Reasons to be Cheerful and Fearful!

With just half an hour until the 13/14 season kick off, theArmsPark.co.uk explores why we can, cautiously, look forward to the new campaign...

Let’s be honest, last year was a season to forget. Despite a handful of encouraging performances – beating Munster at Thomand Park and putting in some good brave displays against Toulon and Montpellier – there was very little to celebrate.

A pathetic 28 tries were scored in the RaboDirect Pro 12, the lowest of any team, while the team managed just one victory in the Heineken Cup.

Yet, despite making for horrid reading, there were, actually, many reasons to be cheerful last season.

Not since Dai Young’s early years in charge have the Cardiff Blues undergone such a dramatic squad development. Out went familiar faces in Ritchie Rees, John Yapp, Xavier Rush, Paul Tito, Ben Blair, Maama Molitika – all club stalwarts - amongst others. It was undoubtedly a new dawn.

That was both a curse and a blessing for the young players, who were quickly thrust into the limelight to replace the household names; while the Blues’ fans would demand a European Heineken Cup spot, there was also very little expectation on the ‘would-bes’.

Though the wins often eluded them, new names were beginning to become household.

Josh Navidi, Owen Williams, Harry Robinson and, of course, Rhys Patchell all took their chance with both hands.

It was difficult watching the youngsters trying desperately hard, and just missing out to bigger, stronger, more experienced players, yet losses – such as the one against Toulon at home – were greeted with louder ovations than many wins from the past 3 seasons. The reason being, you could see their effort, enthusiasm and heart, and that was enough.

But this season, courage won’t be enough.

Last year was a right-off, everyone knew we were going to struggle and any win, or even try, was a positive. This year, there is genuine expectation to challenge for a play off spot. Personally, I feel it’s still too soon for us to be one of the four best teams in the league, but fans would all want us to challenge right until the last week.

This is a new challenge for our youngsters, how will they cope under pressure.

Before we sit down to watch tonight’s difficult opening match against Glasgow – one of the favourites for the title this year – let’s evaluate our chances. Let’s not forget, there’s been yet another exodus with Tom james, Jamie Roberts, Ceri Sweeny, Michael Paterson and Jason Tovey all leaving, while only Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees and the unknown Miles Normandale have arrived.

Let’s face it, it’s going to be another tough year. But Rome wasn’t built in a day. We’re one year into a four year plan, and we’re still up against teams with far greater financial clout. But I do believe that something special is happening at the new-look Arms Park. In Rhys Patchell, we really do have one of the most exciting young players in the world, while next to him Owen Williams and Corey Allen have the potential to be outstanding attackers.

Let’s just not expect oo much of these boys. Let’s keep it realistic and optimistic. As long as the boys continue to battle for the jersey and the fans, let’s show them our support and believe that we are watching an exceptionally talented group of kids learn their rugby trade.