@stevetiger said:
You just tried to give an answer in that he is good and has a long term plan and its the players fault. The problem is that his spin has been shown to be just spin. His comments regarding structures and our defence has us coming last on the ladder. Its obviously not working. I do agree that we need to buy some players but he hasn't gotten us playing well at all this season and definitely hasn't gotten the most out of the players that he has. Plus we've lost games due to his negative approach. We've gone backwards under Taylor.
One positive that I would give Taylor is that he has I think admitted at least to himself that his game plans and structures weren't working and he has gone away from that.
I also didn't say he should be sacked. I said he needs to stop the spin and reassess his whole approach.
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@stevetiger said:
Anyway stop trying to deflect from the reality of the situation that Taylor has been overall hopeless. I'm happy to have him around based on him completely changing his approach and there are some signs that he has admitted that he has been on the wrong path. We have attacked a little over the last couple of games.
How come you can't simply state that he has been overall terrible but he has shown some positive signs like for instance Lawrence improving significantly in the backrow. At least then you would have some ammo. At the moment your comments sound simply delusional.
So you don't mind Taylor sticking around, so long as he completely changes his approach? What's the point of having him around then, except to avoid a payout, if he needs to change everything up again after just 6 months?
And do you have any idea of HOW he should change his approach? Or should he just try something polar opposite, doesn't really matter what it is, so long as it is a new plan? Do you even really know what his approach is right now, internally, how the team trains?
The picture I have built, based on the combined criticisms in the forum, is that the strongest complainers believe JT's stripped-down approach to footy, shelving the tricks and special kicks, is what is causing our current trouble. That focusing on completions, relying on 1-outs and putting up 5th tackle bombs is unimaginative footy; that our focus on defence is not working, and our play is not threatening enough to trouble good teams.
You may agree with that summary. And the people that do, may indeed be right. However the point I think you are missing, and the point that people like happy, Russell and myself have been making, is that the opposite of our current game plan, is the old Tigers game plan. The opposite of controlled, boring footy is the Sheensball of the last 15 seasons, where no lead is big enough and your team chances their hand all over the park. It's great to watch… if you are not a Tigers fan. And historically we know it might jag you a premiership and a few finals appearances in 15 years. Maybe that is enough.
But I've been on here long enough to know 1 premiership and 3 finals in 15 years is not good enough, it does not satisfy.
So we have a bloke who has come in and said "I used to coach against Tigers, I know the game plan, I know what other teams think and I have an idea of what has to change". And he starts making some fairly obvious and in some ways drastic changes to the style of play.
So far the results have been just as bad as previous seasons, some would argue worse, because at least previously we could entertain whilst losing.
BUT - it has only been 6 months. 6 months vs 15 years. I'm one of those people who says "let's give the new game plan / coach at least a season or two before we write it off". I'm one of those long-term plan people, and because I am used to Tigers losing, I can cop it for a time longer if it ends up being better for us in the long run. Like turning around an unprofitable company, you can't just come in, make a few broad changes and expect instant success to just flow out in the first few months.
In terms of spin, that is where I think you have it totally wrong. My opinion is that JT is actually one of the more honest coaches going around, that he has laid his thoughts pretty bare in the media, when he could have just kept his mouth shut and pushed on. In engaging the media so earnestly, in being fairly forthright and honest, he has made himself an easy target of criticism because the results betray the effort.
Compare that to the Bennetts, Haslers or Stuarts after a loss, if they have anything constructive to say apart from a whinge or terse short sentences.
I don't hear spin from JT. I hear honest assessments - we are a weak side mentally, we fall apart defensively and that needs to be changed. I hear the truth, I hear him say things that most Tigers fans know and agree with.
Now whether JT is the man to change that losing Tigers culture, is another story entirely. Whether he has the plans and systems (and indeed the players) to turn WT around is totally up for debate. My position is: give him 2 years, same as any previous coach has been given, to turn things around, by whatever method he thinks is best.
Also acknowledge that people writing on a forum don't know much of anything about coaching premiership football teams, let alone playing in the NRL, so as amateurs our opinions may be passionate, but they are mostly uninformed. Passion does not result in success, neither does directionless change.
We made the sweeping changes in 2014, time to let them play out for a few years? Or did you expect a magic rainbow finish after everything you've witnessed in our history?
BTW did you know, JT actually does not have the worst record of all WT coaches? Terry Lamb had a 32% success rate and JT currently sits at 33%. Potter had 35%, Junior 42% and Sheens 49%. And if you might say JT hasn't coached long enough to be judged against the previous coaches, well then, that is my point exactly.
