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I have no problem with the players meeting. They are ultimately responsible for the performance at Widnes . If Radford had kept his mouth shut to the press , we would be non the wiser .
Watch Radford's exit from the dressing room again, and Ellis' and Frank's reactions. Don't care what was said to diffuse the situation afterwards, the fact the meeting took place after that half-time exit necessitates concern, and the responses of two of our most senior players on video reflects that, imo.
As for 'rallying the troops' what other reason could there be for a players' only meeting? If it was a 'clear the air meeting' there is clearly discord within the troops that the senior players had to diffuse? Hence a rallying of troops? My argument - as is that of most objective observers - is 'Shouldn't Radford have been part of that?' If the answer to is that is in any form a negative, then the implication is that things needed to be said that Radford couldn't be party to.
And what a can of worms that opens up.
I didn't see the half time incident so I won't comment on it.
Both Ellis and Taylor said that the meeting was for the players to clear the air about what had happened during the game. Neither said anything about diffusing any discord. Neither aid anything about rallying troops. Both specifically stated that it had nothing to do with the coaching staff and was about the players taking responsibility for their own performances. Under those circumstances the exclusion of the coaching staff makes sense and, as pointed out, has happened before at other clubs. Most objective observers - in the press at least - have accepted this at face value, pointed out similarities with other player-only meetings, and said that had Radford not made his ill-judged and emotive comments at the press conference there would have been no fuss.
I understand and share the concerns in the wake of a dismal performance at Widnes and the idiocy of the previous two games but there is a danger of reading too much into this. We'll find out a lot more by seeing how the team react and perform in the next few games.
I have no problem with the players meeting. They are ultimately responsible for the performance at Widnes . If Radford had kept his mouth shut to the press , we would be non the wiser .
I didn't see the half time incident so I won't comment on it.
Both Ellis and Taylor said that the meeting was for the players to clear the air about what had happened during the game. Neither said anything about diffusing any discord. Neither aid anything about rallying troops. Both specifically stated that it had nothing to do with the coaching staff and was about the players taking responsibility for their own performances. Under those circumstances the exclusion of the coaching staff makes sense and, as pointed out, has happened before at other clubs. Most objective observers - in the press at least - have accepted this at face value, pointed out similarities with other player-only meetings, and said that had Radford not made his ill-judged and emotive comments at the press conference there would have been no fuss.
I understand and share the concerns in the wake of a dismal performance at Widnes and the idiocy of the previous two games but there is a danger of reading too much into this. We'll find out a lot more by seeing how the team react and perform in the next few games.
Agree with the last part, proof of the pudding will be seen on the pitch.
I'll just ask one more (rhetorical?) question. Do we think what trusted players say to the media always are a true reflection of events that occurred, particularly in the wake of a public foot in mouth situation such as this?
And also, I'd add, after live footage has been seen on TV (showing people who do not realise their behaviour is being aired) which has given cause for concern, rightly or not.
I have no problem with the players meeting. They are ultimately responsible for the performance at Widnes . If Radford had kept his mouth shut to the press , we would be non the wiser .
There was a " dressing room meeting " after the Wigan game also ,Views aired & words exchanged , Doesn't seem to have done any good though .
I'll just ask one more (rhetorical?) question. Do we think what trusted players say to the media always are a true reflection of events that occurred, particularly in the wake of a public foot in mouth situation such as this?
And also, I'd add, after live footage has been seen on TV (showing people who do not realise their behaviour is being aired) which has given cause for concern, rightly or not.
I tend to apply Occam's Razor to events like this unless there is plainly contradictory evidence. I've only seen Ellis' words in print but I saw the interview with Taylor and he did not look to me to be making stuff up. His response was instant, unhesitating, and forceful. He was either telling the truth as he saw it or is an excellent actor.
Interesting that despite the disappointments of the last two home games and the horrorshow at Widnes we are only one point behind Classy Cas and their superstar coach.
Interesting that despite the disappointments of the last two home games and the horrorshow at Widnes we are only one point behind Classy Cas and their superstar coach.
Why is that interesting and what point you trying to make?
I'd take Powell over Radford any day of the week and the fact with a seemingly inferior squad to ours the last 2 seasons they've finished above us proves who the better coach is.
Take your blinkers off and you might see that and that Radford is out of his depth.