MotM

Am I alone is getting increasingly exasperated and cynical about Man of the Match awards?

In principle, I think they’re a fine way to recognise the contribution a single player can make in a team game. A centre running rings around his opposite number and guaranteeing space for his wingers, a second row who secures every lineout ball quickly and smoothly, an openside forcing penalties or turnovers – these things can swing games. When you are a rock on which your team can rely, that should be applauded. When you can produce some blinding magic when your team most needs it, you can galvanise a whole squad.

But there are so many problems with it.

Frankie Sheehan, commentator and agent, gushing and awarding MotM awards left, right and centre to his clients is embarrassing, tedious and completely transparent. (Someone has had some wry fun with his Wiki entry, I notice.) If Peter O’Mahoney takes to the pitch with his laces done up right, he’s in the running. What a waste of time. I find it really objectionable. Ryan Constable shouldn’t be allowed to pick MotM for Ulster games on the same principle, but he’s not nearly as ludicrous as Sheehan.

Then there’s the default of handing them out to the big names. When Ulster went to the Dragons (I think it was), and we won well, MotM went to Pienaar, despite the fact that he was poor. Not poor by his own illustrious standards, just plain poor. Andrew Trimble on the other hand, was ferocious. But the Welsh commentators’ default setting of handing it out to one of the Ulster big names was just lazy, and showed an actual lack of interest in what was happening on the pitch.

Bryn Cunningham (who as a rule I like as a commentator) handed MotM to his old team-mate Roger Wilson on his first game back. Who could have imagined Roger would be so influential on his very first game back? Amazing! Here you go, Roger, have an orange Rabo-emblazoned ball.

Politics plays its part. Tom Court has been excellent for Ulster this season, Really very good. But it wasn’t until Kidney dropped him for the AIs for Kilcoyne that he got two or three MotMs on the trot. It wasn’t about his considerable contribution – it was about commenting on his absence from the Ireland squad, “Look at this, Kidney – look what you’re ignoring!” Both he and Andrew Trimble really upped their game having been passed over, but I just don’t buy that it was all about performance on the pitch.

I know these things are always subjective, and not, in the grand scheme of things, terribly important. But that’s exactly the kind of thing that winds me up…

Personally, I think MotM shouldn’t have to be awarded every game – only when a player turns in a great performance. And certainly not by those who could profit financially by picking certain players.

Sorry it's all a bit Ulster-centric - obviously I watch other games but I pay special attention to the finer points of Ulster's games. Examples suggested and opinions offered by supporters of other teams welcome!

I have noticed in Wales if it is a match being televised by Scrum V the MotM used to be really easy to predict. If the Blues won, and it was a forward effort then it was Xavier Rush, if it was a backs effort it was Ben Blair. If the Scarlets won, forward effort meant Ben Morgan or Dai Lyons, backs meant Regan King. Ospreys forwards Adam or Ryan Jones, backs Hook or Shane. Dragons never won so it didn't matter (Brew or Lydiate or Faletau).

Now it tends to be more like the pundit is trying to force the selectors hand with their MotMs, Rhys Patchell has had a fair few, Liam Williams too. Just pushing their name out there that little bit more for the Welsh selectors and public to hear.

Not just MotM awards

It seems the commentators have a list of players they want to gush about before the game and comment on every single thing they do like they invent a whole new way of doing it

Recently it has been Courtney Lawes who has been getting this treatment. He ran about 1 yards before being tackled and they all were making themselves moist on his dymanic running, and how he really takes it to a new level. Previously it was Ashton and his reinveting running support lines

Pathetic

Riskysports wrote:Not just MotM awards

It seems the commentators have a list of players they want to gush about before the game and comment on every single thing they do like they invent a whole new way of doing it

Recently it has been Courtney Lawes who has been getting this treatment. He ran about 1 yards before being tackled and they all were making themselves moist on his dymanic running, and how he really takes it to a new level. Previously it was Ashton and his reinveting running support lines

Pathetic

Ha ha ha!

We have our very own Stephen Ferris, who'll get praise / MotM by default from Sky if no-one else stands out. Not that we don't worship him, and not that he isn't extarordinary, but they don't seem fussed on what the other players are doing. They seem to be going mad for Chris Henry at the moment as well.