[Paul Thexton]

: Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:46 am  

Eurob0y wrote:

Not a bad coach? Give over. He drops the only guy who has given us some direction in Sinfield, for a loser like Rob Purdham. Keeps faith with a fullback who in every game has been nothing short of abysmal and leaves Lee Smith out. Makes some absoultely stupid decisions last week against NZ, which cost us the game, which gave NZ the mental advantage in this game. Then he leaves out JJB/Hock for wilkin, who, although wasnt that bad this game, has been shocking the whole tournament.

He is as bad a coach I have seen for a long time.

The fact you think Sinfield provided anything approaching a sense of direction while he was on the field for England instantly loses you all credibility. You need to let go of the notion that the England squad was capable of winning this tournament, once you accept that we simply don't have the right quality of players you'll be able to look at this from a much more level headed perspective.

: Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:48 am  

Paul Thexton wrote:

The fact you think Sinfield provided anything approaching a sense of direction while he was on the field for England instantly loses you all credibility. You need to let go of the notion that the England squad was capable of winning this tournament, once you accept that we simply don't have the right quality of players you'll be able to look at this from a much more level headed perspective.

Sinfield has offered us more direction than any other player. So I assume, you think leaving Purdham who looked so far out of his depth, he wouldnt have got a game for scotland, for Sinfield was the correct decision. Oh, and please could you show me where I said I thought this squad of england players could win the world cup. Cheers.

: Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:49 am  

shaun edwards to replace smith!

[Paul Thexton]

: Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:52 am  

Eurob0y wrote:

Sinfield has offered us more direction than any other player. So I assume, you think leaving Purdham who looked so far out of his depth, he wouldnt have got a game for scotland, for Sinfield was the correct decision.

If smith wanted his loose forward to ... you know .... play like a loose forward, and muscle in with the forward pack to gain yards (which admittedly I'm afraid didn't happen), then yes, it was the correct choice.

Sinfield has what I like to refer to as Andy Farrell syndrome, stick him in a 13 jumper and he seems to think that makes him chief playmaker, it takes out a huge amount of go forward - Farrell did eventually calm down and start playing like a forward though, and when Wigan moved him to prop for his last couple of seasons he was a revelation, absolutely superb - I'm not convinced that Sinfield has the ability or strength to fulfil that role when what his team needs is the ability to gain field position.

If Sinfield wants to make a career out of being a play maker, then he needs to move out of the pack in to the halves, and let someone else who can gain ground in the tackle or god forbid even bust a tackle get the 13 shirt.

Euroboy wrote:

Oh, and please could you should me where I said I thought this squad of england players could win the world cup. Cheers.

Well, given that you seem to think a "better" coach could have produced a different result for England you quite obviously do think the players are capable with "the right man" in charge.

: Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:55 am  

Im still waiting for you to show me where I said we could win the world cup. I never said this. I believe with a different coach we have done better in all our matches. So over to you mate, to show me where i said we could win the world cup, like you claimed.

[Paul Thexton]

: Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:57 am  

Eurob0y wrote:

I believe with a different coach we have done better in all our matches.

And by better do you mean we could have won them?

I've got an interesting one - if we'd still lost all three of those games but by less, I predict you'd still be saying "we could have done better".

: Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:59 am  

TONY SMITH Five eighth.
Born: 24 January 1967
Originally from Lismore and younger brother of Dragons and Steelers coach Brian Smith.
In 1992, Tony Smith was named on the interchange bench in the grand final against Brisbane.
In 1993, he was named in the run-on side in the grand final, once again against the Broncos.
An injury to his achilles tendon in a trial in Maryborough ruled Smith out for 1994, but he was able to make a brief comeback in 1995.
Went on to join his brother's coaching team at Parramatta and then moved on to coach Huddersfield (2001-2003) and Leeds in the UK, guiding Leeds Rhinos to a premiership wins in 2004 and 2007.
Following a successful coaching career in Great Britain, which saw him rise to success at an international level, the former St George five-eighth committed himself to the game in Europe when he declared his intentions to become a British citizen in 2008.
The national coach of Great Britain in January 2008, Tony Smith lives in the northern English town of Huddersfield, the birthplace of rugby league, with his wife and two children.
Brother of Brian Smith.
more: 1993

: Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:59 am  

Paul Thexton wrote:

And by better do you mean we could have won them?

I've got an interesting one - if we'd still lost all three of those games but by less, I predict you'd still be saying "we could have done better".

Yes, I am saying we could have won them. Maybe not versus Australia but certainly the Kiwi's twice.

General consenus on this forum is that people agree with me.

: Sat Nov 15, 2008 12:09 pm  

You could put Stuart and Kearney in charge and we still wouldn't win it. The Australians are still streets ahead quality wise. Just compare some of the positions, Slater/Wellens, Inglis and Folau/Gleeson and Senior, Lockyer/Maguire or Pryce, Thurston/Burrow As has been said before we simply aren't good enough although i've never seen us perform so badly in every game. We usually pull at least one decent win out of the bag. You can't hold Smith responsible for the number of errors and penalties given away.

We also need a world class half back with the ability to control a game such as Lockyer and Fien have done in recent weeks.

: Sat Nov 15, 2008 12:25 pm  

You can have the best coach in the world but if your players are intent on kicking badly and dropping balls, well...