the last few seasons we've had problems in the red zone, especially when there are multiple phases we just haven't the smarts to make the territory count. i'm sure there are stats out there and I'm sure we would be rock bottom.
Munster and Glasgow are extremely efficient at converting the opportunities into tries

Agree re the tiresome (and utterly pointless) nature of the debate, however if someone repeatedly states an opinion that you disagree with, it's only natural that that you will restate your disagreement. Otherwise, it would look to a casual reader that that opinion is widely held.
But yes, it would be best if everyone just avoided the topic (but they probably won't).

The Jack Carty debate on every topic is getting so tiresome. We all have our opinions and I think everyone has aired them at this stage. The trading of insults by all sides makes me just want to avoid these threads.

I think people are letting themselves down with some of the stuff being posted on both sides.

Wow never thought the pro-Jack crowd could be even more obnoxious than the anti-Jack crowd but here we are.

Evil_g wrote:

Sol_ie wrote:
While Jack never seemed to come in for the same kind of criticism that Ian Keatley did in Munster, they both seemed to have progressed.

A 28 year old Keatley hit a bad run of form during a low point in Munster's fortunes. He caught a bit of flack for it.

Jack has been persistently told he's "jusht not good enough at this level" since he was 21....by people who appear to understand little other than kicking.

Don't disagree with your point re: Jack, but I don't think Connacht fans ever reached the level of 'criticism' leveled against IK. Hardly a 'bit of flack'. ( www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/munster-r...-jeers-35585602.html )

Only got to watch the match back yesterday, and I was struck by how difficult it is to appreciate how strong and blustery it was in the RDS on sunday when in front of the tv toasting by toes by by the fire. My memory of the wind was it swirling around all over the place. Kicking In those conditions you kind of need a little bit of luck. In my opnion Jack had a fine game. His dummy on Sexton which made space for Bundie's break that ultimately led to a try, was super.

On another topic, we we're in the anglesea terrice, by the players entrance and there was a great atmosphere. Most of the Leinster fans around us we're very nice, made feel quite welcome, and there was a good bit of friendly banter. From previous experence, way better than being seated in the stands, cheeper too!

Evil_g wrote: ....by people who appear to understand little other than kicking.

Ah you are being generous Evil_g by suggesting some of these lads understand kicking (other than maybe knowing it's what you do to someone when you think he's down)

Sol_ie wrote:
While Jack never seemed to come in for the same kind of criticism that Ian Keatley did in Munster, they both seemed to have progressed.

A 28 year old Keatley hit a bad run of form during a low point in Munster's fortunes. He caught a bit of flack for it.

Jack has been persistently told he's "jusht not good enough at this level" since he was 21....by people who appear to understand little other than kicking.

Evil_g wrote:

Bazzo wrote: In fact his kicking technique was never really an issue, it seemed to be more of a confidence thing where if a game started going badly in any way his kicking went to pot. Hopefully he has it sorted.

I think it's likely that the disproportionate amount of criticism he has always received, online and from the stands, has been a significant factor in this lack of confidence. He's coming good in spite of that large section of the Connacht support base. Good for him.

While Jack never seemed to come in for the same kind of criticism that Ian Keatley did in Munster, they both seemed to have progressed.

(Probably not all that) controversial opinion: Jack was the better outhalf on the pitch on New Years Day.

Bazzo wrote: In fact his kicking technique was never really an issue, it seemed to be more of a confidence thing where if a game started going badly in any way his kicking went to pot. Hopefully he has it sorted.

I think it's likely that the disproportionate amount of criticism he has always received, online and from the stands, has been a significant factor in this lack of confidence. He's coming good in spite of that large section of the Connacht support base. Good for him.

Sol_ie wrote: One example is never evidence, but any excuse really: www.facebook.com/ConnachtClan/videos/1437892579573906/

It'd be rude not to, really...

Bazzo wrote: Do you think 77% of what we score is under the posts? I'm absolutely not arsed going back through every single conversion he has scored but I can guarantee you it's almost statistically impossible with these numbers that he hasn't scored several difficult ones. His kicking has steadily improved in the last 2 years, particularly this season.

In fact his kicking technique was never really an issue, it seemed to be more of a confidence thing where if a game started going badly in any way his kicking went to pot. Hopefully he has it sorted.

I'd agree - what's particularly impressive about Carty's kicking stats this year is that this isn't a flash in the pan, he's been consistent with over 40 kicks taken. It's one thing to be 90% off 10 kicks over 2 games in September, but for me it's only the lads who have taken 30+ kicks by this stage of the season that count (i.e. that have kicked in enough games for there to be some kind of statistical validity to their percentages).

I've always been deeply distrustful of kicking percentages (and an awful lot of other on-field stats) due to the fact no-one takes the same set of kicks. In theory that should all average out if the sample size is large enough but in order to include enough kicks to get a meaningful sample you have to go back so far in time as to include kicks that may no longer be particularly relevant.
e.g. the stats quoted above are from 40-50 kicks. Not exactly sure how to do the maths but I suspect that the differences between the two kickers is probably within the margin of error. If you read an opinion poll for a referendum where they had sampled 50 people you would laugh at it.

Do you think 77% of what we score is under the posts? I'm absolutely not arsed going back through every single conversion he has scored but I can guarantee you it's almost statistically impossible with these numbers that he hasn't scored several difficult ones. His kicking has steadily improved in the last 2 years, particularly this season.

In fact his kicking technique was never really an issue, it seemed to be more of a confidence thing where if a game started going badly in any way his kicking went to pot. Hopefully he has it sorted.

One example is never evidence, but any excuse really: www.facebook.com/ConnachtClan/videos/1437892579573906/

Bazzo wrote: He's 17/22 on conversions, that's 77% and we frequently score in the corner. I don't remember him doing something mental like declining to take a conversion.

Do you think many of the 17 he nailed were touchline? Doubt it, but I'm open to correction