Given the lack of imagination, flair, pace etc... : Sun May 27, 2012 8:55 pm  

... do we really WANT Rush taking up his old role of Academy coach when Brown comes in (assuming he does)?

I know Mike Rush is regarded as bomb proof by many. But there have been some very dubious calls made over the last few weeks which must raise questions about his competency for that KEY position.

I mean, taking on Wigan - a team noted for its speed in the backs - with arguably our slowest combination, on a red hot day, on a flat, dry and very quick pitch?

His continued reliance on Lomax as play maker. His questionable decision to bench Gaskell and then freeze him out. His total unwillingness to address the long overdue problem at full back. The bizarre treatment of Dixon - who seemed to be coming on well at the start of the season - only to have his streak of success cut short early. The continued absence of Foster, who for all his troubles in defence has consistently piled up points (tries as well as goals) whenever he has played. The ridiculous over-reliance on Roby - who might well be capable of 80 minutes, but this doesn't mean 80 minutes at full tilt. Jones and Swift both acquitted themselves well recently - yet both have now sunk without trace (odd, especially as Jones seems physically ready for SL right now). And there's the issue of established first team players seemingly guaranteed their place - regardless of form. Foster has a few bad games and he's out. Gaskell wasn't even playing badly and yet he was iced. Yet Francis Meli, Shenton and Wilkin have been stinking the place out for some time now and very little action takes place.

A lot of issues here.

Re: Given the lack of imagination, flair, pace etc... : Sun May 27, 2012 9:01 pm  

When he took over it was a case of damage limitation. He even stated he was going to go back to using the 'old heads'. However, now he really shouldn't be relying on the same team week in week out. Give Gaskell, Jones, Foster, Dixon and Forster more game time. It's time to throw caution to the wind and try and entertain us.

Re: Given the lack of imagination, flair, pace etc... : Sun May 27, 2012 9:04 pm  

Mugwump wrote:

... do we really WANT Rush taking up his old role of Academy coach when Brown comes in (assuming he does)?

I know Mike Rush is regarded as bomb proof by many. But there have been some very dubious calls made over the last few weeks which must raise questions about his competency for that KEY position.

I mean, taking on Wigan - a team noted for its speed in the backs - with arguably our slowest combination, on a red hot day, on a flat, dry and very quick pitch?

His continued reliance on Lomax as play maker. His questionable decision to bench Gaskell and then freeze him out. His total unwillingness to address the long overdue problem at full back. The bizarre treatment of Dixon - who seemed to be coming on well at the start of the season - only to have his streak of success cut short early. The continued absence of Foster, who for all his troubles in defence has consistently piled up points (tries as well as goals) whenever he has played. The ridiculous over-reliance on Roby - who might well be capable of 80 minutes, but this doesn't mean 80 minutes at full tilt. Jones and Swift both acquitted themselves well recently - yet both have now sunk without trace (odd, especially as Jones seems physically ready for SL right now). And there's the issue of established first team players seemingly guaranteed their place - regardless of form. Foster has a few bad games and he's out. Gaskell wasn't even playing badly and yet he was iced. Yet Francis Meli, Shenton and Wilkin have been stinking the place out for some time now and very little action takes place.

A lot of issues here.

I have been told by someone who has had experiance in dealing with him that he is an arrogant person who treats the kids coming through like they are his bitches. He could do this because he had a riches of potential talent coming through and could therefore have the "if you don't like it then p_ss off somewhere else as we've got plenty more who will do as I want" attitude.

He doesn't do "nurture" and he has little appreciation of team tactics having only dealt with individuals.
A bizzare knee jerk appointment.

Re: Given the lack of imagination, flair, pace etc... : Sun May 27, 2012 10:46 pm  

He does come across a bit of a thick lover in interviews too.

Re: Given the lack of imagination, flair, pace etc... : Sun May 27, 2012 10:53 pm  

Carlos Alberto wrote:

When he took over it was a case of damage limitation. He even stated he was going to go back to using the 'old heads'. However, now he really shouldn't be relying on the same team week in week out. Give Gaskell, Jones, Foster, Dixon and Forster more game time. It's time to throw caution to the wind and try and entertain us.

Listen, you're doing alright. You're entertaining me.

Re: Given the lack of imagination, flair, pace etc... : Sun May 27, 2012 11:51 pm  

I don't go off rumours of what people are like without knowing myself. Rush is in a tough position.

The one thing that did annoy me was the 'we weren't far off' attitude after the last Wigan game. Anyone who knows anything about rugby could see this result coming. It is one thing backing your players, it is another to make such a ridiculous judgement. I simply hope he didn't actually believe what he said.

Re: Given the lack of imagination, flair, pace etc... : Mon May 28, 2012 12:57 am  

My biggest concern is whether he has the stones to stand up to players he's been around for years. As academy supremo he could afford to be chummy with the first teamers knowing it wouldn't give rise to conflict. But friendships go out of the window when you are in the hot seat. So far Rush has been ruthless with the kids. Both Foster and Gaskell have been out of the side for longer than any dropped first teamer I can recall going back through Simmons, Potter, Anderson and Millward. I mean, Foster made mistakes - but more than Meli, or Shenton, or Wheeler or even Lance? Poor Gaskell must have watched the game today and wondered how he could have been overlooked.

Re: Given the lack of imagination, flair, pace etc... : Mon May 28, 2012 11:35 am  

Mugwump wrote:

My biggest concern is whether he has the stones to stand up to players he's been around for years. As academy supremo he could afford to be chummy with the first teamers knowing it wouldn't give rise to conflict. But friendships go out of the window when you are in the hot seat. So far Rush has been ruthless with the kids. Both Foster and Gaskell have been out of the side for longer than any dropped first teamer I can recall going back through Simmons, Potter, Anderson and Millward. I mean, Foster made mistakes - but more than Meli, or Shenton, or Wheeler or even Lance? Poor Gaskell must have watched the game today and wondered how he could have been overlooked.

I have no problem with Foster sinking without a trace, but the treatment of Dixon and Gaskell does seem very odd. His period in charge is certainly doing nothing for his reputation, and maybe his "job for life" in charge of the kids must come in to question.

Re: Given the lack of imagination, flair, pace etc... : Mon May 28, 2012 11:51 am  

SomersetSaint wrote:

I have no problem with Foster sinking without a trace, but the treatment of Dixon and Gaskell does seem very odd. His period in charge is certainly doing nothing for his reputation, and maybe his "job for life" in charge of the kids must come in to question.

I really don't understand the antipathy people have toward Foster. Yes, he's made a few mistakes in defence. But defence is one of the easiest problems to address with a good coach. And Foster's blunders surely can't outweigh those of several others at the club - including established first team pros.

For a guy with supposedly few talents he sure manages to cross the whitewash often. He's good with the ball in his hands, supports the ball carrier far more often than Gardner & Meli and you can always rely on him to kick goals. And let's not forget that he's yet to flesh out. He may gain a yard of pace - in which case he'd become a very useful asset.

As for his "confidence". I like that in a player. Provided he learns from his mistakes and channels that confidence in the right areas I don't see a problem.

Re: Given the lack of imagination, flair, pace etc... : Mon May 28, 2012 12:42 pm  

Mugwump wrote:

... do we really WANT Rush taking up his old role of Academy coach when Brown comes in (assuming he does)?
.

Mike Rush hasnt been directly involved with coaching the academy or under 20's for some time.
Ian Talbot and Derek Traynor are the actual team coaches.
Mike Rush was and is, the high performance manager, which I presume is an administration role more about ensuring the right structures are in place to develop players, rather than directly coaching them.

Mike himself has said on tv and radio that he doesnt want to be directly involved in coaching, his skills lie elsewhere.
I think therefore it is great credit to Mike that he has taken on the burden of coaching the senior team in a period of crisis for the club. In essence he has shown a willingness to take a bullet for the club.