Re: Smith out ASAP : Thu Jun 20, 2024 2:05 pm  

Zoo Zoo Boom wrote:

Rowley would be a good appointment - he wont take any truck from the likes of Newman.

The problem with an Aussie coach is they expect the players to be NRL standard in terms of skill and fitness and it comes as a shock when they aren't. It was no surprise that under both Holbrook and Wolff Saints were the fittest team in SL with the highest skill set.

Rowley has shown an ability to develop and improve players and have them working as a collective.

If Arthur can get our team fitter and better skilled at even the basics then I don't see that as a problem.

Re: Smith out ASAP : Thu Jun 20, 2024 2:18 pm  

Rowley has been coaching for a long time. If he was actually that good, why hasn't Wire, Saints or Wigan come in for him before now? Genuine question.

I suppose you could say the same about Brian Mac.

I wouldn't be gutted if it was Rowley, and it would of course be the most obvious conclusion. I just don't know if it's a convincing appointment. The quality of the overseas signings we make will be criticial, and it's an extremely tough market now. Having a coach with good contacts and reputation over there isn't going to hurt get one or two deals over the line.

Be very interesting to see how we play tomorrow.

Re: Smith out ASAP : Thu Jun 20, 2024 2:39 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

Rowley has been coaching for a long time. If he was actually that good, why hasn't Wire, Saints or Wigan come in for him before now? Genuine question.

I suppose you could say the same about Brian Mac.

I wouldn't be gutted if it was Rowley, and it would of course be the most obvious conclusion. I just don't know if it's a convincing appointment. The quality of the overseas signings we make will be criticial, and it's an extremely tough market now. Having a coach with good contacts and reputation over there isn't going to hurt get one or two deals over the line.

Be very interesting to see how we play tomorrow.

Indeed a very interesting question. Trouble is at the moment not many outstanding coaches are available . Not forgetting who will take over until the season end, that’s presuming we can’t find a permanent coach in the next few weeks. Whoever takes over will face a massive challenge, half the team are extremely average to say the least.

Re: Smith out ASAP : Thu Jun 20, 2024 2:43 pm  

Backwoodsman wrote:

Indeed a very interesting question. Trouble is at the moment not many outstanding coaches are available . Not forgetting who will take over until the season end, that’s presuming we can’t find a permanent coach in the next few weeks. Whoever takes over will face a massive challenge, half the team are extremely average to say the least.

A coach with a proven, sustained pedigree in top flight RL, no nonsense, with a record of bringing players through. Preferably available now, as filling on an interim basis basically writes this season off and puts us back to square one at the beginning of next. Step forward Brad Arthur.

Re: Smith out ASAP : Thu Jun 20, 2024 4:12 pm  

I don’t understand the clamour for Brad Arthur. I thought his 10 year NRL record has a win % of just 52%

Re: Smith out ASAP : Thu Jun 20, 2024 4:23 pm  

The NRL is a high quality competitive league, not like SL which is low quality competitive. Parra haven’t been one of the glamour teams since the 1980’s and were wooden spoon candidates when he took over. Their improvement on the ladder, 5 times into the play offs and 1 GF beaten only by the incredible Penrith team, shows how far he took them. He’s a very strong candidate and would be exactly what we need.

Re: Smith out ASAP : Thu Jun 20, 2024 4:31 pm  

batleyrhino wrote:

The NRL is a high quality competitive league, not like SL which is low quality competitive. Parra haven’t been one of the glamour teams since the 1980’s and were wooden spoon candidates when he took over. Their improvement on the ladder, 5 times into the play offs and 1 GF beaten only by the incredible Penrith team, shows how far he took them. He’s a very strong candidate and would be exactly what we need.

GH says Super League is competitive too

Re: Smith out ASAP : Thu Jun 20, 2024 6:23 pm  

People read too much into statistics and win percentages etc sometimes. We need to appoint the person we think best fits our needs now, technically and culturally. A coach doesn't have 100% control over their win %, I keep saying it but results are multi-factoral (e.g. injuries, player form, squad they inherit for the first year or two, quality of opposition, luck... it goes on).

Win % is maybe an indicator, but it's not the only consideration. To be fair in Arthur's case his win % is probably more indicative of his performance than some other coaches because of his length of tenure.

The main thing for me is that Blease appoints, and gets funded to appoint, the best person for the job. Not the cheapest, not the best value, but the best person we can afford. One area Leeds should be able to OUTperform our competitors in is the coaching staff.

Re: Smith out ASAP : Thu Jun 20, 2024 6:41 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

The main thing for me is that Blease appoints, and gets funded to appoint, the best person for the job. Not the cheapest, not the best value, but the best person we can afford. One area Leeds should be able to OUTperform our competitors in is the coaching staff.

Agree Jim there is no salary cap on coaching/ rugby department but compare
Rohan Smith, walker & Grix to
Shaun Wane, Peet, Tommy L, O’loughlin, Joel Tomkins and John Duffy.

We are not even trying to compete.

Re: Smith out ASAP : Thu Jun 20, 2024 8:35 pm  

I'm sure our new DOR will pick the best candidate for the job but I would like to see Danny Maguire as assistant. I think he will make a good head coach in the coming years and he know the club inside out and with the passion for the club.