Newport Gwent Dragons 2016/17 thread

[Luckless Pedestrian]

First topic message reminder :

I understand that some players haven't had a break for a while, but still, either it's a must-win game (with a bonus point) or it isn't.

[Guest]

There has not 'always been a problem with the playing surface'. When I first started supporting regularly and attending every game (so around 1997) the surface was absolutely fine the vast majority of the time. Stop with the wild generalisations. I've been on the pitch a number of times and recall it being lush and green. Got a picture of me and Rod Snow somewhere. His last game I think.

There you go again (2nd point highlighted above). Accusing us of not trying to fix it. In the past few years we've spent hundreds of thousands on drainage works (2 or 3 lots of it); we've moved the pitch 10 metres (as part of the new stand development); the surface has been improved with an FA grant; we've spent money on some machine to suck out water when there's a freak downpour. How is that not 'trying to fix it'? You wonder why you annoy so many people on here. The reason is your constant fake news, like some Daily mail reporter.

Fake news. Grow up.

Of course there will be times when the weather is not a problem. It's when it is a problem you need to be ready for it. Obviously the plebs running the show are again showing their ineptitude by doing everything bar fixing the problem. I have watched numerous games over the last 20+ years where the pitch has been like a swamp. It's just that 10+ years ago it was the norm. Now everybody else is moving on, and sorting out these issues, who ever is running things at RP seems to be doing everything yet not fixing it.

That sums up the whole set-up down there. Hopefully the WRU will get it right and stop the region embarrassing Welsh rugby even more than Howely is. We can all but dream.

Again, how have we not attempted to fix it?  Why do you constantly ignore what people have said and then keep peddling the same incorrect lines.  Attempts have been made.  Each year.  The issues, as described above, are wider than just RP.  Is Tony Brown meant to fix the drainage of the surrounding locality as well?!  You imply that they are doing nothing about it when that is absolute horse sh*te.  Not enough, perhaps.  But then that comes down to funding.  A new hybrid pitch will cost circa £1 million.  Add in the costs to sort out the drainage properly (not just the pitch drainage but the whole drainage system), because a new hybrid pitch won't be any use without improved drainage, and you're looking at a huge bill which, apparently, we can't afford.  I know you'll cite Merthyr and the new pitch there but we know a lot of that was funded from the Miner's charity, or whatever it's called.  There doesn't seem to be one in Gwent to tap into.  Kudos to Merthyr for getting it, and I've said that on numerous posts and mean it genuinely, but we know there's a lot more government support for 'stuff' up in the neck of the woods.

So for me I still stand by the development of the stand.  It's a lovely stand.  Not quite the same atmosphere as standing on the Hazell terrace (I moved over a few years back).  But it is a much more modern facility.  Proper toilets, proper concourse.  Bars and food. A decent club shop.  But also function rooms to generate income, which I know are very well used (not sure I'd have my wedding there mind ).  We now have the state of the art training facilities at Ystrad Mynach (so not all Newport based, you'll be pleased to hear) which we've been using for ALL dragons training (and playing at occasionally) for 2 years. So now that we have the stand and the training facilities to make it better for players and supporters, the next thing is the pitch.  If and when that is in place I believe it will help to attract players to us.

[Stone Motif]

The problem has also be exacerbated by the building of houses on the river bank.

I supposed that does not help.

How come if this deluge is being created because the Hazell roof is the Welsh equivalent of the Hoover Dam? Make your mind up

[LordDowlais]

There has not 'always been a problem with the playing surface'. When I first started supporting regularly and attending every game (so around 1997) the surface was absolutely fine the vast majority of the time. Stop with the wild generalisations. I've been on the pitch a number of times and recall it being lush and green. Got a picture of me and Rod Snow somewhere. His last game I think.

There you go again (2nd point highlighted above). Accusing us of not trying to fix it. In the past few years we've spent hundreds of thousands on drainage works (2 or 3 lots of it); we've moved the pitch 10 metres (as part of the new stand development); the surface has been improved with an FA grant; we've spent money on some machine to suck out water when there's a freak downpour. How is that not 'trying to fix it'? You wonder why you annoy so many people on here. The reason is your constant fake news, like some Daily mail reporter.

Fake news. Grow up.

Of course there will be times when the weather is not a problem. It's when it is a problem you need to be ready for it. Obviously the plebs running the show are again showing their ineptitude by doing everything bar fixing the problem. I have watched numerous games over the last 20+ years where the pitch has been like a swamp. It's just that 10+ years ago it was the norm. Now everybody else is moving on, and sorting out these issues, who ever is running things at RP seems to be doing everything yet not fixing it.

That sums up the whole set-up down there. Hopefully the WRU will get it right and stop the region embarrassing Welsh rugby even more than Howely is. We can all but dream.

Again, how have we not attempted to fix it?  Why do you constantly ignore what people have said and then keep peddling the same incorrect lines.  Attempts have been made.  Each year.  The issues, as described above, are wider than just RP.  Is Tony Brown meant to fix the drainage of the surrounding locality as well?!  You imply that they are doing nothing about it when that is absolute horse sh*te.  Not enough, perhaps.  But then that comes down to funding.  A new hybrid pitch will cost circa £1 million.  Add in the costs to sort out the drainage properly (not just the pitch drainage but the whole drainage system), because a new hybrid pitch won't be any use without improved drainage, and you're looking at a huge bill which, apparently, we can't afford.  I know you'll cite Merthyr and the new pitch there but we know a lot of that was funded from the Miner's charity, or whatever it's called.  There doesn't seem to be one in Gwent to tap into.  Kudos to Merthyr for getting it, and I've said that on numerous posts and mean it genuinely, but we know there's a lot more government support for 'stuff' up in the neck of the woods.

So for me I still stand by the development of the stand.  It's a lovely stand.  Not quite the same atmosphere as standing on the Hazell terrace (I moved over a few years back).  But it is a much more modern facility.  Proper toilets, proper concourse.  Bars and food. A decent club shop.  But also function rooms to generate income, which I know are very well used (not sure I'd have my wedding there mind ).  We now have the state of the art training facilities at Ystrad Mynach (so not all Newport based, you'll be pleased to hear) which we've been using for ALL dragons training (and playing at occasionally) for 2 years. So now that we have the stand and the training facilities to make it better for players and supporters, the next thing is the pitch.  If and when that is in place I believe it will help to attract players to us.

Well enough money was found to re-build the nice and shiny Bisley stand. They got their priorities wrong there. Why did you need that stand ? It's not as if RP was being sold out left right and center. The money spent on that stand should have been used to put a hybrid pitch down.

[munkian]

Because its used for other non rugby related events to generate extra income ? Christ you are dense...

[Stone Motif]

Because its used for other non rugby related events to generate extra income ? Christ you are dense...

And to think only the other day he was banging on about how important generating revenue on non match days was.

[munkian]

With all the valid ammunition at his disposal how does he manage to be so awful at criticising the Dragons ?

[Guest]

There has not 'always been a problem with the playing surface'. When I first started supporting regularly and attending every game (so around 1997) the surface was absolutely fine the vast majority of the time. Stop with the wild generalisations. I've been on the pitch a number of times and recall it being lush and green. Got a picture of me and Rod Snow somewhere. His last game I think.

There you go again (2nd point highlighted above). Accusing us of not trying to fix it. In the past few years we've spent hundreds of thousands on drainage works (2 or 3 lots of it); we've moved the pitch 10 metres (as part of the new stand development); the surface has been improved with an FA grant; we've spent money on some machine to suck out water when there's a freak downpour. How is that not 'trying to fix it'? You wonder why you annoy so many people on here. The reason is your constant fake news, like some Daily mail reporter.

Fake news. Grow up.

Of course there will be times when the weather is not a problem. It's when it is a problem you need to be ready for it. Obviously the plebs running the show are again showing their ineptitude by doing everything bar fixing the problem. I have watched numerous games over the last 20+ years where the pitch has been like a swamp. It's just that 10+ years ago it was the norm. Now everybody else is moving on, and sorting out these issues, who ever is running things at RP seems to be doing everything yet not fixing it.

That sums up the whole set-up down there. Hopefully the WRU will get it right and stop the region embarrassing Welsh rugby even more than Howely is. We can all but dream.

Again, how have we not attempted to fix it?  Why do you constantly ignore what people have said and then keep peddling the same incorrect lines.  Attempts have been made.  Each year.  The issues, as described above, are wider than just RP.  Is Tony Brown meant to fix the drainage of the surrounding locality as well?!  You imply that they are doing nothing about it when that is absolute horse sh*te.  Not enough, perhaps.  But then that comes down to funding.  A new hybrid pitch will cost circa £1 million.  Add in the costs to sort out the drainage properly (not just the pitch drainage but the whole drainage system), because a new hybrid pitch won't be any use without improved drainage, and you're looking at a huge bill which, apparently, we can't afford.  I know you'll cite Merthyr and the new pitch there but we know a lot of that was funded from the Miner's charity, or whatever it's called.  There doesn't seem to be one in Gwent to tap into.  Kudos to Merthyr for getting it, and I've said that on numerous posts and mean it genuinely, but we know there's a lot more government support for 'stuff' up in the neck of the woods.

So for me I still stand by the development of the stand.  It's a lovely stand.  Not quite the same atmosphere as standing on the Hazell terrace (I moved over a few years back).  But it is a much more modern facility.  Proper toilets, proper concourse.  Bars and food. A decent club shop.  But also function rooms to generate income, which I know are very well used (not sure I'd have my wedding there mind ).  We now have the state of the art training facilities at Ystrad Mynach (so not all Newport based, you'll be pleased to hear) which we've been using for ALL dragons training (and playing at occasionally) for 2 years. So now that we have the stand and the training facilities to make it better for players and supporters, the next thing is the pitch.  If and when that is in place I believe it will help to attract players to us.

Well enough money was found to re-build the nice and shiny Bisley stand. They got their priorities wrong there. Why did you need that stand ? It's not as if RP was being sold out left right and center. The money spent on that stand should have been used to put a hybrid pitch down.

Like I've already said, the pitch problems were far less when the stadium development was started. The big problems have only been in the last couple of years AFTER the stand was built.

[Guest]

Because its used for other non rugby related events to generate extra income ? Christ you are dense...

And to think only the other day he was banging on about how important generating revenue on non match days was.

I believe he referred to it as 'no ambition'. I can guarantee that if the pitch had been improved at the time but the dilapidated stand had been untouched he'd be complaining about a lack of ambition at improving the ground.

[LordDowlais]

With all the valid ammunition at his disposal how does he manage to be so awful at criticising the Dragons ?

You see, this is where you are all wrong. I am not criticing NGD, it's not the fans fault. Do you honestly think I want this blight on Welsh rugby ? No. I am totally against the people running the show in Gwent. I think they are full of their own importance and are happy to let the region rot, without a second thought for the loyal fans who spend their hard earned money every week, and they only care about their own status within Welsh rugby. Like the Bryn Cartright character out of Twin Town.

Total sh!t management from the top down, inept, and no idea.

[LordDowlais]

I believe he referred to it as 'no ambition'. I can guarantee that if the pitch had been improved at the time but the dilapidated stand had been untouched he'd be complaining about a lack of ambition at improving the ground.

No I wouldn't. But do not let that spoil your agenda about me.

[mikey_dragon]

With all the valid ammunition at his disposal how does he manage to be so awful at criticising the Dragons ?

You see, this is where you are all wrong. I am not criticing NGD, it's not the fans fault. Do you honestly think I want this blight on Welsh rugby ? No. I am totally against the people running the show in Gwent.  I think they are full of their own importance and are happy to let the region rot, without a second thought for the loyal fans who spend their hard earned money every week, and they only care about their own status within Welsh rugby. Like the Bryn Cartright character out of Twin Town.

Total sh!t management from the top down, inept, and no idea.

Correct about the management, but are you seriously this daft?! You need to go back and read your posts about the Dragons on here since the Sale away game (Dec 2015 I believe). You've even made disparaging remarks recently so to then post this must be WUMMING - and you're no good at that either.

[mikey_dragon]

With all the valid ammunition at his disposal how does he manage to be so awful at criticising the Dragons ?

Like it was once said; Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

[LordDowlais]

You've even made disparaging remarks recently so to then post this must be WUMMING

And where is the evidence to back this up ?

[mikey_dragon]

One-two pages previous. So dense .

[mikey_dragon]

And where is the evidence to back this up ?

Here:

Never mind. You will still have a region to support. It will just be in the Welsh capital and your team will be wearing blue, or pink.  

Dragons do not deserve extra funding, they show nothing in terms of offering something back other than the odd player for team Wales.
(in response to Development Region) Sadly, at the moment, this is the only future for pro rugby in Newport.

There we have it. On top of this you keep posting utter BS and putting it on repeat even after numerous people explain it to you more than once. I believe this is what lead Risca to coin the phrase "Eat. Sleep. Regurgitate. Repeat."   Catchy.

After recently contradicting yourself you actually had the audacity to ask someone to stop making it look like you keep contradicting yourself . Obviously you don't care about being ridiculed for your on-going ignorance, that's why your still posting here.

..go crying to the mods like the last time you jumped in the deep end  

Well said Stone.

[Steffan]

I doubt the WRU will shut the Dragons down if they do a takeover. Not sure what plans they have though

[Stone Motif]

I doubt the WRU will shut the Dragons down if they do a takeover. Not sure what plans they have though

That can only happen if they intend a long lease and control of the ground.

[munkian]

What about them taking over Kerdiff Blues ?

[LordDowlais]

And where is the evidence to back this up ?

Here:

Never mind. You will still have a region to support. It will just be in the Welsh capital and your team will be wearing blue, or pink.  

Dragons do not deserve extra funding, they show nothing in terms of offering something back other than the odd player for team Wales.
(in response to Development Region) Sadly, at the moment, this is the only future for pro rugby in Newport.

There we have it. On top of this you keep posting utter BS and putting it on repeat even after numerous people explain it to you more than once. I believe this is what lead Risca to coin the phrase "Eat. Sleep. Regurgitate. Repeat."   Catchy.

After recently contradicting yourself you actually had the audacity to ask someone to stop making it look like you keep contradicting yourself . Obviously you don't care about being ridiculed for your on-going ignorance, that's why your still posting here.

..go crying to the mods like the last time you jumped in the deep end  

Well said Stone.

Nothing I have typed there is disparaging, you need to go and learn your English.

[munkian]

Zane Kirchner to NGD

[Stone Motif]

Zane Kirchner to NGD

Down with this lack of ambition. I predict a 'spanking money on past it foreigners whilst letting the likes of Welsh Qualified Tom Prydie go' steaming pile at some point today

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Well he isn't getting any younger, there's no denying that.

I don't know how I feel about it. I've never thought much of Prydie so Kirchner can't do any worse, but I'm worried he might do a Lee Byrne (I can't think of a more sensitive way of putting it, I'm supposed to be working).

Might this signing be an indication that the players (or potential new recruits) know something about 'the takeover' that we don't?

[munkian]

Well he isn't getting any younger, there's no denying that.

I don't know how I feel about it. I've never thought much of Prydie so Kirchner can't do any worse, but I'm worried he might do a Lee Byrne (I can't think of a more sensitive way of putting it, I'm supposed to be working).

Might this signing be an indication that the players (or potential new recruits) know something about 'the takeover' that we don't?

Other forums suggesting the WRU are making us spend up to the salary cap - hence some extra budget ?

[GavinDragon]

I am ambivalent about this signing.

He is the wrong side of 30 for me, but Leinster supporters on Twitter say he is going well. Much better than Prydie however. So I suppose an upgrade in terms of squad strength

[RiscaGame]

I thought Kirchener was having a few problems in D4? But he's a name and so in a sense it's a positive. At the minute I still feel that without better coaching, we could have fifteen All Blacks and we'd still be screwed. Personally, I'd sooner keep Crosswell (if the NWQ rumour is true).

[munkian]

I thought Kirchener was having a few problems in D4? But he's a name and so in a sense it's a positive. At the minute I still feel that without better coaching, we could have fifteen All Blacks and we'd still be screwed. Personally, I'd sooner keep Crosswell (if the NWQ rumour is true).

Whats that then ?

[RiscaGame]

That Crosswell is being released, because they want an NWQ slot freed up.

[RiscaGame]

I don't know how this fits in with moving Amos to fifteen either.

[mikey_dragon]

And where is the evidence to back this up ?

Here:

Never mind. You will still have a region to support. It will just be in the Welsh capital and your team will be wearing blue, or pink.  

Dragons do not deserve extra funding, they show nothing in terms of offering something back other than the odd player for team Wales.
(in response to Development Region) Sadly, at the moment, this is the only future for pro rugby in Newport.

There we have it. On top of this you keep posting utter BS and putting it on repeat even after numerous people explain it to you more than once. I believe this is what lead Risca to coin the phrase "Eat. Sleep. Regurgitate. Repeat."   Catchy.

After recently contradicting yourself you actually had the audacity to ask someone to stop making it look like you keep contradicting yourself . Obviously you don't care about being ridiculed for your on-going ignorance, that's why your still posting here.

..go crying to the mods like the last time you jumped in the deep end  

Well said Stone.

Nothing I have typed there is disparaging, you need to go and learn your English.

You're even denser than we though. Just get your personal issues off of this thread you waste of space.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I don't know how this fits in with moving Amos to fifteen either.

I guess they're planning for when Amos is away with Wales.

We've missed him so badly this season.

[RiscaGame]

Undoubtedly. I guess he might play centre a lot for us, if we are at full strength

[Cardiff Dave]

Keeping "Cardiff", but ditching "Newport"? Is that right?

[Steffan]

Keeping "Cardiff", but ditching "Newport"? Is that right?

The names or the pro teams?

[Cardiff Dave]

Keeping "Cardiff", but ditching "Newport"? Is that right?

The names or the pro teams?

Good question.

[munkian]

That Crosswell is being released, because they want an NWQ slot freed up.

Ah, got ya.

[RiscaGame]

Seems like Sarel is off too, in my opinion.

[munkian]

Seems like Sarel is off too, in my opinion.

Ridiculous if true.

[Stone Motif]

Seems like Sarel is off too, in my opinion.

Ridiculous if true.

Why? He's hardly a controlling influence, far better than the other options though he may be. Letting Jonny Evans go was the thickest decision we've made in recent times, as much as I hate agreeing with Lord Andy.

[Guest]

Seems like Sarel is off too, in my opinion.

Ridiculous if true.

Why? He's hardly a controlling influence, far better than the other options though he may be. Letting Jonny Evans go was the thickest decision we've made in recent times, as much as I hate agreeing with Lord Andy.

Did we really let Jonny Evans go though? We tabled an offer but he turned it down because Bath had turned his head, and his old coach was there dangling a contract on a stick (Darren Edwards). If we'd let him go I don't think we would have bothered offering a contract. I guess we could have offered more money, but again could we have matched Bath? Who knows.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

I'd like to think it was his decision rather than the Dragons', but then again we thought it was a good idea to sell Dan Evans.

[LordDowlais]

An extra £25,000 would have kept Faletau as well.

[munkian]

www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/15144944.Hazell__Rodney_Parade_sale_a_necessity_to_save_famous_ground/

[Stone Motif]

An extra £25,000 would have kept Faletau as well.

That's about as factual as your contribution to the source of the drainage problems Andy.

[Stone Motif]

www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/15144944.Hazell__Rodney_Parade_sale_a_necessity_to_save_famous_ground/

Interesting what covenants go with the sale.

[LordDowlais]

An extra £25,000 would have kept Faletau as well.

That's about as factual as your contribution to the source of the drainage problems Andy.

http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/adrumm/an-extra-25k-would-have-kept-toby-faletau-in-wales/

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/featured-post/24685/just-25k-would-have-stopped-bath-signing-taulupe-faletau/

There are just two links for you, along with a lot of others you can find on the WWW.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

We wanted to sell Faletau. The WRU's bungling meant we didn't get a penny for him.

[munkian]

We wanted to sell Faletau. The WRU's bungling meant we didn't get a penny for him.

Yupp.

[Stone Motif]

An extra £25,000 would have kept Faletau as well.

That's about as factual as your contribution to the source of the drainage problems Andy.

http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/adrumm/an-extra-25k-would-have-kept-toby-faletau-in-wales/

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/featured-post/24685/just-25k-would-have-stopped-bath-signing-taulupe-faletau/

There are just two links for you, along with a lot of others you can find on the WWW.

Nice try Andy.

[Steffan]

Who's Andy just out of interest?

[Cardiff Dave]

Who's Andy just out of interest?

Dodger's poodle, mun.

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