Smiths After Match Conference. : Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:18 am  

here “We may have to make some changes to the squad in terms of who starts games and who gets a start next week but in terms of getting rid of people or getting people in – it’s a time to stick together really.

here “We may have to make some changes to the squad in terms of who starts games and who gets a start next week but in terms of getting rid of people or getting people in – it’s a time to stick together really.

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:37 am  

IMO he's spot on with that, he will ask the players to respond and if they don't he'll move them on, i just hope the club will back him fully on this.

Lets face it JL would rant and rave and threaten the players and that won't work, so let TS do his job and weed out the unwanted ones. It won't be easy and it won't happen overnight but he will do it.

I'm sure he's seen enough already and will take whatever steps are needed to solve the problems but he'll do it in his own laid back way.

Just a outsider looking in

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:17 am  

I'm heartened by Smiths comments after yesterday's debacle.
He's a winner who's won things at the top.

Some of our players think they are but aren't.
And some of the guys who have think that reputation alone alows them to win, it doesn't.

I knew it would be unlikely that he could turn things round in a week, and some on here think there's a cancer at the club (player power?) that needs to be treated.

So I if he gets the guys to do the work and rebuild confidence and work AS A TEAM then we can start be positive.

I was a little sceptical about the appointment of Smith (because of the World Cup predominantly), but to be honest I've given the players all the support they could want over the last few years and we've still not won a trophy.
Now it's time to put faith in TS - even if any of the players get their noses put out of joint.

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:41 am  

Despite the scoreline yesterday (and I can't comment on the performance because I didn't see it) I am quite encouraged by the cut of Tony Smith's jib.

Had things been OK at the club, he wouldn't have been employed, he has been brought in to sort out the problem. The last 2 weeks has shown him the extent of the problem ie - we can compete with the current champions one week and then roll over either side of that (Wakefield / London) to a bunch of journeymen pros who are well drilled, well coached and work as a team. Warrington Wolves is an enigma - quality players who can walk with champions and rollover to the alsorans !!

We must not judge Smith on this season, he needs time to sort things out - he obvioulsy knows what needs doing, everyone - board / players / fans - must stay with him, whatever it takes.

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:46 am  

MrF wrote:

Despite the scoreline yesterday (and I can't comment on the performance because I didn't see it) I am quite encouraged by the cut of Tony Smith's jib.

Had things been OK at the club, he wouldn't have been employed, he has been brought in to sort out the problem. The last 2 weeks has shown him the extent of the problem ie - we can compete with the current champions one week and then roll over either side of that (Wakefield / London) to a bunch of journeymen pros who are well drilled, well coached and work as a team. Warrington Wolves is an enigma - quality players who can walk with champions and rollover to the alsorans !!

We must not judge Smith on this season, he needs time to sort things out - he obvioulsy knows what needs doing, everyone - board / players / fans - must stay with him, whatever it takes.

Totally agree MrF Good post...

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:48 am  

MrF wrote:

Despite the scoreline yesterday (and I can't comment on the performance because I didn't see it) I am quite encouraged by the cut of Tony Smith's jib.

Had things been OK at the club, he wouldn't have been employed, he has been brought in to sort out the problem. The last 2 weeks has shown him the extent of the problem ie - we can compete with the current champions one week and then roll over either side of that (Wakefield / London) to a bunch of journeymen pros who are well drilled, well coached and work as a team. Warrington Wolves is an enigma - quality players who can walk with champions and rollover to the alsorans !!

We must not judge Smith on this season, he needs time to sort things out - he obvioulsy knows what needs doing, everyone - board / players / fans - must stay with him, whatever it takes.

And therein lies the problem. On paper we have a top team, but on the pitch we have a group of individuals. We need a coach who can bring them together. I hope that TS can do the job because I don't think there will be a long queue of people lining up to take us on if he doesn't. He'd better be up for the challenge!

Who wants a squad of players with an attitiude and a crowd of supporters with an attitude? That's what we seem to have at the moment.

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:58 am  

Milly wrote:

And therein lies the problem. On paper we have a top team, but on the pitch we have a group of individuals. We need a coach who can bring them together. I hope that TS can do the job because I don't think there will be a long queue of people lining up to take us on if he doesn't. He'd better be up for the challenge!

Who wants a squad of players with an attitiude and a crowd of supporters with an attitude? That's what we seem to have at the moment.

Totally agree and in the long term I think we will have success, but all this booing (although sometimes it is understandable) can't help

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:01 am  

Milly wrote:

And therein lies the problem. On paper we have a top team, but on the pitch we have a group of individuals. We need a coach who can bring them together. I hope that TS can do the job because I don't think there will be a long queue of people lining up to take us on if he doesn't. He'd better be up for the challenge!

Who wants a squad of players with an attitiude and a crowd of supporters with an attitude? That's what we seem to have at the moment.

Unfortunately, I think the fans attitude is generated by the attitude shown on the pitch. Difficult cycle to break methinks.

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:15 am  

it is a well known fact that whenever one person in a group has the hump it rubs off on other people and the snow-ball effect continues

the same in rugby both on & off the field : one player doesn`t perform and it snow-balls through the team; in the terraces booing snow-balls out of control because we only see what's happening before our eyes and not the reasoning why it is happening

I have been a long-standing believer that whilst it is tortuously difficult at present as fans we should not boo nor chant, we do (well some do, I don't) because we are human and we get caught up in the emotional part the game

as fans we have all indirectly "signed up" to the fact that players are only human after all and if we respect ourselves and the players we should give the players the fullest of support at this very difficult time

the cycle is exceptionally difficult to break but as fans we have to remain positive for the sake of the players

: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:34 am  

Great stuff from Smith, I think we'll get a good idea this week and in the weeks to come who Smith thinks doesn't fancy the hard work and also who doesn't want to be with him/Smith doesn't see coming with him.

I think the salary cap prevents Smith from wielding the axe anyhow really. I'm sure he'll start getting a good idea who doesn't warrant extensions, and if people are on contract, if the club should look to offload them where possible, if it benefits all parties, like Parker last year.