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Subject: big ben Author: pole crew [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 13:38:36 07/16/02 Tue Author Host/IP: spider-loh-tc041.proxy.aol.com/195.93.34.166 why oh why is ben jeff still with pooler, he is useless. he has never been fit for the last four years, no wonder we are in division one with players like that. no sane person can argue he has any use. sorry i know this is harsh but it needed to be said. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Re: big ben Author: LoL [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 07:39:02 07/17/02 Wed Author Host/IP: NoHost/62.254.241.10 U can't off been at training of late then. ben has improved alot and is getting better with every session.

[> [> Subject: Re: big ben Author: MSC [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 12:15:33 07/19/02 Fri Author Host/IP: webcacheH05a.cache.pol.co.uk/195.92.67.69 >U can't off been at training of late then. ben has >improved alot and is getting better with every session. Ben is Pontypool through and through.His heart is with the Pooler cause.Keep up the belief in yourself Ben....the fans love you.

[> Subject: Re: big ben Author: MarkS [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 07:46:07 07/17/02 Wed Author Host/IP: NoHost/194.75.36.165 Admittedly Ben has always looked on the porky side but I thought he was one of our best players on the run-in last season...I think we should judge him on his performances this season and forget about his size!!

[> Subject: We should be encourageing him not mocking him, he has come on well since the start of last season and did well in the last few matches Author: True Supporter [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 10:29:18 07/17/02 Wed Author Host/IP: host62-6-100-206.in-addr.btopenworld.com/62.6.100.206 >why oh why is ben jeff still with pooler, he is >useless. he has never been fit for the last four >years, no wonder we are in division one with players >like that. no sane person can argue he has any use. >sorry i know this is harsh but it needed to be said.

[> Subject: Re: big ben - If you watch the way he plays he is actually a skillful player. His ball handling is cracking. If he could lose some weight, I'd say he'd be one of the best centres in the 1st division. Hopefully taking on a full time contract and our new fitness coach will have the desired effect. I'd be interested to hear if there's improvements in his performance after the slagging off he had after the first training session of the summer. Author: Glyn [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 11:26:33 07/17/02 Wed Author Host/IP: spider-loh-td011.proxy.aol.com/195.93.48.151

[> Subject: Rather than put messages on this board, why don't you go up to training and tell him yourself, face to face! Author: pooler fan [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 12:44:32 07/17/02 Wed Author Host/IP: inktomi2-bri.server.ntl.com/62.255.0.5 >why oh why is ben jeff still with pooler, he is >useless. he has never been fit for the last four >years, no wonder we are in division one with players >like that. no sane person can argue he has any use. >sorry i know this is harsh but it needed to be said.

[> Subject: Re: big ben Author: Jeff [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 13:14:51 07/17/02 Wed Author Host/IP: modem-246-91-60-62.vip.uk.com/62.60.91.246 >Why not give the boy a break ? He surely realises he is overweight but seems to be giving it his best shot at training. Whether he will get the games next season is debatable but he demonstrated toward the end of last season that he has potential as big impact substitute (pardon the pun). Let's back the club's judgement in taking him on for another season - there is no doubt he can be quite a handful in the right circumstances.

[> Subject: Re: big ben -- I think Ben plays with a great spirit and is Pontypool through and through. Good luck to him for this season, He deserves his place in the squad and has great potential. He was awesome towards the end of last season. Author: Stu. [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 16:14:08 07/17/02 Wed Author Host/IP: NoHost/213.40.131.65 >why oh why is ben jeff still with pooler, he is >useless. he has never been fit for the last four >years, no wonder we are in division one with players >like that. no sane person can argue he has any use. >sorry i know this is harsh but it needed to be said.

[> Subject: Re: big ben Author: Mr Half a rugby brain [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 02:07:32 07/18/02 Thu Author Host/IP: webcacheH05a.cache.pol.co.uk/195.92.67.69 > I believe he is a cracking player, ok he could lose a bit of weight, but that is the way the boy is made in general. He would have been in my pooler side every time last season. The question you should ask yourself is would you rather have him in your side or playing against you. With that question in mind I feel most people with half a rugby brain will agree they would want him in their side. Perhaps you are letting your thoughts rule your head. He might not look the part, but he certaintly is when he plays

[> Subject: I don`t think anyone means any harm with what they say, I think what people are trying to get across is even though he is a good player he has the potential to be an excellent one!! I can`t help feeling he may turn round in a few years and realise what he`s wasted!! He is potentially a better player than possibly a lot in the premier but unless he puts the work in he will never find out . Author: Dai.H [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 04:59:02 07/19/02 Fri Author Host/IP: webcacheB10a.cache.pol.co.uk/195.92.168.172

[> Subject: ok ben maybe over weight and his defence maybe not the best but he can destroy n e defence in wales and thats what we need Author: barney [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 07:31:22 07/19/02 Fri Author Host/IP: pam80-1-21-32.man.dial.ntli.net/80.1.21.32

[> [> Subject: Dai. You have hit the nail on the head. He can be an excellent player. Remember he was a Welsh U21 player not so many years ago. Author: Glyn [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 09:16:52 07/19/02 Fri Author Host/IP: NoHost/217.33.80.6

[> [> [> Subject: Re: Dai. You have hit the nail on the head. He can be an excellent player. Remember he was a Welsh U21 player not so many years ago. Author: John [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 11:47:48 07/19/02 Fri Author Host/IP: webcacheB11a.cache.pol.co.uk/195.92.168.173 he was capped at u16 level and that's it. He played well towards the end of the year, and can be a useful impact player. Would you pick him over Deveraux or Hawker?

[> [> [> [> Subject: No I wouldn't pick him ahead of Hawker and Devereaux, but they cannot play every minute of every game, so we need decent squad players to fill the void/ add variety and Ben is more than capable of fulfilling that role and, if he gets fitter, maybe even challenge them. Author: Glyn [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 13:26:05 07/19/02 Fri Author Host/IP: ACBA4B34.ipt.aol.com/172.186.75.52

[> Subject: John, Ben played 1 game for Wales u-19/youth against France at centre patnering former port player Matthew J Watkins.Not sure about the u-21`s though ,I don`t think he was capped at that level. Author: Dai.H [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 10:50:10 07/20/02 Sat Author Host/IP: webcacheB05a.cache.pol.co.uk/195.92.168.167

[> Subject: Re: big ben has so much potential he does not utilise Author: Phil McCavity [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 08:49:07 07/22/02 Mon Author Host/IP: NoHost/148.177.130.120 I believe that the three players that you are detailing as being unfit/overweight are 3 players that have very high potential, skill levels and raw talent. What they do not currently posses is the mental attitude and toughness to succeed at senior level. It is a crying shame that these players are squandering the outstanding talents they have, which really really fustrates meas I can see what they could achieve. I believe that the majority of blame for this is the culture that exists in Welsh Rugby. I am of course referring to the beer drinking, kebab/curry-eating culture. When these players where at there most successful was in the period where they played youth Rugby. They all possessed raw talent that made them shine above other players of their own age group. What they and the coaches at Pontypool have failed to do is successfully complete the transgression of the players into senior first class rugby. At the youth age groups natural selection allowed them to be extremely successful with the minimum of effort with regards fitness, strength etc. In the more level playing field of senior rugby, where players are more developed, committed and skilled, they are no longer able to rely on raw talent alone. While there is no doubt that a large percentage of their failings are due to their personal attitude and weaknesses with respect to training and diet, without doubt each of these people has the potential to perform at and above the first division level. I believe their main problem is how they have embraced the 'Welsh rugby club drinking culture', which is the demise of so many good players' young and old. It is down to the players to realise this, and it maybe that the negative comments will give them the kick in the arse they need to become players that can perform to their maximum potential they need the support of the coaches, players and supporters of their club. If they are not spurred into action then maybe all players in the team should be penalised for under performance. They are indeed rewarded financially for doing well. Why not penalise them for under performing. If an accountant could only count to ten I do not believe he would be in a job for very long. This philosophy could be mirrored in many Welsh club and international teams. The Welsh lineout is an example that springs to mind.