Im surprised this news slipped through the cracks. Maybe everyone knew but didn't care? Anyway, I'm leinster through to the bone but i can also say i like other teams and wish them the best. For example. I like Quins in the AP, and i wish them the best, equally Treviso. In wales i really like the scarlets, but without reservation or shame i can say i don't like the O's. And in that dislike i am not alone.
Not even a little bit, not even with one of the best Irish players in their ranks could they every have gained my support.
But i have to say this also, Johnson has played his part in the overall dislike of the O's. Under his watchful gaze... or lack there of, he has allowed them to become a bit of a joke, the orange ones, etc etc. this year they announced publically that fake tan has been banned. C'MON, now, what team could be taken seriously after such an announcement. He has allowed a lot of their best players to go else where, and he has massively under achieved in the past few years.
Outsiders such as myself have looked on in horror asking the eternal questions... "what the hell is that guy doing?" and "Why don't they fire this guy?"
It is to their eternal credit however that they continue to succeed. They are in play-off position in the Pro 12, and have played well in the HC in a difficult Pool.
They play very nice rugby (sometimes) and for me they are only a slight change in their attitude away from being a bloody great team!
So with that said, i think whole sale management changes need to happen there, and they need a hard headed manager to come in and slap some sense in to an abundance of talented but over indulged players.
Michael Cheika is having a torrid time in Paris, he wants out. He is the type of coach who turn things around. He turned (my beloved Leinster from the so called "ladyboys" in to Heineken cup giants, and a instilled a hard edge that was desperately lacking.
This is the man the O's need. And if they get him or someone like him then watch out. They will be a force to be reckoned with. Now the decisions lay with the guys at the top who hold the cheque book. Will they make the first ever good decision for the O's?
So my dislike for the O's is just that they under achieve and act like they own the world. But if they turn that around and get back to playing rugby like they can... I can see my own attitude changing. The O's fans love there team and sing from the roof tops about how great they are... Its about bloody time the team gave them something to sing about.
Best of luck to the O's going forward. I sincerely mean that.
Scott Johnson leaving Ospreys
posted on 22/1/12
Can't disagree. I can't think of any stand-out performances in Johnson's reign and I'd echo Jiffy's sentiments that they'd be better off if he left now rather than waiting till the end of the season.
The last 'big' game I remember from the Ospreys was turning Leinster over for the Magners final a few years back. That was immediately before Johnson with Humph and Holley.
I'm not sure what positives Johnson has brought. They've struggled to retain talent, not made the best use of resources and whilst they've brought on a player or two, it's no way more so than the other regions anymore.
I wouldn't argue with getting Cheika, but to be honest I think we'll go for a cheap option, such as keeping on Hump & Holl for a bit and seeing if they come good.
posted on 22/1/12
Hay Gecko, u enjoy the heineken weekend?
I have to say the results messed my sportguru stats right up!
I hadn't heard jiffy said that and to be fair i think hes spot on! release johnson now and be done, give the rest of the season to the other two and if they dont look like they are doing anything positive boot them also.
Its hard to believe they have so badly underachieved and your quite right about the win against leinster in 2010. ANd they deserved it! they gave us a right hiding that weekend and were underdogs going in to it but showed what they could do when it counted. I thought they would kick on after that but no. They just stagnated really.
Anyway, its going to take something special in the short term to turn things around. I don't think tommy bowe will renew his contract either. He has given 4.5 seasons to the O's and they still have not lived up to their own hype so i reckon he will be on a plane back to ireland soon enough. Tommy wants to win things, and quite openly stated he wants a heineken cup medal, and thought the O's were heading in that direction.
For sure there will be a bidding war for his services leinster to get him me thinks... watch this space.