Hiya guys.
I thought I'd give this a few days whilst it was still raw, and plenty of emotion has been poured out over this thread I see. Understandable really.
You were massively improved almost instantly when Smith came in, with the team that Webster had - was this just players playing for full time contacts or playing for the new coach???? I asked a few people this at the time and of course nobody can really answer, but it certainly is interesting.
With regard to him losing the dressing room and being a bully, Wakefield have shown far better character this season than last and certainly more purpose and pride in their performance. You went 26-0 down in frankly pathetic fashion on Sunday but showed a big pair of kahones to fight back - last year that'd have been a 60 or 70, of that I have no doubt.
I fail to see how much greater qualified and experienced coach will come along for you guys, he seems universally respected in the game as a coach. I don't believe for a second that he didn't have the heart for the fight, else why would he have come in the first place??? The situation when he arrived is far improved now than it was when he came in.
Mr Carter has come out and said "we have had a frosty relationship" so I don't think the players have had any bearing on this. He's admitted himself that he's left as they weren't seeing eye to eye. Perhaps Mr Carter expected more from the team, however this doesn't explain why the situation has been frosty since Christmas.....
Surely then, the only reason that fits the bill is that Smith wanted/expected more funding that simply wasn't available.
I have smelled a bit of a rat when Carter said this is your most expensive squad ever.... In which case, how can the books be balanced now but you were massively in arrears before??? And who is accountable for the lions share of these wages??? Kirmond? Scruton? Anderson? If so then who agreed these deals?
I appreciate Mr Carter has taken your club from the brink and needs commending massively for that. But it seems as if his tenure is coming to an end, or needs to be - if high quality coaches are leaving due to disagreements with him, then what else? This will obviously result in players being put off signing for your club.....
The names I've heard being branded about as replacements only have 2 things in common - a weaker CV and, probably crucially, will want less money.
I feel Mr Carter will want somebody who won't complain about the current situation, as it is apparent no more money will be available on the playing squad.
Who can get the best out of these players, that's assuming you aren't seeing it already?
I'm astounded by people calling for John Kear. It was a pitchfork and torch job when he left.....
I was gonna throw a couple of names in the hat but I actually can't think of anyone cheap, available, willing and with that much ambition
