connachtexile wrote: You used the word 'resplendent' so I'm sold.

I aim to get it in at least 3 more times over the course of the season. It's one of my objectives to take forward to my end-of-season review.

You used the word 'resplendent' so I'm sold.

Here goes, let me know if I left anything out or if it seems too harsh or not harsh enough, etc.

Cardiff Blues - The View from the Bar Stool

connachtclan.com/news/238-cardiff-blues-...w-from-the-bar-stool

Any news on So'oialo and Mckeon. I'd be confident Ronaldson can do a job for us in place of Miah, just imagine if we still had O'Connor.

Seriously bad news about Miah - a big blow to us. Ronaldson will have to get his chance !!!

Diom wrote:

pinky wrote: So did anyone actually make it to the game in Cardiff?
Will attempt another summary of the views on the forum this evening.
Any perspectives from anyone in attendance would be a bonus.

What are you going to call it? Can't be "The View from the Clan Terrace" (by the way isn't it "Clan Stand"?).

They see-sawed for a while but I think they settled on Clan Terrace
www.connachtrugby.ie/2013091683494/clan-...-out-for-ulster-game
possibly as the Director of Consumer Affairs might take issue with us calling it a stand.

I was thinking of going with "The View from the Bar Stool". Once the official away game watching venue is finalised, we can change it to "The View from [insert name of licensed premises here]" in a display of shameless commercialism.
Wanted: picture of bar stool in 486x200 resolution. I realise this may be an odd proportion for a bar stool, but after last Friday, I suspect some of the bar stools may have ended up on the floor having first been used to clear the bar of glassware, so may suit the dimensions admirably.

connachtexile wrote: 3 lads were definitely there it cut to them celebrating the Healy try and one of them shouting 'We're the only one's here! Woo!'

p.s. Does anyone know if JHW is ok? I saw him indicating to the bench he needed to be taken off. I assume he just pulled something but thought I'd ask if he's alright.

Dave Finn ‏@Furlo
#connachtrugby BAD NEWS 2: Eagles game took tole: Leyden hamstring out for 12 weeks: Walsh-medial ligament; Finn- knee ligaments

Dave Finn ‏@Furlo 3h
#connachtrugby Injury Updates: BAD NEWS 1: Miah out for up to 5 months with dislocated shoulder which requires surgery.

Dave Finn ‏@Furlo 3h
#connachtrugby Injury Updates: GOOD NEWS: No new injuries out of Blues game: Bucks & Craig training; Dave Mc back next week

3 lads were definitely there it cut to them celebrating the Healy try and one of them shouting 'We're the only one's here! Woo!'

p.s. Does anyone know if JHW is ok? I saw him indicating to the bench he needed to be taken off. I assume he just pulled something but thought I'd ask if he's alright.

salmson wrote: The View from the Llan Terrace?

(pronounced the same way)

Ycclyyannnn terrace, surely.

The View from the Llan Terrace?

(pronounced the same way)

pinky wrote: So did anyone actually make it to the game in Cardiff?
Will attempt another summary of the views on the forum this evening.
Any perspectives from anyone in attendance would be a bonus.

What are you going to call it? Can't be "The View from the Clan Terrace" (by the way isn't it "Clan Stand"?).

So did anyone actually make it to the game in Cardiff?
Will attempt another summary of the views on the forum this evening.
Any perspectives from anyone in attendance would be a bonus.

Point taken on the relative strengths of the team phatguerilla.

BTW the press seem to unanimously agree the ref was awful. Davies is being cited for striking Swift (sly blindside elbow to the head, alledgedly) also.

On the defence thing, yeah, our defence in the 22 was phenomenal, even when they had a break or were bashing away at our line I never got the feeling they'd get across. It's just a shame we can't cut out the sloppiness in the other 22.

Looking at the Cardiff game , while we didn't lose by 50 points I accept, I am unsure if was lack of ability or lack of desire in the jersey. Regardless, the game against Ulster needs to be used as a serious shot in the arm (already) for Connacht. I hope Lam puts out our very strongest first 15 , playing in their favoured positions, with the strongest bench ready for back up.

I know its only the third game of our season but season are very swiftly defined by the winning or losing of games like next Saturday night. The game is all about momentum and a good victory against Ulster , on the TV, creates interest. We have a good squad now but the manager has got to show leadership now and make some big calls - Heenan , Ronaldson ,Carr etc.

We need to get a big big crowd to the game and generate the atmosphere for the players.....'the skypeople think they can come and take our land , but we need to send them a message , that this , this is Connacht's land'

With respect I don't think you can make a clear comparison between Connacht playing away in Wales with Leinster playing at home against perhaps their arch rivals in the league. I can see the point about a lack of leadership, it probably is fair to say that none of those senior players put a serious mark on the game, I don't remember any huddle convened to remind everyone of the game plan, etc. However you also do a disservice to Leinster; Strauss, Ross, McCarthy, Toner (over 100 caps), Jennings (close to 200 games combined I think?) Reddan, Darcy (well over 250 games leinster and Ireland) - that's an extremely experienced spine to a team, and importantly its mainly made up of multiple medal winners.

There was about a 5-10 minute period in the second half when the ball was recycled between the forwards linearly and after it had been tried a few times and no break was found it did seem as if Connacht settled back, let Cardiff come at them, and perhaps hoped they would get some penalty kicks of their own. It didn't happen and even if it had I don't think that would have been acceptable.

In terms of heart and pride I think the defence showed that several times, yes at times Cardiff made too many easy yards but the defence on the try line was fantastic, it would have been easy to allow Cuthbert in and excuse that as 'he's a lion, what do you expect' but they didn't do that. Since defence and the lack of defence coach was/is a concern that should be taken as a positive.

I do think the captaincy could become a bone of contention throughout the season, if Muldoon has actually stated he doesn't like the position then that's a really bad call by Lam. And as there were 3 captains named it should be expected that at least one of those three should always be available throughout the season - if Duffy or Muldoon are playing later in the season but White or Clarke or anyone else is named as captain then questions must be asked.

And everyone, what's with all the TOH hate? I know he carries himself like one of the Kearnashians, and he certainly wasn't mistake free on Friday, but what about the smashing of Cuthbert, the try saving interception, the workrate? I thought he was the pick of the backs, perhaps Marmion excepted.

Agreed. I think the Cardiff guy made the most of the TOH push which wasn't that bad at all. To be frank our backs couldn't do much with a platform and that was missing after Ah You came on. I thought Henshaw had a very good first half in the 13 shirt also not so much in the second half but we were starved for ball.