WE ARE AWARE OF NOISE
Ulster criticism grows but Kiss sees the positives
LES KISS backed his players yesterday as flak continues to fizz around Ulster’s recent below par displays in the PRO14.
The Kingspan Stadium men, who face Harlequins in Europe this weekend, lie third in their league conference and are on track for the knockout stages. But huge question marks remain following two scrambled wins over Southern Kings and Benetton and Friday’s 32-32 draw with the Dragons. The verdicts online and in the media have been far from upbeat.
Ex-british Lion Stephen Ferris branded a concession of 57 points to the Dragons in two league games “not good enough”, while former Ulster forward Neil Best claimed the buck lies with Kiss for “consistently patchy performances”.
Kiss, who marked two years in charge last month, is fully aware of the growing dissent – or “noise” as he stares at a defining period of the campaign.
But in a measured riposte at yesterday’s weekly media briefing, he claimed the job his players have done in a “fairly tough environment should be recognised a bit more”.
He said: “There is a bit of noise and you expect that.
I understand that.
“But we want people to know we are a group doing the right things we believe in.
“I do feel for the guys and I back them fully. There is no way we can question the attitude and commitment.
“I really do believe a lot more people appreciate what they have done than not. I think the fans have been great.”
While Ulster aren’t firing on all cylinders, Kiss believes outside factors have had an impact, not least the continuing absence of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding.
The loss of marquee signing Marcell Coetzee to an ongoing knee problem and absence of the likes of Jared Payne and Jean Deysel to injury also haven’t helped.
Kiss said: “There are a lot of tough things in the way at the moment. There are components we do not have control of – our roster and all those things. “People should be aware we are working hard and trying to do the best with the resources we have and I know there are a lot out there who are saying keep going. We have only lost two games in the PRO14 and during the international window we had a pretty heavy injury rate.
“To battle through that and still get 12 points from a possible 15 speaks volumes for the character in the group.”
Ulster are boosted by the return of Ireland trio Iain Henderson, Jacob Stockdale and Rob Herring for Sunday’s crucial European Champions Cup trip to Harlequins.
DLF