There’s no doubt we were terrible today, and have been pretty poor all season, and for the past several seasons. I know this will be controversial on this forum, but the bottom line is that the problem isn’t mainly the coach - the players just aren’t good enough. Only one or two of current squad would have made the team during our golden period. Plenty of us will say that this team is largely recruited by RS, and that’s true. However, in a salary capped sport and when we’ve been so poor for so long, how can we expect to attract the best players? The bottom line is that we need top class young players to progress through the ranks just as they did in the early 2000s. Well then be able to attract decent and established players, just as during our Golden period. I think Ian Blease first priority should be sorting out the youth pipeline, not the coach.
You can’t just solve things with the players and recruitment. The head coach is a hugely important role and hugely influential. We have some talented players and some talented young players but Smith cannot get them playing well nor have we seen any young player improve under Smith. You have to get the head coach right as they will set the club on the right path
There's no way we can afford to leave Smith in place and wait years for juniors to come through. You can't attract the best players, even juniors, if the first team is a joke.
Once were Loiners wrote:The only reason he's still there is because of the DoR appointment. That bought him some time, but it seems fairly clear that the players have given up on him as a fair few look like they aren't even trying to play well any more. He may have one more week as I doubt the club will want to take any attention away from celebrating Burrow next home game.
I wouldn't be surprised if they turn in a good (or at least much better) performance because of Rob, but if anything that will expose that the players are no longer playing for the coach, and its hard to see this season not just collapsing in a heap if he stays.
I actually think celebrating Rob is the part of the reason Rohan should be gone before Leigh. Another dire performance and the subsequent unrest and atmosphere it would cause when we should be celebrating the great man….no thank you. He deserves better imo.
Joined: May 18 2007 Posts: 2090 Location: Dirranbandi
Rommel wrote:Again what do you see in Oledski?
He’s suffered with being the defacto pack leader of a club whose history is blighted with having a weak pack. Way before GH took over, this was the case. Turned around, in spectacular fashion by the ‘statement’ signing of Barrie McDermott, then the mo monsterous side under Graham Murray.
Even Tony Smith, after the 2004 pack’s dominance, accepted his fate, and tried to implement the team full of middles, ahead of the game.
Tom holroyd and Oledski shouid have a few experienced old props around them.it’s gross negligence. I’ll spell check this in the morning, possibly delete the whole thing if it’s too incoherent.
I think people are too defensive of Oledzki. He's not terrible, but he is not and never will be a pack leader. He just doesn't have that mongrel in him. Holroyd could be a big plus but he seems all over the place this season, not helped by injuries.
The other props are worse - Sangare plays like a big pudding, Lisone is the flattest of flat track bullies, and Goudemand isn't big enough. Hudson was a hit and hope signing, and so far a complete dud as backup - not his fault we signed someone who was already injured. After that we've played Donaldson, who is only a prop nowadays because he's too slow for the back row, and he started the first game of the season. Our prop rotation must be close to the worst in the league on paper, let alone when they actually play.
Barrie’s Glass Eye wrote:I actually think celebrating Rob is the part of the reason Rohan should be gone before Leigh. Another dire performance and the subsequent unrest and atmosphere it would cause when we should be celebrating the great man….no thank you. He deserves better imo.
I agree whole heartedly.. The next game should be about celebrating Robs achievements on and off the pitch. The inevitable booing of Rohan the fraud shouldn't be a thing. He needs removing from the premises before the game.
I'm still intrigued Christopher, Jim, leedsbarmyarmy et al, when you were scoffing t the criticism of RS and insisting that we were a much different team to last year, that we're progressing, what on earth were you watching?!
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