There's plenty of examples of coaches dropping "top" players to remind them that nobody is bigger than the club.. Smith did it with Briers, Price did it with Austin.

It's a gamble, granted, but it's not unthinkable to drop an underperforming player for the sake of the team. Not playing and removing the pressure off that player for a week may be in their best interests.

Case by case

Yep ... but it is usually done from a position of strength. Not many have ever dropped five as the right honourable Cat was suggesting. Do not throw out the baby with the bathwater. Speccies always love players being dropped and coaches being sacked but sometimes you have to get back to reality.

Really, all he needs to drop is the player(s?) who are resisting the way he wants to play. If those 5 aren't any of the bad eggs then it's pointless dropping them. Sadly King looks like one of the players with doubts, he's been one of my favourite players for the past few seasons (pre contract renewal), he's mates with lineham and I wonder if there was any private discussion coming out there. Plus he isn't performing, hopefully that's wide of the mark and some much needed go forward will allow the Second rows and outside backs more space to work in. I'm not holding my breath though.

I know it can be done but would you really want that team to play vs. HKR with the hope that it might provide additional motivation to others sitting in the stand. If Powell selected that side next week (even I) would doubt his sanity.

While I totally understand the sentiment behind Powell's remarks, I must admit to being surprised about him being so public about the players & their abilities/efforts.

The aim of his remarks are obvious, he wants to almost embarrass them into performing, however this plan carries its risks, because the players could easily down tools.

If they did that, then it's essential that the board back the coach - This is where giving Powell adequate time to get things right is vital. If the board were to cave and fire him, then it makes the coach's job an almost impossible one in the future.

I think ultimately, Powell has laid down his mark here. By saying what he has, he has got his excuse in early for this season being a massive anti-climax. He has basically washed his hands (rightly) of any blame and made it clear to all, whether they be the board, fans, neutral observers and, most importantly, the players, that the guilty party for squad underachievement is solely down to them, the squad.

Fair enough. Who do we work on and what work do we do?

May I ask if you saw the tackling attempts in this video [sizeD. Powell 19/3/2022
So are they wrong?

Anyhow you posed the question on how to create a team with those five players missing. All people have done is answer the question. We may lose, but we are losing anyway.

If king and philbin are currently giving everything in terms of effort then they both need shipping out to widnes,...........permanently!

I think it's a strong move by Powell. I'm sick of hearing all the usual platitudes trotted out that you normally get. We stink currently and everyone knows we do, no point trying to hide it.

I'm sure the powers that be will back Powell, otherwise it will be like Lord of the Flies in the dressing room going forward.

Fair point, I'm gonna cheat then and go easy on currie and King and not drop them, but give them a shot across the bows.

I like shot across the bows. Never drop five players ... unless you are playing Blackpool Borough or Huyton.

Still Top Poster on here Smithy, but just have to correct a minor, inconsequential, mint imperial detail there, and in correct order

With all this head butting going on and general lumber int mill, just who are regarded as the hard knocks in our squad at present, you know, the guys that all the other players would always defer to and never challenge but would look to on the pitch when the going got tough. I don’t see anyone
Have we got a Team Cock any more

Yes, a certain someone rushing out of the line, causing a gap, being beaten by footwork then ineffective tackle.

Anyway you said you don't doubt effort, yet Powell and ex pros do. Someone has to be wrong.