As some of you know season before last I always travelled home and away with the cougars and have done for a long time but as last season went on I didn't get to many games and started doing what a lot of fans were doing in picking games to go to. Today I decided not to go as I knew we were going to have 20-30 put past us. I think todays team should have been full strength or as near to full strength as we could since the real business starts next week. I'm going to be optimistic and agree with all the excuses that Buster was suspended, we have injuries and players were at a Christening
and when Whitehaven come to town next week we are going to get back to winning ways. Yes I'm been sarcastic to be totally honest.To be truthful this has to be dealt with now before we go any further because this season means too much to us fans and the town and if managed and promoted correctly this year could put our club back on the map in Rugby League and become the club so many of us dreamed of back in the day but all I can see is a dog fight at the bottom of the table where we could end up playing the likes of hemel and scorpions. People will say it's far too early, I'm causing a fuss over nothing and all the other brush under the carpet sayings. It is crucial we finish in the top eight this year as the money on offer could transform our club and team like something we havent seen in years and imagine how Cougar park would come back to life once again.
Paul March is a real nice and what seems to be a genuine bloke which we all agree. He has a great Rugby head too when he's on form on the pitch but as for Head Coach he's not for me and in my opinion not for this club. I really dont think the players are buying in to him. Out of four friendlies we have won one which was a team that had just gained promotion and to be honest were as poor a team I've seen in ages which made us look better than what we actually were. The season kick offs next week against a tough opposition that will have had a long journey, Whitehaven we should be beating at Cougar Park. How long will we have to wait this year and after how many losses before the board grow a pair and take action. For me if things dont improve after the first 2 games Marchy has to go so it gives a new coach enough time to sort things out.
The directors have no choice but to dig deep and find the money to bring in a top coach or seek a top player from superleague that can take on a role as JD did, there is enough players itching to get into coaching and what an opportunity would keighley be for someone. Briers and Hodgson spring to mind. The club will say we dont have the funds to pay a fulltime coach and especially a top one but isnt it worth the expense, the gamble because if it pays off the club will be stable and have access to more money than its seen in 20 years probably. I just hope as I keep saying I am totally wrong and I am proven wrong because I would love for nothing more than my little lad to enjoy the atmosphere and players that I did 20 years ago but I just have a bad feeling about this season.
All the teams we should be beating or at least taking bonus points from will be so much tougher this year as they have nothing to lose and every team week in week out will be putting their bodies, hearts and souls on the line to get that top eight finish. Its going to be long hard season.
Lastly out of interest since we have over 3000 followers on facebook and twitter how many season tickets have we sold, if you cant give us an exact fugure for what ever reasons then a ball park figure would be good. many clubs release to their supporters season ticket sales. if Hello trouble or someone could help I'd be grateful.