@coivtny said in [Signing Suggestions & Rumours](/post/1426503) said:
Our signings record over the past couple of years has been abysmal. The two teams I think we're most like in terms of size, reputation, location etc are the Bulldogs and Sharks. Both teams have completely outgunned WT in the quality of their signings this year. It has become an embarrassment how we are consistently out-manoeuvred time after time for quality players. Surely at some point this will have an effect on retention of WT fans and sponsors and ultimately on retaining our own quality players. I can't imagine the likes of Stefano and Simpkin wanting to stay with a club which is a consistent non-performer. Put simply, something has to change if we are to change botrh the perception and reality of our club's performances on and off the field.
Not much point having a whinge without proposing a solution. Here's mine:
a) get rid of Hartigan. We have stuffed up too many recruitments. I'm sure he was a great recruiter at Easts. But it's not that hard to recruit players to Easts because they desperately want to go there and will go there for less money than clubs like WT. His style just doesn't work with a club like ours.
b) get rid of Maguire. The players don't respond to him and he's had more than enough time to get better results than he's getting. Nice guy but he's part of the problem and will not be part of the solution. I'd sign Flanagan in a heartbeat. He knows how to coach and will have a better chance of attracting quality players. I think the mere fact that we make the switch to Flanagan will change the dynamic for WT and will open us up for business with better quality players. I know plenty of forum members have no time for Flanagan but he's a winner and I would ensure his contract had strong behavioural clauses in it.
c) get rid of Pascoe. He's been at WT for long enough to improve the culture of the club and he just hasn't been successful. He just does not have the vibe of a COE. His position would be the easiest of the three to recruit to, there would be a good field of applicants.
d) Once those three changes have been made I'd have Sheens and Flanagan go through the playing roster and get rid of / pay out any player that doesn't fit with the culture and uncompromising playing style that the new WT represents.
Once those changes have been made I think players would be more willing to come and play with us but it could take three years to build a finals-ready roster. I'd be prepared to wait.
