**Tim Sheens puts new deal on back burner**
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Christian Nicolussi From: The Daily Telegraph February 18, 2011 12:00AM
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TIM Sheens looks set to extend his deal at the Wests Tigers by two years.
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Sheens and chief executive Stephen Humphreys have met several times to discuss a new deal beyond this season.
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But Sheens said yesterday he was in no rush to finalise his future and hoped early on-field results would do his talking for him.
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Though superstar Benji Marshall has publicly urged the club to re-sign Sheens, the coach himself said it was important he continued to have the respect of the players after nearly a decade at the helm.
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Humphreys said Sheens had complete control of the players and hoped to reach an agreement in good time.
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"Tim is a man of great experience and integrity and he certainly has the respect of the players and is in full command of the dressing room," Humphreys said.
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"I wouldn't be advocating a new deal for Tim if I thought otherwise.
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"Tim and I are in discussion but it hasn't come to any finality at this point. I'll be surprised if we don't get a deal together, but until then there isn't much more that I can add."
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Sheens, who named a 15-man squad for tomorrow night's trial against Parramatta, said his immediate focus was on a strong start for the Tigers.
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"Coaching takes care of itself when you're winning," Sheens said. "You always worry about … losing the dressing room but in saying that, if your ideas are fresh and you get a turnover of people who are listening and doing what you want them to do, that's not an issue.
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"As far as contracts, I've had preliminary talks, both of us [him and Humphreys] are relaxed with where we're at, and there's no pushing to make a decision."
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Sheens said he had built a wonderful relationship with several players, including Marshall and skipper Robbie Farah, and this was the stage of their careers when they would produce their best.
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"I think in your mid-20s, 25 and 26, is when you should play you're best footy and enjoy football," Sheens said. "We've built a strong club here, but if it is time for me to move on, sometimes those decisions are made for you. It comes down to performance and my worry is playing good football."
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Many are tipping big things from the Tigers after they burst back into the finals last year after a five-year hiatus. Sheens, however, could have several players set to enter the Monday night NRL opener against the Bulldogs with no trial form, including Gareth Ellis, and Tim Moltzen, who twisted an ankle last week.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/tim-sheens-puts-new-deal-on-back-burner/story-e6frexnr-1226007825157
