Anderson!

[Stranger]

Anderson keen to coach Knights
By Peter Badel
February 5, 2006

FORMER Test coach Chris Anderson has confirmed himself as a shock contender for the vacant Newcastle job, claiming he is rejuvenated after three years away from the NRL.

Anderson, who has not coached in the NRL since splitting with Cronulla at the end of 2003, revealed he has applied for the Knights position and is hopeful of taking over what he regards as one of the best clubs in the game.

Matthew Johns is pushing for Anderson's appointment, the pair having forged a bond when Anderson brought Johns from Wigan to play for the Sharks.

"I have applied, yeah. I think the Knights are one of the real pea jobs in rugby league," said Anderson, who delivered premierships to Canterbury (1995) and Melbourne (1999).

"They are one of the best clubs in the game. I have spoken to Matty (Johns) a number of times about it.

"I really like what Newcastle are about.

"I think in the past the club has suffered because they have not been in a good enough position financially to hold on to the best of their junior players.

"Now that they seem like they are in better shape financially with some good sponsors coming on board, I think they have a terrifically bright future because they now have the ability to hang on to the best of those kids."

Knights boss Ken Conway said he would not discuss any coaching negotiations but confirmed Anderson had applied.

Asked whether Anderson would be interviewed for the job, Conway said: "His coaching record speaks for itself but it will be a matter of whether we think he would be a good fit for the club. That hasn't been decided."

Anderson also has the support of Knights captain Andrew Johns.

Johns is one of four senior players Knights management will consult about the coaching position. "I have worked with Joey at Test level - it would be terrific to work with him again," Anderson said.

The Sunday Telegraph

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

 

[Matt23]

Hell No! :evil:

 

[Misanthrope]

You know, I think people are unduly hard on Anderson, myself included. His record at Melbourne and as Australian coach were both brilliant. He showed it wasn't just a 'good team' that helped with Australia, since Bennett has sucked the joint up as Aussie coach with similar sides.

His work at Cronulla did suck, but that can also be blamed on the lack of support from the club and the lack of quality players. They've hardly improved in his absence.

 

[Bicey_18]

He did take a 3rd string Aussie side to beat Britian 3-0.... If he had the right players no doubt he has the makings 2 be a great coach.. well i believe he is imo.. I would be thrilled 2 have him here.. the experience he has is invaluable! Something Sharp and co havent got.... Johns boys are pushing for him now and looks like we have a new favourite

 

[Ben]

I don't know what to say about Anderson. My brain tells me that he has the credentials to take Newcastle all the way, but my heart tells me that if he struggled with Sharks can what can he do with the Knights.

 

[Alex28]

Good god...

 

[Gene Krupa]

Nein!

 

[Bicey_18]

I don't know what to say about Anderson. My brain tells me that he has the credentials to take Newcastle all the way, but my heart tells me that if he struggled with Sharks can what can he do with the Knights.

Lets not forget the sharks in 2002 were one game short of a GF and were one of the form sides in the comp for most of it...

Anderson said the club needed changes if it were 2 progress 2 that next level and the Sharks werent willing 2 do that.. therefore cya Ando

His coaching record speaks volumes... Taking Canterbury 2 a GF win over the 'unbeatables' Manly in 95.. Taking Melbourne to the finals in their first yr and winning it the next.. why? They had the cattle to win,.... Kearns, Kimmorley, Ross, Hill, Nikau etc.... Imagine Anderson working with Joey, Bedsy etc.. will only help

Newcastle will benefit from an experienced coach and i believe will be exactly wat we need.. One of the top coaches around at club and test level... I mean this is a guy that has coached Australia in a world cup and ashes series.. The highest pinnacle there is in RL and we have the chance to sign him for our coach.... I say do it

His only dud year was 2003 with Sharks, but I think that was as much the clubs fault....

I will be happy to welcome him with open arms if he is announced coach 4 2007...

That being said i may be the only one..:lol:

 

[Stranger]

IMO, not a bad coach, and he does shread the rubbish...

Main worry is he plays very flat attack, alot of inside balls and such... will have to let the attack flow more...

 

[Bicey_18]

Another thing ppl dont see the reason why Anderson wanted to change the Sharks... but never changed Melbourne or Bulldogs????

Sharks have won sfa.... wouldnt you wanna change that if u were the coach?.. but the sharks management didnt allow it, therefore fights occured and the club suffered as a result..

I dont think he will change us that much, just get us 2 where we need 2 be again...

The Top!

 

[Alex28]

I would hope that he would want to change alot about the club - the old boys club Newcastle has turned into, our awful defence, the re-signing of inept players and the letting go of promising juniors, the fact that our team is based around one player and that they can not win without him, the fact that players seem to own positions and are selected week-in-week-out no matter how awful their form has been...

There is plenty to change.

 

[northern knight]

no! no! no!

 

[chinorocks]

I think he's a better option than Sharpe. He's a hard ass, he won't take any sh*t from the players, and he's a proven winner. If its a 2 horse race between Ando and Sharpe I'd take Ando any day of the week.

 

[Alex28]

Agreed Chino - Sharp will be a backwards move. There has to be better alternatives than him - I'm just not sure whether Chris Anderson is the best choice...

 

[Bicey_18]

Anderson would no doubt attempt to change the club in that sense... i just meant our attack..

as far as recruiting goes, i think he could attract great players for our club... He will fix our defence and create a game plan for life without Johns... someone with that much experience has to be good 4 us...

Imagine players off contract looking at coming to Newcastle.. first they look at the coach... Theres Sharp, who hasnt got a great record at nrl level... or theres Anderson who has done it all and coached guys like Lockyer, Rogers, Fittler etc

If the Knights board want a coach to meet their criteria... here is your man .. but lets compare

* Have extensive senior coaching experience
Sharp - Coached Manly and Northern Eagles.. no finals campaigns

Anderson
- Coached Bulldogs and Melbourne to GF wins.
- Coached Australia to a World Cup in 2000
- Successive ashes wins in 2001-2003... first cleansweep in yrs in 2003 with a 3rd string.. Great win-loss record at the helm of Aussies..

* Possess good communication skills with players, supporters and media

Sharp - Is well liked by players im sure, He is a great guy who can mix with supporters and is open to media

Anderson
- The guy is a proven winner, must be respected by players. Joey and matty are pushing for the guy to be there.
- Supporters.. not sure
- He is always open to the media, interviews etc

* educate players

Sharp - Not that much top nrl experience.. what can he offer?

Anderson
- His coaching experience speaks volumes... im sure he could educate them extensively

* establish right culture to the club

Sharp - typical knights culture.. one of the boys, but arent we trying to get away from that?

Anderson = fresh coach, new ideas, rejuvenated
- The sooner we fix the club the better... Anderson knows how to build a successful club and will be giving his input 2 management.. he has been there and done it

By that criteria they set out i believe Anderson fits all of them well..

 

[Alex28]

You getting 10% of his payment these days?

What happened with Anderson at Cronulla is a concern. He is a "my way or the highway" type of coach and if we were to sign him it should be on a short-term contract so we don't get stuck with another settlement like the Sharks did when he became so stubborn and pig-headed that he could not vary anything to suit the club (and lets face it - we have a culture different to other clubs just like Cronulla does - if he couldn't work with them, what makes you think he can fit into our culture?).

 

[antonius]

Not keen on Anderson to be honest. I think he could stiffle our style in attack, and I agree with Alex, he has always come across as a pig headed sort of guy to me. I'd prefer to give Daisy the job than Anderson. I know he's one with the Storm etc etc, I just don't think he would fit with Newcastle.

 

[Ben]

Well those who think that Anderson will change the way the Knights play attacking football, i think you have nothing to be worried over. If Anderson was the coach, Johns would still be directing play the way he wants it to be done. Even if Anderson wants a flatter line of attack, Johns would never play that way because he has played with these guys for so long now and would know exactly how to compliment the way they play with a brilliant attacking game plan.

 

[Bicey_18]

You getting 10% of his payment these days?

Yep Ando is paying me to put in a good word 2 push his case :lol:

 

[cram]

Personally I think Anderson is not such a bad option. It may be best to say he is the best of a number of bad options but I would certainly prefer him to Sharp and the others being touted who have little experience or success in the top grade (not referring to Noble, Sheens, Murray or Bellamy because I think we have no chance of them coming here).

As CWB says he has success at the Dogs and Melbourne and with the Aussi side.

I believe his my way or the highway attitude at Cronulla was simply displayed because he was, IMO, asked to go there and create a winning culture. Unfortunately no body liked the changes he wanted to bring in and the end result was no support and his demise.

If the media report is right he has some very powerful support in Mathew and Andrew Johns. As far as him changing our style of play, I think you find that one AJ dicates that at present and if Anderson comes to Newcastle he will be doing it the Joey way.