totally agree with last post

lam should be given time - what we really need to see now is not so much upheaval ie. only 3/4 in / out next season.

if results continue after that time then lets review

It's the way of things that those who clamour for the sacking of a coach will inevitably be proven right, even before such calls are justified. Start the campaign early and you can bask in the glow of letting everyone know you saw the writing on the wall before everyone else.

There is no doubt that we're in a hole, but I really don't think now is the time to release Lam. I would argue that even the end of the year would be too early as the coaching team as a whole (not just Lam, he's not the only one people should be upset with) need time to get their system to work.

After 7 years of Bradley I guess it's natural that fans would be even less likely to show patience with a coach, but we showed it to Eric even during that massive losing streak two years ago and Lam deserves our support right now, as do the team as a whole.

phatguerilla wrote: Ah here no coach is so foolish that they only have one player in mind per position and the game plan crumbles when that player isn't available. Especially full back which is not nearly as pivotal as 9/10 or props where perhaps a game plan does need to be planned with a player in mind. Yes Lam hoped to use So'oailo throughout the season which is why he was signed, but he also named Duffy as one of his three connacht captains as a means of maintaining continuity with the old coach and systems and instilling a sense of pride and community to the team.
Was any of that necessary? Maybe maybe not, but to Lam it was, and it shows that Duffy was one of his key players for the year. Now personally I feel like it would be good to try out new full back options as I don't think Duffy has been at his best this season, but to claim the coach is lost, or has to play Duffy when he has at least 2 and up to 5 other fullback options is lunacy.

Seems we have found that coach. Also the coach who won't allow forwards to engage, also the coach who is happy to see Marmion to sit on his backside, also the coach who will change any winger for the sake of another winger while not accepting Gavin has been pants for ages. Prior to last weekend, pat, your opinions were not great, now they are less great.

Ah here no coach is so foolish that they only have one player in mind per position and the game plan crumbles when that player isn't available. Especially full back which is not nearly as pivotal as 9/10 or props where perhaps a game plan does need to be planned with a player in mind. Yes Lam hoped to use So'oailo throughout the season which is why he was signed, but he also named Duffy as one of his three connacht captains as a means of maintaining continuity with the old coach and systems and instilling a sense of pride and community to the team.
Was any of that necessary? Maybe maybe not, but to Lam it was, and it shows that Duffy was one of his key players for the year. Now personally I feel like it would be good to try out new full back options as I don't think Duffy has been at his best this season, but to claim the coach is lost, or has to play Duffy when he has at least 2 and up to 5 other fullback options is lunacy.

clanman wrote:

fluffychickens wrote: Can't say that I agree. Next week Robbie will go in full back to right the problem with Gavin (I would suspect this). And truth is that he doesn't open up a back line, in fact he plays the same game as gavin. Fionn will be 14 and will make his runs without checking for support. Marmion will slow down play until fans need to use a stopwatch on him to see if he's broken a new record. The forwards won't give away penalties as they won't be involved in contact (nor will they spill the ball for the same reason). And these are not coaching issues?

Robbie made more yards last year attacking the defensive line from Full Back than this year as a centre. as far Carr is concerned he does occasionally get isolated but that's be cause he makes breaks and gets ahead of his supporting players. if Poolman is unfit he's our best option on the wing with Healy on the other wing. The biggest problem fo me this season is how easily we've been outmuscled\outsmarted defending close to our own line, that's down to organisation and coaching.

Tends to be the case that a 15 makes more yards than a centre. Achievement? Coaching and team selection somewhat painful. After so many new players of quality included in team its a big disappointment. Funny that so'oiaolo was to replace Gavin and now lam is lost what to do. He simply had his plans and they do not work out so he sits on the fence with Gavin each weekend

fluffychickens wrote: Can't say that I agree. Next week Robbie will go in full back to right the problem with Gavin (I would suspect this). And truth is that he doesn't open up a back line, in fact he plays the same game as gavin. Fionn will be 14 and will make his runs without checking for support. Marmion will slow down play until fans need to use a stopwatch on him to see if he's broken a new record. The forwards won't give away penalties as they won't be involved in contact (nor will they spill the ball for the same reason). And these are not coaching issues?

Robbie made more yards last year attacking the defensive line from Full Back than this year as a centre. as far Carr is concerned he does occasionally get isolated but that's be cause he makes breaks and gets ahead of his supporting players. if Poolman is unfit he's our best option on the wing with Healy on the other wing. The biggest problem fo me this season is how easily we've been outmuscled\outsmarted defending close to our own line, that's down to organisation and coaching.

Can't say that I agree. Next week Robbie will go in full back to right the problem with Gavin (I would suspect this). And truth is that he doesn't open up a back line, in fact he plays the same game as gavin. Fionn will be 14 and will make his runs without checking for support. Marmion will slow down play until fans need to use a stopwatch on him to see if he's broken a new record. The forwards won't give away penalties as they won't be involved in contact (nor will they spill the ball for the same reason). And these are not coaching issues?

swift4prez wrote: Says here, www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/match_centre.php...verview&fixid=186690 kickoff at 7.30. ok might let TOH of this time since he had to go to an other game BUT IT WAS HIM WALKING! Connacht gear, his bag, his face, his body and voice kinda made it clear :P :cheer: :woohoo: :evil:

Let's hope he isn't seen in Edinburgh this weekend as he has a game in blackrock to play

menacethedenis wrote:

Borders no.2 wrote:

menacethedenis wrote:

murph13 wrote: 'Some of our play has been excellent' ..... the majority has been poor to woeful, the least you can expect is some spirit, we've always had that and always will I hope. Can't escape the fact that we have won only two matches so far, both against Zebre, not good enough simple as that. If we are making such Lam inspired progress where are the results? Which players from Elwood's squad have really made progress under Lam this year? As for expecting too much Lam has been here since March, had a full pre season and a better squad to work with this year, so far he has produced nothing.

Personally I wouldn't judge Nigel on the Eagles results, those matches are about developing players more than anything else, never the same side one week to the next, he has shown he can develop talent with the Academy, I'd like to see him given a go, with Dan alongside with all his experience it couldn't be any worse

So you'll judge Lam on results but not Carolan?! And when has the first team been lucky enough to have the same players fit and available for selection week in, week out? If Connacht were being judged solely on results we'd have been wound up a long time ago. And if you haven't seen the massive improvement in Rodney and the continued improvement in Marmion, Henshaw, Poolman, Harris-Wright & McKeon then I don't know what you're looking at.

I'll give you Rodney certainly out of that lot but I don't really know what you're saying regarding some players there. McKeon hasn't played any game this season yet I think. Harris-Wright hasn't played many games through injury and the decent form of Sean Henry.

Marmion? Much as I hate to say it (and it won't be the popular view) but I don't think he's has pushed on this season. Henshaw has shown some positive signs but again we haven't seen a huge amount of him.

Poolman, again a lot of injuries. He has done well in the games he's played but again I think he's a player who showed his quality last season

I do see some positive signs since Lam came in and when things do click we look good but we have witnessed some diabolical stuff so far this season not least in defence.

Lam will be judged on results towards the end of the season. I don't think it'd serve any purpose for him to leave at this stage but significant improvements are needed in the coming months.

We are getting a lot closer to a full strength squad so you'd hope things will start to come together in the coming weeks.

Was sure I saw McKeon in pre-season and he looked bulked up and assured but perhaps I'm wrong. Henshaw has been part of the Irish squad for the Autumn Internationals, Marmion can't have been far off it and Poolman has been outstanding in every game I've seen him this season, always looks dangerous. Harris-Wrights throwing has markedly improved. All these guys have improved since last year in my opinion. I have no idea if that's down to Lam or not but I think it's very unfair to dismiss it out of hand.

Sorry that may have come across as more aggressive than intended! As with Lam I suppose the time to take stock is in another few months where we can start reviewing and seeing how the season has gone, who has progressed, who has regressed, what aspects of the game have we improved as a whole and where are we falling down.

Of course this should be a continuous process also. I just think I'd like to see more of some players playing before I could say that they are or aren't making progress.

I for one think lam should be given at least a year before we judge him. I played rugby but he knows more about the game the I ever Will.

The results so far have been poor but we have improved in certain areas, reduced penaltys etc. Talk of him leaving this early is just premature, without him would we have jake who everyone loves in a green shirt?

This talk about people wanting Lam out already are taking the piss. People are never happy, Last year people were giving out about our style of play ie: kicking too much, but now a new coach has come in and changed that to more of a running game. You can't change that over night No coach could do that. The players seem alot more happier this year and are excited with the style of play.

Shelflife wrote: I will break it down for you so that you can understand it.

TOH was 24th man for Connacht, this means that he warms up and goes through the pre match process with the squad just in case there are any last minute injuries.

As they can only name a 23 man squad (its not like mini rugby where you can have 20 subs) and there were no injuries TOH is free to go to Buccs and play in the game.

He left just after KO and was spotted walking down the road by Swiftforprez at 5.10, he then made his way to Buccs where he played for them.

Understand now?

ya gotta love logic

Good man Shelflife for breaking it down nicely for him. I was late too and can confirm Swiftforprez comments about TOH

mareegoo wrote: sorry lads last saturday was tripe...muldowney not at six again please- he was finished at 40 ; why the heck cant we pick kearney and give him a shot?

on the positive side the two players who came on should start the next day - locks and carr whilst mcshaz looked very good.

ronaldson was good with the boot but he needs a run of games to cut out the basic errors ie. kicking on the full etc

duffy cannot start at full back the next day - sorry gavin but no time for sentimentality here far too slow and predictable in attack ...leader at fullback - (he's got a great kick on him there was one clerance in the second half where he reached the halfway line to alleviate pressure - he looks good also defensively thus far)

i do feel we will click but it in mind and sorry to say we should be planning for next season already (by that i mean hang onto everybody and not have continuous upheavel year on year) and give the heineken the best shot we can....

Can only comment on the highlights video, but Leaders defense looked suspect in that clip. Henshaw and TOH would be my preference for fullback, obvious choice if Henshaw is playing 13 though.

Also the clip further confirmed what a flyer Healy is.

Agree with you about Kearney, I honestly haven't a donkeys why he is not getting games, especially when we are trialing second rows at 6.

Been raised already in this thread, but I am hoping that whatever Buckley did wasn't murder, because he is back from injury and would have expected to see him have made his return by this stage.

The next few games are massive, can't be going into the interpro's on the back of losing to Edinburgh, the Dragons and both games against Toulouse.

Borders no.2 wrote:

menacethedenis wrote:

murph13 wrote: 'Some of our play has been excellent' ..... the majority has been poor to woeful, the least you can expect is some spirit, we've always had that and always will I hope. Can't escape the fact that we have won only two matches so far, both against Zebre, not good enough simple as that. If we are making such Lam inspired progress where are the results? Which players from Elwood's squad have really made progress under Lam this year? As for expecting too much Lam has been here since March, had a full pre season and a better squad to work with this year, so far he has produced nothing.

Personally I wouldn't judge Nigel on the Eagles results, those matches are about developing players more than anything else, never the same side one week to the next, he has shown he can develop talent with the Academy, I'd like to see him given a go, with Dan alongside with all his experience it couldn't be any worse

So you'll judge Lam on results but not Carolan?! And when has the first team been lucky enough to have the same players fit and available for selection week in, week out? If Connacht were being judged solely on results we'd have been wound up a long time ago. And if you haven't seen the massive improvement in Rodney and the continued improvement in Marmion, Henshaw, Poolman, Harris-Wright & McKeon then I don't know what you're looking at.

I'll give you Rodney certainly out of that lot but I don't really know what you're saying regarding some players there. McKeon hasn't played any game this season yet I think. Harris-Wright hasn't played many games through injury and the decent form of Sean Henry.

Marmion? Much as I hate to say it (and it won't be the popular view) but I don't think he's has pushed on this season. Henshaw has shown some positive signs but again we haven't seen a huge amount of him.

Poolman, again a lot of injuries. He has done well in the games he's played but again I think he's a player who showed his quality last season

I do see some positive signs since Lam came in and when things do click we look good but we have witnessed some diabolical stuff so far this season not least in defence.

Lam will be judged on results towards the end of the season. I don't think it'd serve any purpose for him to leave at this stage but significant improvements are needed in the coming months.

We are getting a lot closer to a full strength squad so you'd hope things will start to come together in the coming weeks.

Was sure I saw McKeon in pre-season and he looked bulked up and assured but perhaps I'm wrong. Henshaw has been part of the Irish squad for the Autumn Internationals, Marmion can't have been far off it and Poolman has been outstanding in every game I've seen him this season, always looks dangerous. Harris-Wrights throwing has markedly improved. All these guys have improved since last year in my opinion. I have no idea if that's down to Lam or not but I think it's very unfair to dismiss it out of hand.

menacethedenis wrote:

murph13 wrote: 'Some of our play has been excellent' ..... the majority has been poor to woeful, the least you can expect is some spirit, we've always had that and always will I hope. Can't escape the fact that we have won only two matches so far, both against Zebre, not good enough simple as that. If we are making such Lam inspired progress where are the results? Which players from Elwood's squad have really made progress under Lam this year? As for expecting too much Lam has been here since March, had a full pre season and a better squad to work with this year, so far he has produced nothing.

Personally I wouldn't judge Nigel on the Eagles results, those matches are about developing players more than anything else, never the same side one week to the next, he has shown he can develop talent with the Academy, I'd like to see him given a go, with Dan alongside with all his experience it couldn't be any worse

So you'll judge Lam on results but not Carolan?! And when has the first team been lucky enough to have the same players fit and available for selection week in, week out? If Connacht were being judged solely on results we'd have been wound up a long time ago. And if you haven't seen the massive improvement in Rodney and the continued improvement in Marmion, Henshaw, Poolman, Harris-Wright & McKeon then I don't know what you're looking at.

I'll give you Rodney certainly out of that lot but I don't really know what you're saying regarding some players there. McKeon hasn't played any game this season yet I think. Harris-Wright hasn't played many games through injury and the decent form of Sean Henry.

Marmion? Much as I hate to say it (and it won't be the popular view) but I don't think he's has pushed on this season. Henshaw has shown some positive signs but again we haven't seen a huge amount of him.

Poolman, again a lot of injuries. He has done well in the games he's played but again I think he's a player who showed his quality last season

I do see some positive signs since Lam came in and when things do click we look good but we have witnessed some diabolical stuff so far this season not least in defence.

Lam will be judged on results towards the end of the season. I don't think it'd serve any purpose for him to leave at this stage but significant improvements are needed in the coming months.

We are getting a lot closer to a full strength squad so you'd hope things will start to come together in the coming weeks.

Yep exactly - Lam operates a first team professional squad, Carolan a team of players coming back from injury, out of form, Academy kids and trialists, simple really.

I'd be worried if young players like Marmion, Henshaw, JHW etc didn't continue to improve with more experience and game time, pretty sure not much of that improvement is down to Lam as opposed to just playing more games