Is it smithy or JT ???

[strider]

fact is none of us know what's different or how different .... but a change is as good as a holiday

(how profound am I)

 

[The Colonel]

fact is none of us know what's different or how different .... but a change is as good as a holiday

(how profound am I)

Rather profound.

I have an idea of how things are different but I can only comment on what I see and hear. The air is much more relaxed, players are cracking jokes and are happy to take shots at each other. You can see they are happier. It isn't going to turn around in two weeks but its a step forward

Case in point, JT's comment while talking to the players at the after match function. "Any players expecting to come down here tomorrow morning for an early morning drink shouldn't expect Tim or Mark to be waiting for them...."

Timmy ordering two vodka and lemonades and quickly offering "They're not for me". His sister was also down on Sunday and when asked which player would be in with a chance of taking his sister out - "None of them".

Mark Riddell asking Timmy if he wanted to come to the pub for a drink in the morning when he was announced as PL players player.

I've been to other post match functions and they were generally sombre affairs - not much joking or laughter happening amongst the players until Smithy left.

 

[The Colonel]

It appears to be quite obvious that the regimented style of coaching employed by Smithy was just starting to grind on the players minds this season.

Indeed, it probably was in '02, '03 and '04 as well, but with the injection of new blood into the team last year, we were able to overcome it.

I think you have managed to explain some of it in that statement.

 

[strider]

:lol: :lol: .... cool

 

[Stagger eel]

Rather profound.

I have an idea of how things are different but I can only comment on what I see and hear. The air is much more relaxed, players are cracking jokes and are happy to take shots at each other. You can see they are happier. It isn't going to turn around in two weeks but its a step forward

Case in point, JT's comment while talking to the players at the after match function. "Any players expecting to come down here tomorrow morning for an early morning drink shouldn't expect Tim or Mark to be waiting for them...."

Timmy ordering two vodka and lemonades and quickly offering "They're not for me". His sister was also down on Sunday and when asked which player would be in with a chance of taking his sister out - "None of them".

Mark Riddell asking Timmy if he wanted to come to the pub for a drink in the morning when he was announced as PL players player.

I've been to other post match functions and they were generally sombre affairs - not much joking or laughter happening amongst the players until Smithy left.

just to add to that, Paul Boys came out of the function and spoke to some of us there who were all sitting together and declared that he was getting an early night so he can catch up with Tim and Mark for drink in the morning.

we all started laughing.

 

[_goParra]

Ok.. so things have changed.......

 

[El Diablo]

Ok.. so things have changed.......

http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19288154-5003409,00.html

"I haven't been here all week, but just the feel I got from training yesterday was pretty good," said Hindmarsh, who played the full 80 minutes. "There are plenty of smiles on faces. JT is bringing back a bit of the fun of the game back into us."

there was another article i read during the week where someone said they hadn't been concentrating on the little things but were now since JT took over.

maybe that explains things like our terrible handling so far this year

 

[Bigfella]

1. Sounds like that joke got thorughly done to death then. ANyone at the function who didn't use it?

2. Suity there is a very good point contained in your post. There is no doubt - despite what some people will say because of their blind hatred - that Smithy has some very very strong points as a coach. Hence the fact that many players played their best football ever under him. In particular he tends to improve players immensely in the first year or two he has with them: see Hodgson, Ryan, Drew, Schifcoske, and endless others. However, how many players KEPT imptoving long term under Smith. The only one I can think of is Hindmarsh, and players such as Cayless, Burt, Wagon, maybe even Widders, represent players who initially shone but eventually stagnated.

Maybe Joey should have one or two seasons under Smithy. He may get to a new level. But also maybe Newcastle should make plans for two or three years' time ...

 

[The Colonel]

1. Sounds like that joke got thorughly done to death then. ANyone at the function who didn't use it?

Me! ;-)

 

[The EELiminator]

another possible explanation is there have been people in the media with their own agendas looking for any excuse to put pressure on fitzgerald to sack smithy they can't blast JT in the first weeks of a new job without looking unfair

 

[Stagger eel]

1. Sounds like that joke got thorughly done to death then. ANyone at the function who didn't use it?

2. Suity there is a very good point contained in your post. There is no doubt - despite what some people will say because of their blind hatred - that Smithy has some very very strong points as a coach. Hence the fact that many players played their best football ever under him. In particular he tends to improve players immensely in the first year or two he has with them: see Hodgson, Ryan, Drew, Schifcoske, and endless others. However, how many players KEPT imptoving long term under Smith. The only one I can think of is Hindmarsh, and players such as Cayless, Burt, Wagon, maybe even Widders, represent players who initially shone but eventually stagnated.

Maybe Joey should have one or two seasons under Smithy. He may get to a new level. But also maybe Newcastle should make plans for two or three years' time ...

tbh Bigfella I can only re call one poster from here who virtually showed hatred towards Brian and that was Misty Bee.

 

[strider]

i don't really want to get into BS arguements anymore - but i think there's been alot of unfair personal stuff thrown at him by more than just good old misty over the years ..... maybe i misinterpret it? - but to me it seems many people pretty much hated the guy to post what they posted

 

[Stagger eel]

i don't really want to get into BS arguements anymore - but i think there's been alot of unfair personal stuff thrown at him by more than just good old misty over the years ..... maybe i misinterpret it? - but to me it seems many people pretty much hated the guy to post what they posted

mate, it depends what you define as personel, I have absalutely no doubt that there have been people here who have wanted him gone for years and have continuelly let us know, I believe the hatred comes from the idea of him being there not on the person himself or maybe I'm just being niave?

 

[Kornstar]

I don't hate him, but i had wanted him gone for many years.

Stories that i have heard about the 2001 Grand Final and the week leading up to it, text messages and playing favourites, all from credible people, have made me question his coaching.

I wish him all success in the future, however i am glad that he is gone from our club. He did many great things for the structure of the club but he did not get us what he was hired for, even when he had a $9,000,000 team in the late 90's. The continual choking that he suffered with St.George transposed to us.

People are entitled to like him and i respect that and i will not argue with any reason why they like him. However i would like to have my opinion respected and not be attacked because i am glad that he is gone.

I am looking forward to the rest of this year with JT and next year with Hagan.