to improve their.

Got rid of alot of backroom staff and can spend a lot more on players.

JJ, Yarde, Homer, Sisi, Garvey and Lahiff all did well when given the oppurtunity.

Next season anything less than Heineken Qualification must be viewed as a collosal disapointment and we should really be aiming for a top 4 finish.

Overall though this season has been a dissapointment.

by ChequeredJersey Wed May 09, 2012 11:19 pm

Quins

I think the guys above have summed it up nicely, but in my eyes this has been a successful season regardless of what happens in the playoffs. Next season I think we need to press on a bit more in Europe and sign someore muscle in the pack. If we win the AP it will have been a magnificent rise, and if we don't it has still been impressive- people can talk about the RWC screwing over Leicester and Saints and Sarries but it is a long season and this can be overcome and the other 7 teams in the Premiership were in the same situation as us.

by flankertye Thu May 10, 2012 2:42 am

No review of Northampton Saints?

by doctor_grey Thu May 10, 2012 7:16 am

Saints:
It strange how a few seasons of relative success can change how we view things. Four seasons ago, Saints came out of relegation and had a terrific return, gaining 49 points with 10 wins. Then two seasons gaining 71 and 65 points, finishing second and fourth, gaining the Heineken Cup final. But this season, Saints also gained 65 points, yet it felt strangely like a struggle all season. They had the second highest points differential in the Premiership, and gave up the second fewest points, yet never seems to be clicking on all cylinders. Still fourth and in the playoffs. But not quite right. In many games they seemed to get ahead early then go to sleep and finally wake up later on.

The Heineken Cup was worse. Success seemed very close but still very far away. Starting the HEC campaign with those two painfully close losses to Munster and Scarlets, both of which they could have won, and pending one’s point of view, should have won. Then they were doomed, though, in typical fashion, they went fighting to the end.

There were key losses to important players like Tom Wood, Vasily Artemyev, Courtney Lawes, Dylan Hartley, Chris Ashton, Calum Clark, and Samu Manoa.

But there were positive contributions by young players such as Manoa, Artemyev, as well as Ben Nutley, Jamie Elliott, and James Craig. George Pisi was a terrific signing.

The Props, Brian Mujati and Soane Tonga'uiha, were class as usual, and were the key enablers for much of how Saints play. Paul Doran-Jones was a superb complement. Experienced players such as Jon Clarke, Roger Wilson, James Downey, Phil Dowson, Lee Dickson and Ben Foden were the real heart and core of the team. And any Saints fan has to appreciate Paul Diggin.

Still not happy with the steady Steven Myler, this was the second season where Saints tried a more exciting fly half, this time Ryan Lamb. But Lamb showed why he has moved through a few teams now, by showing great ball skills and making big mistakes within minutes of each other. He was not convincing, and Myler started the biggest match of the season, the Premiership playoff clinching match against Worcester last weekend.

In summary, a good season by many measures, but not convincing. The Heineken Cup leaves a poor taste and the Premiership could have been better. That said, Saints are in the playoffs and can still win one of the two important titles. Hoping for the best.

by Janecory Thu May 10, 2012 6:23 pm

Still no Review on Cardiff Blues.
Anyone !

by HongKongCherry Fri May 11, 2012 10:42 am

jeffwinger wrote:Gloucester have been as frustrating as ever results wise, as HKC pointed out losing 11 tight games that, had we won our fair share of, would have put us in serious playoff contention. But performance wise, notwithstanding the end of season Redpath-induced coma, there are some reasons for optimism.

There have been a few false dawns in recent years, with the Lamb, Allen etc class all either failing to deliver or before being shipped out to prosper elsewhere. However this time round we have retained all our promising youngsters and added a few more at the expense of some older, more expensive and less hungry players. This could lead to a slight leadership void over the next 12 months, with no real stand out captaincy candidate, but provided a solid DoR is appointed and we retain the majority of next season's squad as well as the current attacking ethos, then we could be a real domestic force in 2-3 years time.

I know its all ifs, buts and maybes at this stage, but there are encouraging signs. Even if we have no coach, no captain and no first choice internationals at present...

It certainly is going to be interesting to see who is appointed captain. Any chance that Big Jim had left with that right hook! It is clear the squad all roundly respect Woody, so he seems to be the natural choice, but I'd expect Cowan to play a central figure when he arrives.

This season ended poorly and it doesn't appear we have strenghtened the squad depth as its just player for player at the moment, however, I firmly believe the incoming players are better than those leaving - I'm expecting Morgan, Kalamafoni, Edmonds, Cowan and 36 to all have a major impact. We just need to make sure Woody stays fit!

by HongKongCherry Fri May 11, 2012 10:43 am

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:
HongKongCherry wrote:Actually ASBO, your season hasn't be all good. In fact I would go as far as saying one event has overshadowed all your success and this could be one of your worst seasons ever... HERSH has become a fully fledged Chief!!!
No, pls HKC, have mercy - new coaching line-up at Bath, he's applied for a transfer back again!

Sorry ASBO, that was nasty of me. I wouldn't wish him on anyone... other than Bath! Very Happy

by MunsterMac Fri May 11, 2012 11:07 am

Munster

Promising season destroyed by injuries and the momentum killer of the 6N.

By the time we played Ulster in the HC QF O'Connell, Murray and Earls were just back from injuries picked up in the 6N, while ROG, Ryan, DOC & O'Mahoney were all away with Ireland but getting only limited gametime at various times or in Damien Varley's case none after he was called up for cover for Rory Best.

Add to that the fact that Anthony Foley was brought in as Forwards Coach after Gert Smal's eye problem and I think that this 6N more than any other in recent years really brought Munster's momentum built up over the first 5 months of the season to a shuttering halt.

Optimistic for next season though with a new coaching set-up and the hope that our luck with injuries has to change at some stage.

by Smirnoffpriest Fri May 11, 2012 12:54 pm

Janecory wrote:Still no Review on Cardiff Blues.
Anyone !

I don't think anything else needs to be said on the Blues except maybe these icons -
Sad

!

LOL

by thebluesmancometh Fri May 11, 2012 1:00 pm

Smirnoff

2 weeks ago I'd have agree'd with you, performances fallen apart, players leaving, players slating the club, finances in the dulldrums and the 2nd rate players being named as joining us next year, then...

WE'RE GOING HOME
WE'RE GOING HOME
WE'RE GOING
BLUES ARE GOING HOME!!!!!!

With the recent anouncement that Cardiff city have allowed the Blues out of their contract at the CCS, and the Blues announce returning to the Arms park, it's safe to say this season has been a huge success!!!

You see performance is relative, Q/F of the HC, just missed playoffs in the Rabo but they will now recieve 10 times gait receipts, have a record season ticket sales figure, and will have a momentous off season!!!

If you had offered me all of this before the season started I'd have bitten your hand off Yahoo

by Smirnoffpriest Fri May 11, 2012 1:43 pm

thebluesmancometh wrote:Smirnoff

2 weeks ago I'd have agree'd with you, performances fallen apart, players leaving, players slating the club, finances in the dulldrums and the 2nd rate players being named as joining us next year, then...

WE'RE GOING HOME
WE'RE GOING HOME
WE'RE GOING
BLUES ARE GOING HOME!!!!!!

With the recent anouncement that Cardiff city have allowed the Blues out of their contract at the CCS, and the Blues announce returning to the Arms park, it's safe to say this season has been a huge success!!!

You see performance is relative, Q/F of the HC, just missed playoffs in the Rabo but they will now recieve 10 times gait receipts, have a record season ticket sales figure, and will have a momentous off season!!!

If you had offered me all of this before the season started I'd have bitten your hand off

Now that's what you call optimism!!!

by thebluesmancometh Fri May 11, 2012 1:46 pm

Not really optimism, I have not been to a Blues game in about 3 years or so, so for me moving back gives me my club back...

I'll be there now, and Blues will be top seeds again come HC (I think) some new blood, big crowds, great atmosphere excellent motivation for the players, whats not to be optimistic about?

by Janecory Fri May 11, 2012 1:52 pm

thebluesmancometh wrote:Not really optimism, I have not been to a Blues game in about 3 years or so, so for me moving back gives me my club back...

I'll be there now, and Blues will be top seeds again come HC (I think) some new blood, big crowds, great atmosphere excellent motivation for the players, whats not to be optimistic about?

Supertramp hit, "Dreamer" Comes straight to mind after reading that codswallop. Doh

by thebluesmancometh Fri May 11, 2012 1:54 pm

Well it is a bit optimistic but...

Blues will be HC top seeds,

Blues will have much improved crowds,

Blues do have some new blood coming in,

And excellent atmosphere does spure players on!

So technically they are all facts jane!!!

by caoimhincentre Fri May 11, 2012 2:00 pm

thebluesmancometh wrote:Well it is a bit optimistic but...

Blues will be HC top seeds,

Blues will have much improved crowds,

Blues do have some new blood coming in,

And excellent atmosphere does spure players on!

So technically they are all facts jane!!!

players arent good enough

by thebluesmancometh Fri May 11, 2012 2:05 pm

Which players?

by Smirnoffpriest Fri May 11, 2012 2:10 pm

Also will fans who haven't turned up for years stay coming back if the team are playing poor rugby with little ball because the forwards are getting mullered every game?

That's a pessimistic view I agree but that could happen - it happened to the Scarlets when they rebuilt their squad on a smaller budget 3 years ago, the crowds were disappointing and only started coming back when we became competitive and started playing attractive rugby.

by thebluesmancometh Fri May 11, 2012 2:22 pm

Nah, never bothered me before why would it start now!!!

I probably enjoy standing on the terraces whinging more than I do cheering anyway!

by flankertye Fri May 11, 2012 5:18 pm

Who do people think has been the signing of the season?
Personally I'd go for George Pisi, he's ousted Jon Clarke from the saints first team who was sniffing around an england squad call up and has put in many a fine performance.

by doctor_grey Fri May 11, 2012 7:43 pm

Mate,
Pisi has been terrific. Can't say he was the best signing anywhere, but he was fantastic for us. Especially considering he didn't come with the strongest CV. We knew he was pretty good, but, as you said, to climb ahead of Jon Clarke, who is a pretty handy player, says something. For a season in which Saints never seemed to hit their stride, Pisi was rock solid.

by Janecory Fri May 11, 2012 8:14 pm

thebluesmancometh wrote:Which players?

Most of them !
The international players will be out and usually injured most of season.
The players that are left are average Welsh premiership standard.

by thebluesmancometh Fri May 11, 2012 9:33 pm

Poor Jane poor

by Janecory Fri May 11, 2012 9:38 pm

thebluesmancometh wrote:Poor Jane poor

No response.
Truth hurts kid, doesnt it. Wink

by Cardiff Dave Sat May 12, 2012 12:31 am

Janecory wrote:
thebluesmancometh wrote:Poor Jane poor
No response.
Truth hurts kid, doesnt it.

Do you feel better now, Jane?

by ChequeredJersey Sat May 12, 2012 1:53 am

flankertye wrote:Who do people think has been the signing of the season?
Personally I'd go for George Pisi, he's ousted Jon Clarke from the saints first team who was sniffing around an england squad call up and has put in many a fine performance.

All around, I'm not sure, Pisi has been great, maybe Salvi?

For us, Mo. Really adds to our backrow as a big hitter and carrier to add to the constant graft of Robshaw in each area and the canniness of Easter

by maestegmafia Sat May 12, 2012 2:36 am

Beating Munster three times in a row certainly improves the season for the Ospreys

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Sun May 12, 2013 7:26 am

Time to update this thread for season 2012/13 or start a new one?

by formerly known as Sam Sun May 12, 2013 8:05 am

New one I think As.

by TJ1 Sun May 12, 2013 9:07 am

Edinburgh

Mince Thats the only word for it. Mince

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