Connacht Team Talk Thread V - The Friend Zone

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

Matt Healy was due in Ulster, maybe felt a bit short and good for this? Would be massive improvement from Godwin (overplayed) and Horwitz on the bench

Roux is out till end of Jan

Diabhal Beag

connachta wrote: »

Matt Healy was due in Ulster, maybe felt a bit short and good for this? Would be massive improvement from Godwin (overplayed) and Horwitz on the bench

Healy has been down to start a few times and pulled out late this season. Be skeptical about him starting till we physically see him on the pitch for KO.

Lucas44

Zzippy wrote: »

Yes still out. We are badly hampered with injuries this season. Doesn't help having a small squad.

43 players used this year, not really a small squad just lacks quality

MarinersBlues

Mul, it's over

Lucas44 wrote: »

43 players used this year, not really a small squad just lacks quality

Absolutely not, probably the highest quality squad we ever had.

The injuries being concentrated on a few positions coupled with the relentless calendar this year have just been a perfect storm.

There have been some good performances this year without getting deserved rewards. The narrative just gets twisted when the lens of the interpros is on.

Last week we were second in the conference and still in with a chance of qualifying for the champions cup knock outs If we had managed a win against Munster the whole picture/narrative is completely different.

Fine margins

testtech05

Some Like It TOH

Connacht struggle for numbers but insist Carty and Aki must be rested https://the42.ie/4950544

Bit more info on the training squad situation. Seems pretty threadbare for the rds

connachta

KBurke85 wrote: »

Roux is out till end of Jan

What about Thornbury?

Squidgy Black

connachta wrote: »

What about Thornbury?

Haven't seen anything timeline wise but Masterson replaced him in the champions cup squad before the Toulouse game which would indicate it's probably a long injury.

connachta

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Haven't seen anything timeline wise but Masterson replaced him in the champions cup squad before the Toulouse game which would indicate it's probably a long injury.

There was an early indication on new year return, then nothing... Maybe Toulouse or Montpellier

macslash

Mul, it's over

Happy new years folks. 2018, overall, was a good year. Hopefully 2019 is even better!

KBurke85

The Friend Zone

connachta wrote: »

What about Thornbury?

Reintegrated to training this week according to Friend on the 43.ie. McCartney and Niyi also back

connachta

KBurke85 wrote: »

Reintegrated to training this week according to Friend on the 43.ie. McCartney and Niyi also back

Hell yeahhh


Without Murray boy and Horwitz for Europe, I'll be optimistic


Wonderful new year guys!

craggyrugby

Bazzo wrote: »

Couldn't tell you for certain but I'd say at the moment Friend probably has one of the best win percentages of any Connacht coach? Top 6 last year and 5/9 in the league this year.

Connacht's overall win percentage in the PRO14 since the start of championship in 2001 is 38.2% (136 wins in 356 matches), the breakdown of coaches is as follows:

Andy Friend - 56.7% (17 from 30)
Kieran Keane - 33.3% (7 from 21)
Pat Lam - 46.6% (42 from 90)
Eric Elwood - 33.3% (22 from 66)
Michael Bradley - 28.7% (39 from 136)
Steph Nel - 69.2% (9 from 13)

connachta

Assuming they're all HIA-passed, Bealham and McAllister have to play (from the bench), except if one of Brurkes or McCabe are back, but no sign of that. Kenny might be fit though, and Bealham rested for Europe

We Could have Daly/Godwin pairing, with Niyi on the wing and Robb on the bench

Utopia Parkway

testtech05 wrote: »

Connacht struggle for numbers but insist Carty and Aki must be rested https://the42.ie/4950544

Bit more info on the training squad situation. Seems pretty threadbare for the rds

Whatever about Bundee, Jack has had plenty of rest this season. Been on the bench quite a bit.

Diabhal Beag

Prediction: David Horwitz is our only fit player by the end of the month and Friend still doesn't play him :pac:

connachta

Unlikely with Bundee and Farrell back, Robb only concussed too, we should be full-strenght
but you're meaaan!

its_phil

Mul, it's over

connachta wrote: »

Unlikely with Bundee and Farrell back, Robb only concussed too, we should be full-strenght
but you're meaaan!

:rolleyes:

connachta

its_phil wrote: »

:rolleyes:

Yeah it could be bad; But it could be a low grade concussion in this tackle

Lucas44

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

Prediction: David Horwitz is our only fit player by the end of the month and Friend still doesn't play him :pac:

He might bring over another Aussie to join our academy ahead of developing our home grown players

macslash

Mul, it's over

Lucas44 wrote: »

He might bring over another Aussie to join our academy ahead of developing our home grown players

Who has he brought over to our academy from Australia? And if you're thinking of Harley Fox, then he was signed before Friend. Friend has played plenty of homegrown players.

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

macslash wrote: »

Who has he brought over to our academy from Australia? And if you're thinking of Harley Fox, then he was signed before Friend. Friend has played plenty of homegrown players.

Probably talking about the Irish qualified Goddard

EachSmallChime

Bad to Worse...
https://www.the42.ie/quinn-rouxs-hopes-of-six-nations-role-dashed-by-surgery-on-hand-injury-4951063-Jan2020/

Wegians89

The Friend Zone

EachSmallChime wrote: »

Bad to Worse...
https://www.the42.ie/quinn-rouxs-hopes-of-six-nations-role-dashed-by-surgery-on-hand-injury-4951063-Jan2020/

Thornbury back is a positive atleast

ClanofLams

Mul, it's over

Matthew Burke, Conor Kenny, Boyle, Fitzgerald, De Búitlear, plenty of young guys have gotten opportunities and being promoted early from academy. Only three third year academy players at present, one of who whom has been injured all season. Aussies Horwitz and Goddard have barely played or not played at all in comparison. Groundless criticism.

connachta

Backline of

Blade
C.Fitz
Daly
Godwin
Porsh
S.Fitz
TOH

Still looks good

Healy on the bench if finally ok, if not Goddard. Robb 22, at worst Horwitz

Where's SOB 2.0, still unfit?

Thornbury will help a lot. Dillane can't have a rest. Gallagher can't can back soon enough...

BakeMeACake

BakeMeACake wrote:

I don't think we will see Horowitz for much of the game. It's very obvious Connacht need to cut out the mistakes. So with that sorted I am confident of a Connacht win

BakeMeACake wrote:

Also TOH looked up for it again after his injury. So yep all looks positive

My crystal ball is badly malfunctioning these days

Lucas44

ClanofLams wrote: »

Matthew Burke, Conor Kenny, Boyle, Fitzgerald, De Búitlear, plenty of young guys have gotten opportunities and being promoted early from academy. Only three third year academy players at present, one of who whom has been injured all season. Aussies Horwitz and Goddard have barely played or not played at all in comparison. Groundless criticism.

Goddard only 20 wouldn’t be good enough to play regular senior rugby more of a project player but no need for him with two good 10s in the academy already and Cathal Forde pushing for Irish 20s as a u19

connachta

Lucas44 wrote: »

Goddard only 20 wouldn’t be good enough to play regular senior rugby more of a project player but no need for him with two good 10s in the academy already and Cathal Forde pushing for Irish 20s as a u19

Conor Dean too

Bazzo

Mul, it's over

Lucas44 wrote: »

Goddard only 20 wouldn’t be good enough to play regular senior rugby more of a project player but no need for him with two good 10s in the academy already and Cathal Forde pushing for Irish 20s as a u19

Wasn't Goddard brought over with an eye to full back?

connachta

Bazzo wrote: »

Wasn't Goddard brought over with an eye to full back?

Trained as 10 it seemed