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Cronulla Sharks coach Shane Flanagan hunting for four new faces to bolster team
Ian McCullough From: AAP August 06, 2010 2:15PM
CRONULLA coach Shane Flanagan is confident he will have secured the signings of at least four new players by the end of next week as he begins his rebuilding process of the NRL strugglers.
Flanagan, who took over from Ricky Stuart last month, is still looking for his first win as coach and admitted he has one eye on the 2011 campaign, despite five rounds of this season still remaining.
"Although I am focusing on week to week and getting some wins, one eye is on next season and probably 50 per cent of my time revolves around looking at next season," Flanagan said.
"That is unfortunate, but that is just the way it is, but my time is going to be more next year and I have to keep focused on what I want."
Flanagan has already secured the services of talented Penrith playmaker Wade Graham and said he needs at least five players to make his side competitive next season.
"I am looking for a playmaker, an outside back and a backrower," he said.
"I am very confident we will have a couple of new faces who are of NRL standard next week. It is just a case of dotting the 'i's' and crossing the 't's', but we are very close."
One player who may not be in Flanagan's plans next season is want-away winger Blake Ferguson who has activated a get-out clause in his contract.
Flanagan, who took over from Stuart last month, said he was disappointed with Ferguson's decision, but only wants players at the club who want to play for him.
"I don't know what offers he has got and we will sit and have a chat next week," Flanagan said.
"I think Blake was poorly advised but he is looking around at his options at the moment.
"Some of his comments were disappointing but he is playing good football for me at the moment so that is what I am worried about.
"But I won't be persuading him to stay, he has been here two years and he knows what I am about. But he has got to want to stay.
"Part of our recruitment policy is that we want people that want to play first grade and not just to pick up a pay cheque. If Blake stays great, but I will not be trying to persuade him."
Flanagan is confident his side have a great chance of breaking his duck when they take on the Warriors on tomorrow.
"We went close against the Tigers last week and I don't think we are too far away from getting a win," he said.
"They are battling to stay in the eight so it will be a good test for us, but I am happy with how we have trained this week and looking forward to the game."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-to-bolster-team/story-e6frexnr-1225902154612
Ian McCullough From: AAP August 06, 2010 2:15PM
CRONULLA coach Shane Flanagan is confident he will have secured the signings of at least four new players by the end of next week as he begins his rebuilding process of the NRL strugglers.
Flanagan, who took over from Ricky Stuart last month, is still looking for his first win as coach and admitted he has one eye on the 2011 campaign, despite five rounds of this season still remaining.
"Although I am focusing on week to week and getting some wins, one eye is on next season and probably 50 per cent of my time revolves around looking at next season," Flanagan said.
"That is unfortunate, but that is just the way it is, but my time is going to be more next year and I have to keep focused on what I want."
Flanagan has already secured the services of talented Penrith playmaker Wade Graham and said he needs at least five players to make his side competitive next season.
"I am looking for a playmaker, an outside back and a backrower," he said.
"I am very confident we will have a couple of new faces who are of NRL standard next week. It is just a case of dotting the 'i's' and crossing the 't's', but we are very close."
One player who may not be in Flanagan's plans next season is want-away winger Blake Ferguson who has activated a get-out clause in his contract.
Flanagan, who took over from Stuart last month, said he was disappointed with Ferguson's decision, but only wants players at the club who want to play for him.
"I don't know what offers he has got and we will sit and have a chat next week," Flanagan said.
"I think Blake was poorly advised but he is looking around at his options at the moment.
"Some of his comments were disappointing but he is playing good football for me at the moment so that is what I am worried about.
"But I won't be persuading him to stay, he has been here two years and he knows what I am about. But he has got to want to stay.
"Part of our recruitment policy is that we want people that want to play first grade and not just to pick up a pay cheque. If Blake stays great, but I will not be trying to persuade him."
Flanagan is confident his side have a great chance of breaking his duck when they take on the Warriors on tomorrow.
"We went close against the Tigers last week and I don't think we are too far away from getting a win," he said.
"They are battling to stay in the eight so it will be a good test for us, but I am happy with how we have trained this week and looking forward to the game."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-to-bolster-team/story-e6frexnr-1225902154612
