Quote: Once were Loiners "The decision on a new coach depends on who's available and when they might want to come over, but leaving a 'dead coach walking' in place if a decision has been made to get rid will simply make things worse. If its reached that point you have to get them out of the club, as much for their own benefit as the team. The players would have zero respect for a coach in that position, and they'd still get the blame for every poor performance, with no upside.
Far better put a caretaker in, but if it is a caretaker they have to know they will not get the gig long term. No Agar-style fudging and ending up with someone out of their depth because they win a game or two. It would put the assistants in the shop window for future head coach roles, and also show us all whether some of our squad are as bad as they currently look or are playing poorly in a messed up team.
While we as fans might think its all over I'm not sure GH has reached that point yet. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see no announcement in the near future, and we just bumble onwards, because the club bet a lot on Smith being the right man. They followed up a poor season with splashing the cash, which showed they had faith at the start of this season. I'm sure faith is wearing thin, but its not just Smith's ego at stake here....'"
Agree with most of that, especially the ego comment. Smith failure also reflects on the senior management that appointed him, which in reflection was a big gamble. Think Smiths main fault is signing average to poor players and thinking he can transform them into top class players. Finally the players have to accept some responsibility for this mess. Saw the first half of the Catalan Warrington game, Warrington defence absolutely rock solid bags of courage and commitment. Contrast that with our performance at saints especially Newmans attitude. Probably highlights the difference between Burgess and Smith.