With the recent events at our club and the sudden willingness to finally use that rod of iron that has been stashed away for far too long, I am left wondering if Rich Agar has effectively had to do his job this season with his hands tied behind his back.

At the end of last season, Agar stated that certain players were playing for their futures at our club. Performance didn’t improve, but the expected clearout or cull never materialised.

Performances this season have mostly been unacceptable, but Agar has remained fireproof and has had the continued backing of the board. Could it be that Agar presented the board with a list of names at the end of last season that he wanted rid off (probably the same list of names that he has given this year), but due to players been under contract the board were unwilling to pay them off?

Could it be that realising they were effectively tying Agar’s hands behind his back that the board gave him assurances that his job was safe, regardless of how we performed this season and that they guaranteed full support to him in getting rid of players this season?

This is only a personal observation, but all of a sudden things seem to be falling into place for this supporter. Hopefully with the cull, new, more professional players and the board and coach working together, we can finally start to get back on the right path as a club. with the shackles off, will we get to see the real Rich Agar?

I'm just worried that with this amount of change it has to do something for FC, my problem is that if we have a far better season next year, is it 'cos Agar is leading them or Long/Fitz?!

Well, as Agar has bought both players, I'd say it's partly down to him...

2008 called. They want their thread back.

Ooooh, you bitch!

Quality contribution. You should stick to moderating because your banter is horrendous.

Everyone's a critic.

Personally I’d keep the shackles on, put him in a crate and send him as far away as possible!

He appears weak to me, not strong enough with his team/tactics selections, a poor motivator and terrible communicator (with the press). Having said that I don’t think he’s been helped by the players. It would appear there is no respect, no team morale and far too much complacency within the squad, but he’s just not strong enough to deal with it IMO.

A couple of weeks ago, I would have agreed with those sentiments 100%, but the glass half full buzzer has started ringing again in my head, so I now 95% agree.

Don’t get me wrong, Agar has a monumental job on to now convince me, and many other fans that he has got what it takes to be a good super league coach. But with the suspensions of Lee and Burnett, and the recent rumours that King and Thaks have pretty much already been shown the door, I have to wonder if performances would have been different had these actions been taken a year ago.

If the board were unable or unwilling to back his clear out plans last season, then maybe just a little of the blame can be removed from Agar for this shambles of a season. Also for me, it goes a long way to explaining the unprecedented support that Agar has received this year.

Agar will start next season with his own players and hopefully without Jon Sharp. He'll have 6 maybe 8 games to prove he's up to the job and if he fails he'll be gone by late April/early May.

Which will be to late and another season will go down the drain a head coach has to command respect from his players something he clearly does not have.

The club really are taking the pi$$ in keeping him

I don't disagree with you Coach but the decision has been made and nothing said on here will change it.

Maybe now the bad apples are going and new players are coming in the team will respect him?

i know i hope im wrong but i doubt it

I think it will be more the fact that he is sending a message out by paying off our longest serving player for not having a professional attitude, also suspending 2 players who would be in the squad for wigan is showing who's boss.
Hope he keeps this up as it's 1 of only 2 things he has going for him at the moment.

has he got a nice car?