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Squads morale |
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GPR - Rochester ![]() Veteran ![]() ![]() Joined: 01 December 2014 Location: Rhydcymerau Status: Offline Points: 17597 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posted: 16 April 2023 at 8:38am |
There is a very interesting dynamic at play when you start to compare the form etc of the four regions. Remarkably the Scarlets squad seem more united and committed than all other squads despite the turmoil going on in recent months.
My own view is that we have the on & off field management to thank for this disparity. Someone has done a hell of a job keeping this squad of players focused on performance & improvement. I can sympathise wholeheartedly with the predicament that Dai Young & Booth have found themselves in. I leave out the Dragons because they seem destined for mediocrity which is not the fault of Flannagan but numerous bad appointment previously. I am usually at the front of the queue if I see poor rugby so let me be at the front of this particular queue in applauding the unseen & often unsung work being done at PYS. It warms the soul.
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scarletpimp ![]() Veteran ![]() Joined: 22 November 2015 Location: llanelli Status: Offline Points: 2079 |
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Great post GPR..thanks! We at Parc , after the awful start to season, are making the most of resources we have, particularly, bearing in mind there Is STILL a lengthy injury list.We rediscoverd winning habit,and a style of playing which suits us, similar to our successful years under Pivac. Regarding Ospreys and Cardiff, do'nt know what to say! Both have produced good performances beating Leicester, Montpellier, Sale etc..but no consistency. Cardiff with some powerful forwards and strong backs, and on the face of it, have stronger squad than we have at Parc ,and should me doing considerably better. Ospreys the same. Gives the 2 region brigade a " free hit " almost
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I stood yer on tanner bank
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NobbySosban ![]() Veteran ![]() ![]() Joined: 30 June 2010 Location: Sir Berk Status: Offline Points: 6253 |
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Preparation off the pitch has a long-term effect on the pitch. I know that Scarlets management were very 'up-front' & open with players and staff (about the PRA situation and likely impact on budgets for the next few seasons) towards the end of 2022, when performances had been so disappointing, and I think the squad have responded to that honesty, whether they good news or bad.
My view is that Lee Blackett's arrival certainly helped Peel, but it was more down to Gareth Williams's work on defence (while maintaining discipline) that gelled the team on the pitch & enabled them to execute other parts of their game better. BTW, I loved seeing Blackett's reaction to Fifita's runaway try in Scotstoun being disallowed - I'm no lip-reader, but his views were very clear, and he's obviously feeling part of the set-up at the Parc. Ultimately, he came from a Head Coach role at Wasps, so only natural that he'd be looking for new opportunities at the same level. The key difference I still see between Scarlets & the other Welsh pro sides is that we have a plan. We pretty much know our squad for next season, and have a seen a number of young players break through which affirms the next steps. The others are now haemorrhaging players and scrabbling around to fill key positions on the cheap. Scarlets actually have a multi-year business plan, as anyone might expect of a pro sports business, but, astonishingly, the others don't: Ospreys are managed hand to mouth by their generous-but-volatile owner, and Y11 are reportedly divesting ~2 years after investing; Cardiff look better on the face of it, for all the benevolence of the late, great Peter Thomas, but are still run like an amateur club and still have no long-term surety over their home ground (nor outside halves for next season ![]() It's no wonder that all this rubs off on player morale, and it's perhaps telling that Scarlets seem in better shape - it's not great for anyone, but we've given ourselves the best chance to not only survive but compete.
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Why ![]() Veteran ![]() Joined: 22 August 2010 Status: Offline Points: 8464 |
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Have to agree except the Cardiff bit I think they are in deep cach they are losing some of their top players and don’t have money to replace them. They are a disgrace as a capital club with the population they have with the wealth in the area they should be one of the top teams in Europe. We have regularly out performed them on and off the field and have produced more internationals since regional rugby started. Yet they will always be safe because they are Cardiff
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She asks why i still can't answer. I guess its in the blood.
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scarletabroad ![]() Veteran ![]() ![]() Joined: 12 July 2011 Location: Hertfordshire Status: Offline Points: 4194 |
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This positive feeling rubs down through to academy level as well, having spoken to a few they have been spoken to and assured so long as they maintain their progress all is ok, whereas other regions are somewhat at sea and not so confident in their future be it through no dialogue or negative information. The other bonus is seeing academy peers breaking into the 1st team squad which gives them genuine aspirations. So well done to all backroom staff in keeping the whole process from top to bottom aware and involved.
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GPR - Rochester ![]() Veteran ![]() ![]() Joined: 01 December 2014 Location: Rhydcymerau Status: Offline Points: 17597 |
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Thanks for that - that is very reassuring.
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Eastern outpost ![]() Rambler ![]() ![]() Joined: 13 March 2012 Location: South Suffolk Status: Offline Points: 20999 |
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It might have been the Times obituary on Peter Thomas, however, I have read that Peter Thomas left funds for Cardiff Rugby’s future well-being. All will be revealed in due course, probably.
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In a world where you can be anything – Be Kind.
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