Team for Dragoons

[CIMANFOREVER]

It’s the Dragons minus their internationals.

If we can’t secure an impressive bonus point win against that lot then we really are doomed.

It will be interesting to see how we play though.

I’m struggling to understand how McFarland stopped the players from catching the ball, tackling the opposition, throwing a lineout straight and pushing hard enough in a scrum and, indeed, why he would want to.

You are correct Justin- whilst DF had to go, there are others significantly culpable, on the pitch and off

[CIMANFOREVER]

It’s the Dragons minus their internationals.

If we can’t secure an impressive bonus point win against that lot then we really are doomed.

It will be interesting to see how we play though.

I’m struggling to understand how McFarland stopped the players from catching the ball, tackling the opposition, throwing a lineout straight and pushing hard enough in a scrum and, indeed, why he would want to.

I don't know but here's a theory: Tension in the body. It's the scourge of sports men and women all over the world. Every sport. It's what separates the those who have the talent and those who have the talent but additionally can perform under pressure. In an ideal world you would only have world class individuals. One major impact on tension is thinking or to be more specific, negative thinking. Thinking creates a delay, causing doubt/fear/anxiety and as a result muscle tension. It is preferable to use the increase in emotion to keep focus external by heightening the senses. To engage in a state of flow where the player is spontaneously interacting with the situation around him. A big factor in enabling flow is the reduction of decision fatigue. Making decisions is cognitively taxing, thus a drain on energy, the player is potentially achieving suboptimal oxygenation when performing the task (catching, passing, kicking etc). This player will make more mistakes. The coaches role can be, in terms of providing clear instructions and philosophy to reduce in-game uncertainty over decision making. Players have to buy into this playing style. The coach has to be able to communicate the message. After 6 years this becomes more difficult for a variety of factors. Dan is nearly a great coach. He has nearly won trophies. The nearly won trophy cabinet is nearly fun.

In our scenario we need someone who the players will respond to and buy into the playing style/philosophy. We can't replace all the players unfortunately. We need a details guy. Joe Schmidt left no player uncertain as to his role on the pitch, what was expected at a given scenario.. we can't afford a Joe. The shouty Brexit coach will only get you so far.

So fear of failure and get someone else to think for you?
Surely we need thinkers on the pitch who can work out a defence setting etc as it presents and not robots having every scenario micro managed?

F#cking Gen Z...

[Dave]

It’s the Dragons minus their internationals.

If we can’t secure an impressive bonus point win against that lot then we really are doomed.

It will be interesting to see how we play though.

I’m struggling to understand how McFarland stopped the players from catching the ball, tackling the opposition, throwing a lineout straight and pushing hard enough in a scrum and, indeed, why he would want to.

I don't know but here's a theory: Tension in the body. It's the scourge of sports men and women all over the world. Every sport. It's what separates the those who have the talent and those who have the talent but additionally can perform under pressure. In an ideal world you would only have world class individuals. One major impact on tension is thinking or to be more specific, negative thinking. Thinking creates a delay, causing doubt/fear/anxiety and as a result muscle tension. It is preferable to use the increase in emotion to keep focus external by heightening the senses. To engage in a state of flow where the player is spontaneously interacting with the situation around him. A big factor in enabling flow is the reduction of decision fatigue. Making decisions is cognitively taxing, thus a drain on energy, the player is potentially achieving suboptimal oxygenation when performing the task (catching, passing, kicking etc). This player will make more mistakes. The coaches role can be, in terms of providing clear instructions and philosophy to reduce in-game uncertainty over decision making. Players have to buy into this playing style. The coach has to be able to communicate the message. After 6 years this becomes more difficult for a variety of factors. Dan is nearly a great coach. He has nearly won trophies. The nearly won trophy cabinet is nearly fun.

In our scenario we need someone who the players will respond to and buy into the playing style/philosophy. We can't replace all the players unfortunately. We need a details guy. Joe Schmidt left no player uncertain as to his role on the pitch, what was expected at a given scenario.. we can't afford a Joe. The shouty Brexit coach will only get you so far.

So fear of failure and get someone else to think for you?
Surely we need thinkers on the pitch who can work out a defence setting etc as it presents and not robots having every scenario micro managed?

F#cking Gen Z...

Players aren't very clever though.

It's not that you don't think at all, as in don't get in a huddle and decide a strategy, but in the moment of said action (pass,run,kick etc) you are able to flow without thinking 'sh1t I better not drop this' or 'coach will kill me now'. It may be gen z BS but actually self criticism is a poor tool for improving over self compassion and understanding. It's all gone woke. Pep Guardiola, Joe Schmidt, Phil Jackson etc.. these guys have clear philosophies and will leave players understanding on no uncertain terms what is expected. They won't mindlessly criticise instead they tell players exactly what they need to do to improve.

I can't explain it very well perhaps chatgpt can help?

[big mervyn]

Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 29th league game)
AR 1: Frank Murphy

If only it was Gnocchi t'would have been a great pairing.

[Bart S]

Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR, 29th league game)
AR 1: Frank Murphy

If only it was Gnocchi t'would have been a great pairing.

Gnocchi was really selfish as a player.

Never used to pasta ball

[Neill_M]

Late night injury update

No Henderson (Toe), Moxham (Knee), Herring (Elbow), S Moore (Thigh), AOC (Ankle) and Reid (Back).

[CIMANFOREVER]

So Marty's fit?

[jean valjean]

So Marty's fit?

That is a ecumenical matter.

[Dave]

So Marty's fit?

Close...

[Neill_M]

Dragons Lair Podcast
@DragonsLairPod
·
15m
Wales have released Taine Basham from their Six Nations squad with Dai Flanagan also set to bring in a short term signing. Dragons have an injury crisis in the back-row with just 2 fit back rowers available.

[justinr73]

Hope you guys will be wearing your club socks on Saturday night.

Apart from Cap’n Grumpy obviously.

[MightyRearranger]

Hope you guys will be wearing your club socks on Saturday night.

Apart from Cap’n Grumpy obviously.

Hadn't heard about this, what's it in aid of?

[justinr73]

Something the URC have contrived to drum up a bit of interest.

It was running for the previous round of fixtures too.

[justinr73]

https://ulster.rugby/content/ulster-rug ... st-dragons

Might wear my Bishop’s Stortford scarf. It’s not going to be the warmest of evenings.

[Neill_M]

Dragons RFC: Ewan Rosser (Pontypool United RFC), Joe Westwood (Blackwood RFC), Steff Hughes (c) (Llanelli Wanderers), Aneurin Owen (Newport High School Old Boys RFC), Corey Baldwin (Llandeilo RFC), Will Reed (Cwmbran RFC), Dane Blacker (Ynysybwl RFC); Rodrigo Martinez (Los Tordos RFC), James Benjamin (Whiteheads RFC), Chris Coleman (Garndiffaith RFC), Sean Lonsdale (Rhyl RFC), Matthew Screech (Porth Harlequins), Dan Lydiate (Rhayader RFC), Harry Taylor (Chepstow RFC), Taine Basham (Talywain RFC)

Replacements: Brodie Coghlan (Newport High School Old Boys RFC), Aki Seiuli (Taieri Eels RFC), Luke Yendle (Caerphilly RFC), Barny Langton-Cryer (Cowbridge RFC), George Nott (Chester RUFC), Gonzalo Bertranou (Los Tordos RFC), Harri Ackerman (Newbridge RFC), Huw Anderson (Caerphilly RFC)

Unavailable (14): Oli Andrew (hamstring), Ben Carter (hamstring), Jack Dixon (knock), Lloyd Fairbrother (calf), Ollie Griffiths (knock), Ashton Hewitt (knee), Angus O’Brien (arm), Sio Tomkinson (neck), David Richards (hamstring), Bradley Roberts (back), Jared Rosser (knock), Jordan Williams (knock), Ryan Woodman (thumb), George Young (pec)

International (5): Leon Brown, Elliot Dee, Rio Dyer, Cai Evans, Aaron Wainwright (all Wales)