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OK not good enough for Tigers: Potter
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Joe Barton, AAPUpdated May 9, 2013, 12:13 pm
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He's dealing with the worst injury crisis of his 30 years in rugby league, but Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter says the excuses have to stop at the struggling club.
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Potter, who made his first grade debut for Canterbury in 1983 and has spent the past six years coaching in the English Super League, can almost field a first grade line-up from players who've missed games through injury this year.
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But his main concern is the middle-of-the-road performances from players which have left the Tigers in dead-last place for the first time in their 14-year history.
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**Only captain Robbie Farah and young prop Aaron Woods were spared from Potter's critique of the sloppy start to the season.**
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"They're also being honest with how they're going individually," Potter said on Thursday ahead of Friday's clash with Cronulla.
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"I think Robbie and Woodsy have been outstanding with what their contribution has been to the team.
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"We've got some other people who are playing OK.
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"But playing OK sometimes isn't good enough.
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"We need everyone to be at their best."
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Star playmaker Benji Marshall admitted during the week that his form wasn't up to scratch, attempting to shoulder a large portion of the blame for the team's poor form.
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Potter agreed Marshall, one game back from a toe injury, had not played his best football yet this season.
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"Benji is probably his hardest critic," he said.
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"He knows. He's honest. He wants to get better.
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"I'm happy for him because he wants to do the right thing for the team, he wants to do the right thing for himself.
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"You haven't seen the best of Benji yet this year."
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The Tigers opponents at Allianz Stadium, the Sharks, aren't without their own injury concerns.
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Skipper Paul Gallen is all but certain to miss the clash with a knee injury, despite working around the clock this week to prove his fitness.
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Potter took some small pleasure from taking on a Gallen-less Sharks, but said the quality of Luke Lewis, Chris Heighington and Wade Graham certainly lessened his loss.
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"We'll take any positive we can get and maybe that's part of it," he said.
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"…(But) they've got Luke Lewis and Chris Heighington to come in and fill that void.
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"I know it's a big void to fill (but) players step up as they did last week.
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"I think they'll be just as tough."
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Injury relief is still weeks away for the Tigers with Potter confirming five-eighth Braith Anasta (groin) is the only player due back in the next two-to-three weeks.
Chris Lawrence (hamstring) is between three and five weeks away, while centre partner Blake Ayshford is expected to be sidelined for another six weeks.
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I guess he sees it the same way as most on here do.
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Joe Barton, AAPUpdated May 9, 2013, 12:13 pm
\
\
He's dealing with the worst injury crisis of his 30 years in rugby league, but Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter says the excuses have to stop at the struggling club.
>
Potter, who made his first grade debut for Canterbury in 1983 and has spent the past six years coaching in the English Super League, can almost field a first grade line-up from players who've missed games through injury this year.
>
But his main concern is the middle-of-the-road performances from players which have left the Tigers in dead-last place for the first time in their 14-year history.
>
**Only captain Robbie Farah and young prop Aaron Woods were spared from Potter's critique of the sloppy start to the season.**
>
"They're also being honest with how they're going individually," Potter said on Thursday ahead of Friday's clash with Cronulla.
>
"I think Robbie and Woodsy have been outstanding with what their contribution has been to the team.
>
"We've got some other people who are playing OK.
>
"But playing OK sometimes isn't good enough.
>
"We need everyone to be at their best."
>
Star playmaker Benji Marshall admitted during the week that his form wasn't up to scratch, attempting to shoulder a large portion of the blame for the team's poor form.
>
Potter agreed Marshall, one game back from a toe injury, had not played his best football yet this season.
>
"Benji is probably his hardest critic," he said.
>
"He knows. He's honest. He wants to get better.
>
"I'm happy for him because he wants to do the right thing for the team, he wants to do the right thing for himself.
>
"You haven't seen the best of Benji yet this year."
>
The Tigers opponents at Allianz Stadium, the Sharks, aren't without their own injury concerns.
>
Skipper Paul Gallen is all but certain to miss the clash with a knee injury, despite working around the clock this week to prove his fitness.
>
Potter took some small pleasure from taking on a Gallen-less Sharks, but said the quality of Luke Lewis, Chris Heighington and Wade Graham certainly lessened his loss.
>
"We'll take any positive we can get and maybe that's part of it," he said.
>
"…(But) they've got Luke Lewis and Chris Heighington to come in and fill that void.
>
"I know it's a big void to fill (but) players step up as they did last week.
>
"I think they'll be just as tough."
>
Injury relief is still weeks away for the Tigers with Potter confirming five-eighth Braith Anasta (groin) is the only player due back in the next two-to-three weeks.
Chris Lawrence (hamstring) is between three and five weeks away, while centre partner Blake Ayshford is expected to be sidelined for another six weeks.
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I guess he sees it the same way as most on here do.
