Club Statement : Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:01 am  

Official word from McManus:

"THERE is no doubt that the performance against Hull KR last Friday was nowhere near good enough from a club of the stature of St.Helens.

There has been a lot of soul searching since the defeat and we fully understand the anger and frustrations of our supporters who rightfully expect and deserve better given the strength of our squad.

Nathan Brown, the coaching staff and the players are more than capable of producing a strong end to the 2013 Super League campaign. There has never been a more important time for all at and connected with the Club, including our fans, to pull together. We have the quality of coaching staff and players to compete with and beat the best teams in Super League and to make an impact in the season-end play offs. It is still there to be done.

We have recently signed two top quality and young NRL players in Luke Walsh and Mose Masoe at a time when the differential in salary cap with Super League was producing a seemingly one way exodus. Nathan Brown and his coaching reputation was critical to this success as was the standing and reputation of the St.Helens Club. This can only augur well.

Although our current poor set of results are justifiably uppermost in all our minds presently, it must not be ignored that we are building a new, talented and young squad after a couple of seasons of transition and in a season when a number of senior players are set to retire or leave the Club. We have handed eight debuts to young players this season and all but Alex Walmsley have come from our youth system. There is no doubt that we are building a strong squad for the future and in the right manner, and we must not lose sight of that.

That said, we fully expect the current first team squad to have a strong end to the season and we have full confidence in them fulfilling their collective talent, which is a good as any in the Super League.

As per my comments no more than a fortnight ago, there is no room left for sub-par performances either from the team or from individual players. We may well have had some bad luck this season but we must also face up to the fact that some of our performances have been well below rightful expectations. The rest of the season gives us the opportunity to correct that.

We will work tirelessly to reach the highest standards which we always seek to set.

It is only together that we are stronger and there is no doubt that that the continued support of our loyal fans is key to that togetherness."


Thoughts? Some may see it as more hot air? Some may see an excuse?

Re: Club Statement : Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:08 am  

Interesting. It's good that he's acknowledging the substandard nature of our performances at times this year, and isn't clinging to injuries as an excuse. It's also good to see him reiterating his statements of two weeks ago.

I think most will find the stuff about us having a squad as good as any in Super League a little hard to swallow, though.

Re: Club Statement : Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:14 am  

"when a number of senior players are set to retire or leave the Club"

Does this mean second thoughts over Wellens and Frankie? Maybe he is just referring to Meli and TP. Either way i think some players may be playing for their futures at the club.


Then again it may all be hot air!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Club Statement : Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:14 am  

He's trying to change the mind of those giving up their season tickets next year.

Re: Club Statement : Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:14 am  

On second reading, this caught my eye:

'and in a season when a number of senior players are set to retire or leave the Club'

By 'a number', he might just mean three (Meli, TP and Perry), but in context he sounds like he's referring to a larger exodus.

Re: Club Statement : Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:15 am  

The only thing that would have made me happy would have been

P.s
We have signed chase

Re: Club Statement : Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:21 am  

Dux wrote:

I think most will find the stuff about us having a squad as good as any in Super League a little hard to swallow, though.

To be fair, a lot of people (neutrals and Saints fans alike) had us down for top2 finish this year, a fair few had us for top spot.

It is clear that is a squad with quality that is badly underperforming.

Re: Club Statement : Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:24 am  

"Building a new and talented squad"

He means Walsh and Maose.

Re: Club Statement : Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:25 am  

FearTheVee wrote:

To be fair, a lot of people (neutrals and Saints fans alike) had us down for top2 finish this year, a fair few had us for top spot.

It is clear that is a squad with quality that is badly underperforming.

True. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I'll hold my hand up and say I thought we'd be up there this season. However, I think the way this year has panned out has highlighted weaknesses in the squad (particularly at HB and in the front row) as much as it has underperformance (although Gaskellgate and Perry's difficulties haven't helped).

Re: Club Statement : Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:39 am  

It's a difficult one for him. If he sacks Brown, we're back to square one and lets face it no coach could win a trophy with this squad. Having said that Eamon again goes on about the strength of the squad in his statement as if he believes it's actually a good squad, which isn't accurate.

His statement and it's validity can only be judged on his actions between now and the start of next season. If he says all the above then hands Paul Wellens and Anthony Laffranchi new contracts it becomes invalid and there was no point him saying any of it because he's lying. If he stays true to his words about there being no room for poor performances from the team or individual players, Wellens and Laffranchi have to go.

If there is no room for further poor performance from the team and we lose to Cas, does Brown get sacked? If we lose to Wigan, do Wellens, Laffranchi, Howarth and co get released?