Poching : Sat Aug 20, 2022 12:54 pm  

I have been critical of Poching this year. I am of the strong view that some people are just meant to be assistants, and mid-season that fitted Willie, with some dreadful performances and weird selections and strange comments before vital games (eg, performance counting more against Toulouse). However, he has done something Chester was unable to do, and that is lift us out of the rut.

When Chester was in charge, once we hit a bad run, we never got out of it. I remember when we had a similar season to this in 2019, we couldn't buy a win and performances didn't massively improve. This year, however, Willie seems to have addressed whatever shortcomings there were, brought on some good young players, and got us playing well and with confidence.

The job isn't done just yet, need either one more win or one more Toulouse loss, but he has overseen a remarkable turnaround at the right end of the season.

So, I'm up to my gills in humble pie. Excellent stuff. Well done to all.

[Wildthing]

Re: Poching : Sat Aug 20, 2022 3:54 pm  

Slugger McBatt wrote:

However, he has done something Chester was unable to do, and that is lift us out of the rut.

Not to mention beat Cas ..

Re: Poching : Sat Aug 20, 2022 4:12 pm  

Wildthing wrote:

Not to mention beat Cas ..

Jesus wept! Is that the limit of our ambition.
Probably when you let players like Bachelor slip from our grasp

Re: Poching : Sat Aug 20, 2022 4:18 pm  

I think some of the recent wins have papered over the cracks. We won 9 from 24 last season, this year we're 8 from the same amount of games so in theory we've got worse. I think the jury's still out and whether he stays beyond next term will depend on his recruitment this winter. And it's been hit and miss so far.

Re: Poching : Sat Aug 20, 2022 5:18 pm  

imwakefieldtillidie wrote:

I think some of the recent wins have papered over the cracks. We won 9 from 24 last season, this year we're 8 from the same amount of games so in theory we've got worse. I think the jury's still out and whether he stays beyond next term will depend on his recruitment this winter. And it's been hit and miss so far.

Strange take. The 9 last year included 5/7 under Poching's coaching.

Re: Poching : Sat Aug 20, 2022 5:52 pm  

A Coach who as gambled on youth and it as worked big time .

[PopTart]

Re: Poching : Sat Aug 20, 2022 6:00 pm  

So Willie is on 13 from 31 in Super League
42%

The last coach with a better record was David Topliss!

Re: Poching : Sat Aug 20, 2022 7:18 pm  

Im seeing a coach thrown in a v difficult situation who has his team wanting to play for him and showing grit, determination and desire ! Im also seeing teams like Hull , Warrington with more money than we've ever seen playing rubbish and their coaches and Ceo looking distraught and not a clue what to do ......

[Wildthing]

Re: Poching : Sun Aug 21, 2022 6:06 am  

wotsupcas wrote:

Jesus wept! Is that the limit of our ambition.
Probably when you let players like Bachelor slip from our grasp

Who said anything about ambition? but it was bloody marvelous to finally get that hoodoo of our backs.
Regarding Bachelor - he has stated he wants a fresh challenge, you can't make a player stay. Jeez.

Re: Poching : Sun Aug 21, 2022 6:50 am  

By all accounts he’s not the shouty waving arms in the air kind of coach giving players the Ferguson treatment, and I for one am very happy he looks to be turning things around and looking forward to him stamping more of his authority on his team ,especially with new players coming into the mix in the coming weeks/months .He may not be the messiah we all hope for to turn our club into a cup challenging team on a regular basis ,but for that I’m afraid bigger finances go cap in hand .imo If we can get mid table respectability on a regular basis ,which hopefully will help build our fan base along with the new development,I’d say that’s about as much as we can hope for at this present time in the club’s history.As previously said we’ve nearly all to a man said how the team wants a good pruning and freshness bringing back in, but then when that process begins in earnest the condemnations and finger pointing starts in earnest .Those who seek their opportunities elsewhere go with my blessings and hopefully go on to fulfil their ambitions ,this for me gives someone else a chance to step up to the plate and showcase their skills ,and by doing so we just might uncover another gem that thrives in a first team environment,and I’m sure Applegarth will have a few names already shortlisted that he’s confident can do just that .