League
Why I won't sack Smith
By DEAN RITCHIE Rugby League Writer
April 1, 2005
PARRAMATTA chief executive Denis Fitzgerald last night stepped forward to guarantee Brian Smith would coach the Eels until the end of 2006 - ending damaging talk about the coach's future.
Fitzgerald's assurances came despite statistics showing Smith has won just 31 of 76 games since the start of 2002, the year after Parramatta contested the grand final.
It is a win ratio of only 40 per cent -- well behind that of Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes (73 per cent), the Sydney Roosters' Ricky Stuart (72 per cent) and Brisbane's Wayne Bennett (59 per cent).
But fed up with constant sniping at Smith and talk about his coaching future, Fitzgerald said the man he lured to Parramatta in 1997 would not be sacked this year and would again lead the club in 2006.
The Eels have had a poor start to the season, winning one of three games, and face Penrith in the battle of the west tonight at Parramatta Stadium.
"There is absolutely no question that Brian will stay in the role [as coach]," Fitzgerald told The Daily Telegraph.
"Brian has a contract with us until the end of 2006 and he has every intention of fulfilling it," Fitzgerald said. "From a club's point of view, we want him to fulfil it as well.
"There has been criticism but that doesn't concern us.
"There is criticism about every coach when teams don't win.
"There was criticism of Wayne Bennett when Brisbane were not going too well.
"It comes and goes. Clubs must stick together in tough times. Brian is here and will be here again next year. The board has every confidence in Brian."
Parramatta have taken time to ease more than $1million worth of new recruits into the team.
Smith did not want to comment last night but Parramatta skipper Nathan Cayless defended his coach and hit out at the critics.
"Over the last couple of years there has been plenty of flak about our performances and the coach," Cayless said.
"But it just comes with the territory. Parramatta are expected to win and be successful.
"We got over all this I thought last year. We don't take any notice of it.
"The only way to get people off our backs is to start winning matches.
"We are working hard to do that.
"The fans need to be patient. We are looking to improve every week. It is a long season."
Parramatta fullback Wade McKinnon was last night ruled out of the match with a hamstring injury.
In a reshuffle, Luke Burt will shift to fullback with Matt Petersen coming on to the wing. Smith will name his new bench player today.
The Panthers expect to be intact for tonight's game.
Penrith go in to the local derby as $1.53 favourites with Parramatta paying $2.35 on TAB Sportsbet.
Source:
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1264&storyid=2895520
