Nothing changes, a new season and the same old problems. : Sun Feb 22, 2009 8:43 am  

Each season its the same at Warrington where the fans think to themselves that maybe this is the year where we shed the inconsistency tag only to be served up the same old rubbish, the squad gets stronger each year yet the same problems still exist.

Conceding 40 pts at home isn`t acceptable especially against a side thats had a very disruptive pre season without a warm up game, last week against St Helens it would also have been over 30pts conceded but for Sean Long`s poor goal kicking which saved us that embarrassment.

Last week against St Helens we scored 6pts in the 2nd half, this week against Catalan we scored 2pts in the 2nd half. This isn`t something new with our poor 2nd half showings, the same happened last year as well in quite a few games. The defence remains a huge problem, i said at the time when we appointed Jimmy Lowes that he was just as responsible as Karl Harrison was for Salford shipping in a lot of points before Harrison lost his job.

Ive said this on numerous occasions in the past which is the following, who do we have on our board that is ruthless enough to make the tough decisions ? Paul Cullen was awarded a new 2 year deal for achieving mediocrity, Jon Clarke being awarded a 4 year deal was simply breath taking, its not so much the fact he was offered a new deal but a 4 year contract for being part of a team that was underperming in a big way again was staggering.

Stuart Reardon being offered a new deal was laughable based on his fairly average performances on the pitch along with his injury issues, i wouldn`t mind knowing who sanctioned that and on what basis ?

Now we have the likes of Matt King thinking its a big laugh losing at home and conceding 40pts in the process, to me the attitude of some of our players stinks to high heaven, some players are performing and putting the effort in but they are being let down by too many passnegers that look like they are here for an easy ride. I feel sorry for the hard working fans that are spending their hard earned money and are looking forward to watching their pride and joy each week only to be served up that rubbish on a regular basis.

The board needs to get tough and i mean in a way that they become ruthless, if the present board are not capable of that then they are not the right board for this club. Business is a tough world and our business needs to get tougher where it doesn`t accept underperformers and mediocrity.

If i were Simon Moran i would have the lot of them in this morning and tell them that if attitudes don`t change then their names will be forwarded to other clubs as players that are available, contracts can be taken over so thats not a problem. Also threaten them with under 21`s rugby as i would rather have a kid in the team thats giving 100% than an overpaid import thats here for a laugh and a paid holiday.

The game last night isn`t worth commenting on as thats been done in quite a few threads.

Rant over.....

: Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:53 am  

What I don't understand is even with a completely new squad (with the exception of a handful) and a new coach we're still having the same problems we had a year ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago... What's going on at that club at all?? It's got to be something more than Lowes, Monas, King, Penny, latest scape goat as they weren't here a few years ago or a few years before that. I just don't get how no matter what the squad or coaching situation is we just don't get any better.

: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:01 am  

The problem starts at the top - the board. Why they persist on bringing in terrible coaches I do not know. It's hilarious from a Saints POV, but for the games sake you want as many competitive teams as possible.

If you had a good coach (an Australian!!!) then you'd be challenging for the top 3. The deadwood wouldn't last more than a season and the attitude of alot of your players would change considerably. You may or may not win anything - you can't really judge a hypothetical situation - but you'd see a considerable difference in consistency levels and attitude.

: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:06 am  

How many games should Lowes be given before the chop? Two games this season where we have not competed in the second half, add to that the poor end to last season. He talks the talk about players not being in the squad if they don't perform but so far his only scapegoat is Kevin Penny. After last night the shocking facts are we can not defend our own line FULL STOP. To concede two tries when the opposition are down to 12 men is shocking but if you give them the ball all the time on the first or second tackle then that's what you have to accept.

: Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:57 am  

I think another worrying aspect for Wire, apart from the obvious, which is the defence, is the seemingly lack of pride in the jersey.

The team at the moment just resembles a bunch of individuals, absolutely no team spirit, body language on the pitch is absolutely awful.

Look at them when they concede a try...Just blank stares, players looking to the ground, hardly any of them showing any passion....Defeat is accepted with almost a shrug of the shoulders.

This problem has arose from the fact we have brought in all these overpaid players, who care little for Warrington, caring only for their pay packets....It says something when our most passionate performer seems to be Riley, a lad brought through the system, somebody who actually cares for Wire the club, not just Wire the employer.

I know its impractical in this day and age, but until contracts actually reward performance on the field then I'm afraid we will continue with this cycle of under-acheivement...Only when we get a good number of local lads making up the team will performances start to show the passion that fans demand.

: Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:04 pm  

The latest local lad has wasn't in the squad at all yesterday...Due to a coach who doesn't rate him and fans that blame him for everything...

Last nights limp wristed effort showed Lowes up for the Sub Standard coach that he is...

Half Backs not involved at all...Boring Bradford esc 5 drives and a kick rugby....

Poor Discipline And paper thin defence .....

: Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:18 pm  

I don't really care where they come from as long as they perform and do there job to the best of their ability, this squad is disjointed, misguided,
and deluded if they think they are a team. Look at Les Cats, one minibus of support, a dull cold february night in warrington, a long journey to contend with and they gave 100%. where does that motivation come from?
a team needs to have the same mutual goals and respect for each other,
complete that with great leadeship and we culd have winners on our hands.
by our displays on the pitch we have neither, clever plays, tactics, skill, dont come into the game until these problems can be solved.
I Despair!!!

: Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:38 pm  

One thing that has changed in ten years is our financial situation.

Now...the coaching staff is uncapped...Shouldnt a reasonable chunk be kept aside for this world class coach we were promised. If the board wont pay the going rate for a winning coach then we wont win.

Unless Lowes is on a higher rate than say...cullen, then perhaps he's smarter than we give him credit for

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:56 am  

Rugbychick™ wrote:

What I don't understand is even with a completely new squad (with the exception of a handful) and a new coach we're still having the same problems we had a year ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago... What's going on at that club at all?? It's got to be something more than Lowes, Monas, King, Penny, latest scape goat as they weren't here a few years ago or a few years before that. I just don't get how no matter what the squad or coaching situation is we just don't get any better.

maybe it is the handful that are the problem ?!

: Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:11 am  

Contracts can be taken over, but who is going to take Monas and Kings contract over. I would imagine every club in Oz would have to give them a much reduced salary and I doubt any club over here will be kicking our door down for them. That's another problem I see.

But, as I said in another thread, lowes and ALL the coaching staff must go, not just the head coack, all of them. Fresh start with a top class coach is what we need.

Who that man is is another question, we can only speculate, but if you want the best you have to go out and get them.