Ulster 2011--2012

[jeepers]

While I understand that there are outside/personal factors in McLaughlins case, the brains trust in ulster effectively tied his hands and he still came up with the goods. If what has been mentioned by Brent Pope on RTE is true that it was player power that forced Logan and Humphreys to change head coach then its fairly sickening that they are the ones doing it without giving him full backing.

I think someone from the Ulster management fed Pope that spin. Andrew Trimble (a senior Ulster player) seemed very surprised by the whole thing (and said some very nice things about McLauglin and how the team liked and respected him as a coach). And what about Pienaar & Muller and their very open display of christian values - they don't strike me as the type that would be plotting the downfall of their coach.

[Red Hand Hero]

While I understand that there are outside/personal factors in McLaughlins case, the brains trust in ulster effectively tied his hands and he still came up with the goods. If what has been mentioned by Brent Pope on RTE is true that it was player power that forced Logan and Humphreys to change head coach then its fairly sickening that they are the ones doing it without giving him full backing.

Would love to know where Pope plucked that from, couldn't be further from the truth IMHO. McLaughlin was moved on because despite improving Ulster's fortunes in his three years with us he has his limitations at this level and the perception was
that Ulster could do better. Those sentiments I'd agree with tbh however the way it was handled by Logan and Humphreys was appalling and as a result a really bitter taste has been left in the mouth over the way McLaughs, a thoroughly decent individual, has been treated.

[Drick]

BBC Wales are an awful shower. Hyping up the fact that there is Australian Tom Court / New Zealander John Afoa /Saffies Robbie Diack Pienaar & Terblance.

There was no mention of Dan Parks nationality, nor Paul Tito's nor Ben Blairs.

[Cowboy]

Parks isn't inspiring confidence from a Connacht point of view. A litany of clangers so far

[Cowboy]

Very very flat game. No spark whatsoever

[FORWARD....]

I think someone from the Ulster management fed Pope that spin. Andrew Trimble (a senior Ulster player) seemed very surprised by the whole thing (and said some very nice things about McLauglin and how the team liked and respected him as a coach). And what about Pienaar & Muller and their very open display of christian values - they don't strike me as the type that would be plotting the downfall of their coach.

There must be a few Welsh players in there somewhere.

[Cowboy]

Parks you absolute joker.

[slipper1]

Then he kicks it from the touchline, inconsistently consistent or is it consistently inconsistent. Cardiff's work and sharpness at the breakdown keeping them in the game.

[bigron]

BBC Wales are an awful shower. Hyping up the fact that there is Australian Tom Court / New Zealander John Afoa /Saffies Robbie Diack Pienaar & Terblance.

There was no mention of Dan Parks nationality, nor Paul Tito's nor Ben Blairs.

But in all fairness, yes Blair may have had the potential to play a few more games for the AB's. But his last cap was 10/11 years ago. Tito never capped n Parks from the evidence of the past few seasons certainly shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as Pienaar. Afoa current WC winner. They have a bit of a point.

Typical just as i was typing(that happened) at least he missed the kick.

[The Word Is Born]

Despite iHumph hiding out on the wing he still manages to put in a 'tackle' that a pissed earwig would be ashamed of.

[Cowboy]

Top notch from iHumph. He thinks it's basketball. His flail at Rush before the knock down was the actions of a damsel

[Call999]

Whats the score and is there much time left please

[Cowboy]

18 11 to the bloos. 14 mins left. iHumph in the bin for being a pansy

[Call999]

Cheers

[Cowboy]

21 11 now.

[bigron]

lol, wallace,humps n pienaar. Really not up the tackle tonight.

[Cowboy]

21 14. Mucky mucky match

[bootlace]

21 14. Mucky mucky match

No doubt the call to play at the Arms Park came off,don't ya just love Welsh touch judges,although Clancy called a few of his classics,that being said it would appear Ulsters preparation and coaching could also be called into doubt,Diack is'nt the most physical of players,good going forward but soft everywhere else so why pick him away from home ,we know Clancy will never give Ulster an even break,one scrum for example as he stood looking directly at illegal binding he ignored it and allowed Cardiffs touch judge whoops sorry the neutral touch judge to give a call against Afoa,the breakdown is clancys call,you have to prepare yourself against that,but Ulsters tactics were ****e,baby Humps was really exposed, for what he is good at is usually running with ball in hand with acres of space in front of him,under pressure though he does'nt cope, he is crap in defence and he probably cost two tries did our bold Ian he was a complete joke tonite.Why did we persist in kicking off in the hope that Spence will retrieve the ball jasus even the missus picked up on the one,without our on field coaches in Muller and Best we are very limited,depth at the moment is poor still cant understand why Whitten was on the wing,and why Brady did'nt move to loosehead prop

Eh maybe we need a new coach????

[The Outlaw]

No doubt the call to play at the Arms Park came off,don't ya just love Welsh touch judges,although Clancy called a few of his classics,that being said it would appear Ulsters preparation and coaching could also be called into doubt,Diack is'nt the most physical of players,good going forward but soft everywhere else so why pick him away from home ,we know Clancy will never give Ulster an even break,one scrum for example as he stood looking directly at illegal binding he ignored it and allowed Cardiffs touch judge whoops sorry the neutral touch judge to give a call against Afoa,the breakdown is clancys call,you have to prepare yourself against that,but Ulsters tactics were ****e,baby Humps was really exposed, for what he is good at is usually running with ball in hand with acres of space in front of him,under pressure though he does'nt cope, he is crap in defence and he probably cost two tries did our bold Ian he was a complete joke tonite.Why did we persist in kicking off in the hope that Spence will retrieve the ball jasus even the missus picked up on the one,without our on field coaches in Muller and Best we are very limited,depth at the moment is poor still cant understand why Whitten was on the wing,and why Brady did'nt move to loosehead prop

Eh maybe we need a new coach????

or a few players who can tackle properly

[bootlace]

or a few players who can tackle properly

or a few players who can be coached to tackle properly

[Cowboy]

No doubt the call to play at the Arms Park came off,don't ya just love Welsh touch judges,although Clancy called a few of his classics,that being said it would appear Ulsters preparation and coaching could also be called into doubt,Diack is'nt the most physical of players,good going forward but soft everywhere else so why pick him away from home ,we know Clancy will never give Ulster an even break,one scrum for example as he stood looking directly at illegal binding he ignored it and allowed Cardiffs touch judge whoops sorry the neutral touch judge to give a call against Afoa,the breakdown is clancys call,you have to prepare yourself against that,but Ulsters tactics were ****e,baby Humps was really exposed, for what he is good at is usually running with ball in hand with acres of space in front of him,under pressure though he does'nt cope, he is crap in defence and he probably cost two tries did our bold Ian he was a complete joke tonite.Why did we persist in kicking off in the hope that Spence will retrieve the ball jasus even the missus picked up on the one,without our on field coaches in Muller and Best we are very limited,depth at the moment is poor still cant understand why Whitten was on the wing,and why Brady did'nt move to loosehead prop

Eh maybe we need a new coach????

You realise he plays rugby in the modern era right? Not in the 1970's. If your outhalf is only any good when he has 'acres of space' then he's not really going to be any good almost the entire time he's playing these days.

[bootlace]

You realise he plays rugby in the modern era right? Not in the 1970's. If your outhalf is only any good when he has 'acres of space' then he's not really going to be any good almost the entire time he's playing these days.

Yup I am not a fan of Baby Humps,I've been on the record numerous times suggesting his weakness,but because he has had a couple of good cameos most would disagree with myself,we have Jackson and McKinney coming through,Wallace can do a job and is certainly better in defence a good line break but a weak boot,NOC is down with Connacht,and Steenson over at Exeter [but seems to be in the Humps mode anyway],Pienaar with Marshall could be the call,but Ruan would appear to want to be primarily a 9,it is certainly something that Ulster need to be having a look at,at Least ROG can act as a speed bump whereas Humps is more of a layby on the side of a road.

[Luimneach]

I am happy enough, looking at the Belfast Boks they have failed to win on the road again looking forward to our date with them. They are in trouble to make top four that has to be good News for the Rabo better to see a Scotish or Welsh side side making an impression . Irish Rugby is hardly served by a team made up from semi retired Boks and AB's .

[Big-al]

I am happy enough, looking at the Belfast Boks they have failed to win on the road again looking forward to our date with them. They are in trouble to make top four that has to be good News for the Rabo better to see a Scotish or Welsh side side making an impression . Irish Rugby is hardly served by a team made up from semi retired Boks and AB's .

I hope thats a troll and not your true feelings?

[BarrettThePiper]

ulster were gash tonight. Maybe all the in fighting in the camp is starting to take its toll. I hear the saffers are stirring the **** up there. Thats what happens when you put a gaggle of them in one squad, they want it their way or no way.



Ps I cant wait to see IH get rid in Limerick

[breakfast roll]

Ulster have come on a good bit this year, their pack when all are fit are a match for the best teams in Europe. But the likes of IH, PW, CG , Darcy and even Spence can be got at defensively. If Ulster are on the back foot IH can do some incredibly silly things. Gilroy is a talent too but tends to get very isolated and turned over a bit. I though Henson btw was outstanding in some of the things he did, he looked the best back on show. Cardiff may not be the push over everyone thinks they will be in the QF.

[Old Dog]

I though Henson btw was outstanding in some of the things he did, he looked the best back on show.

Cardiff may not be the push over everyone thinks they will be in the QF.

Agree with both of the above. It's good to see Henson playing again, lovely soft hands - and when you add the Cardiff international contingent, they could put it up to Leinster - which is good.

Ulster's discipline was abysmal. They tend to get away with that kind of rubbish in Todger Park because the feral crowd intimidates many referees, but by God they were exposed last night.

[breakfast roll]

Agree with both of the above. It's good to see Henson playing again, lovely soft hands - and when you add the Cardiff international contingent, they could put it up to Leinster - which is good.

Ulster's discipline was abysmal. They tend to get away with that kind of rubbish in Todger Park because the feral crowd intimidates many referees, but by God they were exposed last night.

5 pens against Ulster in possession I think after 13 mins - crazy stuff. Clancy came in for some stick but they looked like good calls to me. Cardiff will give Leinster a game but Parks is killing them - really ponderous and looks rattled at the moment. Was impressed with considering the talent they were missing.

[Big-al]

Breakfast roll - Most of his decisions towards Ulster where tecnically correct (although the scrum decisions where rather bemusing), however, when he constantly penalises Ulster for going off their feet in possession, yet let Cardiff away with the same thing about 3 phases earlier and during the whole match then you have to ask serious questions about his reffing. Make no mistake, Clancy had a shocking performance from an Ulster point of view. I'd be pretty worried if we ever get that eejit again, especially away from home.

[The Outlaw]

Agree with both of the above. It's good to see Henson playing again, lovely soft hands - and when you add the Cardiff international contingent, they could put it up to Leinster - which is good.

Ulster's discipline was abysmal. They tend to get away with that kind of rubbish in Todger Park because the feral crowd intimidates many referees, but by God they were exposed last night.

Their away record is equally abysmal in my view for a team that has designs on being a top European side.