Re: Smith has left the building : Thu Jun 20, 2024 2:31 pm  

I know the majority on here feel very good about RS going, but this is yet another sunset on a failed appointment. We have been on the doldrums nearly 10 years now from the back end of Brian Mac's reign. I know we won two trophies in that time but neither season was convincing and I think we were frankly lucky to win either.

We can keep changing coaches, and we have, but it hasn't worked for a very long time now. Either we keep appointing the wrong coaches, or there is something else deeper and more systemic holding the club back.

I don't expect us to win the league every year, but there is really very little excuse for us not to be up there regularly challenging. It's OK GH talking about competitive leagues and salary caps, but the truth is that clubs DON'T all spend the same as each other, because they either don't spend up to cap, or they spank it on the Marquee allowances.

Re: WHO IS NEXT : Thu Jun 20, 2024 2:37 pm  

There are some other assistants over in NRL with good reps such as Jason Ryles, but it would be an exceptionally brave move for Leeds to appoint someone else without top-flight head coach experience now.

Bottom line is we need a competent pair of hands and the right cultural fit for where the club is at. Needs to be someone who can work well with Blease. Anyone coming in needs to be super confident too because this is one of the hottest seats in world rugby league.

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 has left the building : Thu Jun 20, 2024 3:40 pm  

nobody's happy smith was a failure.
but the fact is he was. you can't keep going when something is obviously not working.
I don't blame smith.
I blame chev for recommending him and GH for appointing him. another cheap appointment

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 has left the building : Thu Jun 20, 2024 5:36 pm  

Who would Leeds fans like to see as their new head coach.

Re: Smith has left the building : Thu Jun 20, 2024 5:38 pm  

Danny Ward for new head coach?