Arrgghh… I have to jump in again. Can't handle it.
I can't believe we are even thinking even remotely this way for next year.
No matter how the team goes next year, if we boot Cleary or do anything but support him, what quality coach in their right mind is going to want to come here?? Not only that, but what players are going to want to come here??
In 2 years, we've lost Farah, Tedesco, Moses, Woods & Halatau. 2 Captains, a VC and 3/4rs of our spine!
It boggles my mind that everyone would even entertain the prospect of drama again. The thing that has driven us mad the past 5 years and resulted in us ending down the bottom of the table every god damn season!
Set goals, create motivation, start to build to where we need to be. But don't set damn ultimatums because Cleary would have to go Barrett on a player to want go down that path or instability again so soon!
I think people on here just love drama. Must love the telegraph.... Just sit still for at least 1 year and give all the support you can muster!
Can't speak for Col (who is actually Mike IIRC), but I wasn't suggesting change, just that Cleary has a much better opportunity to quickly create his own team than most, if not any recent incoming NRL coach. Particularly when compared to the last two coaches at WT, who had very little.
Too make clear I think Cleary will work out and I reckon he has enough of the right stuff to make it work here. In fact it's like we recruited the Panthers structure into our fold, now we got their coach and everyone who's sick of Gus! (ok not everyone, that's a very long list).
But there will be mistakes. Like the original comment, Cleary only has Cleary to blame if there is No success in 2018\. Now I expect us to hit 9-12\. If were hitting 15/16th then Cleary hasn't solved our problems and would only have himself to blame, but that wont be happening.
My original thought when Ivan was signed was , relief, that we had a real coach at last,
And confusion as to why He would take on what has been a nightmare for the last four of five years.
After thinking about it, it may not be the mission impossible that most RL supporters would think.
When you are starting at the bottom or dangerously near it , Its not that hard to lift a team a few places if you are a good Coach and can pick up a few workers to bolster the team. Defence can be improved( I'm not talking about Taylor Ball) with the right attitude in the team. .( something that will be a lot better than under Taylor)
His biggest problem is finding someone who can put some points on the board to replace Teddy. And whether the forwards can take on more workload to replace Woods.if Cleary can lift us a couple of spots in 18 and another couple in 2019.
that would be looked at as oK by a lot, and not unachievable.
Our problem then is keeping him as he will have at least dragged us out of the cellar
And couldn't be looked at as a complete failure, and wouldn't have damaged His standing as a Coach.( because expectancy wouldn't be that heavy on him)
if he's a reasonable Coach , and most seem to think he definitely is,he could come out of this Coaching gig with his reputation enhanced with out having to get us to the finals
It'd be nice if he could though
This isn't a critism of Cleary, it's just a observation about not having to get us into the finals to come out with his reputation intact.
Remember we are favourite to come last next season acccording to the bookies.
A few successes and no hidings could be looked at by some , as an definate improvement