Interesting reading https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/66393488

Interesting reading https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/66393488

After years of recruiting the wrong players the board admits it recruited the wrong coach and concludes it should have intervened more.

There is nothing wrong with a "hands off" approach if you get the right person.

Thorough process. All this blaming Powell doesn't sit nicely with me. Collective responsibility.

Exactly.

When I first read the whole statement, my initial thoughts were I wonder what sort of dodgy hold Fitzpatrick has over the board, because he seems to be untouchable in their eyes.

Also, it completely reeks of a bunch of incompetents trying to chuck a convenient fall guy under a bus.

As with a lot of football and rugby club owners, I do wonder how these guys have managed to make so much money in business, when they run their clubs so badly.

I think this story on the BBC will potentially put off future applicants as it sounds like the board want a 'hands-on' approach going forward?

For a group of businessmen ,they don't seem to place a lot of importance on providing a product that will attract paying customers. Very poor if it is the board that has cocked up.

Could it be a genuine case of trying too hard? Blamed for apparent interfering, blamed for letting Karl loose with the chequebook, blamed for giving an experienced coach cart blanche and backing him in trying to change our culture.

Admittedly things haven't always gone as we/they would hope, mistakes have been made BUT 'shirley' we can't accuse them of not caring or trying to find a way for us to succeed and provide us with a team to be proud off, something we can get behind.

The search continues....

In my book, as Chairman and CEO you always hold yourself accountable, and take ownership for it. And that means publicly taking the flak when things go wrong. That's the difference between a true leader, and a simple 'manager'.

I like Middleton's passion and commitment, but I can't help feeling he should be stepping back and letting someone else steer this ship with his financial input, delegating to a proven CEO with no sentimental connection.

Since taking the reins, he's thrown the players under the bus first, then thrown Powell under the bus.

I'm absolutely indebted and hugely grateful for the amount of money he commits to the club, but a leader he is not, in my humble opinion.

I feel the public hanging, drawing and quartering of Powell serves no purpose other than to attempt to deflect criticism from the board of directors. They have made some repeated poor decisions now affecting the last 3 coaches.

Result = 1 pot in 10 seasons and counting ...


Tony Smith - in role too long. Should have gone after losing the first 6 games of 2017 and failing in the 3rd GF.

Steve Price - in role too long by by 2 years (should have gone when we blew out of the playoffs in 2019)

Daryl Powell - wrong fit - un moderated wrecking ball according to Middleton.


* If we had acted when we should have with Smith, we potentially could have had Holbrook before Saints. Instead we got Price 6 months later.