Watching Goudemand he does a job, carries the ball and defends ok for his size, doesn't make many errors. But where's the point of difference in our pack, who's capable of a telling offload or breaking the line apart from 10 minute cameos from lisone and sangare. I hope after we sort the half backs problem theres a good replacement with that in mind for tetevano/Walters.

Also when you look at the importance of a coach in getting the best out of their players, how about briscoe who looked awful for us towards the end but is back to doing what he does well and doing it with enthusiasm.

I’m hoping Goudemand is Donaldsons replacement (I think he’s off contract this year.

In terms of point of difference personally I have bigger issue with the back row. Traditionally that’s where it would come from. We’ve got lots of workmanlike players there without any real impact.

I’d maybe argue Cam Smith is our point of difference when he’s not having to be involved In absolutely everything trying to make up for the halves.

Yeh he's a bit of a plodder really.
Clearly Cats don't need him.
Fine if he's a replacement for Donaldson, but given our current ambitions I expect he's the Tetevano replacement.

I wouldn't call him a plodder, he clearly trys to put himself about, just lacks the size or skill to really make and impact. Not dissimilar in that regard to Donaldson, so I hope he is the replacement. I've a lot of respect for what Donaldson has done but Goudemand seems a decent upgrade in that area, just not in a more influential role.

Just as a comparison Lam also inherited a squad and cobbled together players other teams deemed not good enough but are completely rejuvenated see Briscoe Charnley Mullhern etc is it a coincidence or good man management?

Good coaches, top coaches even, have a habit of making you say “wow look at the job he’s doing despite x and y” rather than “yeah we’ve done badly but that’s because of x and y”.

Smith is definitely the latter. I think next season will just be a repeat of this. If it starts off that way, get Smith the hell out of here.

and then it's start all over again.im with you though

Yup. But there’s always a chance Hetherington gets lucky with a coach. Hetherington needs to not be making rugby decisions. Everything he touches on that front turns to excrement.

Maybe Furner wanted to clear the dross and dead wood, never got a chance though did he, spy in the camp JJB saw to that. Squealing to friend and boss Sir Kev. Now rewarded with a " made up job " by GH

Yeah, we could do with a coach like that. But who? Oh, hang on. Isn't there a guy who inherited a cellar dwelling team last year and took an often depleted side on a long winning run (of effectively knock out games) all the way to the Grand Final. We should sack the current coach and get him in. Now, what was his name? Rohan something?

And has put them firmly back in the cellar this season....

While I take the point on coaching, it’s not that long ago Lam was practically chased out of Wigan. He’s had 2 years to build his squad and a he’ll of a lot of investment. The players he has this year could be deemed ‘cast offs’ but they’re all players he wanted, and a vast majority of them he had last year in the championship too.

I get it’s a what have you done lately thing is coaching, but I don’t think that’s a fair comparison.

So maybe time for some quality recruitment on the playing staff instead of this constant and counterproductive sacking of sacrificial lambs, sorry coaches.

I 100% agree.
GH needs to get the cheque book out and back Smith.
Then let's see what he's capable of with his own team.