65 replies to this topic

[ParisSurtout]

What a difference a good coach makes. He can not only choose the best players to bring to a club, but he can introduce new coaching methods and playing strategies for the existing squad that can defeat most other teams. Trent Robinson is such a coach. He has taken Les Catalans Dragons from competition cellar dwellers under Kevin Walters to respected competitors of every top team in Super League.

Notice how the team started off slowly and ineffectively? They lost four of their first five games, five of their first seven, including to lowly Salford and Wakefield. The new coach and his methods, and the new roster of young imports, were taking time to gel with the majority French contingent. Then the players finally got into the right groove, and started defeating all the best teams, including Warrington (away), Wigan (away and at home) and Huddersfield (at home). Only massive injury problems crippled their challenge to Leeds at Headingley. Now Catalans have overtaken Leeds in the Super League table to stand in 5th place. Their position in the playoffs, barring further injuries to the halves, seems assured. The only question is where in the final reckoning they will end up. But two victories over the mighty Wigan Warriors shows that Les Catalans Dragons are a force to be reckoned with. It is now reasonable to argue that Les Catalans Dragons stand with Warrington, Huddersfield, Wigan, St Helens and Leeds as members of Super League's Big 6.


Many important tough games are still to be played: against Huddersfield at Galpharm Stadium on 18th June, against Leeds at Stade Gilbert Brutus on 10 July (when the new stand is scheduled to be opened), and against St Helens at Stobart on 15 July. Undoubtedly one of the great matchups of the remaining schedule will be the match against Warrington at Stade Gilbert Brutus on August 20. Every Warrington fan with a bit of spare change should make the effort to be there in the newly enhanced 11,000 seat stadium.

We must not overlook the fact that most of Les Catalans players selected each week are French, and in some of their victories it has been 13 French players and only four imports on the field.

Three of the Australian imports that Trent Robinson has brought to Perpignan --- Scott Dureau, Ian Henderson, and Ben Farrar (now injured) --- have been revelations for the squad. But coach Robinson has also got the established French players back to their best form from the Mick Potter era.

All of this shows how important a good coach is for a team's performance.

As we approach the opening of the new stand at Stade Gilbert Brutus we can say without equivocation that French rugby league now has a solid foothold in French Catalonia.

Now if we can only make the next vital step, and get the strategically important Toulouse team into decent shape with a competent coach.

Edited by ParisSurtout, 06 June 2011 - 03:58 AM.

[winnyason]

My thoughts exactly Paris, things look good your would think 25 is the cut off for a finals spot so they are just about there. I thing is they need to keep the basis of this team for a few years to challenge for trophies, much like what Brown has done at the giants.
You would think Greenshields seems the only departure i know of, let's hope Robinson does not get taken by Penrith. The thing is the massive confidence the coach has in the players and in the french players, no coach not even Potter. Players such as Stacul, Vaccari, Casty revelations and the depth the side has is very good still to have Millard playing so well yet when farrar returns he won't make 17. While you would think Duport may struggle to get a game when fit, the only worry you would think has to be Bosc what is his longterm future given the term operates better with a dominate 7 and centre to play 5/8 it seems. Maybe back to the wing for Bosc until he gets his condfidence back, but if he does not will he go to another superleague side or the dark side.
The crowd was ok to hit the same time as Montpellier top 14 is a shame, still 9300 is a solid attendance, would like to see them take 2 home games a year way one to me has to go to Lyon ans other to another venue rotated. Hoping they get full capcity of 12500 for leeds game opener.

The team at full strength is something like this: Greenshields, Blanch, Baile, Stacul, Vaccari, Farrar, Dureau, Mounis, Menzies, Raguin, Casty, Henderson, Ferriol. Bench Paea, Fakir, Sa, Pellisser. Really hope bosc comes back but a little worried by his form. This side leaves out Simon, Gossard, Bosc, Millard and Baiteri.

To toulouse they simply need a new coach as simple as that look at Deakin or Gussiet they need to change things now.

[Henson Park Old Firm]

You could have a match played at Lyon and have a curtine raiser with Elite 2 club match featuring the Locals... A bit of Local and Super League rolled into one

[Wellsy4HullFC]

That Menzies is a young import, in't he?

[The Parksider]

It is now reasonable to argue that Les Catalans Dragons stand with Warrington, Huddersfield, Wigan, St Helens and Leeds as members of Super League's Big 6.

Now if we can only make the next vital step, and get the strategically important Toulouse team into decent shape with a competent coach.

Les Catalans entered SL with adequate finances and support to compete in Superleague several years ago now. Before Walters ever came they were winning games against the big clubs, they had already been to wembley and gone quite far in the play offs.

There's no argument that somehow Catalans have this season "made it" or "come of age" they are just one of seven, eight or nine clubs who can pay full salary cap and can compete in Superleague.

Les catalans resurgence from a pretty awful period - inexcusable given the clubs resources - has no direct link to Toulouse. Sure TO have a poor coach but as has been said on another thread the management employ him and the management are "appalling" so it's far far more than just a change of coach, it runs to a change of management and a change of players as everyone is also saying that the better players outside SL don't play for TO.

[Steve May]

Many important tough games are still to be played: against Huddersfield at Galpharm Stadium on 18th June, against Leeds at Stade Gilbert Brutus on 10 July (when the new stand is scheduled to be opened), and against St Helens at Stobart on 15 July.

It's at The Shay in Halifax.

[tonyXIII]

It's at The Shay in Halifax.

Don't Catalans and Huddersfield play in very similar kits - sang et or and claret and gold? With the change of venue, I hope someone has their finger on the pulse. Another cock up looming, anyone?

[southstand loiner]

whats good is that the catalans have reduced the number of imports and have less than most teams in super league if we count the pacific islanders who dont count on the quota but are still in my eyes imports.
i am a little disapointed they have said there looking for some english players for next season as to see more french players in there squad would be the ideal but its understandable in term of depth of squad.
the style of rugby the catalans are playing at present is also great to watch and i would say they along with warrington are the two best teams to watch this season in terms of free flowing rugby league.

[southstand loiner]

Don't Catalans and Huddersfield play in very similar kits - sang et or and claret and gold? With the change of venue, I hope someone has their finger on the pulse. Another cock up looming, anyone?

its not a problem as long as catalans wear there home kit and huddersfield there away kit.
also would not have been a problem at the shay if the same formula had been used.

[tonyXIII]

its not a problem as long as catalans wear there home kit and huddersfield there away kit.
also would not have been a problem at the shay if the same formula had been used.

I think you missed the wink emoticon off your post.

Didn't you?

[ParisSurtout]

That Menzies is a young import, in't he?

Exception that proves the rule...and all that

[Father Ted]

Robinson is the difference.
First season Les Cats were bottom, 2nd season reached the C Cup final. 3rd season were 3rd in the league and their play offs were halted by Wigan on their visit to the Brutus.
4th and 5th seasons Walters sent them off a cliff.

Their win in Montpellier was well planned. Dropping Bosc to be replaced by Sa was a master stroke.
It is a Union ground with a soft pitch and long grass which cut up. Bosc is light weight and Sa the opposite.
Robinson saw Mcguire was only bringing three props and put as many big men up the middle as he could to dominate the Wigan pack. Wigan's forwards though are faster and fitter but don't have the bulk.

The Les Cats win was no fluke as everyone was slowed down by the pitch. Wigan faster squad got nowhere and were continually caught by much slower men. They pushed the pass and dropped as much ball as the Dragons.
Turning point was the disalllowed try with Cats 14-12 ahead. A try there and things could have been a whole lot different. Les Cats are a big team but could come really unstuck against a fast team on a fast track pitch. They will finish top six, an opinion after seeing both their games v Wigan.

There are not enough SL quality players in France for two teams and it's best for the time being that their best do go to Perpignan to benefit from Robinson's coaching. The guy is excellent.
Only one problem though! If he is as good we think he is, how long before he's snapped up by an NRL or SL club?

[Exiled Rhino]

against Leeds at Stade Gilbert Brutus on 10 July (when the new stand is scheduled to be opened),

Can't wait!

[Northern Sol]

I don't think "big 6" has any meaning.

Wigan, Saints, Leeds might be bigger than the rest (and Wire knocking on the door) but after that the likes of Hudds, Bradford, Widnes, Hull are much of a muchness.

[ParisSurtout]

I don't think "big 6" has any meaning.

Wigan, Saints, Leeds might be bigger than the rest (and Wire knocking on the door) but after that the likes of Hudds, Bradford, Widnes, Hull are much of a muchness.

"Big 6" has meaning in terms of team strength and performance.

[oiseau]

Robinson is the difference.
First season Les Cats were bottom, 2nd season reached the C Cup final. 3rd season were 3rd in the league and their play offs were halted by Wigan on their visit to the Brutus.
4th and 5th seasons Walters sent them off a cliff.

Their win in Montpellier was well planned. Dropping Bosc to be replaced by Sa was a master stroke.
It is a Union ground with a soft pitch and long grass which cut up. Bosc is light weight and Sa the opposite.
Robinson saw Mcguire was only bringing three props and put as many big men up the middle as he could to dominate the Wigan pack. Wigan's forwards though are faster and fitter but don't have the bulk.

The Les Cats win was no fluke as everyone was slowed down by the pitch. Wigan faster squad got nowhere and were continually caught by much slower men. They pushed the pass and dropped as much ball as the Dragons.
Turning point was the disalllowed try with Cats 14-12 ahead. A try there and things could have been a whole lot different. Les Cats are a big team but could come really unstuck against a fast team on a fast track pitch. They will finish top six, an opinion after seeing both their games v Wigan.

There are not enough SL quality players in France for two teams and it's best for the time being that their best do go to Perpignan to benefit from Robinson's coaching. The guy is excellent.
Only one problem though! If he is as good we think he is, how long before he's snapped up by an NRL or SL club?

Thomas was actually injured (knee problem)so not fit enough to play Father Ted but saying that, TR outcoached the Wigan coach on the day.

The disallowed try was quite rightly judged by Mr Smith with Clint getting the meerest hint of 'downward motion'

TR will be be off unfortunately because he is a class act,either to on of the top four or the NRL eventually - interestingly he was having a long conversation with the Wigan chairman after the game........

[ParisSurtout]

Thomas was actually injured (knee problem)so not fit enough to play Father Ted but saying that, TR outcoached the Wigan coach on the day.

The disallowed try was quite rightly judged by Mr Smith with Clint getting the meerest hint of 'downward motion'

TR will be be off unfortunately because he is a class act,either to on of the top four or the NRL eventually - interestingly he was having a long conversation with the Wigan chairman after the game........

Ian Lenagan is a polite and intelligent man who talks to everyone who is polite and intelligent. He is also interested in seeing the stronger development of the game in France, so he would have lots of things to discuss with Trent Robinson other than a move to Wigan.

That said, Bernard Guasch only needs to find matching funds to keep TR in Perpignan. I am sure if the money is equal TR will choose Perpignan over Wigan. After all TR is a French speaker, married to a French woman, with the chance to do big things in France. So it is up to Bernard to ensure that the money on offer is adequate to retain his talented new coach.

Edited by ParisSurtout, 07 June 2011 - 07:39 AM.

[MrPosh]

"Big 6" has meaning in terms of team strength and performance.

Top six has meaning in terms of team strength and performance. Big 6 suggests a number of factors - The Dragons will be a while getting into this, simply because of a lack of history.

Ian Lenagan is a polite and intelligent man who talks to everyone who is polite and intelligent.

And I bet you so wanted to talk to him.

[Rubber Schnib]

And I bet you so wanted to talk to him.

[Father Ted]

TR outcoached Mcguire for both matches. When we saw he was going to France with three props we feared the worst but hoped for the best.

I couldn't see the detail on the screen from where I was sat although it is superb. The best big screen by far.
Ian Smith was the VR and he's the best VR we've got by a very long way. I was ok with the decision at the game because of that, although I've not seen any reply yet I don't expect to change my mind.

Things look good for Catalans on and off the field, from photographs the new stand behind the sticks looks a very good facility.
Are the bars and eating establishments completed yet?