Re: Powell OUT : Sun Aug 14, 2022 11:29 am  

Sorry, but I expect us to hit the ground running and I for one will be very disappointed if we aren't among the frontrunners by Easter.

By then, Powell will have had two off seasons, built his own squad, brought it some very expensive recruits, sounded out the players, got rid of bad apples and given some of the youngsters a blooding.

The excuses have to stop at some point. This isn't about Powell this is about Wires getting a return on BIG investment, regardless of who is coach.

The whole self-deprecating "always our year" thing is becoming annoying, it's no longer ironic it sticks in ny throat.

Re: Powell OUT : Sun Aug 14, 2022 12:14 pm  

That interview (assuming he is being completely open), makes it clear that he was brought in to completely overhaul the team, and in double quick time. “change management” is now a massive industry due to the recognised issues in trying to get organisations, and the people in the organisation to accept and even embrace the change.
Looking at the first team squad it is a relatively small organisation so to put into effect the changes required has meant a significant change in personnel. I suspect that the Club felt the issues were so deep rooted that drastic changes were required in a short space of time no matter what the risk.
It looks like we have survived the major surgery (fingers crossed) the question is will we come back healthier.
Given the brief he was given Powell will almost certainly be given the whole of next season to demonstrate progress unless the wheels totally fall off and we are staring at relegation again at this time next year.
So I think it is safe to assume that he will have the backing of the Board and any views fans may have to the contrary is going to have no effect whatsoever. And to be fair if Powell has done what the Board asked then they should support him.

Re: Powell OUT : Sun Aug 14, 2022 12:48 pm  

It does seem like Powell has come up against an attempt for "player power" to try to resist his attempt to overhaul things, probably because they preferred things the way they were before.

In a competitive environment like professional sport if you have players trying to undermine the coach the team is going to lose. The players will know that if the losses mount up, the coach's position is more under threat than theirs is. Often players will win this battle as they can swing public opinion against the coach through keeping losing and through releasing breadcrumbs through friends on social media about how the coach has lost the dressing room.

The only way the coach can get through it is if he has the full backing of the board, is willing to suck up criticism and keep focused on ridding the squad of the players who aren't on board and get to the other side.

The interesting thing to watch is how the players who get moved on perform at their next clubs and which if any play at a level which makes us think "that's a Grand Final winning standard player right there and we messed up by moving him on". Might happen with Cooper. Anyone else?

Re: Powell OUT : Sun Aug 14, 2022 3:02 pm  

morrisseyisawire wrote:

Sorry, but I expect us to hit the ground running and I for one will be very disappointed if we aren't among the frontrunners by Easter.

By then, Powell will have had two off seasons, built his own squad, brought it some very expensive recruits, sounded out the players, got rid of bad apples and given some of the youngsters a blooding.

The excuses have to stop at some point. This isn't about Powell this is about Wires getting a return on BIG investment, regardless of who is coach.

The whole self-deprecating "always our year" thing is becoming annoying, it's no longer ironic it sticks in ny throat.

Crucially, he won't have had two off seasons with the same players. The first off season was basically a clear out.

He's only really had a settled squad squad for a short time with all the comings and goings, a few injuries, and the bedding in of young players. Only 2 months ago we'd have had no Wardle, no Nicholson, no Harrison (injury return), no Dufty, and no Michaele. Come the off season, he needs to integrate another 4 players in Dudson, Kasiano, Vaughan and Mcguire. That's 9 players who'll, I guessing, be integral to the squad and they'll have been with us for less than a year by Easter. Plus our young players who'll be developing and making mistakes as they've been thrown in at the deep end through no fault of their own.

Taking this into consideration, which of the more established sides are you expecting us to usurp to challenge as front runners by Easter? I'm guessing your expectations are to be alongside Stains and Wigan if we're front runners - is that realistic? I hope we are, but I'd be surprised.

I think we need to be looking for improvements game by game. Defence needs to be moving forward and more solid as Ratticusfinch has mentioned. And throughout the season our attacking structures need to be taking shape so by the end of the season, we're in the playoffs and a threat to any side. I don't expect us to be in the top 3, because we'll have lost ground early doors, but by the end of the season, we can be optimistic that we're capable of turning any of the top sides over on the day. And who knows where that'll lead to.

Re: Powell OUT : Sun Aug 14, 2022 3:43 pm  

One of my main problems is knowing what to believe. We know that all sorts of tittle tattle/made up stories are re-gurigated. A few weeks back our two new imports were out for the season. What exactly do you believe?

Re: Powell OUT : Sun Aug 14, 2022 4:02 pm  

From that interview with Powell, one thing is clear, unless things go extremely badly wrong, then he's here for 3 years minimum.

Its obvious the board have given him a 3 year project, on the basis that they recognised the playing squad had been taking the p!ss for the previous few years under Price.

I'd reckon that his job is basically as follows...

Year 1, 2022 - assess the squad and clear out the dead wood & trouble makers, with results being almost secondary in the grand scheme of things.

Year 2 2023 - once rid of the unrequired players and with new players in (note the 2 year contracts), it will be a season of 'bedding in', showing improvement and some sort of plan coming into place - I'd suggest that again, results will be almost secondary and that a lack of trophies, and even a lack of seriously challenging for trophies will be seen as acceptable by the board, as long as the side is shown as competing in games on a consistent basis - Play off qualification will be seen as a success and putting up a half decent show in them will be seen as big success.

Year 3 2024 - This will be the year when Powell will be expected to deliver. A serious challenge for all trophies will be a minimum and of it doesn't arrive, then I'd expect that when he will exit the club.

While many on here won't agree with this, that is, I suspect, the reality of the situation and so I'd suggest that extending this particular thread might have as much use as p!ssing in a strong breeze - whatever your opinion on him, Powell is here to stay.

Re: Powell OUT : Sun Aug 14, 2022 4:10 pm  

Has Powell not already gone on record as saying that he believes we can challenge for and have a chance of winning ‘Championship’ next season?

Therefore, surely that needs to be the aim and what our expectations should be based upon?

Re: Powell OUT : Sun Aug 14, 2022 4:11 pm  

We are not actually safe from relegation yet!

Re: Powell OUT : Sun Aug 14, 2022 4:20 pm  

sally cinnamon wrote:

It does seem like Powell has come up against an attempt for "player power" to try to resist his attempt to overhaul things, probably because they preferred things the way they were before.

In a competitive environment like professional sport if you have players trying to undermine the coach the team is going to lose. The players will know that if the losses mount up, the coach's position is more under threat than theirs is. Often players will win this battle as they can swing public opinion against the coach through keeping losing and through releasing breadcrumbs through friends on social media about how the coach has lost the dressing room.

The only way the coach can get through it is if he has the full backing of the board, is willing to suck up criticism and keep focused on ridding the squad of the players who aren't on board and get to the other side.

The interesting thing to watch is how the players who get moved on perform at their next clubs and which if any play at a level which makes us think "that's a Grand Final winning standard player right there and we messed up by moving him on". Might happen with Cooper. Anyone else?

In fairness, the players you accuse of undermining the coach, throwing games, trying to get him sacked, we have not heard their voice.
So why listen to one side of the story from the coach who has confessed that he was not equipped to handle the challenge he says he was given by the directors.
Looking at experienced players, the so called bad apples, like Cooper, Widdop and Charnley, all shipped out appeared to be no worse than the likes of Holmes and Matautia who the coach brought in as examples of what he wants from his players.
There may be a number of reasons why people don't get on with their boss. One reason could be being told that he doesn't rate you and he will move you on asap. Another could be his communication and listening skills are poor, do it my way or else.
You say players can throw a few breadcrumbs of info to friends designed to undermine the coach. What about the coach giving his sob story to the local rag about what a hard season he has had? He can't have it both ways, it has to be fair on both sides.
We will see how the team progresses, hopefully, the lessons Powell has said he has learned will improve his coaching skills and we will have a successful season. And the players who have been moved on, I wish them the best too.

Re: Powell OUT : Sun Aug 14, 2022 4:28 pm  

Moe syslak wrote:

We are not actually safe from relegation yet!

.
Think Toulouse will get the backlash for the Pies` defeat today, when they play each other this Friday.

Can`t see Wire getting a win at Leeds either, but it will be another weekend, where we maintain the 6 point gap between us and them and they will then need to win virtually all their remaining games to overtake us.