Culture Change (Lol)

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

It gives us more of a buzz when they beat top teams rather that floor dwellers so I appreciate. Due to inconsistent performance including inaction we can never guarantee a win against any team.

 

[Tiger_Steve]

So I’m just going to say this….

And I’m a Cleary fan.....,

In 2016 we finish 9th with a rubbish no heart performance

In 2018 we are currently 9th after a rubbish no heart performance

And the difference is ........

Culture change????

Are we any further advanced?

 

[steve-o]

Comparing this year to 2016, I can understand when people say nothing has changed. But people forget how far backward we went in the early rounds of 2017… our best players all wanted to leave, the media were destroying us at every turn, and we were the laughing stock of the league. Cleary has got us back to where we were in 2016, the difference being that he is a coach players want to play for moving forward, unlike Taylor.

 

[old_boy]

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/wests-tigers-adamant-they-are-on-track-for-top-four-nrl-finish-in-2017-20150725-gikd52.html

Anyone want a funny read after a crap weekend of footy?
Remember the Three Year Policy they put out at the start of 2015\. Half the squad to be local juniors and Top 4 side by 2017\. Delusion at its best.

 

[Tigerdave]

Talent, depth, crap training facilities are all part of the problem, but it looks like they are at least trying to make moves to fix all that

 

[Chicken_Faced_Killa]

Culture change is the off field stuff which the club is moving on positively. We struggle to attract talent as we are seen as a club who is poorly run, has poor facilities and limited success. Behind the scenes we are being run much better and have plans for new facilities, these things will attract more talent which will bring success. We are moving slowly in the right direction, would be great if it could happen quicker but we are starting from a low base.

 

[NT_Tiger]

Seeing as how this is the nucleus of our squad for the next 2 or 3 years, I guess we shouldn’t expect too much in that time frame . Got the excuses ready to go.

It’s year one of a new team. We have new players in major positions. We are able to recruit and add players in the next few seasons and our current players will develop and grow aswell.

You can keep denying it but injuries have killed us this year. Our best forward Lawrence did not play yesterday. Our marque buy Reynolds is out for the season. The team we have we need luck with injuries and refs and we didn’t get either this year. I’m happy with the progress this year. Doesn’t mean I don’t want further progress for next year. It doesn’t I mean I give up on the team and the coach. Get a grip.

Last three words pretty much sum it up.

 

[Telltails]

Seeing as how this is the nucleus of our squad for the next 2 or 3 years, I guess we shouldn’t expect too much in that time frame . Got the excuses ready to go.

I thought you were very supportive of the signing of Packer Matulino McQueen and Reynolds. The "Packerlino" talk before they did anything use to make my skin crawl. You almost had me convinced that they were going to be the big difference! Changed your mind about them?

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Seeing as how this is the nucleus of our squad for the next 2 or 3 years, I guess we shouldn’t expect too much in that time frame . Got the excuses ready to go.

I thought you were very supportive of the signing of Packer Matulino McQueen and Reynolds. The "Packerlino" talk before they did anything use to make my skin crawl. You almost had me convinced that they were going to be the big difference! Changed your mind about them?

My comment was in relation to others saying that we were never going to do anything with the squad we have. I was pointing out this squad will be the nucleus for the next 2 to 3 years. I rated all our signings, probably more than anyone else, and it gave me more confidence than most others. As it stands with the 4 players you mentioned, I would say overall Matulino has been underwhelming, Packer started out fantastic but has plateaued, though he could be playing injured. Injuries have killed Reynolds, though when he has been on the field he’s been fantastic. And McQueen has been a disappointment. Though, I thought he looked good the other night. Overall I would say they have been underwhelming, whether through injury or lack of form. No disrespect to Corey Thompson, but when you can make a strong argument of him being our best signing, that tells you how we are traveling.

 

[Warble]

Our team is as inconsistent and on again-off again as our fans are.
Just missing out on finals is a step in the right direction. We'll rip in next year and the whiney fair-weathered fans can jump back on the bus.

 

[happy_tiger]

We don't need to worry about whether we have had culture change

The answer will be there for all to see once our recruitment is finished for 2019 and beyond

If we can't attract quality players it will there for all to see

 

[Telltails]

Seeing as how this is the nucleus of our squad for the next 2 or 3 years, I guess we shouldn’t expect too much in that time frame . Got the excuses ready to go.

I thought you were very supportive of the signing of Packer Matulino McQueen and Reynolds. The "Packerlino" talk before they did anything use to make my skin crawl. You almost had me convinced that they were going to be the big difference! Changed your mind about them?

My comment was in relation to others saying that we were never going to do anything with the squad we have. I was pointing out this squad will be the nucleus for the next 2 to 3 years. I rated all our signings, probably more than anyone else, and it gave me more confidence than most others. As it stands with the 4 players you mentioned, I would say overall Matulino has been underwhelming, Packer started out fantastic but has plateaued, though he could be playing injured. Injuries have killed Reynolds, though when he has been on the field he’s been fantastic. And McQueen has been a disappointment. Though, I thought he looked good the other night. Overall I would say they have been underwhelming, whether through injury or lack of form. No disrespect to Corey Thompson, but when you can make a strong argument of him being our best signing, that tells you how we are traveling.

So if you rated them to make a difference shouldn't you be hauling them over the coals along with the coach?
They have all been paid very well to perform and quite frankly the coach must be just as frustrated as you because their form is patchy at best.
You can continue to direct the onus of blame at individuals i.e. the coach easy target - but
I dont think we have a squad to make the eight and if you ask most other fans not aligned to our club- might be wrong - but I think most would not have us in the top eight and think we have overachieved based on our performances against some of the top eight sides.
Friday nights loss was painful the most this season but unless you can offer solutions its pointless gunning for the coach because that was probably the best team he could field given whats available.
Recruiting players that we need and want still our biggest challenge in moving forward- not changing culture - overused buzz word that aligns itself to winning teams most of who are laden with talent, money, and resources.

 

[Russell]

The reality is we were never more than a very outside chance of making the eight from round one. There were pessimists at the start saying we would be certainties or at best fighting for the spoon. There were optimists saying we could make the top four after the first 5 or six rounds. The reality, once again was, we jumped out of the barrier first just like a horse in the third at Randwick - trouble is they invariably get run down after they climb the rise. Once the majority of teams got it together and our solid defence caught up with us, we started to struggle.

You can say culture is a load of crap or only for the big winning teams, however they were not born with it, they achieved it by winning, by splashing cash, having the right players etc. The point is you can have a great culture and it doesn't cost you heaps - why can't you have a good culture whilst you are building your team? You can and that is what we are doing. Does culture take the place of winning or making the finals - No, but it is helping to do that. People have the wrong slant on culture and that is why they criticise it - it is not taking the place of winning, it is adding to it.

In my opinion, Cleary bought the best players he could that were available for 2018\. Who did he not buy that wanted to come here, or who did not want overs? He has to have a team of 30 players with their salary coming out of the cap, he did the best he could. Cleary has said the players now, will not necessarily be the ones that will be there at the end. As well as trying to do as good as we can in 2018 it was also an exercise in seeing who to keep and who to release from those he had inherited and those he bought (hence also the phrase from him that most will get a run at some stage). You can see him at most ISP games as well doing a bit of assessing. For 2019 he will try and buy the best players available without paying overs to replace those he has cut - will they turn out to be significant, will not get injured, fit in with the game plans? I assume like this year, some will, some will not. They will help us to get there though.

I am expecting further improvement for next year after a solid off season i.e. maintain our defence, improve our attack and kicking game, be more consistent and improve our combinations and so forth. I am hoping for a finals birth next year like everyone else but it will not be achieved overnight as much as we would like it to. Pouring crap on the coach, the players every time they lose (part of the inconsistency) and talking them up to the n'th degree when they win does not make one iota of difference.

WE need to be consistent as well, by standing behind them through thick and thin - not saying "I've had enough". "That'll do me, I am going to support xyz" and so on. Those comments say more about us than them.

As I have always said (and I have never left a game early in 68 years) suffer the defeats with your team - the wins are all that much sweeter.

Get behind our Mighty Tigers - black, white and gold, will never fold. Eeeeeaaaaaugh!!!

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Good post Russell. Though I do question whether or not the quote from Cleary about players that are here now aren’t necessarily the ones who will be here at the end is in fact an actual quote. I have never seen him quoted in print, or heard it out of his mouth. It sounds like one of those things that one person said, and the rest of the forum picked up on it, now it’s getting passed around as fact (A common practice on the internet). Until I’m shown actual evidence that that quote exists, I don’t believe it.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Good post Russell. Though I do question whether or not the quote from Cleary about players that are here now aren’t necessarily the ones who will be here at the end is in fact an actual quote. I have never seen him quoted in print, or heard it out of his mouth. It sounds like one of those things that one person said, and the rest of the forum picked up on it, now it’s getting passed around as fact (A common practice on the internet). Until I’m shown actual evidence that that quote exists, I don’t believe it.

He said words to that effect in an interview shown on WT site.

 

[Tiger_Steve]

Good post Russell. Though I do question whether or not the quote from Cleary about players that are here now aren’t necessarily the ones who will be here at the end is in fact an actual quote. I have never seen him quoted in print, or heard it out of his mouth. It sounds like one of those things that one person said, and the rest of the forum picked up on it, now it’s getting passed around as fact (A common practice on the internet). Until I’m shown actual evidence that that quote exists, I don’t believe it.

Those exact words were spoken. I saw the interview but don’t know where to find it. It was maybe a month or so ago

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Good post Russell. Though I do question whether or not the quote from Cleary about players that are here now aren’t necessarily the ones who will be here at the end is in fact an actual quote. I have never seen him quoted in print, or heard it out of his mouth. It sounds like one of those things that one person said, and the rest of the forum picked up on it, now it’s getting passed around as fact (A common practice on the internet). Until I’m shown actual evidence that that quote exists, I don’t believe it.

He said words to that effect in an interview shown on WT site.

If that”s true than okay. I just hate taking others people’s word on stuff until I see something for myself. It’s how misinformation spreads. Always fact check second hand information.

 

[underdog]

The coach has shown that l the players can do it.

The Players are at times too pea hearted or too light on the grey matter.

Coupled with the sentimental signings of Farah and Marshall. If Cleary gave the blessings to those signings, then that is partly his fault.

If they are RE-Signed past the current season, then more fault can be attributed to CLeary

 

[Cairnstigers]

You would have to be brave to think that Nathan Cleary wont be here with his dad in a couple of years
Gus has almost accepted the fact it will happen
Ivan and Nathan want it to happen
WHEN he comes it would be for a 3 or 4 year deal you would think and Ivan will re sign on as coach
And I have no doubts if Nathan comes so do other marquee signings
We have proven we can mixture it with the top teams already this year
We already have talent at our club

A Nathan Cleary and a couple of good forward signings is what we need and will get

Times will get better
I will be disappointed to miss the finals if we dont get there
But on the flip side
We beat Storm twice
Roosters
Dragons
Rabbit's
The top 4 teams and likely grand final contenders
Not a bad effort from Ivan in his first full year as coach

Have some Faith in Ivan for the future

 

[Tim Sheens]

Good post Russell. Though I do question whether or not the quote from Cleary about players that are here now aren’t necessarily the ones who will be here at the end is in fact an actual quote. I have never seen him quoted in print, or heard it out of his mouth. It sounds like one of those things that one person said, and the rest of the forum picked up on it, now it’s getting passed around as fact (A common practice on the internet). Until I’m shown actual evidence that that quote exists, I don’t believe it.

He said words to that effect in an interview shown on WT site.

If that”s true than okay. I just hate taking others people’s word on stuff until I see something for myself. It’s how misinformation spreads. Always fact check second hand information.

Yeah, his statements that day cut both ways for me. Whilst I like a no BS and upfront approach, on the other hand it did come across as not installing much faith in the minds of his current squad, which is unlikely a good thing.

It may have been conducted in NZ prior to our "home" game across the ditch?