I'm hearing plenty blaming the players, and rightly so, but Arthur's job as an NRL head coach so far in 2018 has been miserable. Granted he doesn't missed tackles or drop the balls, but he does prep the players and organises a gameplay to the players for games and flexibly changes tactics and even combinations if it is not working, which has led to his downfall.
The fact of the matter is, we overachieved and we have been found out, we are battered and bruised and getting old upfront, so how do we solve that? buy a 30 year old Tony Williams who's coming off an ACL injury and Evans. Had Arthur debuted a few kids tonight and lost, I would've respected him more due to the thought that he's trying something new, he's raising the stakes to the players that if they do not perform they will be dropped until they can show the form an attitude to warrant a FG spot, right now each player looks comfortable and some just aren't playing for him, he picks them out of trust and respect and they are letting him down.
Now should he be sacked straight away? Unless he loses up to 8-10 in a row, no not at all. But you cannot make top 4 with same roster with a few additions and go full 360 backwards, that's poor coaching but doesn't mean he's forgotten how to coach, but doesn't make him excused from criticism and blame for the 0-3 start.
He did fix the defence to a certain extent but mentioned our attack was not good to lack of possession? But when we had possession what did we do with it? Yes, players are awful, but who's the one that keeps picking them and not using new, young, fresh players that'll add enthusiasm, that is Arthur himself and although not 100% his fault, his stubbornness is still a big part of the problem.
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it's this magical, mythical "aura" and golden glow that follows him around. it's just hard to describe or put into words, but anyone who has had the privelege of meeting BA knows what i'm talking about.
If he cannot improve this team’s performance by 100% which is very highly unlikely then he needs to be asked to either resign or be shown the door. He’s had more than enough time to prove IF he has the goods to lead a team to success and so far he’s failed. There are also plenty of dead wood players in the team which should be shown the door as well and their needs to be some younger players given opportunities and a new coach who actually knows what he’s doing.
He’s not excused by a long shot , I just ain’t sacking him yet . He’s shown he’s happy to purchase players mid season to right the teams wrongs , so I’ll give him another few weeks before I get a pitchfork . Usually I’m a pitchfork kinda guy too , I’ll pitchfork Norma and Jayne right up the arse just give me the nod , I was pitchforkimg Kearney , Stuart and Hages before they even arrived , as I was Brett Finch , man I’m a pitchforka from waaay back , but I’ve seen enough from BA to date to have a bit of faith he can turn the season around .
I can most certainly see weakness’s in his coaching , recruitment, and retention he’s hit and miss , however I also remember the days quite well when we couldn’t even recruit that Storm winger Matt Nuffie for all the money in the world . So the fact we have a coach that can at least give me hope he’ll drag in some new blood , unless we are talking a new top line coach like Bellamy or the likes , I’ll steer clear of sacking BA for another sacked coach just yet .
Excellent well constructed blog. Spot on!!
Let me start off by saying we are not in dire straights and do not need a complete roster overhaul. We have an excellent core group of players in Gutherson, brown, tepai, Moses, French and Jennings.
BA’s been here for 5 years and we still worry about our defence. We have a stable roster and there is continuity week to week- ba doesn’t sack players week to week - but these guys still can’t figure out how to defend as a unit.
As far as attack goes, I’m not sure what on earth they spent doing all offseason, but if 3 weeks into the season they resort to 5 hitups in a set in the opposition 20 - with the game on the line, then the offseason was not productive. We have enough strike in our team to break defences. Other teams work to isolate defenders and we only did that once last night with tepai off Moses.
For me, BA has not taught these guys anything in defence or attack. We should not be fearing 50 point drubbings 5 years into coaching the same team and the fact that we’re happy that we lost and only conceded 1 try is just typical of us parra supporters accepting mediocrity like we have for the last 30 years.
If it’s not time for BA to go now, then he needs to show something and quick. In saying that though, he should definitely not be allowed to let players move on from the club, like Corey. If the board decides a new coach is needed, the new coach should decide who to keep and who to sack. If BA can’t get Corey motivated after 5 years, it’s his fault and the new coach shouldn’t have to play a makeshift 5/8 and complain that we need to go to market again for a marquee half.
There is also the issue of the top 30. This is where those juniors will come from. So you are suggesting one or more of the following:
Niukore?
Stone?
Mahoney?
Aukafolau?
Leleisiuao?
Salmon?
I haven't watched reserve grade this year, who are you suggesting is ready and better than what we have? All I know is they got flogged in their last game and I think some of these players might also be injured. Can't imagine finding a gem out of the current situation.
He’s going to have to go external to salvage this season I reckon . It’ll mean moving someone on . I’d start with offering Hayne a nice cushy job as a promo girl out shaking hands with fanboy dads or something . Then I’d be giving Norma a pass to negotiate elsewhere so hopefully we don’t have to prop up too much of his salary next year.
I think Mahoney coming off the bench can add a bit of spark for sure, though I believe Stone or Nuikore would put in the same performance if not better than say a Beau Scott at the moment wouldn't you agree? Again even if the kids do not work out at least he's trying something new instead of re-hashing whats old and needs revamping. Would rather try and see they are not up to it then not try and they perform elsewhere and we are stuck with old has beens that were good once and rely on them to capture form again.
Mahoney has something that King and Pritchard do not possess, a great pass and speed. his enthusiasm would be great for 20-25 mins on the bench, a bit like a PJ Marsh was in 2001. And Stone is hard, tough and would give his all compared to what I've seen. At least the kids would give their all to stay there over comfortable unthreatened players. hope you agree, but appreciate the view Nitram.
BA put this shitty patched up squad together it's all on him, he is the one who has shown loyalty to these bunch of pea hearts. How can it be all the players??? Their attitude stinks and thats all on the coach, out attack is always disjointed and our set moves are outdated as Poppa's fashion sense. We got by last year with an easy draw and the brilliance of Semi,Guth and Moses down the back end of the season. Our pack has been too small forever and he refuses to bring young blood into the squad to keep the older players on their toes. He looks a beaten man he has no way to get us out of this. This season is gone.
He has put to much trust in his players at every presser this season he looks lost hurt clueless.
The squad has thrown him under the bus and B.A. Will get the bullet it's really a matter of who do you want our next coach to be can't see Arthur coaching the eels in 2019.
5 seasons 2 final appearances out in straight sets and have gone backwards this year. Arthur and this squad have peaked last season. The raiders peaked in 2016. Dogs were woeful last season it happens.
Hasler is a multi premiership winner and he got the sack because he missed the 8 just once.
There is no way this team makes the 8 in 2018 a massive football review is in order to see what is going on.
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