Quote: Barbed Wire "At the risk of going over old ground, these comments land differently from a serial winner. If (for example, not suggesting he would have taken the job) Craig Bellamy had said this, and Cooper objected, it’s completely inappropriate. Bellamy has the credentials to back up the arrogant approach. Given that Powell can’t evidence that he can back up the comment, I think I would have taken that with a pinch of salt if I’m honest, especially if I’d have been at a more successful club over the past 10 years than the guy self appointed as the oracle.'"
You can also sort of turn this on its head though (and I’m not taking taking sides here) by asking certain players how many times they’ve been on the losing side in grand finals. We have had a lot of those players in recent years. Whether it’s the coach or the players, who knows? But let’s remember that Smith lost 3 finals with a very good squad on paper.