Do Souths fans feel the same way JT does?

[Azkatro]

I really can't help but wonder how Souths would be doing right now if they had have kept McRae on as coach. Still, it's amazing to me that with a former halfback at the helm that they have such a weak halves pairing. Even if Wing is fit and playing I think they will struggle to score points. Last year they had Peachey's creativity at times helping them in attack but he's gone now and Wing hasn't exactly been setting the game alight in the past few years with his attack.

And even when Wing is at his best, he's not a noted ball player but more a runner of the ball and Souths still don't have a good organising halfback who can take control of a game when they get a glut of possession.

It begs the question - since they re-joined the comp in 2002, and went on a spending spree buying whatever players would come to the club but not really building a team around a few key players or whatever, have they learnt anything? It would seem not.

My question is, after the comments where Jason Taylor has said yes, we are in a great position, do the fans agree and how do they feel about the future of the club with him as coach?

 

[Mr Angry]

Jason Taylor rates up there with Stuart Raper as a coach.

 

[yobbo84]

Anyone doubting JT's ability as coach lives in fairyland. Sure, we've started terribly, but I'm definately not blaming JT. Take players like Craig Wing, David Fa'alogo, Nigel Vagana and Issac Luke out of any side and they're going to struggle.

As for not building the team around key players - that's just incorrect. Nathan Merritt, Fetuli Talanoa, Issac Luke, Craig Wing, Roy Asotasi, David Fa'alogo, John Sutton are all signed to long term contracts - that's a good core of players. We have Eddie Paea, Chris Sandow and Luke Capewell in the lower grades - all junior rep halves with an impressive a CV as you'd want from 18-20 year old halfbacks. It will just take time for them to develop. Sandow is particular looks very, very good.

Paea WILL be a good halfback, and more than likely be back in first grade sooner rather than later. He just has a few issues to iron out defensively and it appears the club wants him to develop these skills in the lower grades rather than in the NRL. Their call.

I guess the point of the matter is - when we have our Top 17 on the field, we're a finals team. Take 2 or 3 players out, and we'll definately struggle. The club put all it's eggs in the Craig Wing basket (short-term anyway), and it has backfired.

But I don't for one second doubt JT as the right coach for the club, or question the clubs long-term development structures.

 

[The Colonel]

When the front rower in your team passes the ball more times than the halves there is some issues to be addressed. The Bunnies have a decent team on paper and for one reason or another no one to direct them around the park. Changing your halves combination every week isn't going to fix that issue.

 

[Pierced Soul]

i laughed when i ehard JT saying they're in a good position. not sure how many coaches think 0-4 is good.

they've made some good signing but they do lack the quality halves they need. I wa sof the opinion last eyar was a fluke and i was skeptical when taylor was made out to be a supercoach. will be interesting nospam46 ee if he can get them out of this slump

 

[t-ba]

I'd say that sticking with a single halves combo for a few weeks would be a start. Wing's not gone that long and one of the nuffies might actually come good in that time.

 

[themanonthehill]

When the front rower in your team passes the ball more times than the halves there is some issues to be addressed.

Could you please email that to tom shines
tshinesisaf**kingmyth@weststigers.com.au

thanks

 

[yobbo84]

I'd say that sticking with a single halves combo for a few weeks would be a start. Wing's not gone that long and one of the nuffies might actually come good in that time.

I agree - but not Jeremy Smith. He's too far gone. I'd be sticking with Sutton and Paea.

 

[themanonthehill]

Soufs should make a play for John Morris
If he's good enough for supercoach shines, soufs should be more than happy with him
Can also cover hooker and 5/8 as f**ked as he does 1/2

 

[Sood]

They need to buy a top class halfback.
Paea & Sandow might end up being good attacking players, but their defense is woeful.

 

[Mr Angry]

Defence can be coached.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Can't make any excuses, Souths should be going better than they are, however in saying that we had a lean trot last year and got through it. I think that was 5 in a row from memory. With a full team on the park, we are not theworst team in the comp but with the team we have now, we are. JT picked a halves combo mid way through last year and stuck with it and in the end that is what got us out of the sh!t after the 5 and 0 run. He needs to do the same this year and imo Paea needs to be one of those halves. We are in the process of building a good team and our forward pack looks phenomenal long term. Our halves combo should also come good with a few promising guys developing in the juniors. Imo we need to make two acquisitions - 1. A top class fullback as we need Merritt on the wing. 2. A top class centre. Luke Lewis is a good start to shoreing up some of our defensive deficiencies out wide but we need someone out there who can create some scoring opportunities as well. On my wishlist for right now would be either a SPECIALIST half or 5/8th, however we will have one of both in a few years time so not absolutely necessary but would be nice as a quick fix for 08.
A few hindsight things that I think would have been good for the club that we passed up or let go at the time -
1. Should have kept Brett Kearney. (Great move there Bomber McRae!)
2. Should have taken Michael Monaghan when he was offered to us. (Then, we probably could have picked up Joel as well last year and that would have helped us immensely in the centres).

 

[Ziggy the God]

JT is obviously trying to pump some confidence into the players, and to give the supporters some hope.

In terms of the fans, we watch do watch in hope, but I would not be far wrong from saying the lot of us are gutted.

Cheers

 

[griffo346]

Souths prob sign lewis to play n the halves :crazy:

 

[Stranger]

Anyone doubting JT's ability as coach lives in fairyland.

Why? TBH, he is still an unproven coach IMO.

 

[the bondi spy]

Perhaps Tom Cruise and Snoop Dogg could play in the halves? They love the Bunnies dont they?

 

[Ziggy the God]

Perhaps Tom Cruise and Snoop Dogg could play in the halves? They love the Bunnies dont they?

At least if Snoop missed a tackle, he would pop the bloke before he went in for a try.

 

[Garts]

Your defence seemed ok yesterday, sure we did not throw much your way but you looked pretty solid. If you can keep defending well you will be in with a shot of winning some games.

 

[Dave PSI]

Personally I dont think we are that bad..

Alot of the mistake Merritt made yesterday in terms of kicks in play came because we dont have a proper halfback..

Jezza is a good player but not a leader and definetly not creative enough in the final 20..

We had plenty of opportunity this year to make us more competitive and win at least two games but we are falling short..

Our forward pack is good, our backline is better now with Buddy Gordan gone and Sutton is slowly coming into his own...

I'm still positive we can still make the 8.. we just need that final spark in the opposition 20

 

[Shorty]

Souths look similar to last year although their defence is weaker.
They have no attack and I think JT tried to improve the team from last year as opposed to keep the same combos that got them over the line into the 8.

As others have said,they need to stick with a definite halves until Wing has returned - Paea should never have been dropped.
I'm aware the bloke is young but what he has is desperately needed in the side.

I'm not going to bag JT,I think he's a great coach but I think he hoped for a bit too much this year and focused too much at large success as opposed to small.
Souths are a team with a losing culture,it's going to take more than one season to change the mindset of the club.