Tough night on Parade for the Dragons (From Campaign Series)

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Enough is enough, time to bring down the curtain.Can't see anything in the short term that will be of help to them and I don't believe they have a medium or long term future,not with the present set up.If they are still around next season only root and branch changes will help them.Personally I think their time is up move the Gd's to the valleys , who appear to feel neglected.

It was obvious that half of the players are letting down the rest of the team at crucial parts of the game. The coaches are unable to assess what's happening on the pitch and make changes accordingly..Adam Jones and Steve Jones coming off 54 minutes into the game, case in point. Two of the most experienced players who up until that point were the most influential of the game. Hoping the subbing of TF was a precautionary one..

Leave aside the fact that the referee was abysmal, once again our lack of a forward platform has been our undoing.

Out of interest, how many passes has Tondi had since he joined us, I doubt if it's double figures.

The final nail in the coffin was the interview with Appleyard in the last ten minutes when he blamed the interception and the wind for our defeat.

You cannot compete with the big boys when your scrum goes backwards, the only plus point in the last two years is that Toby has become an expert in retrieving the ball from a retreating scrum.

I take it the game plan was "Try something"

Once again an unacceptable performance. Change is needed before it is too late. Gwent must not be made a development side but with the current setup that is exactly what we are. However with result like that. None of the team will develop.

RobFord wrote:
I like many others will recall the heavy defeats Newport RFC suffered by Swansea and Llanelli, but this is worse for me. I never liked the half-way house that is NEWPORT Gwent Dragons but I stuck with it, but sadly my ST will not be renewed.

I'm sure you'll get over it.

Some hope for the first 30 minutes, Buck was bright but soon ran out of steam, Brown again solid, glimpses off toby and tuilagi, backs in general overrated, rest of forwards at best average, although on the first 30 minutes i think there may be points to be gained when other teams have players on international duty, the weathers poor and its a forwards slog all night, but even then theres every chance we wont be good enough, dont really know where they go from here, root and branch changes needed.

I had a comp. ticket so went down there. I left after about 70 minutes. Where I was stood on the terrace there was the gentle sound of chatter for most of the game. This is almost as bad as when Newport RFC was at its worst decades ago when supporters sat on the terrace. The difference now is that it is a pro set up representing a so-called rugby hotbed. It made me chuckle when the introductory song about the monster coming over the hill. 'Monster' should read 'Ulster', who barely broke into sweat, and if they had played well it would have been 80 points.
Rob Shillabeer will blame it all on the WRU or the ref. Get rid of the coaching team. They are hopeless. Get a coach in with character and grit, and a heavyweight front five.

utter waste of time and effort.the time is right to just shut the set up down.im so glad i never renewed my season ticket.the money is better spent in the pub laughing at the dragons on the tv.yawn.yawn

Well its turned full circle at Rodney Parade back to where it was before Tony Brown stepped in.

VERY VERY SAD

Moan moan moan ... Yet your all going to watch the Dragons ! Lol and maybe once your season tickets run out you won't be at the ground which is excellent news because we don't want moaners !
It was always likely we would lose against Ulster it was just a case of by how many ! But way to go the boys great first half tailed off second half when ulster gained from our mistakes.
But has anyone seen our the injury.
list ? To get a performance like that against an international team is a fantastic effort.

Cardiff blues 19 Ulster 48 let's keep things in perspective !

Yes lets put things into persective. Dragons 5 Blues 16. We just can't put a full 80 minutes of quality performance together. The first game against Zebra set the tone, great first half yet in the second half we hardly touched the ball. That pattern has been repeated over and over again, WHY. Something drastic needs to change, replace all the players, NO just the coaches, Edwards and Appleyard. Do it soon before it is to late, PLEASE.

Linejudge wrote:
Moan moan moan ... Yet your all going to watch the Dragons ! Lol and maybe once your season tickets run out you won't be at the ground which is excellent news because we don't want moaners !
It was always likely we would lose against Ulster it was just a case of by how many ! But way to go the boys great first half tailed off second half when ulster gained from our mistakes.
But has anyone seen our the injury.
list ? To get a performance like that against an international team is a fantastic effort.

Sorry of course your right it was an excellent performance once again by gwent. Up there with past victories against stade Francis and last years royal wedding victory over the south Glamorgan blues and the time we were minutes away from the knock out stages of the Heineken cup.

Predicted this 9 years ago. Chickens coming home to roost. This not-so-super club was formed by stealth and a fraudulent petition. The game was stolen from the rugby heartland of Gwent. Now what? It is like watching a Morris 1000 racing against a Golf GTI. The other side just ups a gear at will and blows Newport away.......every game. Either form a real regional side and drop the Newport name (whilst keeping the Newport club team) or be honest and amalgamate the Newport club side and the Dragons and drop the tiny gwent name off its badge and let the rest of Gwent go to hell (which is what it really wants to do deep down). One thing is for sure.......this mess was NEVER going to work (as predicted for 9 years) and WILL never work. Time to switch the lights off.

Thing is, the players are spoilt, they don't care, they get paid whatever. They just like sitting in Starbucks fooling around and giving it the big I am thinking everyone is in awe of them. The coaches are all soft, and far more interested in the technical sided things rather than the basics.

They need some old fashioned training to get their heads out of the clouds, leave off the weights, and get up the beacons with some of the lads from 22reg or 23reg, I am positive they would love to help them out in the areas of mental attitude, fitness, and desire.

Apple yard was a nutter when he played, aggressive and liked to throw a few when needed, so I am surprised the lads are so placid.

Bring ack clubs, identity, and rivalry!

rhinestine wrote:
Thing is, the players are spoilt, they don't care, they get paid whatever. They just like sitting in Starbucks fooling around and giving it the big I am thinking everyone is in awe of them. The coaches are all soft, and far more interested in the technical sided things rather than the basics.

They need some old fashioned training to get their heads out of the clouds, leave off the weights, and get up the beacons with some of the lads from 22reg or 23reg, I am positive they would love to help them out in the areas of mental attitude, fitness, and desire.

Apple yard was a nutter when he played, aggressive and liked to throw a few when needed, so I am surprised the lads are so placid.

Bring ack clubs, identity, and rivalry!

Spot on apart from the last sentance. The region/superclub whatever you want to call it is hear to stay so we need to make the most of if.

rhinestine wrote:
Thing is, the players are spoilt, they don't care, they get paid whatever. They just like sitting in Starbucks fooling around and giving it the big I am thinking everyone is in awe of them. The coaches are all soft, and far more interested in the technical sided things rather than the basics.

They need some old fashioned training to get their heads out of the clouds, leave off the weights, and get up the beacons with some of the lads from 22reg or 23reg, I am positive they would love to help them out in the areas of mental attitude, fitness, and desire.

Apple yard was a nutter when he played, aggressive and liked to throw a few when needed, so I am surprised the lads are so placid.

Bring ack clubs, identity, and rivalry!

Spot on. Proffesionalism is what is lacking and so badly needed. Let the DE apologists go and watch amateur rugby somewhere where their view that effort for half a game and then inevitable defeat is acceptable..is acceptable. In proffesional sport it's not. We need a coach who can instill professional behaviours into the team and then demand them every game, we are so far off at the moment it is almost laughable.
Chavanga must be sacrificed for the cause and the money used to buy some power and experience up front, not ideal but based on how little ball he gets he is simply a luxury we cannot afford. Shame because in a decent team he will be devastating.
Lets now await the usual excuses to be trotted out by the management team and the amateur club committee men on here, and then await the next inevitable defeat.

Linejudge wrote:
Moan moan moan ... Yet your all going to watch the Dragons ! Lol and maybe once your season tickets run out you won't be at the ground which is excellent news because we don't want moaners !
It was always likely we would lose against Ulster it was just a case of by how many ! But way to go the boys great first half tailed off second half when ulster gained from our mistakes.
But has anyone seen our the injury.
list ? To get a performance like that against an international team is a fantastic effort.

You will soon be standing on your own then. I have a season ticket and don't fancy another night stood in the cold with nothing to cheer, this is the worst I've seen. Something has to change. Doesn't matter how much of a die hard fan you are, there is nothing positive going on at the moment. I think Toby's substitution was a decision made by other coaches who phoned Darren to say take him off before he gets injured, you're going to lose anyway!!!!!

Linejudge wrote:
Moan moan moan ... Yet your all going to watch the Dragons ! Lol and maybe once your season tickets run out you won't be at the ground which is excellent news because we don't want moaners !
It was always likely we would lose against Ulster it was just a case of by how many ! But way to go the boys great first half tailed off second half when ulster gained from our mistakes.
But has anyone seen our the injury.
list ? To get a performance like that against an international team is a fantastic effort.

I have been mentioned in dispatches, how good that sounds. From my point of view the Dragons played well in the first half but made some basic errors in the second. We gave away three trys and the knock down in the first half was something that should not have happened with a little side step before kicking the ball, basic errors. Linejudge is quite right when he talks about the injury list and reflects on the Blues result against the same team a few weeks ago. Remember Ulster are unbeaten in all competitions so far this year and based upon last nights performance are looking good for the top spot come the end of the season and will in my opinion win the play offs. They have power in all departments and are a very very good team. Will watch them every chance I get because that is the standard the Dragons must work for.

Linejudge wrote:
Moan moan moan ... Yet your all going to watch the Dragons ! Lol and maybe once your season tickets run out you won't be at the ground which is excellent news because we don't want moaners !
It was always likely we would lose against Ulster it was just a case of by how many ! But way to go the boys great first half tailed off second half when ulster gained from our mistakes.
But has anyone seen our the injury.
list ? To get a performance like that against an international team is a fantastic effort.

I have been mentioned in dispatches, how good that sounds. From my point of view the Dragons played well in the first half but made some basic errors in the second. We gave away three trys and the knock down in the first half was something that should not have happened with a little side step before kicking the ball, basic errors. Linejudge is quite right when he talks about the injury list and reflects on the Blues result against the same team a few weeks ago. Remember Ulster are unbeaten in all competitions so far this year and based upon last nights performance are looking good for the top spot come the end of the season and will in my opinion win the play offs. They have power in all departments and are a very very good team. Will watch them every chance I get because that is the standard the Dragons must work for.

Welshman76 wrote:

Linejudge wrote:
Moan moan moan ... Yet your all going to watch the Dragons ! Lol and maybe once your season tickets run out you won't be at the ground which is excellent news because we don't want moaners !
It was always likely we would lose against Ulster it was just a case of by how many ! But way to go the boys great first half tailed off second half when ulster gained from our mistakes.
But has anyone seen our the injury.
list ? To get a performance like that against an international team is a fantastic effort.

You will soon be standing on your own then. I have a season ticket and don't fancy another night stood in the cold with nothing to cheer, this is the worst I've seen. Something has to change. Doesn't matter how much of a die hard fan you are, there is nothing positive going on at the moment. I think Toby's substitution was a decision made by other coaches who phoned Darren to say take him off before he gets injured, you're going to lose anyway!!!!!

Whilst not hoping Toby was injured, if he was taken off for other reasons, I can understand that, but not when we are trying to defend a scrum in our own 22.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of organisation, the mid field defence is weak, the line out is a shambles, and the defence coach moans about playing into the wind second half. I don't think for one minute that we have the makings of a wonderful team, but we do have the capacity to perform much better than we are. What other team would put Tondi on the wing and not work out some way to bring him into the game, I can't remember the last time he was given the ball in space, or even a decent kick ahead to chase.

Having watched a lot of English Premiership games this last few years I can sympathise with their stand over the H/Cup when teams like Ulster and Leinster can put out reserves to play the likes of us and save players for cup games.

We have a huge mountain to climb, the current coaching staff will not get us to base camp.

Robert Shillabeer wrote:

Linejudge wrote:
Moan moan moan ... Yet your all going to watch the Dragons ! Lol and maybe once your season tickets run out you won't be at the ground which is excellent news because we don't want moaners !
It was always likely we would lose against Ulster it was just a case of by how many ! But way to go the boys great first half tailed off second half when ulster gained from our mistakes.
But has anyone seen our the injury.
list ? To get a performance like that against an international team is a fantastic effort.

I have been mentioned in dispatches, how good that sounds. From my point of view the Dragons played well in the first half but made some basic errors in the second. We gave away three trys and the knock down in the first half was something that should not have happened with a little side step before kicking the ball, basic errors. Linejudge is quite right when he talks about the injury list and reflects on the Blues result against the same team a few weeks ago. Remember Ulster are unbeaten in all competitions so far this year and based upon last nights performance are looking good for the top spot come the end of the season and will in my opinion win the play offs. They have power in all departments and are a very very good team. Will watch them every chance I get because that is the standard the Dragons must work for.

Blown away mate. Blown away. Again. Your blind loyalty is amusing and borders on the definition of madness....... which you will be familiar with as others have used it often on here. Can't you see the show is over?

Oh for goodness sake. Why are these for always so polarised?

Look, I didn't expect us to win, but i went. I had a beer in the clubhouse and chatted about the game with mates and some of the cracking Ulster supporters. Lot of banter about them coming all the way here just to lose and all that…

Then we saw some ruggers, had a few more beers, a bit more banter, a shout or two at the ref and linesman and the rest of it. I got home around 9.45 to and told the missus all about my nice night watching the ruggers out with me mates.

No, we didn’t win. We rarely win. But doing the whole Pavlov thing gets boring: we lose = throw away season ticket... it's all over... blah blah blah.

Yes I want us to win, but will losing stop me from watching my team and enjoying a night out? No. Has it ever stopped any rugby fan from Newport, Mountain Ash, Saracens, Machen, Upper Cwmtwrch…? No.

If being part of a winning team is a prerequisite when buying your season ticket, then I would suggest that you really don’t get it.

And if you want to throw your ticket away, do so. But why feel the need to come online and tell everyone else that?

Hey, anyone interested in the reason i no longer buy Heinz beans? No, of course you don't. Well us lot don’t really care if you don’t want to buy another season ticket… or whether someone predicted something nine years ago.

I wish you enjoyed your afternoons/evenings down at the parade. If you have something to bring to the debate about bettering rugby in the region, then it’s always a fab read. But if all you want to bring to the party is the fact that you never want to go again, then fine. Just stop banging on about it. It’s tedious and boring.

Gareth wrote:
Oh for goodness sake. Why are these for always so polarised?

Look, I didn't expect us to win, but i went. I had a beer in the clubhouse and chatted about the game with mates and some of the cracking Ulster supporters. Lot of banter about them coming all the way here just to lose and all that…

Then we saw some ruggers, had a few more beers, a bit more banter, a shout or two at the ref and linesman and the rest of it. I got home around 9.45 to and told the missus all about my nice night watching the ruggers out with me mates.

No, we didn’t win. We rarely win. But doing the whole Pavlov thing gets boring: we lose = throw away season ticket... it's all over... blah blah blah.

Yes I want us to win, but will losing stop me from watching my team and enjoying a night out? No. Has it ever stopped any rugby fan from Newport, Mountain Ash, Saracens, Machen, Upper Cwmtwrch…? No.

If being part of a winning team is a prerequisite when buying your season ticket, then I would suggest that you really don’t get it.

And if you want to throw your ticket away, do so. But why feel the need to come online and tell everyone else that?

Hey, anyone interested in the reason i no longer buy Heinz beans? No, of course you don't. Well us lot don’t really care if you don’t want to buy another season ticket… or whether someone predicted something nine years ago.

I wish you enjoyed your afternoons/evenings down at the parade. If you have something to bring to the debate about bettering rugby in the region, then it’s always a fab read. But if all you want to bring to the party is the fact that you never want to go again, then fine. Just stop banging on about it. It’s tedious and boring.

Glad you enjoyed your night, I had a great night too. I also often offer a suggestion on how to better rugby in the region....replace DE and we will immediately see an improvement.
Free speech, you enjoy yours and I will enjoy mine.

DaitheMilkMaid you seem to moan and cackle a lot like some old hen and have a pathological dislike for a part of the name. In case you haven't noticed the good news for you is that it's got 'Gwent' in it so what's your problem? You can ignore the NEWPORT part like many fans ignore the Gwent bit. Problem solved.

I read the Independent article which had 'oh dear' after the name Newport Gwent Dragons. Correct analysis I thought considering their record since 2003.

Another pocketfull of cash via ladbrokes and their reasoning that ulster are only 8 better than us lol, rugbys poor but its paying for xmas.

Another pocketfull of cash via ladbrokes and their reasoning that ulster are only 8 better than us lol, rugbys poor but its paying for xmas.

Perhaps i will put it to a trip to scotland, fancy a couple of days on the beer, weather will decide it.

Dai the Milk wrote:

Robert Shillabeer wrote:

Linejudge wrote:
Moan moan moan ... Yet your all going to watch the Dragons ! Lol and maybe once your season tickets run out you won't be at the ground which is excellent news because we don't want moaners !
It was always likely we would lose against Ulster it was just a case of by how many ! But way to go the boys great first half tailed off second half when ulster gained from our mistakes.
But has anyone seen our the injury.
list ? To get a performance like that against an international team is a fantastic effort.

I have been mentioned in dispatches, how good that sounds. From my point of view the Dragons played well in the first half but made some basic errors in the second. We gave away three trys and the knock down in the first half was something that should not have happened with a little side step before kicking the ball, basic errors. Linejudge is quite right when he talks about the injury list and reflects on the Blues result against the same team a few weeks ago. Remember Ulster are unbeaten in all competitions so far this year and based upon last nights performance are looking good for the top spot come the end of the season and will in my opinion win the play offs. They have power in all departments and are a very very good team. Will watch them every chance I get because that is the standard the Dragons must work for.

Blown away mate. Blown away. Again. Your blind loyalty is amusing and borders on the definition of madness....... which you will be familiar with as others have used it often on here. Can't you see the show is over?

Not mad mate my head shrink told me. There have been some very good postings today about what rugby is really about. Its a pleasurable afternoon watching both your own team and the visiting team battle it out for the rewards. Last night Ulster were by far the better team and played very well. I am always critical of poor refs, but last night he was quite fair, wrong a lot but fair he messed up on decisions for and against both sides. The show is not over and never will be as long as they enjoy playing and the crowds keep enjoying the battle. Perhaps the advice given by another poster should he taken and the bashers stay away and don't renew thier season ticket and find something else to moan about.

Be carefull what you wish for rob, if enough stay away this region is finished, then you can jump in the car to Cardiff or over the bridge to Kingsholm, letting a region fold is not something you should take lightly, if you want a chat and a pint with a few rugby loving friends get out on saturday afternoons and watch some lower league stuff, if this team ids staying as a region it need root and branch change, investment and a stated business plan highlighting the targets and achievments expected, you will not be able to sell this tripe to the masses for long, time to invest or die, turning south east wales into a rugby laughing stock is not acceptable,neither is using this region to shore up the other three, i'd rather no rugby than that.

I have seen a few die hard, blind faith merchants finally see the light this season already. There are also folks out there for whom rugby is something that goes on in the background through a beer haze, that still haven't realised where we are at the moment. Ulster were disappointed with their performance. They wasted alot of opportunities with knock ons and poor passes. Pinaar missed 3 in a row where previously he hadn't missed 3 in a season. Despite this they stuffed us at an absolute canter. The problem is and always has been the front 5. The backs will look like superstars if they get a little space but there is not the will or cash to sort the problem. This is where we are at the moment. There are only a few who still can't see this. Sad things is when the bubble bursts they won't care the either.

Dai the Milk wrote:

Robert Shillabeer wrote:

Linejudge wrote:
Moan moan moan ... Yet your all going to watch the Dragons ! Lol and maybe once your season tickets run out you won't be at the ground which is excellent news because we don't want moaners !
It was always likely we would lose against Ulster it was just a case of by how many ! But way to go the boys great first half tailed off second half when ulster gained from our mistakes.
But has anyone seen our the injury.
list ? To get a performance like that against an international team is a fantastic effort.

I have been mentioned in dispatches, how good that sounds. From my point of view the Dragons played well in the first half but made some basic errors in the second. We gave away three trys and the knock down in the first half was something that should not have happened with a little side step before kicking the ball, basic errors. Linejudge is quite right when he talks about the injury list and reflects on the Blues result against the same team a few weeks ago. Remember Ulster are unbeaten in all competitions so far this year and based upon last nights performance are looking good for the top spot come the end of the season and will in my opinion win the play offs. They have power in all departments and are a very very good team. Will watch them every chance I get because that is the standard the Dragons must work for.

Blown away mate. Blown away. Again. Your blind loyalty is amusing and borders on the definition of madness....... which you will be familiar with as others have used it often on here. Can't you see the show is over?

Euwan nobody is saying the front five are that good and need to be replaced as soon as possible or there will be more nights like last night. The performance in the first half was quite good up against a class side like Ulster. Pity it could not have been kept going but the work level of the rest of the side took its tole. Perhaps more needs to be done getting thier fitness and robustness up to the Ulster level then we may be able to compete much more. Overall the first half was quite tight but it did slip badly in the second half and if a few poor passes weren't intercepted so easily the game would have been quite different. The fact that Ulster missed three penalties is our good fortune, but giving them the chance is a down side that needs to be sorted. I hope the coaches will look at what caused them and try and do something about them. They also need to get the Dragons using the wings much more than this up the middle game as it is predictable and easily blocked and it saps all the energy from the forwards leading to worse performance with the resultant outcomes. Play a more expansive game is a must, besides it is a much more exiting game to watch and stop the pass the ball along the line and do what Ulster did so well pass the ball out to running players.

cwmbran man wrote:
Be carefull what you wish for rob, if enough stay away this region is finished, then you can jump in the car to Cardiff or over the bridge to Kingsholm, letting a region fold is not something you should take lightly, if you want a chat and a pint with a few rugby loving friends get out on saturday afternoons and watch some lower league stuff, if this team ids staying as a region it need root and branch change, investment and a stated business plan highlighting the targets and achievments expected, you will not be able to sell this tripe to the masses for long, time to invest or die, turning south east wales into a rugby laughing stock is not acceptable,neither is using this region to shore up the other three, i'd rather no rugby than that.

Excellent post. Spot on and sums the situation up perfectly for me.

Rob, Ulster were off their game in the first half, were not at full strength, and hardly got out of second gear, despite that the game was wrapped up in 50 minutes, does that not in itself tell you something, we are simply not good enough in squad or management, although i am willing to concede the playing squad could improve under a new coach and get semi competitive,but the annoying thing for me at the moment is how no one down there will stand up and be honest and own the problem, the management are obviously more interested in their salaries than their reputations, which are now in tatters, will hardly be a ringing endorsement on their cv's when they apply for other post ( hopefully in the near future, and probably not at a serious rugby team ), also i would be interested to hear the boards view about whats going on or are their heads so far in the sand they are oblivious, more likely though they are gagged, as that idiot at wru hq doesnt like any dissent, i am only asking for one thing, someone to stand up and be counted for this region, express the problems, and come up with a set of actions that will ensure the team evolves and improves, if you are only willing to give me regional rugby where we are uncompetitive and used only as a means to further the heineken cup qualifying chances of the other regions, which have always had the whip hand over us from all quarters, then i dont want a region, i want competitive rugby, successfull nights, cup runs and something to look forward to after October, all of which is sadly missing at the moment, to watch it go down the pan with all involved saying oh were doing ok, we got injuries, the ref was poor, were blooding youngsters, just doesnt cut it for me, sort it or shut it, a few more months like this and i for one wont care.

'CwmbranMan's' message to Rob SH... 'Be careful what you wish for rob, if enough stay away this region is finished'. Just cast your mind back to when it was once upon time called 'Gwent Dragons'. 17 ST's sold, the chuckle brothers from Ebbw Vale duck out promto, 'Newport' is added to the name albeit reluctantly by Hazell et al, and fans flock back.

We played with the wind in the first half and Ulster held us without breaking into a sweat.

Ten minutes into the second half they had won the game at a canter and continued to pile on the points despite dropping several passes which would have been certain tries.

Teams seam to come to RP to hold us for forty minutes and tire us out, then romp home in the second half.

Edwards and Appleyard should at least train them to last the full 80.

For different reasons I watched the second half of the Dragons match last night and wasn't surprisedby the score given the fact that Ulster are the best sidein pro 12 and European champions. What was trulyshocking was to the performance of the Blues gainst Leinster tonight were they conceeded over 40 points in the first half. Their side had 6 members of the Welsh squad an oly Cuthbert impressd. hen twoo our regions get slaughterd on consecutive nights you have to wonder about the state of Welsh rugby. In some ways its worse for the Blues because some of those players ,like Faletau and Lydiate will depart to France at the end of the season.(why should they sytay and lay for a struggling team like that? Very worrying times

Please excuse the typing errors (and the failure to check my post) I got carried away with my irrritation !

Having just watched the Blues getting stuffed at Leinster, saying to myself they are a shambles but they still beat us.

I wonder if they will take as long to get rid of Phil Davies as we are taking to get rid of Darren.

The Blues result tonight puts all this into perspective. Injuries are reducing the Autumn international squad with Adam Jones announcing that he will miss the games as Dan is already out and an uncapped player from the Scarlets getting the call up, does bode well. None of the Welsh regions are able to compete this year so far, the Ospreys lost thier first few games so all's not well by a long way. But, three Welsh sides will qualify for the H Cup next year come what may so why do they worry about winning games when all the have to do is finish in the top three Welsh regions. Agree with England and France, got to be the top four or five teams who qualify.

The light at the end of the tunnel gets ever dimmer, barely a glimmer from the slight figure of a man at the back of the stand crying over his MacBook, he needs to go home and reflect on his position, these are dark days indeed!!!

The government are putting back the clocks an hour tonight.

Darren Edwards has put Rugby at Rodney Parade back many years, present prognosis...Critical
, may prove Fatal!!!!.....

DaiFrank wrote:
DaitheMilkMaid you seem to moan and cackle a lot like some old hen and have a pathological dislike for a part of the name. In case you haven't noticed the good news for you is that it's got 'Gwent' in it so what's your problem? You can ignore the NEWPORT part like many fans ignore the Gwent bit. Problem solved.

DaiFrankenstein:
It's NEWPORT Gwent in case you haven't noticed.......becaus
e everyone north of Malpas has and they just vote with their feet. Your post just sums up the whole root of the problem. It is a divided support, each ignoring the other half of the support because of the way it is blatantly marketed as a 'superclub' masquerading as a region. It is neither and everyone knows it. It's time to become one or the other. The divided support mirrors the way the team plays too......never as one. The music's over mate. Just a matter of time.

Predictable !!

Bring on Kingsley Jones ASAP

If there is no money to invest in the team what is to be done? Its possible that a different coach might improve performances but even Graham Henry wouldn't have got them to beat Ulster - the gulf in quality is too wide. Presumably , if there is no money for better players then there is no money for a better coach either. I'm assuming that those running the Dragons would prefer to be successful and if funds were available to improve the side they would do so. I'm assuming also that they have enough business sense and rugby savvy to know what needs to be done. So what's going on? Without any inside information I can only assume that they are in some kind of poverty trap. In the brutal world of professional rugby , wealth does not guarantee success but poverty almost certainly condemns you to low achievement. Its not rocket science is it? How the Dragons solve this problem - and it is the real problem - is the difficult bit. I wish I knew how.

Silurix,

May I suggest they might not have been in such a poverty trap if the set-up was either truly regional or a club. This botched-up halfway house alienates Newport fans and keeps away valley supporters with the result that crowd numbers are rubbish. I'm not suggesting they are the only so-called region with this dilemma but it is at the root of the problem. You say 'wealth does not guarantee success.' Really?...........wh
at about Manchester Utd., Manchester City and Chelsea? Barcelona and Real Madrid? Toulouse and Toulon? Sarac.......are you sure you don't want to revise what you said?

....Saracens and Leicester.

I chose my words carefully Dai. Liverpool , Tottenham & Newcastle are also wealthy clubs and have won nothing recently. Of the ones you mentioned only one of them can win the league or European cup - though admittedly their wealth gives them a better chance of winning something. The fact remains , none of them is guaranteed to win any particular trophy. You mentioned Toulon - what have they won? Bath , Sale and Northhampton are pretty well off too but have won no honours recently. The point I was trying to make was that you need a certain amount of wealth to be in with a chance. Without wealth you've got no chance. The Dragons have no wealth.

concerning your other point , I don't think anybody believes the transition from clubs to regions was well managed, for whatever reason. Nobody involved was blameless IMO. But , thats what happened - its too late to change it. I don't think it has any relevance to the current plight of the Dragons. I have seen no evidence to suggest that valley supporters would have turned up in sufficient numbers to make the Dragons a wealthy club. I appreciate that some feel strongly about what happened and it may have had some effect , but not a significant effect, unless you're saying Gwent supporters would have behaved differently to their counterparts in the other regions.
None of the the regions are that well supported.

Dai if you could put aside your revisionist Owen Smith-isms and anti-Newport agenda you'd actually be able to make a good point. Gwent rugby offer control of it's own destiny. Unfortunately due to the idiocy of if then benefactors of Ebbw Vale and the inability of the other Gwent clubs to back up Newport in supporting pro rugby in the area we've been left at the mercy of a WRU who have never cared about the game east of Cardiff. Until this is sorted bleating about crowds and blame is a nonsense. Yes Newport alone are insufficient to make pro rugby in the area sustainable but it cannot be done without them as they alone have proved capable of attracting investment in the pro era. And make no mistake investment is the key word here, get that and crowds fall into place. There are two clubs in the whole of the Uk able to survive on gate receipts alone so the inclusivity argument is irrelevant, even if the hordes of disenfranchised fans you harp on about were more than a convenient mythology. Gwent, as you put it, voted on it's feet regarding its willingness to support pro rugby on a weekly basis, long long before 2003.