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Ulster 2014/2015, Part 2

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Post by Notch Mon 14 Jul 2014, 3:20 pm

First topic message reminder :

Part 1; https://www.606v2.com/t53882p950-ulster-2014-2015

We've been rocked with the seismic revelation David Humphreys is leaving the province- indeed has already left- for Gloucester. Anscombe was slated to be seeing out the last year of his contract before being quietly let go but the Humphreys bombshell left him as the odd man out, and he's been pushed out the door. The decision was partly because he was hired to work under a Director of Rugby and Ulster are looking for someone with more experience in the market to take on Humphreys role in addition to the coaching responsibilities. As usual, the rumour mill is on overdrive and opinions are polarised- but this is Ulster Rugby after all. Les Kiss is our interim Director of Rugby and it seems Allen Clarke is filling the role of forwards coach in the short term. More changes or appointments could be forthcoming.

If all that wasn't enough we've been dealt a real group of death in the new Champions Cup- double-winners Toulon will brave the Ravenhill roar along with old friends Leicester Tigers and old foes the Scarlets. All in all, this team should be capable of securing a Top 4 finish at the very least in the Pro12 and we need to target the top two, our prospects in Europe look more occluded- it might come down to best runners-up and our pool promises to be tight and competitive.

Our pre-season concludes when we take on Exeter Chiefs at Ravenhill on Friday the 22nd August and then travel to Donnybrook to face Leinster on Friday the 29th August. It'll be a big relief to see the action at Ravenhill moving from the headlines to the pitch

Players Out
Johann Muller (retired), Paddy Wallace (retired), Stephen Ferris (retired), Chris Cochrane (retired), Chris Farrell (Grenoble), Niall Annett (Worcester), John Afoa (Gloucester), Tom Court (London Irish), James McKinney (Rotherham), David McIlwaine (Rotherham), Paddy McAllister (Aurillac), Sean Doyle (ACT Brumbies), Adam Macklin (Rotherham), Ian Porter (Connacht)

Players In
Franco van der Merwe (Golden Lions), Louis Ludik (Agen), Wiehahn Herbst (Natal Sharks), Ruaidhrí Murphy (ACT Brumbies), Dave Ryan (Zebre), Ian Humphreys (London Irish), Charlie Butterworth (Lansdowne), Sean Reidy (Counties Manukau)

Hookers
Rory Best, Rob Herring (Jonny Murphy, John Andrew*)
Props
Callum Black, Ruaidhrí Murphy, Andrew Warwick, Declan Fitzpatrick, Wiehahn Herbst, Dave Ryan, Ricky Lutton, Bronson Ross, Kyle McCall(?)
Locks
Iain Henderson, Dan Tuohy, Franco van der Merwe, Lewis Stevenson, Neil McComb
Backrow
Robbie Diack, Conor Joyce, Chris Henry, Mike McComish, Sean Reidy, Charlie Butterworth, Nick Williams, Roger Wilson (Clive Ross**)
Scrum-half
Ruan Pienaar, Paul Marshall, Michael Heaney
Outhalf
Paddy Jackson, Ian Humphreys
Centres
Luke Marshall, Stuart Olding, Darren Cave, Stuart McCloskey
Wings
Michael Allen, Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe, Craig Gilroy
Fullback
Louis Ludik, Ricky Andrew, Jared Payne, Peter Nelson

*Academy hookers training with first team squad
**Clive Ross, cousin of Mike, is on trial

Opening fixtures

F; Exeter Chiefs (H)
F; Leinster (A)

Pro12; Scarlets (A)
Pro12; Zebre (H)
Pro12; Cardiff Blues (A)
Pro12; Zebre (A)
Pro12; Edinburgh (H)

ECC; Leicester Tigers (A)
ECC; RC Toulon (H)


Last edited by Notch on Wed 27 Aug 2014, 3:48 pm; edited 5 times in total
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Post by geoff998rugby Thu 08 Jan 2015, 10:42 am

Ludik is a player taking up a NIQ spot with no appreciate ability over and above the IQ player we have. He is the one who should go - waste of a NIQ spot.

Nothing against him, a good pro, a decent player but we have boxed ourselves into a corner where 2, maybe3, of our NIQ slots are taken up by players who are no better than what we have locally.

Without Ludik, Williams and argueably de Merwe we are not appreciable weaker - assuming everyone is available.

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Post by Standulstermen Thu 08 Jan 2015, 11:05 am

Wouldn't want to see our lineout without VDM although Tuohy seems to be stepping up a bit. The other two I completely agree with but I'm just contending that I don't see Cave as an upgrade at centre over Ludik. Certainly comparable but again I think against the top European teams neither is effective

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Post by geoff998rugby Thu 08 Jan 2015, 11:54 am

Cave and Ludik may be of the same standard but one is taking up a NIQ slot, the other isn't.

That is the crucial difference in deciding which is best to keep.

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Post by Standulstermen Thu 08 Jan 2015, 2:26 pm

In no way am I arguing for one to be kept and the other shafted btw. I can't see us paying off Ludik anyway. Going forward my worry is just that I don't know how Payne, cave, Olding, Marshall and McCloskey can all be accommodated at centre.

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Post by Notch Thu 08 Jan 2015, 8:11 pm

So we really need a bonus point on Sunday. Nothing else will do given we're in fifth and need to make up some ground.
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Post by geoff999rugby Thu 08 Jan 2015, 8:22 pm

Dan Tuohy signs for 3 more years - another important one to secure

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Post by rodders Fri 09 Jan 2015, 9:32 am

geoff998rugby wrote:
However how you can say 'Cave isn't prepared to cover other positions' is beyond me. That is insulting to a player who had never made conditions on where he plays (unlike others). He has played at 12 as well. It is simple where he is best.

I'm sorry but that it isn't true Geoff - he's been known to throw the toys out of the pram if he isn't picked to start at 13 - and not just recently too....so I'm not surprised to hear the latest rumours that he is guaranteed the 13 jersey as a stipulation for him signing the extension.
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Post by geoff999rugby Fri 09 Jan 2015, 10:13 am

Realistically other than centre where else could he play?
He has played 12 on a number of occasions
What positions do you understand he has refused to play.
There is no where else he would fit - sounds like complete and utter nonsense to me.
What is your source?

He has not been guaranteed the 13 shirt - he has been assured that selection will be on a level playing field based on performance.

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Post by geoff999rugby Fri 09 Jan 2015, 10:16 am

Going back to those out of contract this year
We are left with:

Must sign: Herring, Henderson, McCloskey, Trimble, Scholes
Useful: RossB, Reidy, RossC, Heaney, Allen, Andrew, Nelson
Not bothered: McCall, Simpson, Joyce
No way: McComb, McCormish, Butterworth

Given we know Trimble is going nowhere and that none of the youngsters are going I think we can safely assume that Ulster will not lose anyone this year they want to keep.
Those not in the Must sign list have nowhere else to go - that leaves Herring who I am 100% certain will sign.

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Post by rodders Fri 09 Jan 2015, 11:03 am

geoff999rugby wrote:Realistically other than centre where else could he play?
He has played 12 on a number of occasions
What positions do you understand he has refused to play.
There is no where else he would fit - sounds like complete and utter nonsense to me.
What is your source?

He has not been guaranteed the 13 shirt - he has been assured that selection will be on a level playing field based on performance.

No you are contradicting yourself - my original comment that he doesn't or isn't willing to cover any positions other than 13 stands, which reduces his value to the squad versus some other other guys like Payne, Ludik and anyone else we risk losing to accommodate him.

I have heard from more than one source that he was unwilling to either fight for the 13 jersey or play at 12 for Ulster - not on this occaision but a previous one and have no doubt that history is repeating here.

It's no coincidence why he isn't liked or rated in Dublin and continually ignored by successive Irish coaches for other options.
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Post by The Great Aukster Fri 09 Jan 2015, 11:26 am

geoff999rugby wrote:Going back to those out of contract this year

What also concerns me are those who are in contract and one specifically who said this was his last year. Now maybe he had been told to spread rumours by his agent, but considering he isn't in immediate contract negotiations (and I haven't heard this elsewhere) - why would he? I won't say who it is but the level of contract (and compensation) being mentioned from France would be very very difficult to turn down.

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Post by toml Fri 09 Jan 2015, 12:27 pm

Ulster team & replacements to play Treviso, Guinness PRO12, Stadio Monigo, Sunday 11th January (3:00pm local time / 2:00pm UK and Ireland):
(15-9): L Ludik; T Bowe, D Cave, S Olding, C Gilroy, P Jackson, R Pienaar; (1-8): C Black, R Best, W Herbst, A O’Connor, D Tuohy, R Diack, C Ross, R Wilson; Replacements (16-23): R Herring, A Warwick, B Ross, L Stevenson, S Reidy, P Marshall, J Payne, P Nelson.

Payne is back on the bench. Clive Ross starting. At least team selection is becoming more settled (maybe due to lack of depth)

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Post by Guest Fri 09 Jan 2015, 1:30 pm

Van der Merwe being rested? He was looking a bit jaded, I think, and could probably do with a break.

All this talk of Cave. Rodders, even if the rumours are true about throwing toys out, etc, it still wouldn't make sense for Ulster to let him go right now.
Maybe Ulster need a clean sweep, and hopefully Kiss will be the man to do it. He can start with Doak, and I would like to see Logan on his way also. Wishful thinking, I know.

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Post by Standulstermen Fri 09 Jan 2015, 2:06 pm

I think when we have Olding, Marshall, McCloskey and Payne playing centre it made perfect sense not to re-sign Cave. That being said I'm not against him being here. I just don't see how we fit everyone into our next year team. We currently have 4 international centres and one young juggernaut! IMO that will only serve to hinder development.

The off season will be at the very least interesting if not productive from an Ulster pov

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Post by Guest Fri 09 Jan 2015, 2:54 pm

Stand, ideally I would like to see Payne move back to 15, and although I really like Ludik, I think he should make way for the signing of a top backrow player. That would go some way to solving the problem of having too many centres, while at the same time help to strengthen our backrow. As it should have been...

I doubt Kiss can be very involved in Ulsters pre season, but if he can have some input, it may well be productive.

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Post by Notch Fri 09 Jan 2015, 3:04 pm

Van der Merwe is not so much rested as ill with a chest infection.

Ludik is under contract now, so there's no point in speculating about paying him off or whatever. He'll be here next season and then probably he'll make way for a player in a different position when his contract expires in summer 2016. Ulster is already getting a reputation as a side that might not honour coaches contracts or treat them particularly well. We do not want to add the reputation of being a side who do not honour players contracts.

I'm surprised at the call for Logan to go- I think his job is to attract sponsorship, generate revenue and handle the business side and he's done very well. What he needs is a strong Director of Rugby so he doesn't have to deal with the rugby side of things as much as he has no expertise there. Although I think he let Humphreys have too much free reign regarding Anscombes extension. Maybe he should have just bit the bullet and kept Anscombe on for another year, but honestly don't think it would make that much of a difference to us. There were obvious problems there.
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Post by Notch Fri 09 Jan 2015, 3:10 pm

Standulstermen wrote:I think when we have Olding, Marshall, McCloskey and Payne playing centre it made perfect sense not to re-sign Cave. That being said I'm not against him being here. I just don't see how we fit everyone into our next year team. We currently have 4 international centres and one young juggernaut! IMO that will only serve to hinder development.

3 specialist 12s and a specialist 15- you can't justify letting Cave go until at least one of those players demonstrates they can perform well at 13. I have never seen McCloskey or Olding at 13, Marshall has played only rarely at 13 with fairly mediocre results and Payne has also been underwhelming there so far.

Definitely potential to replace Cave altogether, he could be made surplus to requirements if other players show they can adapt to moving to outside centre, but impossible to justify letting him go in the short term because none of them have yet. I would like to see us trying some of the 12s at 13. McCloskey in particular could be brilliant there.
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Post by Rory_Gallagher Fri 09 Jan 2015, 4:28 pm

Notch wrote:
Standulstermen wrote:I think when we have Olding, Marshall, McCloskey and Payne playing centre it made perfect sense not to re-sign Cave. That being said I'm not against him being here. I just don't see how we fit everyone into our next year team. We currently have 4 international centres and one young juggernaut! IMO that will only serve to hinder development.

3 specialist 12s and a specialist 15- you can't justify letting Cave go until at least one of those players demonstrates they can perform well at 13. I have never seen McCloskey or Olding at 13, Marshall has played only rarely at 13 with fairly mediocre results and Payne has also been underwhelming there so far.

Definitely potential to replace Cave altogether, he could be made surplus to requirements if other players show they can adapt to moving to outside centre, but impossible to justify letting him go in the short term because none of them have yet. I would like to see us trying some of the 12s at 13. McCloskey in particular could be brilliant there.

Pretty much spot on.

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Post by Standulstermen Fri 09 Jan 2015, 5:16 pm

I think Payne has shown he can do just as much as Cave in truth. Olding I have only seen at 13 for the U20s so I take your point. That said I think any of the three can play 13 and the fact they haven't played there shouldn't be a barrier. Schmidt threw Henshaw in there again set SA with 1 start at 12. Obviously we aren't quite as well coached but we aren't playing SA at provincial level either. I certainly believe our young guys have the same potential as Henshaw

For what it's worth I hope it means Jared is going to move back to 15 but I don't see it.

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Post by Guest Fri 09 Jan 2015, 5:33 pm

Notch wrote:Van der Merwe is not so much rested as ill with a chest infection.

Ludik is under contract now, so there's no point in speculating about paying him off or whatever. He'll be here next season and then probably he'll make way for a player in a different position when his contract expires in summer 2016. Ulster is already getting a reputation as a side that might not honour coaches contracts or treat them particularly well. We do not want to add the reputation of being a side who do not honour players contracts.

I'm surprised at the call for Logan to go- I think his job is to attract sponsorship, generate revenue and handle the business side and he's done very well. What he needs is a strong Director of Rugby so he doesn't have to deal with the rugby side of things as much as he has no expertise there. Although I think he let Humphreys have too much free reign regarding Anscombes extension. Maybe he should have just bit the bullet and kept Anscombe on for another year, but honestly don't think it would make that much of a difference to us. There were obvious problems there.

Anscombe would have been more successful than Doak, I believe, and it was Logans responsibility to help ensure Ulster were covered coaching wise this season once it was decided to sack Anscombe.
As for asking Doak to move on? Ulster can't afford to keep staff simply because it might look bad in letting them go. Anyway, my gut instinct is that Doak will probably move on without anyone asking him.
Ulster rugby paid off Anscombe early, and I don't see why there should be a problem paying of Ludik early if it means adding much needed strength to a weak backrow. Not that I believe it will happen though. Kiss would really need to be making these decisions before the RWC, and I don't believe he will.

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Post by Standulstermen Fri 09 Jan 2015, 5:45 pm

I'm not sure about Logan. I tend to agree with Notch in that he is there to ensure that we keep bringing in the Benjamins and he does that. This keeps the irfu happy after all.

That said he should also be account able for how that money is spent and the summer was a shambles. Literally every single punter on here questioned the rumoured signings of Ludik, then Hogg and ultimately Ludik again as opposed to a backrower. Now if we can see that in the summer (and ultimately our Backrow is disastrous) then why couldn't anyone involved with ulster and ultimately the top man?

Similarly in the coaching scenario I do believe he was in a rock and a hard place. Geoff has mentioned that Anscombe was despised so did Logan really have much of a choice and if he had of retained the coach would the contract renewals we are seeing have happened? Then again when I think about that scenario and question ep whether our players would have played for Anscombe I start to wonder do the players need a kick in the hoop and reminded they are professionals who are paid to do a job.

Can't get my head round it in truth. Just have a feeling it's going to be a hideous few months for us ulster fans

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Post by Notch Fri 09 Jan 2015, 6:46 pm

Standulstermen wrote:I'm not sure about Logan. I tend to agree with Notch in that he is there to ensure that we keep bringing in the Benjamins and he does that. This keeps the irfu happy after all.

That said he should also be account able for how that money is spent and the summer was a shambles. Literally every single punter on here questioned the rumoured signings of Ludik, then Hogg and ultimately Ludik again as opposed to a backrower. Now if we can see that in the summer (and ultimately our Backrow is disastrous) then why couldn't anyone involved with ulster and ultimately the top man?

Similarly in the coaching scenario I do believe he was in a rock and a hard place. Geoff has mentioned that Anscombe was despised so did Logan really have much of a choice and if he had of retained the coach would the contract renewals we are seeing have happened? Then again when I think about that scenario and question ep whether our players would have played for Anscombe I start to wonder do the players need a kick in the hoop and reminded they are professionals who are paid to do a job.

Can't get my head round it in truth. Just have a feeling it's going to be a hideous few months for us ulster fans

I feel like Humphreys is to blame for these signings, but Humphreys was probably given too much free reign. He could have and perhaps should have been overruled.

We don't know what was promised behind the scenes to certain players re. playing 13 though, we don't know what the IRFU wanted regarding that either. But having only 4 back rows proven at Pro12 level- and questions over the efficacy of some of those at higher levels that that- is simply insane given its arguably the most injury prone position on the pitch.
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Post by Guest Fri 09 Jan 2015, 6:59 pm

It's possible that I'm being harsh on Logan, Stand, and if results had gone a little better this season then I wouldn't be having this conversation. It's not so much that Anscombe was sacked, it's more that someone more able than Doak wasn't lined up before doing so, although I do appreciate that it's a tough market leading up to the RWC.

I don't know about the players not playing for Anscombe, and it's a fair point you make, but with a few exceptions I don't think they've really played for Doak.

You're right. Some of them need a good kick in the hoop.

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Post by The Great Aukster Fri 09 Jan 2015, 10:13 pm

Logan has come in and turned UR into a 21st C commercial organisation. Things like record shirt sponsorship, naming rights, and doubling season ticket holders don't come easy. People who haven't the first clue about business think this has all come about because of Ulster's success on the pitch - really? For those who haven't noticed Ulster haven't been successful on the pitch! The last time Ulster won silver the number of STs went down rather than increase.

Logan isn't a Director of Rugby - that's why an expensive DoR was there to manage the rugby side of things. Humphreys dropped Ulster in it because of the short notice he gave. Anscombe wasn't happy before the Doc went and had himself applied for the Gloucester gig - things were so strained between him and the players that he didn't even attend the Player's dinner in May. His position was untenable and there was really no option to keep him.

Trying to attract a high profile coach, when there is no opportunity for them to get any players in would be stupid because they would be hamstrung with someone else's team. No decent coach in his right mind would come as a caretaker when Les Kiss is due at the end of the year. For all the complaints about Doak, there is no evidence to suggest Anscombe would have done any better, and plenty to suggest his favouritism would have alienated players and fans even more.

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Post by clivemcl Fri 09 Jan 2015, 11:32 pm

Poking my head above the parapet again since it would appear the forum dictatorship has relaxed the outlaw of coach criticism...

I see McCloskey has signed up. Excellent news.

My tuppence worth (if I'm allowed) is that the competitive squads in europe have a serious amount of depth. I seriously don't think we should talk about Olding/Marshall/McCloskey/Cave/Payne as being 'too many'. Nonsense. We should keep as many IQ quality players as are we can (within reasonable monetary expectations). Period.

The question I believe over Ludik is not about Payne and where he should play. It's quite simply about him being NIQ.

If he was IQ, I'd be more than happy with the lot of them regardless of where they play. Sure look at injuries this season - every one of these players has been vital at one point or another. Nobody has been left wallowing in the ravens.

But Ludik is NIQ. And we are losing an NIQ spot soon. And our backrow squad players are not at the required standard. Does the option of compensating and getting rid of Ludik make us weaker though at full-back? Depends. Is Jared moving back to 15? Will Nelson step up. Could Olding be used more at full-back?

A few questions.

Were we always in the market for an NIQ full-back last year? Or did we move to the next on the shopping list because an NIQ backrower couldn't be found? Geoff do you know?

I agree on paper it looks like we need to sign better players. It certainly would help. But it all sounds like we are making excuses for the coaching and the players.

We were all in the not so distant past campaigning for Irish squad call ups for a lot of our squad players. Players like Tuohy, Diack, Marshall/Olding, Gilroy. And even the rest got very high praise. Of course they did - we were pulling off stellar performances against big teams in Europe.

So what, are they just on a decline that is inevitable with age? Or is the setup not getting the same standards out of these players?

When I last posted on these boards I downplayed the idea of inspirational figures on a pitch. I still feel the notion that these highly paid athletes, in front of 18k fans require some inspirational figure to encourage them to do better? Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe players get bored just like any other job. But it just seems crazy.

Hope you all are well. Let's hope for better things as the season continues. At least Connacht didn't win tonight (Phew).

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Post by Standulstermen Sat 10 Jan 2015, 1:41 am

The Great Aukster wrote:Logan has come in and turned UR into a 21st C commercial organisation. Things like record shirt sponsorship, naming rights, and doubling season ticket holders don't come easy. People who haven't the first clue about business think this has all come about because of Ulster's success on the pitch - really? For those who haven't noticed Ulster haven't been successful on the pitch! The last time Ulster won silver the number of STs went down rather than increase.

Logan isn't a Director of Rugby - that's why an expensive DoR was there to manage the rugby side of things. Humphreys dropped Ulster in it because of the short notice he gave. Anscombe wasn't happy before the Doc went and had himself applied for the Gloucester gig - things were so strained between him and the players that he didn't even attend the Player's dinner in May. His position was untenable and there was really no option to keep him.

Trying to attract a high profile coach, when there is no opportunity for them to get any players in would be stupid because they would be hamstrung with someone else's team. No decent coach in his right mind would come as a caretaker when Les Kiss is due at the end of the year. For all the complaints about Doak, there is no evidence to suggest Anscombe would have done any better, and plenty to suggest his favouritism would have alienated players and fans even more.

That's a well put first paragraph about what Logan brings. We have no evidence to suggest Anscombe would have done any better but then I don't think we have any evidence to suggest Doak has done anything other than be passable as an attack coach. When you consider the players at his disposal I think we have underachieved if anything and yet we appointed him. One thing I will say in criticism of Logan was that he came out with all the bluster surrounding 'worldwide searches' and top cv's landing on his desk and ultimately he went with a bloke from Lisburn

Clive

Regarding your assertion that 5 centres isn't too many it most certainly is. Especially when four of them are internationals. Luke Marshall was left in the ravens pre-injury and has been dropped from the squad again. How do young guys develop being thrown in and out of the team with different partners each time. In fairness to Doak his one constant has been either Cave or Payne at 13 but we have shifted about starting McCloskey with Payne in one HEC game, throwing Olding in the next, switching back and forth etc etc. it's not conducive to getting the best out of young players

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Post by clivemcl Sat 10 Jan 2015, 8:13 am

I guess it comes done to whether you are backing the players or the club. Most top clubs ARE top clubs because they manage to keep top quality squad players happy as squad players even though they could be first choice elsewhere.

I said it at the summer. Nelson doesn't impress, Payne likely to be on Ireland duty. Olding could have been playing a lot of 15 this year if Ludik had not been signed. We need to look at options like that before we allow players to slip away.

Quick question. I wonder is our third choice 12 better than Toulon's third choice 12 (not that I know who Toulons third choice 12 is heck, I'm not even sure who ours is anymore!).

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Post by Guest Sun 11 Jan 2015, 12:29 pm

The Great Aukster wrote:Logan has come in and turned UR into a 21st C commercial organisation. Things like record shirt sponsorship, naming rights, and doubling season ticket holders don't come easy. People who haven't the first clue about business think this has all come about because of Ulster's success on the pitch - really? For those who haven't noticed Ulster haven't been successful on the pitch! The last time Ulster won silver the number of STs went down rather than increase.

Logan isn't a Director of Rugby - that's why an expensive DoR was there to manage the rugby side of things. Humphreys dropped Ulster in it because of the short notice he gave. Anscombe wasn't happy before the Doc went and had himself applied for the Gloucester gig - things were so strained between him and the players that he didn't even attend the Player's dinner in May. His position was untenable and there was really no option to keep him.

Trying to attract a high profile coach, when there is no opportunity for them to get any players in would be stupid because they would be hamstrung with someone else's team. No decent coach in his right mind would come as a caretaker when Les Kiss is due at the end of the year. For all the complaints about Doak, there is no evidence to suggest Anscombe would have done any better, and plenty to suggest his favouritism would have alienated players and fans even more.

I would think Humphs was as key in Ulster's success, as much, if not more so, than Logan. I agree that this success isn't merely a result of how the players have performed on the pitch, but completely disagree that success on the pitch isn't a key factor in putting bums on seats, increasing revenue, growing the brand, attracting sponsors. Even if they have failed to bring home the silverware in recent years.
I'm not saying Logan isn't very good at running the commercial side of Ulster rugby. I am questioning sacking a coach who had just guided Ulster to a quarter final, and in doing so winning every game in the group stage. Whatever about Anscombe's relationship with the players, he was still able to guide them to a quarter final, and if he had been at the helm Vs Leicester, I don't believe we would have lost.
Les Kiss was given the job because nobody else was available, even though Logan had stated that Ulster Rugby were not going to rush into signing up a replacement for Anscombe, but that they were going to search worldwide to get the right man. The irony of that is there likely will be top quality coaches available when he actually gets around to coaching Ulster......

I'm happy with Anscombe being replaced. I'm happy with the appointment of Les Kiss. I'm just not happy with the timing.

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Post by Notch Sun 11 Jan 2015, 1:54 pm

This will be interesting. Munster away to Zebre, try bonus point. Leinster away to Cardiff, try bonus point (albeit I don't think they would have got it without a red card).

We know whats needed. Over to you Ulster...
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Post by clivemcl Sun 11 Jan 2015, 1:59 pm

If we are going to front up, it needs to be right now. Any more lackluster performances from individuals will be pretty much unforgivable.

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Post by Kingshu Sun 11 Jan 2015, 2:15 pm

TBH its back to back games against Treviso, we really need to pick up 10 points to be in with a shout of making the playoffs, last 4 games are Connacht, Munster Leinster and Glasgow we need to be in good shape going into those, and its those last four that will make or break our season.

The top is really close, Ospreys top before this weekend then if they lose today drop out off the play off places!

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Post by clivemcl Sun 11 Jan 2015, 2:18 pm

Cracking bit of play there. Great heads up rugby. Finished by a great kick to touch from Jackson. More of that please Ulster!

Think the tackle on Jackson was fine by the way.

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Post by Notch Sun 11 Jan 2015, 2:25 pm

Jackson is having a good game- lovely passer of the ball, though I suppose sooner or later someone is going to pick one of those right-on-the-gainline passes off... but he looks much higher in confidence than earlier in the season.
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Post by Guest Sun 11 Jan 2015, 2:27 pm

Bonus point is looking good.

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Post by Notch Sun 11 Jan 2015, 2:30 pm

It's going well here. Three tries and the halfbacks looking good. Making great hay in broken play.
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Post by clivemcl Sun 11 Jan 2015, 2:31 pm

Looking pretty good so far it has to be said! Great vintage Gilroy! (Isa Gilroy old emnough for the use of the word vintage yet??)

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Post by Golden Sun 11 Jan 2015, 2:38 pm

Must be pretty hard to be an Italian rugby fan at the moment. It's sad to see the demise of Treviso. They were a half decent team a couple of years ago.

Crowd here isn't the worst in fairness.

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Post by Notch Sun 11 Jan 2015, 2:40 pm

That should have been the fourth, Gilroy didn't back his pace- I thought he might have got around the outside. Would have been close.
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Post by Rory_Gallagher Sun 11 Jan 2015, 2:52 pm

Gilroy should have backed his pace - but he really is in sublime form, he had a huge part to play in 2 of the tries. His decision making still needs a bit of work though.

When Trimble returns, it will be an interesting tussle.

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Post by Notch Sun 11 Jan 2015, 2:59 pm

This topic needs to be locked soon due to the length, so new thread to continue the discussion here

https://www.606v2.com/t57192-ulster-2014-2015-part-3
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