This is a very important time for Powell. From his repeated comments about the culture at the club there is clearly a problem which needs addressing. What happens between now and May 1 could be very interesting. There are several notable first team regulars who from that date will be free to talk to other clubs. To the best of my knowledge since Powell was appointed the club has resigned King Ashton and Walker leaving the rest with uncertain futures.
The fact that Powell has continually commented on the culture problem and lack of mental strength indicates to me that this is something the board are aware of and are fully supportive of him. He needs to be able to build his own team and in the meantime we need to dial down the rhetoric and let his do the job he has been appointed to do. This may mean missing out on the playoffs and being subjected to derision from the knuckleheads from St H but we need to hold our collective nerve and trust in the club
####Puts on tin hat####
Powell said "I was brought in to change the culture at the club. That needs changing and I’m after that at the moment."*
I am glad this has finally come out in the open as an issue. We have had plenty of forum members on here jump down the throats of other member who have dared mention the c word over the years.
I'm happy for Daryl Powell to have time, especially with the comments regarding culture. If that's what he's trying to do, then there's likely to be a lot of adjustment and some players who need to be shown the door.
My position hasn’t changed on this. The recruiters can’t be surprised to see this happen, Powell and his teams have tendencies to blow hot and cold, and our fans expect a better team that the one we had last year, and rightly so given the continued investment.
We need to arrest this momentum and get a win, at whatever cost. But (from a qualified opinion, as I didn’t go last night) the players don’t seem to have that steel needed to just dig in a nick a win.
Powell needs to set direction now. With the players, not hanging them out in the media and having a pint with fans. He needs to get the players on side and get them on his team.
Jury’s out. Tough month coming up if we don’t snap this spiral
Up and down since this (posted after Hull KR), but in he cold light of day, we have beat Huddersfield, Salford, Toulouse, Castleford and Leeds. Only 2 of them since February, and it’s May tomorrow.
Being out of the cup may have helped, we got a good result after the last break, this time around there needs to be a marked improvement.
I do wonder what the board are thinking though? Are they getting twitchy?
Up and down since this (posted after Hull KR), but in he cold light of day, we have beat Huddersfield, Salford, Toulouse, Castleford and Leeds. Only 2 of them since February, and it’s May tomorrow.
Being out of the cup may have helped, we got a good result after the last break, this time around there needs to be a marked improvement.
I do wonder what the board are thinking though? Are they getting twitchy?
I still have no issue with Powell yet, but when Longbarn Wire dropped that grenade about trouble in the camp it seems maybe some players don’t want to play for him. What do you do get rid of the coach or get rid of the players.
I still have no issue with Powell yet, but when Longbarn Wire dropped that grenade about trouble in the camp it seems maybe some players don’t want to play for him. What do you do get rid of the coach or get rid of the players.
I still have no issue with Powell yet, but when Longbarn Wire dropped that grenade about trouble in the camp it seems maybe some players don’t want to play for him. What do you do get rid of the coach or get rid of the players.
Well that depends on how much trust you have in either party. If it was players like, for example, Ratchford, Currie, D Clark and Cooper then I would be really concerned. These are good pros who have served the club well and have earned their voice. I would expect these people to have the club at heart. I’d turn Powell over before these individuals.
If it was players like Walker, Thewlis, Wrench, Longstaff, Dean etc who are products of the club, and while having a sniff at the first team, aren’t getting as many minutes as they think they should, I would also have a bit of concern. These people are in a position to build a successful team for the next decade, we need them on side and buying in to the ethos. This should be handled delicately.
But… if it’s Williams, Widdop, King, Charnley, J Clark then I would be inclined to show them the door. The value for money aspect is a factor here, they aren’t died in the wool, they are paid handsomely to come and do a job, if you don’t want to, fine.
That said, Powell needs to be able to handle high value players. He needs to learn how to control, coerce and empower these people for the betterment of his team. He has worked with stars before, but only really one or two at a time. Hardaker was a star, but he failed to get him in line, Chase was a star but he really struggled for consistency, Solomona/Carney we’re both moved on pretty quickly, granted for money, but still that shows that they didn’t buy in to the clubs spirit and plan. Powell needs to get a grip of these stars and get them delivering. If he can’t do that, then he can’t be a coach of a club that expects to win things.
Well that depends on how much trust you have in either party. If it was players like, for example, Ratchford, Currie, D Clark and Cooper then I would be really concerned. These are good pros who have served the club well and have earned their voice. I would expect these people to have the club at heart. I’d turn Powell over before these individuals.
If it was players like Walker, Thewlis, Wrench, Longstaff, Dean etc who are products of the club, and while having a sniff at the first team, aren’t getting as many minutes as they think they should, I would also have a bit of concern. These people are in a position to build a successful team for the next decade, we need them on side and buying in to the ethos. This should be handled delicately.
But… if it’s Williams, Widdop, King, Charnley, J Clark then I would be inclined to show them the door. The value for money aspect is a factor here, they aren’t died in the wool, they are paid handsomely to come and do a job, if you don’t want to, fine.
That said, Powell needs to be able to handle high value players. He needs to learn how to control, coerce and empower these people for the betterment of his team. He has worked with stars before, but only really one or two at a time. Hardaker was a star, but he failed to get him in line, Chase was a star but he really struggled for consistency, Solomona/Carney we’re both moved on pretty quickly, granted for money, but still that shows that they didn’t buy in to the clubs spirit and plan. Powell needs to get a grip of these stars and get them delivering. If he can’t do that, then he can’t be a coach of a club that expects to win things.
This does suggest that Wire are packed full of stars. This is a bit of a myth and it gives some of our supporters unrealistic views of how good we ought to be. It fuels the idea that some of our players are not really trying and that they are being very badly coached. Unfortunately not only are some of our so called "stars" are not that great but some of our youngsters are not quite as good as we might wish. I am not saying they are all rubbish ... just that lots of sides have players who are just as good or in some cases better. In addition the idea that all we have to do is sack almost everyone and we'll be fine isn't guaranteed either. Sporting success ain't easy.
. What do you do get rid of the coach or get rid of the players.
On a forum where over the last couple of years, nearly every player has had their abilities questioned &, in most cases, judged to not be good enough to warrant a place in the side, is this really a serious question?
Powell has to be given time. Its that simple. Barring something extremely unusual happening, we aren't going to finish bottom, and the danger of that is the only reason I'd even query Powell's role at the club.
Truth is, and I believe most sensible people realise this, our squad is a disjointed mess and has been for long before Powell turned up - That has to be sorted, that is the number one priority. Just sacking a coach and giving the players a free pass is just a pathway to more disappointment in the long term.
I've said it several times before, but defeats are going to be a common occurrence this season - Knee jerk reactions like sacking the coach are a pointless response. Fans are going to have realise that this is where we are at as a club right now. Sacking the bloke who was fetched in to solve the long term problem after just 3 months, while the problem is still endemic is absolute madness.