Gwent Dragons 2015/16 thread

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 10 Feb 2016, 2:51 pm

First topic message reminder :

With Warburton, I can only conclude that they like him as captain because of how he deals with referees. He's very respectful towards them.

by munkian Wed 23 Mar 2016, 1:11 pm

Arlidge was alright like

by Guest Wed 23 Mar 2016, 1:49 pm

munkian wrote:Arlidge was alright like

He was alright for Japan! Another that we didn't really get the best out of Sad

by munkian Wed 23 Mar 2016, 2:05 pm

So him and Goose gone. Not many 'originals' left now. Lewis Evans next ? Doubt Brew will be retained

by mikey_dragon Wed 23 Mar 2016, 3:38 pm

Unbelievable. Not a fan of Lyp or the board now at all. A complete overhaul is needed. What will actually happen is that Glaws will give us a tuning and all of the board and coaches will bury theirs heads in the sand.

by munkian Wed 23 Mar 2016, 3:43 pm

I'm a season ticket holder and really can't be arsed to go at the moment.

by Steffan Wed 23 Mar 2016, 3:47 pm

munkian wrote:I'm a season ticket holder and really can't be arsed to go at the moment.

Why can't you be arsed?

by munkian Wed 23 Mar 2016, 3:53 pm

Steffan wrote:
munkian wrote:I'm a season ticket holder and really can't be arsed to go at the moment.
Why can't you be arsed?

Just getting a bit disillusioned with rugby in general at the moment to be honest.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 23 Mar 2016, 4:09 pm

It looks like I'm in the minority, on here at least, but I don't see it as such a bad thing that Tovey's going. He's been at Rodney Parade for years and I don't think it's unfair to say he hasn't been the most consistent player. He can have some games where he looks the whole package, but that only makes it worse when he has poor games. He went to the Blues and it didn't work out for him, and since he's been back, he's still blown hot and cold. Ultimately, if they don't think he's good enough, they're doing the right thing letting him go.

It's been handled badly, of course, but what's new? Rolling Eyes

by Guest Wed 23 Mar 2016, 7:01 pm

I think that's my feeling too, Luckless. It's the handling that sucks. I too am not a huge fan and think he blows hot and cold. When he was coming back from the Blues I wasn't that happy. But I did have to admit he played a few pretty good games on his return and I took my words back. But the timing seems odd here. We've got a number of games left and only have a couple of 10 options, unless there's a few players lurking somewhere or a signing on the horizon? But not much experience there to see us through to the end of the season. And we shouldn't just be 'seeing ourselves though' anyway, we should be aiming to win the remaining games with the best players still available. I hate teams giving up on a season when they can't get a playoff spot. Is he the really the worst 10 on the books and therefore not worthy of the squad until May?

by bedfordwelsh Wed 23 Mar 2016, 8:24 pm

Agreed it seems the whole handling of it is what narks most rather than him leaving as such.

by Cardiff Dave Wed 23 Mar 2016, 11:27 pm

munkian wrote:
Steffan wrote:
munkian wrote:I'm a season ticket holder and really can't be arsed to go at the moment.
Why can't you be arsed?

Just getting a bit disillusioned with rugby in general at the moment to be honest.

At the moment? I've been disillusioned for donkeys.

by Guest Thu 24 Mar 2016, 8:01 am

Cardiff Dave wrote:
munkian wrote:
Steffan wrote:
munkian wrote:I'm a season ticket holder and really can't be arsed to go at the moment.
Why can't you be arsed?

Just getting a bit disillusioned with rugby in general at the moment to be honest.

At the moment? I've been disillusioned for donkeys.

If it's not an EDF Cup Final you're not interested, Dave!

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 24 Mar 2016, 10:35 am

Chris Kirwan wrote: It doesn’t seem long ago that Jason Tovey seemed to be a certainty for full international honours.

He was such a classy operator when playing in the colours of Newport and Bedwas in the Principality Premiership, oozing quality from both full-back and fly-half.

Tovey made the step up to the senior Newport Gwent Dragons side at the end of 2007/8 and then that summer featured in a Wales Under-20s side at the Junior World Cup that included Sam Warburton, Dan Biggar, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Webb, Justin Tipuric and Josh Turnbull, playing on the wing in the remarkable victory against France that famously ended in a mass brawl on the Liberty Stadium pitch.

It’s sad that Tovey has not quite made the next step because on his day he is a terrific player, bringing his backs into play, pinning the opposition back with his left peg, posing a running threat and kicking his goals.

Unfortunately too many moments seem to have passed him by. Perhaps he is too laid back for his own good?

A couple of international call-ups didn’t work out (scuppered by a Dragons European play-off on one occasion and injury on others), a move to Cardiff Blues merely set him back rather than pushing him on to the next level and he hasn’t quite found the consistency to his game needed to nail down the 10 jersey.

Tovey – who is always approachable, friendly and good to talk to – is a real talent and is still only 26.

If he is to turn from enigma into a dependably excellent 10 then sadly it won’t be at the Dragons but maybe a change of scene, and moving away from the east Wales bubble, is what he needs.

In 2007/8 Tovey learnt his trade at the Bridge Field in Bedwas. Alongside him was a centre called Phil Dollman, who has gone on to pass a century of appearances for an Exeter side that are on top of the Aviva Premiership.

If a move away from Wales works out half as well for Tovey as it has for the Chiefs man then the fly-half will no longer be in the bracket of unfulfilled potential.

Spot on, as usual.

by LordDowlais Thu 24 Mar 2016, 12:17 pm

Well Tovey is now saying that Dragons have gone backwards in the last three years:-

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/jason-tovey-says-newport-gwent-11090437

Would you agree with him ?

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 24 Mar 2016, 12:40 pm

Not if you go by the league table. We finished 11th in 2012-13, 9th in 2013-14 and 9th again in 2014-15. We've also qualified for the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup this season and last.

by **RiscaGame** Thu 24 Mar 2016, 12:50 pm

Yes they have gone backwards this season, no doubt. The quarter finals are nice and all that, but I am pretty sure we are heading for our worst league season ever. Worst season was six wins apparently and we are on four and I'm not overly sure where we will pick two wins up from (maybe even one).

by dragon999 Thu 24 Mar 2016, 4:33 pm

Jason knew he wasn't being offered a new deal for next season onwards - Edinburgh were looking for a 10 as cover so HE decided to go now - so who handled it badly? He still does not have a deal from next season & I hope it works out for him but in all honesty he has not been able to play consistently well & has had a lot of injuries which has not helped, he never seemed to last 80 mins (or is that just my perception)

by Luckless Pedestrian Thu 24 Mar 2016, 5:50 pm

If it's true that it was Tovey's decision to go now, then it's pretty poor that he made a big deal about not having a final home game to say his goodbyes.

by dragon999 Thu 24 Mar 2016, 6:10 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:If it's true that it was Tovey's decision to go now, then it's pretty poor that he made a big deal about not having a final home game to say his goodbyes.

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/14381028.Tovey_desperate_to_grasp_Edinburgh_o

by **RiscaGame** Thu 24 Mar 2016, 10:00 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:If it's true that it was Tovey's decision to go now, then it's pretty poor that he made a big deal about not having a final home game to say his goodbyes.

It was hardly a big deal made. He said it was a shame, which it is. It's not as if he has made that big a deal about it.

by Luckless Pedestrian Fri 25 Mar 2016, 10:55 am

I agree it's a shame, but the implication is that he was denied a last goodbye by the Dragons, which isn't necessarily the case (although it's possible he wouldn't have played another game anyway if they were concentrating on Dorian and Angus).

The Dragons have been good to him and I just think the parting shots weren't necessary.

by mikey_dragon Fri 25 Mar 2016, 11:34 am

If they're planning to move forward with just Dorian and Angus then we're doomed.

by **RiscaGame** Fri 25 Mar 2016, 12:43 pm

Have they been good to him? They've messed him about a fair bit, trying to cater for TGFHTEFTGVSDW. Turn the game round v London Welsh last season and then drop him. Played him with Luc a fair bit last season, which didn't seem to happen with Dorian. The overhyping of Dorian in the press. Personally I believe Lyn tried throwing him under a bus too, when he started Tovey out in France v Slade and Pau. I could probably go on.

by **RiscaGame** Fri 25 Mar 2016, 1:16 pm

Anyway, the parting shot is more than necessary. Something needs to be done and nobody else is going to speak up are they. We are going backwards and worryingly teams below us are rectifying their problems.

by mikey_dragon Fri 25 Mar 2016, 4:26 pm

I do honestly believe that Tovey is our best fly-half, not all would probably agree with that. Interesting that when our pack was on the front foot the guy would have a stormer. So it's a shame that he's played on the back foot most of his career. Letting him go is a stupid idea, especially for the reason given.

by Cardiff Dave Sat 26 Mar 2016, 8:07 pm

Griff wrote:
Cardiff Dave wrote:
munkian wrote:
Steffan wrote:
munkian wrote:I'm a season ticket holder and really can't be arsed to go at the moment.
Why can't you be arsed?

Just getting a bit disillusioned with rugby in general at the moment to be honest.

At the moment? I've been disillusioned for donkeys.

If it's not an EDF Cup Final you're not interested, Dave!

Should've kicked on after eventually assembling a squad that could compete, but it all went @rse up again; Dodger, CCS, for example.

by Guest Sat 26 Mar 2016, 10:36 pm

Cardiff Dave wrote:
Griff wrote:
Cardiff Dave wrote:
munkian wrote:
Steffan wrote:
munkian wrote:I'm a season ticket holder and really can't be arsed to go at the moment.
Why can't you be arsed?

Just getting a bit disillusioned with rugby in general at the moment to be honest.

At the moment? I've been disillusioned for donkeys.

If it's not an EDF Cup Final you're not interested, Dave!

Should've kicked on after eventually assembling a squad that could compete, but it all went @rse up again; Dodger, CCS, for example.

Yeah, same for us: we should have kicked on after our 2nd place league finish a million years ago Wink

Lots of teams go @rse up, unfortunately. Even with a pot full of £££.

by Cardiff Dave Sun 27 Mar 2016, 8:23 pm

Griff wrote:
Cardiff Dave wrote:
Griff wrote:
Cardiff Dave wrote:
munkian wrote:
Steffan wrote:
munkian wrote:I'm a season ticket holder and really can't be arsed to go at the moment.
Why can't you be arsed?

Just getting a bit disillusioned with rugby in general at the moment to be honest.

At the moment? I've been disillusioned for donkeys.

If it's not an EDF Cup Final you're not interested, Dave!

Should've kicked on after eventually assembling a squad that could compete, but it all went @rse up again; Dodger, CCS, for example.

Yeah, same for us: we should have kicked on after our 2nd place league finish a million years ago Lots of teams go @rse up, unfortunately. Even with a pot full of £££.

Haha, not quite and what pots of cash?
As for the league; it became apparent to me many moons ago that HEC qualification was the priority.

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 29 Mar 2016, 12:39 pm

This won't calm the waters much:

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/14389216.Dragons_to_bring_in_Sale_fly_half_Macleod/

by Blueschief Tue 29 Mar 2016, 12:48 pm

I remember Nick Macleod playing for Cardiff, he was a decent player, not great but he won't let ye down - often.

by **RiscaGame** Tue 29 Mar 2016, 1:41 pm

I'm excited.

by Steffan Tue 29 Mar 2016, 3:01 pm

This article was written by someone from the Dragons region

https://thevietgwent.wordpress.com/2016/03/28/pontypridd-v-merthyr-yet-more-troubling-wru-pyramidal-questions-in-east-glamorgan/

Any chance one of you Gwent boys can have a look at what your guy is saying here? While it is well written, I am struggling to get the overall point that the author is trying to make. It was a heavy weekend and I'm also suffering from the flu so not quite with it

Cheers in advance

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 29 Mar 2016, 3:04 pm

I have nothing against McLeod personally, and it he can be a steady hand on the tiller then it's not a bad signing, but it does reinforce the stereotype that the Dragons pick up other regions' castoffs.

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 29 Mar 2016, 3:05 pm

I do my best to ignore his negativity on Twitter Steffan, so I'm not going to read his personal blog.

by **RiscaGame** Tue 29 Mar 2016, 3:07 pm

Powell is not our guy. To be honest, I did read it but it was very hard to decipher his point. Seeing as he's getting excited by views of it too, I'm not going to give him another one.

by **RiscaGame** Tue 29 Mar 2016, 3:11 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I have nothing against McLeod personally, and it he can be a steady hand on the tiller then it's not a bad signing, but it does reinforce the stereotype that the Dragons pick up other regions' castoffs.

I just don't see the point. He's WQ, so some (one) posters will be happy. His lack of game time is a worry and if he is signed to close out games, then Angus is going to get bombed out again, as it'll take a lot to dislodge Dorian.

His age is a big concern too. I'm a bit worried we are kind of reverting to how we were under Darren, when he would sign players he'd worked with before.

by Steffan Tue 29 Mar 2016, 3:13 pm

Ok just thought I would ask. I would assume anyone calling himself 'The Viet Gwent' and talking about being a Pontypool supporter is part of the Dragons region though. I have just had a look at the official Dragons website and have not seen anything from the board distancing themselves from him either so you can see why one would associate him with the Dragons

by Blueschief Tue 29 Mar 2016, 3:15 pm

I stopped reading it after the 'respected journalist Andy Howell of Wales online/ Western mail' bit .... Meh!

by Steffan Tue 29 Mar 2016, 3:24 pm

Blueschief wrote:I stopped reading it after the 'respected journalist Andy Howell of Wales online/ Western mail' bit .... Meh!

I looked briefly looked at the other articles he has done. He likes to criticise the current setup a lot doesn't he. I have been lead to believe that everyone from the Gwent area was happy with the current setup

Perhaps he would be better off addressing and writing about the way his own region dealt with the Jason Tovey situation with the player then slating his former team to the Welsh press rather than writing an essay with no real conclusion (that I could make out)

by **RiscaGame** Tue 29 Mar 2016, 3:26 pm

Blueschief wrote:I stopped reading it after the 'respected journalist Andy Howell of Wales online/ Western mail' bit .... Meh!

Indeed.

by Blueschief Tue 29 Mar 2016, 3:29 pm

Have to admit I'm a bit puzzled by the Tovey thing. He's easily as good as Macleod, albeit with a few years more rugby in him. I just don't get it.

by Luckless Pedestrian Tue 29 Mar 2016, 3:34 pm

Steffan wrote:I have just had a look at the official Dragons website and have not seen anything from the board distancing themselves from him either so you can see why one would associate him with the Dragons

Why would the board put out a statement distancing themselves from some random blogger?

by Steffan Tue 29 Mar 2016, 3:37 pm

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Why would the board put out a statement distancing themselves from some random blogger?

Well Munkian and a few others last year told me that if you don't condemn something then you agree with it. It was in reference to Pontypridd and Owen Robbins

https://www.606v2.com/t58952p500-regional-a-teams

munkian wrote:All they would need to do is tweet a statement saying that Owen doesn't speak for them nor do we approve of his methods or views

by **RiscaGame** Tue 29 Mar 2016, 3:44 pm

Knew that was coming. Do NGD retweet his stuff or print it in match day programmes then?

Robins by the way. Thought you would know how to spell your hero's surname.

by Steffan Tue 29 Mar 2016, 3:48 pm

RiscaGame wrote:Robins by the way. Thought you would know how to spell your hero's surname.

Oh so now we are resorting back to my spelling. Thought we had moved on from that. Obviously not

And how is he my hero?

by Stone Motif Tue 29 Mar 2016, 6:49 pm

Steffan wrote:This article was written by someone from the Dragons region

https://thevietgwent.wordpress.com/2016/03/28/pontypridd-v-merthyr-yet-more-troubling-wru-pyramidal-questions-in-east-glamorgan/

Any chance one of you Gwent boys can have a look at what your guy is saying here? While it is well written, I am struggling to get the overall point that the author is trying to make. It was a heavy weekend and I'm also suffering from the flu so not quite with it

Cheers in advance

It's well written but you struggle to get the point?

Rightio. So not well written at all then.

by mikey_dragon Tue 29 Mar 2016, 9:52 pm

Blueschief wrote:Have to admit I'm a bit puzzled by the Tovey thing. He's easily as good as Macleod, albeit with a few years more rugby in him. I just don't get it.

Same here.

by **RiscaGame** Wed 30 Mar 2016, 3:25 am

I'm not sure how they can justify it really Mikey, as I've said. If he is cheaper, well we are seemingly under next season's wage budget anyway. It's such a disappointing move for me, even without considering the fact Tovey has gone.

Anyway, big news for LD and Steff.

NGD have called a Q and A with supporters on Monday 11th of April at 18:30 in the Bisley suite. I'm not sure if "The Viet Gwent" is in attendance, but Lyp and Stuart Davies will be there. Could be interesting if there is no sort of question control in place.

by munkian Wed 30 Mar 2016, 9:08 am

RiscaGame wrote:I'm not sure how they can justify it really Mikey, as I've said. If he is cheaper, well we are seemingly under next season's wage budget anyway. It's such a disappointing move for me, even without considering the fact Tovey has gone.

Anyway, big news for LD and Steff.

NGD have called a Q and A with supporters on Monday 11th of April at 18:30 in the Bisley suite. I'm not sure if "The Viet Gwent" is in attendance, but Lyp and Stuart Davies will be there. Could be interesting if there is no sort of question control in place.

I know of a few mates that are going - should help water down the crazies a little.

by GavinDragon Fri 01 Apr 2016, 11:39 am

Griff wrote:I think that's my feeling too, Luckless. It's the handling that sucks. I too am not a huge fan and think he blows hot and cold. When he was coming back from the Blues I wasn't that happy. But I did have to admit he played a few pretty good games on his return and I took my words back. But the timing seems odd here. We've got a number of games left and only have a couple of 10 options, unless there's a few players lurking somewhere or a signing on the horizon? But not much experience there to see us through to the end of the season. And we shouldn't just be 'seeing ourselves though' anyway, we should be aiming to win the remaining games with the best players still available. I hate teams giving up on a season when they can't get a playoff spot. Is he the really the worst 10 on the books and therefore not worthy of the squad until May?

I still think that, when given a run of games, he is the most solid all round ten we had at the region and, given Nick Macleod's signing and the rampant nepotism that exists at the place, it was another example of how amateurish our region is run on and off the field.

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