Dan’s Not the Man.

[UlsterNo9]

McFarseland Out

[Bart S]

Completely agree that the abuse McCall received was shocking and unacceptable. However, he needed to go elsewhere, build his coaching skills and develop. As someone else said, he was too close to some of the players and quite frankly too nice as well. I think Ulster got bate out the gate by Gloucester and Scarlets in particular at home and things really were bad. He wouldn't have turned it around at that time in his career. I honestly don't think many people were complaining about the decision to let him go at the time, it was what he was subjected to.

Dan has a weak pool player to choose from. Gone are the days of Pienaar, Muller, Afoa and Wannenburg in the 1-9 positions . However, recruitment has to be questioned as well as selections. Ulster's stocks at lock are dreadful for this level and backrow is pretty poor also. Only McCann was unavailable for selection from a 1st choice pack.

Is Sheridan fit? If he is, then how can a young gun who impressed last season be given so little time and most insultingly, be behind Matty Rea in the pecking order.

[So It Is]

Is he gone yet?

[Big-al]

The problem is, that the man responsible for hiring and firing him (Bryn) is equally as big a problem.

The frozen pitch last winter sums up the issues from within the branch. Ineptitude from the top to bottom.

[Cap'n Grumpy]

Completely agree that the abuse McCall received was shocking and unacceptable. However, he needed to go elsewhere, build his coaching skills and develop. As someone else said, he was too close to some of the players and quite frankly too nice as well. I think Ulster got bate out the gate by Gloucester and Scarlets in particular at home and things really were bad. He wouldn't have turned it around at that time in his career. I honestly don't think many people were complaining about the decision to let him go at the time, it was what he was subjected to.

Dan has a weak pool player to choose from. Gone are the days of Pienaar, Muller, Afoa and Wannenburg in the 1-9 positions . However, recruitment has to be questioned as well as selections. Ulster's stocks at lock are dreadful for this level and backrow is pretty poor also. Only McCann was unavailable for selection from a 1st choice pack.

Is Sheridan fit? If he is, then how can a young gun who impressed last season be given so little time and most insultingly, be behind Matty Rea in the pecking order.

There is al ot of truth in what you say about Mark McCall, some of which was not of his making it should be remembered, and yet he was head coach when we last won something. (Celtic League in 2006)

Treatment of him and especially his wife and children was beyond the pale.

[jean valjean]

Completely agree that the abuse McCall received was shocking and unacceptable. However, he needed to go elsewhere, build his coaching skills and develop. As someone else said, he was too close to some of the players and quite frankly too nice as well. I think Ulster got bate out the gate by Gloucester and Scarlets in particular at home and things really were bad. He wouldn't have turned it around at that time in his career. I honestly don't think many people were complaining about the decision to let him go at the time, it was what he was subjected to.

Dan has a weak pool player to choose from. Gone are the days of Pienaar, Muller, Afoa and Wannenburg in the 1-9 positions . However, recruitment has to be questioned as well as selections. Ulster's stocks at lock are dreadful for this level and backrow is pretty poor also. Only McCann was unavailable for selection from a 1st choice pack.

Is Sheridan fit? If he is, then how can a young gun who impressed last season be given so little time and most insultingly, be behind Matty Rea in the pecking order.

There is al ot of truth in what you say about Mark McCall, some of which was not of his making it should be remembered, and yet he was head coach when we last won something. (Celtic League in 2006)

Treatment of him and especially his wife and children was beyond the pale.

Cap, was there a campaign against him or just some vocal idiots? I don't recall much word at the time about how harsely he was treated, but keen to know what went on? Genuine question.

[UlsterNo9]

McFarseland is contracted until end of 24/25 season. Can we afford to pay out his contract, can we afford not to. Any replacement worth getting in will need bought out of their contract. Then you've the backroom staff to boot and bring in new. Could cost anywhere from £1mil up.

As for replacement, John Dobson at The Stormers for me.

[Deraless]

Apparently this week our "accuracy" wasn't good enough. Suitably vague coach- speak for we couldn't hit a cow's Brennan with a banjo.

[big mervyn]

Apparently this week our "accuracy" wasn't good enough. Suitably vague coach- speak for we couldn't hit a cow's Brennan with a banjo.

The Cowboy used to be fond of "we didn't look after the football"

[DodgyEverything]

To draw a football parallel Man United have tried Moyes, Giggs, Van Gaal, Mourinho, Solskjaer, Carrick, Rangnick and now ETH. All of whom have had flashes of promise, trouble with the squad, poor overhead leadership and ultimately been unsuccessful. Might just be that if the structures around you are poor enough then any manegerial/coaching talent isn't enough to overcome it. As for the squad, it's mid-level URC at best and found wanting in these european games. Hope I'm wrong but given performance of each opponent over the weekend 0/4 is very much on

[thecrouch]

I think a big problem is that win, lose or draw the players have a cosy number at Ulster and there aren't enough consequences for phoning it in.

For better or for worse the supporters never give the players grief. I don't really have an issue with this but I do take issue with the mindless seal-like fans who just want to wave pom moms and pretend everything is brill even when we're getting beat out the gate.

There is a culture of mediocrity at Ulster, it starts at the top, it includes the coaches, it includes the players and unfortunately it also includes a section of the support. Until this culture is ruthlessly chased out the door things will never change. If that means goodbye to Petrie, if that means goodbye to the whole coaching ticket, if it means some fan favourite players are sent packing because they have the wrong attitude then so be it.

Look at the likes of Vermuelen. He put in some good showings for Ulster, but never anything like what he showed when wearing a green jersey. Was that his fault, or was that Ulster's fault? It's probably both. He wasn't motivated enough, but Ulster were also willing to let that happen. There are numerous examples.

[rumncoke]

There is the old adage that consultants and lecturers use regarding job satisfaction

The first year you are learning the job the next perfecting it the next year the job is easy the year four your less enthusiastic and the fifth year your bored and need a change of challenge

Some players and members the coaching staff are showing the reality of the concept and its effect is greater when neither recognition or success are achieved .


A change might work wonders.

[big mervyn]

There is the old adage that consultants and lecturers use regarding job satisfaction

The first year you are learning the job the next perfecting it the next year the job is easy the year four your less enthusiastic and the fifth year your bored and need a change of challenge

Some players and members the coaching staff are showing the reality of the concept and its effect is greater when neither recognition or success are achieved .


A change might work wonders.

4 years is normally plenty for mist rugby coaches. Familiarity, contempt etc

[Horse15]

Agree with all the comments above. It’s a club for hiding and being paid well for it. How a few of them have hung around so long is baffling. The whole coaching ticket are unproven anywhere and have never proven themselves at any level. In addition the old ‘99’ brigade have far too much influence. There are also far too many kids of coaches/ex players now making a living from Ulster rugby and who would clearly not make it elsewhere. It’s great to see the ‘Academy’ project at QUB working so well too we need a complete clear out and ‘real’ independent reviews of schools, youth, club and professional game and this to be published.

[Marco]

Picking up on the football analogies, excellent article in today’s IT by Ken Early, citing the difference Emery has made at Villa. 13 months ago Stevie G took them to Fulham and got annihilated 3-0, and he was sacked within an hour. In the weekend’s win over Arsenal, 9 of the same 11 Villa players who played in Fulham were playing, and won, a few days after outplaying City. This was a club record straight 15th home win in a row, with only two significant new signings. Surely this does say a lot about the impact, and in this case a sustainable one, that the right coach can make, even without many recognisable players to anyone outside the club. Dan would likely slot in very well elsewhere, so it would be a win win for club and individual alike if he moved on. Some big boy conversations needed if we lose on Saturday, will that be our Fulham result?