Eels keen to discuss Smith's future

[Bigfella]

A couple of things stand out for me from these last few pages:

1. Several articles have presumed that Fitzgerald has stated that a new coach will automatically be appointed. His statement says no such thing. There is a considerable degree of assumption involved.

2. There is widespread agreement that Smith should make way beacause his record suggests he can't win a comp. That is one thing. However this thread is full of people wanting to appoint people who have NEVER COACHED at the highest level, yet alone WON A COMP.

Before we rush into changing anything we would want to have a better alternative lined up. There are not that many quality coaches around. (In fact there are at any time only about 6 or 7 who are better than just filling a position IMO). We would be insane to completely lose Smith and I would hope he stays on in a consultative and recruiting aspect. His ability to spot bargain buys is one of his greatest strengths - even though it is often used against him when those players start to command significantly greater sums and can't be retained.

If Parra cut ties Souths should throw the kitchen sink at Smith.

 

[Smartman]

Daniel Anderson --> Parramatta

Brian Smith -------> Roosters

Ricky Stuart ------> Canterbury

Steve Folkes retiring

Just a rumor floating around.

 

[El Diablo]

LOL

I'd love that to be true just to see how melon and co react

 

[The Colonel]

2. There is widespread agreement that Smith should make way beacause his record suggests he can't win a comp. That is one thing. However this thread is full of people wanting to appoint people who have NEVER COACHED at the highest level, yet alone WON A COMP.

Just because they aren't coaching at the top level doesn't mean they can't coach. Bellamy has done well with Melbourne, Brown likewise with the Dragons. The Gold Coast are going to gamble with John Cartwright and the Warriors are looking towards Cleary and Campion to pull them out of a hole.

Just because they have coached at the top level doesn't necessarily make them the better option.

 

[The_Coach]

Lets just make a deal.

Which ever coach wins the Premier League Grand Final on Sunday we should hire.

Taylor or Flanagan.

 

[Suitman]

Just because they aren't coaching at the top level doesn't mean they can't coach. Bellamy has done well with Melbourne, Brown likewise with the Dragons. The Gold Coast are going to gamble with John Cartwright and the Warriors are looking towards Cleary and Campion to pull them out of a hole.

Just because they have coached at the top level doesn't necessarily make them the better option.

Ricky Stuart and Michael Hagan are other good examples.

Suity

 

[Jake the snake]

I want Brian Smith to stay on and control the operational side of things. Talent ID Juniors etc. He has put in the best structure of any NRL club.

 

[stiffmeister]

Daniel Anderson --> Parramatta

Brian Smith -------> Roosters

Ricky Stuart ------> Canterbury

Steve Folkes retiring

Just a rumor floating around.

That is the most stupid rumour I have ever heard

Why would we need a Smith Clone who like Smith himself hasn't won a premiership.

 

[Prodigal Eel]

Get Brian Smith as Technical Advisor and his Bro Tony Smith as Head Coach lol....The more smiths the better

 

[The Engineers Room]

There are a few ex Eels coaching around the place at the moment

Jim Dymock
Shane Flanagan
Gavin Catanach

 

[Parraletic]

I was very happy when we got Smith as coach in '97, but by the time 2003 had come & gone I was sick of him as coach & am to this day but I can only blame him to an extent for what happened on Sunday. My personal view is they'll keep him on as a director of Football after his contract is finished & get JT as coach but I have said for a number of year I think we should have got Graeme Murray as coach when the Roosters screwed him round & look what his done with the Cowboys!

 

[El Diablo]

We wouldn't have Widders if Murray was coach

 

[Bigfella]

What would we all have been saying about Graham Murray if we had lost to Tigers 50-6 in a semi final?

 

[fish eel]

What would we all have been saying about Graham Murray if we had lost to Tigers 50-6 in a semi final?

would we have cared about that loss if we were playing in a grand final three weeks later?

 

[Avenger]

I have a strange feeling that the result on Sunday in the Premier League GF will have a significant influence on who will be our coach post 2006.

 

[The Colonel]

I have a strange feeling that the result on Sunday in the Premier League GF will have a significant influence on who will be our coach post 2006.

Flanagan has always had a high standing with people at the Eels and the players, as does JT...... Could be very interesting.

 

[Avenger]

Flanagan has always had a high standing with people at the Eels and the players, as does JT...... Could be very interesting.

Colonel, do you have the same feeling? Flanagan surely must be on the short list. He is ready and Sticky is going nowhere.

 

[MarkInTheStands]

Could be interesting to see who is the new coach and who is the assistant. We have JT, either way, could we also get Flanagan and have both of them on the Payroll next year.

 

[The Colonel]

Colonel, do you have the same feeling? Flanagan surely must be on the short list. He is ready and Sticky is going nowhere.

I have always been a Flanagan supporter, even when he was at the club. I could understand why he left after Smith had signed another deal and he was touted as being given the job at Souths. I can honestly see it happening. For mine JT may have to cool his heels at least another year.

 

[Avenger]

How old is Flanagan and what is his background? Did he ever play?