I can really appreciate Reynecke writing the letter, especially in the day and age when money rules all.

But he's asking us not to be critical of the team and vent our frustrations. But this is a professional game where players are being paid and the fans money is part of their salary, so if criticism comes it isn't unfair.

How many times have we heard the players and Elwood say they dont want praise for moral losses or tight games, they want praise for wins. Well that goes hand in hand with criticism for losses and theres been 9 losses so criticism is fair. If they want me to go back to the days where praise for a losing BP is the norm, fine. But there is potential in this squad and unfortunately until i see that potential create wins, I am going to judge each loss.

I say fair play to Reynecke for sticking his neck out. He is new to the set up so you wouldn't necessarily expect him to be making such a public statement, but his passion is appreciated.

I will say though that he should be more concerned about the fans that stay silent and just slip off. As Rossie said there is a bit of a new feel to some things that getting into the HEC brought with it. Part of that was new fans who probably do not have the devotion to the team and a long run of losses will send them packing. These type of fans couldn't be bothered to post any criticism. They'll just pop on a red jersey.

I think there has been a bit of an issue with the mentality in Connacht. PLayers only here for the pay cheque. I am delighted to see someone who just came in this year have passion about the place.

I know its a cliche but winning is a habit and so is losing. Leinster and Munster were never going to lose at the weekend. Leinster had no reason to beat Bath but still looked like they would always win that game. In contrast Connacht didnt look like they were going to score. This defeatest attitude is what led to the high ball at the end, a kick to nothing that we would have needed a lot of luck for it to pay off.

It must be hard for players. Thornley mentioned the awful refereeing we saw in the sportsground and mentioned that Connacht are becoming the Italians of rugby. Every decision goes against us, but that is another topic alltogether.

I feel these players are genuinely upset about the string of losses. They are not just here for the paycheque. I also feel that a win could do wonders. When we score in a game we see the positive play it brings out of the team. Imagine this for full games. At the minute they dont have the confidence to do it.

As I said before it is an absolute rollercoaster being a Connacht supporter. I wouldnt change it for the world. i will be ready on Saturday for the game, and wherever I am I will be roaring at the television. i believe in them!!

C'MON CONNACHT!!!!

ronan i dont know the stats on lost own ball lineouts but i can clearly remember two unforced handling errors in their 22 on our own ball in the first half. at least one of them by macca. they werent down to etna but a lack of concentration on recievers part.we also competed quite well on their ball so i wudnt say lineout is a big problem. someone wil prove me wrong wit stat here no doubt. i agree wit you on scrum tho.

The letter and responses to it here highlight some important issues. Its a fact that this in essence is a new team with new supporters(and supporters club) and a new ground. The last 10/15 yrs pretty much are confined to history and it is a new beginning for connacht rugby. Everything is supposed to change this year and as etna said we are very close to achieving that.
the connacht clan supporters club have a big role to play in turning this around. they need to be more active with its members in build up to all games but particularly home games and be visible and encouraging to all supporters on match day and not just hang out on clan terrace.there are a lot of new supporters on board who need to be kept on board and encouraged to keep coming both this year and into the future.
this whole experience could go either way. onwards and upwards with a bit of work and help from on the field or back to where we were. a lot of that is in clans hands.

its interesting that it is one of the new players who took it on himself to write this(i heard grace also did something on twitter but didnt see it). are the players who are here a long time too used to losing and have had their spirit broken. the one thing that has always stood out to me about munster over the years was that the players always were critical of themselves the team when they played poorly and openly demanding more of each other. the fans always knew that there are no hiding places in that dressing room. munster fans trust them to sort it out.

Can we say the same. Eitheinne, the answer right now to that question is no. what are you and other players going to do to change that?

I don't have any strong feelings about the letter either way. But what I will say is that I watched the first half of last weeks game back last night, and I think a lot of our problems were down to a misfiring line out and a poor scrum. I know people are always quick to blame the hooker when a line out goes wrong, but the ones we lost did seem to be down to poor throws. I wouldn't blame our poor scrum on him, but he does seem like a small lad for a hooker. Anyway, it's good to see he is passionate about Connacht, and I don't think any of us would criticise him for that.

The letter was a welcome distraction for us fans, but it still doesn't cover up the fact we are on loosing streak that no one ! (and that includes players and staff members and supporters alike) would wish for. The only way to placate us supporters Etiene is a big W in the right column !!!! we all love players that put everything into a game, but a win is the only tonic !!! if we have that tommorrow then I may even add a little Gin to it.

ummm, wrote: I don't read it that way at all. The last paragraph apart he says we're all in it together and about how badly he feels about letting supporters down when we lose.

How is this him being on his high horse or giving out?

But I’m not writing this blog to moan or complain. This is a call to arms to stay positive and keep supporting us!

If Muldoon or Duffy said that I think we'd all agree with it. So what if he's just in the door? Doesn't he deserve just as much of our support?

I think you've picked up his sentiments the wrong way, TBH.

I'm with you on that one UMMM

For years we have given out about the lack of communication. We know how the players are feeling this year.

I think he has given his all, and after a few silly mistakes, or losing the head I like what im seeing with him.

Flav is a great player but would much prefer him coming from the bench to steady the ship. Feel Etna can offer something more.

Im sticking with the team anyway, and enjoyed this letter to the fans

May as well add that I prefer Flavin as hooker. Better thrower, better scrummager and offers just as much in the loose, albeit less obviously.
Other people's opinion on this may be better than mine here too...

I have to say I think Reynecke has really settled in well to Connacht and in my opinion has always given it his all whenever he pulls on the jersey and therefore is entitled to have his say. I know that this is a hard run of form for both players and fans to deal with and it is good for the players to communicate to the fans rather than batten down the hatches when things aren't going well. Fair play to Ethienne for his article and I have full faith that with a team that has Muldoon, Duffy, Griffen, Swifty, Macca, George and Reynecke and tonnes more that we will turn the corner very soon, might even be this weekend for an early Christmas present.

Yes, but mines better, obviously

That's why opinions are such great things, we all can have one!

I don't read it that way at all. The last paragraph apart he says we're all in it together and about how badly he feels about letting supporters down when we lose.

How is this him being on his high horse or giving out?

But I’m not writing this blog to moan or complain. This is a call to arms to stay positive and keep supporting us!

If Muldoon or Duffy said that I think we'd all agree with it. So what if he's just in the door? Doesn't he deserve just as much of our support?

I think you've picked up his sentiments the wrong way, TBH.

Ethienne is barely in the door in Connacht, he's not an established first team player (yet) and here he is giving out to fans who will still be here long after he is gone.
You can disguise it in "burden of passion" or whatever you want, what would he have said last year when we had half the supporters?
Ethienne, you do your job, play rugby and we'll follow you but if you have a bad game and/or lose nine in a row, don't expect folk who are paying to stand out in the cold to watch it, to be doing cartwheels about it...
A few arseholes aside, (on Facebook, and probably not true supporters) Connacht fans are excellent and have had to endure the Connacht Board censuring an official supporters' club and now one of players says we're not good enough. High horseology of the highest order...

As much as it pains me to say it but thats a Good rousing call from Munster! That would have you rushing through the stiles roaring your head off before you even get into the Stand!

rossie wrote:
there is a posting on munsterfans.com forum from m.r.s.c to members about sundays game. it call a call to arms i think. everymember got it via email as well as posting and shows some of what eitne is talking about from a link between fans and players point of view.
i would have put it here if i could so if anyone can put it up it would make interesting reading for members of a new club like this one.

Call to Arms by MRSC
"At different times in our lives we all meet individuals, persons who inspire us to achieve more, a family member, teacher or maybe a friend. A French lady was heard to say after the Castres game in Toulouse how envious she was of the tangible link between our team and us; the supporters. Let us use that Ladies envy to inspire us.

Countless articles have been written in the press, countless interviews in the media by our Players always telling us that we are special; that they feed from our passion, and our belief in them. Our support is unequivocal, not based on a sporting statistic of win versus loss ratio, but, rather on the fact that we know that we can make a difference to our Team and inspire them.

On Sunday again we follow them to our home in Thomond Park, so as we do we must not take the tag of "Inspirational" unless we are willing to earn it.

So as we all enter through the turnstiles on Sunday, ask yourself and those around you this,
Will you inspire our team to push themselves further, to fight for us, and for the Jersey and Province?

We showed against the Saints that we the Supporters, can and do "Stand up and Fight", Our team answered us, 41 times they answered us, to carry us to victory against all odds.

On Sunday, we must again help inspire the team and play our part as the 16th Man
The team have asked that as many supporters as possible are in there for when they start to warm up. The team have said that this is the time when they soak up the atmosphere the most.

They will take to the pitch at 12:20. Will you be in there at that time, answering our teams call?

I know I will...

WILL YOU.........."


The sap is rising!!
C'MON MUNSTER!!!