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Sheens: we aren't getting the raps that we deserve
ADRIAN PROSZENKO
July 25, 2010
WESTS TIGERS coach Tim Sheens believes his side hasn't received due credit for its charge up the premiership ladder.
The Tigers have won four of their past five matches and sit in third position on the table before today's clash with Manly at Bluetongue Stadium.
While they have scraped home in their past three encounters - wins against the Cowboys, Titans and Broncos - Sheens bristled at suggestions the Tigers were well short of their best during the streak.
"I don't think we're a fair way away from our best football at all," Sheens told The Sun-Herald.
"What's our best football? Winning by 30? I don't think so.
"Our defence has been very good and we're able to play a bit more patiently to win games.
'"The fact we're not scoring 30 points per game doesn't mean that we're not playing well.
"We're playing better than what a lot of people give us credit for."
The Tigers are on track for their first finals appearance since winning the 2005 premiership despite a horror injury toll. Gareth Ellis, Beau Ryan, Geoff Daniela, Tim Moltzen, Jason Cayless and Taniela Tuiaki were all unavailable to play the Sea Eagles, while halfback Robert Lui is making his return from a knee injury.
"We're copping it from some sections that we're playing sides that are underdone, but have a look at our injury list," Sheens said.
"We might not have lost any players to State of Origin, but we've been without plenty of our better players for periods.
"We're relying more heavily on our field-position game and our defence and I don't see that as such a bad thing, to be quite honest.
"We've been a bit up and down but so have most sides, with the exception of St George [Illawarra].
"Just because we're winning by small margins, doesn't mean we're not playing OK."
The Tigers have received a timely boost ahead of today's 'Fibros v Silvertails' encounter in Gosford after mid-season signing from the Warriors, Wade McKinnon, signed a two-year extension yesterday.
"Wade has impressed all of us with his ability and commitment off the field," Tigers boss Stephen Humphreys said. "He's a specialist fullback who has really added a lot to our team."
The news was tempered by the loss of long-time assistant Royce Simmons - described by Sheens "as good as anyone I've worked with or against" - to St Helens.
"It's funny, I said to Royce that if I ever need a job, he owes me one now," Sheens quipped.
Sheens also backed one of his former players, Ricky Stuart, to again coach at the highest level.
"Rick has got enough standing in the game to warrant a start somewhere, for sure," Sheens said of the former Cronulla coach. "Sometimes it takes 12 months to find the right job. You've got to be a round peg looking for a round hole and maybe he was a square peg at Cronulla.
"It doesn't mean he's not a good coach, but sometimes that's why coaches reinvent themselves at new clubs."
ADRIAN PROSZENKO
July 25, 2010
WESTS TIGERS coach Tim Sheens believes his side hasn't received due credit for its charge up the premiership ladder.
The Tigers have won four of their past five matches and sit in third position on the table before today's clash with Manly at Bluetongue Stadium.
While they have scraped home in their past three encounters - wins against the Cowboys, Titans and Broncos - Sheens bristled at suggestions the Tigers were well short of their best during the streak.
"I don't think we're a fair way away from our best football at all," Sheens told The Sun-Herald.
"What's our best football? Winning by 30? I don't think so.
"Our defence has been very good and we're able to play a bit more patiently to win games.
'"The fact we're not scoring 30 points per game doesn't mean that we're not playing well.
"We're playing better than what a lot of people give us credit for."
The Tigers are on track for their first finals appearance since winning the 2005 premiership despite a horror injury toll. Gareth Ellis, Beau Ryan, Geoff Daniela, Tim Moltzen, Jason Cayless and Taniela Tuiaki were all unavailable to play the Sea Eagles, while halfback Robert Lui is making his return from a knee injury.
"We're copping it from some sections that we're playing sides that are underdone, but have a look at our injury list," Sheens said.
"We might not have lost any players to State of Origin, but we've been without plenty of our better players for periods.
"We're relying more heavily on our field-position game and our defence and I don't see that as such a bad thing, to be quite honest.
"We've been a bit up and down but so have most sides, with the exception of St George [Illawarra].
"Just because we're winning by small margins, doesn't mean we're not playing OK."
The Tigers have received a timely boost ahead of today's 'Fibros v Silvertails' encounter in Gosford after mid-season signing from the Warriors, Wade McKinnon, signed a two-year extension yesterday.
"Wade has impressed all of us with his ability and commitment off the field," Tigers boss Stephen Humphreys said. "He's a specialist fullback who has really added a lot to our team."
The news was tempered by the loss of long-time assistant Royce Simmons - described by Sheens "as good as anyone I've worked with or against" - to St Helens.
"It's funny, I said to Royce that if I ever need a job, he owes me one now," Sheens quipped.
Sheens also backed one of his former players, Ricky Stuart, to again coach at the highest level.
"Rick has got enough standing in the game to warrant a start somewhere, for sure," Sheens said of the former Cronulla coach. "Sometimes it takes 12 months to find the right job. You've got to be a round peg looking for a round hole and maybe he was a square peg at Cronulla.
"It doesn't mean he's not a good coach, but sometimes that's why coaches reinvent themselves at new clubs."
