ARGUS COMMENT: Chris Kirwan on the Dragons' ultimate humiliation (From Campaign Series)

I think the previous article signals the intent of the board who simply wont do anything and accept failure!! Dragons are finished unless change happens immediately!! Be lucky to sell 500 season tickets next season as majority of loyal fans vowing not to return until they see some ambition and change!!

Donkeys led by donkeys

Why shouldn't DE take all the blame. The real demolision job did not start until he played his tactical substitution cards. Steffan Jones of, Dan Evans to 10 and Hallom Amos to 15. WHY? Steffan was having one of his better games, Dan is a loose canon at 10. Then Cudd is taken of, WHY? probably our most influential back row player and we are now left without a 7 on the pitch. Crazy utter nonsense. Our front row, all of whom had been playing pretty well needed changing and that did happen for another 10 mins, by which time it was to late. Then we bring on Josh Tyler, I am sorry but he really is not ready yet. 6'10" is an advantage but you have to be able to move and tackle and he just didn't.

Keith Barnett wrote:
Donkeys led by donkeys

Aye, thats not nice! Giving donkeys a bad name! besides that they taste nice!

Whoever said we were going to changed to a development team, were wrong!

WE ARE A DEVELOPMENT SIDE!

Average age on the pitch saturday?
When Adam Jones goes it will go up by 5!(Ha, he's not that old)

An all time low? Dont get much lower!

I was still there Saturday, watching Newport loose! But I was there!

I want to see my side win, but I understand its not always possible because of many factors.

When the interest from the rest of gwent finally diminishes in a loosing dragons side, I will still be there!

Why o why did they(WRU & the region) agree to this monumental **** up without knowing what the end result would be!
Why did we ever agree to it! probably because we were over a barrel at the time! Perhaps we should have let it go then!

Nah! I'm not having that. Lets man up and get on with it! A million pounds will mean more to us than a drop in the ocean of the debts of the other regions! When we get our investment it will still be on a business sense approach!

Thats all a true supporter does! Good times and bad times!

JTFish wrote:

Keith Barnett wrote:
Donkeys led by donkeys

Aye, thats not nice! Giving donkeys a bad name! besides that they taste nice!

Whoever said we were going to changed to a development team, were wrong!

WE ARE A DEVELOPMENT SIDE!

Average age on the pitch saturday?
When Adam Jones goes it will go up by 5!(Ha, he's not that old)

An all time low? Dont get much lower!

I was still there Saturday, watching Newport loose! But I was there!

I want to see my side win, but I understand its not always possible because of many factors.

When the interest from the rest of gwent finally diminishes in a loosing dragons side, I will still be there!

Why o why did they(WRU & the region) agree to this monumental **** up without knowing what the end result would be!
Why did we ever agree to it! probably because we were over a barrel at the time! Perhaps we should have let it go then!

Nah! I'm not having that. Lets man up and get on with it! A million pounds will mean more to us than a drop in the ocean of the debts of the other regions! When we get our investment it will still be on a business sense approach!

Thats all a true supporter does! Good times and bad times!

Lost your argument in the middle but if you are saying you will still support the region by buying a season ticket next year let me know your seat number, we can sit next to each other as I will renew mine because of my never say die, back to the wall attitude to hard times.

Good article again by CK. This has to be a atershed moment in the Drags short history. The board has to realise just how much anger is simmering in the support base, and to simply do nothing, keep calm and carry on approach of Messrs Hazell,Watkins, Godfrey, et al just will not suffice this time. Times up gentlemen.

PortORico wrote:
Good article again by CK. This has to be a atershed moment in the Drags short history. The board has to realise just how much anger is simmering in the support base, and to simply do nothing, keep calm and carry on approach of Messrs Hazell,Watkins, Godfrey, et al just will not suffice this time. Times up gentlemen.

Watershed

Darren Edwards is certainly a Donkey in Coaching Terms..........

EEEEY OOOORR
EEEEY OOOORR
EEEEY OUGHT TO GO!!!!!!!

A solid editorial asking questions to which answers are long overdue BUT why in the name of all that is holy do we continue to ignore the most pressing of issues? NGD have from their outset proved a broadly unloved compromise and its evident that either a Newport stand-alone or a true Gwent region would do more to augment the support base, in doing so increasing much needed revenue streams. It's an absolute no-brained and - let's be honest - is evident to all and sundry. With the 10 year franchise contract due to expire at the end of this season is this not the time to decide one way or another and make professional rugby in south-east Wales the success it can be? Why do all involved - the WRU, the NGD board and the media - deny us the opportunity to have that debate?

A solid editorial asking questions to which answers are long overdue BUT why in the name of all that is holy do we continue to ignore the most pressing of issues? NGD have from their outset proved a broadly unloved compromise and its evident that either a Newport stand-alone or a true Gwent region would do more to augment the support base, in doing so increasing much needed revenue streams. It's an absolute no-brained and - let's be honest - is evident to all and sundry. With the 10 year franchise contract due to expire at the end of this season is this not the time to decide one way or another and make professional rugby in south-east Wales the success it can be? Why do all involved - the WRU, the NGD board and the media - deny us the opportunity to have that debate?

So pressing an issue, I had to say it twice.

When Martyn Hazell says there is no point in terminating the contracts of any of the existing staff, he shows he is clearly out of touch with many of the supporters.
I witnessed them attending training this morning and what a shambolic bunch they are. Players turned up late and showed no signs of any interest. Now surely a proper coach would instill crucial discipline that can be transmitted onto the pitch.
At what stage would Mr Hazell consider to be the right time to consider offloading the coaches. If it is in the summer it will be too late to attract new players of any quality, so he will carry on as before.
If this continues without being addressed by the board, it will be good night to the Dragons either through the WRU dumping them or without supporters not having the finances to continue.

Were all doomed,doomed I tell ye

The People's Republic of Newp wrote:
A solid editorial asking questions to which answers are long overdue BUT why in the name of all that is holy do we continue to ignore the most pressing of issues? NGD have from their outset proved a broadly unloved compromise and its evident that either a Newport stand-alone or a true Gwent region would do more to augment the support base, in doing so increasing much needed revenue streams. It's an absolute no-brained and - let's be honest - is evident to all and sundry. With the 10 year franchise contract due to expire at the end of this season is this not the time to decide one way or another and make professional rugby in south-east Wales the success it can be? Why do all involved - the WRU, the NGD board and the media - deny us the opportunity to have that debate?

You think the name of the Regional side is a more pressing matter than the actual future of it? Bizarre.

'With the 10 year franchise contract due to expire at the end of this season'
What happens then???
Think it through, it'll make you all realise what's happening, why certain decisions are being made or................no
t being made

fedupjon wrote:
When Martyn Hazell says there is no point in terminating the contracts of any of the existing staff, he shows he is clearly out of touch with many of the supporters.
I witnessed them attending training this morning and what a shambolic bunch they are. Players turned up late and showed no signs of any interest. Now surely a proper coach would instill crucial discipline that can be transmitted onto the pitch.
At what stage would Mr Hazell consider to be the right time to consider offloading the coaches. If it is in the summer it will be too late to attract new players of any quality, so he will carry on as before.
If this continues without being addressed by the board, it will be good night to the Dragons either through the WRU dumping them or without supporters not having the finances to continue.

It's all about cash. They said this early in the season when the supporters were up in arms. This season has been about financial consolidation. They are not interested in spending any cash until next season. This season has been effectively written off from the start. Buying coaches out if contracts cost money too so expect DE to be around next season as well. It will be interesting to see if anyone, apart from Robert of course, , will attend the Leinster game at RP if they get stuffed by Zebre this weekend. .

Euwan Usami wrote:

The People's Republic of Newp wrote:
A solid editorial asking questions to which answers are long overdue BUT why in the name of all that is holy do we continue to ignore the most pressing of issues? NGD have from their outset proved a broadly unloved compromise and its evident that either a Newport stand-alone or a true Gwent region would do more to augment the support base, in doing so increasing much needed revenue streams. It's an absolute no-brained and - let's be honest - is evident to all and sundry. With the 10 year franchise contract due to expire at the end of this season is this not the time to decide one way or another and make professional rugby in south-east Wales the success it can be? Why do all involved - the WRU, the NGD board and the media - deny us the opportunity to have that debate?

You think the name of the Regional side is a more pressing matter than the actual future of it? Bizarre.

The two go hand-in-hand and always have done. You think it's of no relevance, I take it?

Keith Barnett wrote:
'With the 10 year franchise contract due to expire at the end of this season'
What happens then???
Think it through, it'll make you all realise what's happening, why certain decisions are being made or................no

t being made

Reckon you've hit the nail on the head...

The People's Republic of Newp wrote:

Euwan Usami wrote:

The People's Republic of Newp wrote:
A solid editorial asking questions to which answers are long overdue BUT why in the name of all that is holy do we continue to ignore the most pressing of issues? NGD have from their outset proved a broadly unloved compromise and its evident that either a Newport stand-alone or a true Gwent region would do more to augment the support base, in doing so increasing much needed revenue streams. It's an absolute no-brained and - let's be honest - is evident to all and sundry. With the 10 year franchise contract due to expire at the end of this season is this not the time to decide one way or another and make professional rugby in south-east Wales the success it can be? Why do all involved - the WRU, the NGD board and the media - deny us the opportunity to have that debate?

You think the name of the Regional side is a more pressing matter than the actual future of it? Bizarre.

The two go hand-in-hand and always have done. You think it's of no relevance, I take it?

People aren't annoyed because of the name. The are five to eight thousand regular supporters of the region when it's doing well, regardless of the name. That's pretty much the same as the Newport RFC days. People are annoyed because the side is useless and has been all season. The name is an old argument that's been debated a million times and has absolutely nothing to do with the team playing badly or being short of cash. The same number have supported it in both guises. Trust me, if they are a good side people will support them regardless of the name. No one believes the myth about the estranged valley folk. Even if the story were true there is only room for a couple of thousand of them. It wouldn't make a great deal of difference to RP.

One Newport rugby club in the English system would be better imho - it would stop the pretence of being a " Gwent " club and produce some interesting fixtures as well.

Euwan Usami wrote:

The People's Republic of Newp wrote:

Euwan Usami wrote:

The People's Republic of Newp wrote:
A solid editorial asking questions to which answers are long overdue BUT why in the name of all that is holy do we continue to ignore the most pressing of issues? NGD have from their outset proved a broadly unloved compromise and its evident that either a Newport stand-alone or a true Gwent region would do more to augment the support base, in doing so increasing much needed revenue streams. It's an absolute no-brained and - let's be honest - is evident to all and sundry. With the 10 year franchise contract due to expire at the end of this season is this not the time to decide one way or another and make professional rugby in south-east Wales the success it can be? Why do all involved - the WRU, the NGD board and the media - deny us the opportunity to have that debate?

You think the name of the Regional side is a more pressing matter than the actual future of it? Bizarre.

The two go hand-in-hand and always have done. You think it's of no relevance, I take it?

People aren't annoyed because of the name. The are five to eight thousand regular supporters of the region when it's doing well, regardless of the name. That's pretty much the same as the Newport RFC days. People are annoyed because the side is useless and has been all season. The name is an old argument that's been debated a million times and has absolutely nothing to do with the team playing badly or being short of cash. The same number have supported it in both guises. Trust me, if they are a good side people will support them regardless of the name. No one believes the myth about the estranged valley folk. Even if the story were true there is only room for a couple of thousand of them. It wouldn't make a great deal of difference to RP.

Euwan, you talk a lot of sense but you're wrong in maintaining that NGD attracts the same following as that enjoyed by NRFC pre-2003, the numbers themselves bear that out. Average NGD attendances are still markedly lower than those of NRFC in the last season of club rugby, and that was one that started with a horrid run of defeats and with nothing to play for for the most part given the announcement of the powers that were relatively early on to pursue a regional set-up. It's the fact that we dispensed with the baby along with the bath water that we find ourselves in this situation. We should have built on what we had: fourth largest crowd in UK rugby, more season ticket holders than any other Welsh outfit, a ground that positively hummed with anticipation on match day, community outreach schemes, a sense of ownership by fans and, most importantly, a history. THAT is what gets the blood flowing and supporters through the turnstiles. And with supporters comes money. And success. Sport hinges on far more than a few winning performances, its about identity.

The People's Republic of Newp wrote:

Euwan Usami wrote:

The People's Republic of Newp wrote:

Euwan Usami wrote:

The People's Republic of Newp wrote:
A solid editorial asking questions to which answers are long overdue BUT why in the name of all that is holy do we continue to ignore the most pressing of issues? NGD have from their outset proved a broadly unloved compromise and its evident that either a Newport stand-alone or a true Gwent region would do more to augment the support base, in doing so increasing much needed revenue streams. It's an absolute no-brained and - let's be honest - is evident to all and sundry. With the 10 year franchise contract due to expire at the end of this season is this not the time to decide one way or another and make professional rugby in south-east Wales the success it can be? Why do all involved - the WRU, the NGD board and the media - deny us the opportunity to have that debate?

You think the name of the Regional side is a more pressing matter than the actual future of it? Bizarre.

The two go hand-in-hand and always have done. You think it's of no relevance, I take it?

People aren't annoyed because of the name. The are five to eight thousand regular supporters of the region when it's doing well, regardless of the name. That's pretty much the same as the Newport RFC days. People are annoyed because the side is useless and has been all season. The name is an old argument that's been debated a million times and has absolutely nothing to do with the team playing badly or being short of cash. The same number have supported it in both guises. Trust me, if they are a good side people will support them regardless of the name. No one believes the myth about the estranged valley folk. Even if the story were true there is only room for a couple of thousand of them. It wouldn't make a great deal of difference to RP.

Euwan, you talk a lot of sense but you're wrong in maintaining that NGD attracts the same following as that enjoyed by NRFC pre-2003, the numbers themselves bear that out. Average NGD attendances are still markedly lower than those of NRFC in the last season of club rugby, and that was one that started with a horrid run of defeats and with nothing to play for for the most part given the announcement of the powers that were relatively early on to pursue a regional set-up. It's the fact that we dispensed with the baby along with the bath water that we find ourselves in this situation. We should have built on what we had: fourth largest crowd in UK rugby, more season ticket holders than any other Welsh outfit, a ground that positively hummed with anticipation on match day, community outreach schemes, a sense of ownership by fans and, most importantly, a history. THAT is what gets the blood flowing and supporters through the turnstiles. And with supporters comes money. And success. Sport hinges on far more than a few winning performances, its about identity.

No I don't but it. "Markedly" is a little subjective in fairness. The ground in recent times has always had a capacity around the 10k mark and would fill it with the Blues v Dragons matches as it did when it was Newport v Cardiff. The difference now is the Pro12 doesn't allow for away fans of course. I agree no one wanted the change and that the region has no history but for most its (Very) arguably just Newport by another name. But the current issue is about lack of investment versus financial stability. The side needs 4 or 5 experienced players to strengthen the squad and support the young players comming through. I don't think RP can afford them or even attract them at the moment either. The near future looks pretty dark for the region and I don't think a name change is going to help or has any place in the topic to be honest.

lowandhardandintheco
rner wrote:
One Newport rugby club in the English system would be better imho - it would stop the pretence of being a " Gwent " club and produce some interesting fixtures as well.

Some liked this idea when faced with the subject of enforced development status on the region but you have to ask yourself how it would be funded. Either way ;Pro12 or not, we need some serious investment in the squad to improve matters on the field.

Ha ha, the two of you are welcome to each other. Seeing as your aim is to exclude everyone who isn't from Newport from the top level of rugby, why don't you shake hands, make up like big boys and go and campaign for that!

CM1 wrote:
Ha ha, the two of you are welcome to each other. Seeing as your aim is to exclude everyone who isn't from Newport from the top level of rugby, why don't you shake hands, make up like big boys and go and campaign for that!

In fairness I am not trying to exclude anyone. The name of the region has always been an issue for many fans. I personally don't give a monkeys what you call them, the point I am making is ; we are well beyond a name making any meaningful difference now. We need sizable investment in decent players to give decent results. The rest will follow, as will the fans. Let's get a region in place again before we worry about its name. (Most polls I have seen from fans suggest they are all hopelessly split on the name argument in any case)

lowandhardandintheco
rner wrote:
One Newport rugby club in the English system would be better imho - it would stop the pretence of being a " Gwent " club and produce some interesting fixtures as well.

Agreed.

can anyone else hear Monty Python??

Does the board know something that fans don't? The 10yr franchise is up so has the WRU already decided the fate of the Dragons?

Hence why the board will not sack the current coaching regime as they would have to pay them off ... when in reality they know what is to come and the WRU will pay off all current contract's in order to cut it down to 3 regions .... so they save their money!

Just a thought as i'm still dumbfounded how inept coaches are still in a job where results decide your fate!

Welsh Rugby Fan - see my post above, that's what's happening

Ahw pass me a Hankie :-(

Surely a rethink of the regions must happen after this season is closed, there's not enough quality players or coach's in Wales to handle 4 regions.
Saddly 4 down to 3 regions must be the way forward.

Daffy2 wrote:
Surely a rethink of the regions must happen after this season is closed, there's not enough quality players or coach's in Wales to handle 4 regions.
Saddly 4 down to 3 regions must be the way forward.

Why would the player drain stop if we went to 3 regions? You can't really blame players for getting the best money and prospects while they can. It may yet come but it's a bad I idea imo.It Iimits player selection and options for the WRU which is what is all about these days anyway.