John Lang - Your Opinion

[Fin077]

Was interested to find out what you guys, as Penrith fans, think about John Lang.

Are you disappointed to see him go, or glad to see the back of him? Any word on where he's headed?

Being a Cronulla fan, I was sad to see him leave a few years back. I thought he did some really good things for our club.

I'd really appreciate it if we could keep this as serious as possible. No need for stupid comments!

Cheers and good luck this weekend.

 

[richie8u]

has done some good things, but is now out of ideas, and i wish him the best of luck where ever he goes.

 

[Panthers_God]

I'm disapointed to see him go but not overly upset

 

[panthersballboy]

Being a Premiership winning coach with us will always make sure he has a special place in panther fans hearts. I was dissapointed to see him go but I do feel we need some fresh ideas in the coaching department. I hope he can get another gig in the NRL a change might bring out the best in him again as well.

 

[NK Arsenal]

Yes I am dissapointed that he is gone. It would be nice if he came back a few years down the track, but I don't think that will be happening.
But I also rate Matt Elliot as a coach too. Hopefully he will be able to pull a Langy and win a premiership in the first year as Panthers coach.

 

[Caged Panther]

Was really dissapointed when the announced the signing of Elliot and couldn't really understand why we had done it without giving him the opportunity to make up his own decision.

As this season has gone on however it's probably hit me that the time is right for him to leave. The panthers style of play just hasn't really evolved much and it's a big part of why we are struggling on the field IMO.

As other have said Lang will always have a special place at the Panthers and I wish him the best. But I think he needs to do a tim sheens and go away and reinvent himself as a coach before he takes on another club.

 

[Catherine]

I would be very disappointed to see him go because he have done fantastic job for us, to win the premiership in his 2nd year as a Panthers coach in 2003 and he will never forgot in our Panthers's fan heart and mind as we will remember him as one of the best coach we had in this century as we need a more new fresh idea to turn our season around and be premiership force once again in 2007.

I will never forgot what John Lang did as he will be in my heart and soul as I will remember what he did for us in my memories as he is one of true panthers legends coaching of all era...

It is very disappointed that he don"t have a job to go to next yr when he leave at end of 2006 as I am very sad and disappointed to see him go.. Let send him out on a winning notes at end of this year....

 

[anjado]

I think it's the right time to be honest like others have said we have played the sameway for a long time. If anything we have become even more conservative in our approach. He did a good job when he took over he also really took over at the right time since we had good youngsters coming through and actually made great signings for the 2002 season. I really think John Lang is more of a transitional coach now a days have him for 2-3 years get him to turn it around he would be great at Souths or even perhaps the Warriors. But i don't think he is going to get you to much success if you hold onto him due to his stubborn gamplan. In saying that he did well at Penrith and Cronulla and is a good coach to bring in for a team in trouble to steady and mobilise the team. It sort of reminds me of when Ron Willey was in charge he did a good job but his game plan was a bit too old to move forward. I think this is why he got sacked they wanted to bring in someone younger.

 

[choc_soldier]

Was really dissapointed when the announced the signing of Elliot and couldn't really understand why we had done it without giving him the opportunity to make up his own decision.

As this season has gone on however it's probably hit me that the time is right for him to leave. The panthers style of play just hasn't really evolved much and it's a big part of why we are struggling on the field IMO.

As other have said Lang will always have a special place at the Panthers and I wish him the best. But I think he needs to do a tim sheens and go away and reinvent himself as a coach before he takes on another club.

I agree, on all three points. Hard to really add any more to it.

 

[BuBz81]

I'm really sad to see him go. He did so much for our club and IMO was treated horribly by the club when they signed Matthew Elliott before he was given the chance to make his own mind up. That being said I agree that we need some new style and a new approach in regards to coaching.

I wish John the best where ever he ends up next year.

 

[Fin077]

Thanks for your thoughts guys...Interesting.

 

[ghoti]

Just on Lang, is there any news on where he could be heading next season? Is he likely to look to another club here or abroad...or will he most probably end up in retirement?

 

[Caged Panther]

the souths rumours persist despite the usual denials. Though I believe he was considering moving to the gold coast to be close to Marty Lang.

 

[Kilkenny]

Perhaps the best persons to judge the merits of John Lang are the players. It is my understanding they rate him very highly.

I do however think the time was right for change and the decision to recruit Matt Elliot may prove to be a master stroke? That is not to say the way it was done could certainly have been handled better.

I think John Lang was the victim of some pretty poor management in relation to retention and recruitment. Had our management team done there job better, we would still be highly competitive for a top four position and hence we would not be changing coaches.

I suspect the coach under the most pressure in 2007 - 2008 will be poor old John Cartwright. If he doesn't get instant results with all of the expactations upon the new franchise he could be under pressure sooner rather than later. If that were to happen, and I hope it doesn't Langy would certainly be a candidate to take over!

I think JL may have a year off in 2007 and an opportunity will surely present itself for 2008 either in the NRL or perhaps the ESL.

 

[Caged Panther]

There were suggestions that Mal Meninga may not be able to back up as QLD coach next season so if that were to be the case I suppose lang could be in the running for that job. Though I believe bellamy would be favoured if Meninga doesn't return.

 

[choc_soldier]

Bellamy, eh? From NSW Country to Queensland... that'd be one hell of a switch! :lol:

 

[Kilkenny]

Lang may be unemployed for 2007 but he is to good a coach to be out of the game for too long? He may have to go to the ESL but I'm sure he will be gainfully employed come 2008.

 

[Caged Panther]

Bellamy, eh? From NSW Country to Queensland... that'd be one hell of a switch! :lol:

your right I think i was confusing him after some talk I read about who could potentially replace murray if he wasn't wanted for next season by nsw.#-o

 

[Fibroman]

Lang achieved some great results at Penrith. The question is, would another coach have achieved the same with the player roster available?

I would say Lang was probably responsible for revitalising the careers of Preston Campbell and Amos Roberts. Both players were on the proverbial scrapheap and were thrown lifelines and now command top $.

Lang may well have the knack for producing quality front rowers. Look at his own son and also how Ross and Clinton developed under him. To a lesser extent, look at Stapo and Cross and even F. Puletua playing under Lang.

Some negatives however..........Chris Hicks, should still be playing at Penrith and my mail is that he was very happy at the foot of the mountains, but not happy under Lang. I don't think Lang has much imagination in that he is reluctant to 'blood' young blokes, and his game plan seems very straight up and down at times.

I don't like the way Lang plays Campbell in defence. He is the weak link in our line and Lang's answer is to try and hide him out on the wing????????

I personally think it is time for JL to move on, but in saying that, he was definately a good thing for Penrith and a lot of players that played under him.

 

[*Sandy*]

John Lang = Champion bloke.

The way he has handled himself this year is commendable. He could have done a Brian Smith but he hasnt. He could have dwelled on how the management shafted him, but he hasnt and god bless him.

I would like to see the boys take him out on a high - there is only one way to thank a person and someone should whisper the line "Action speaks louder than words" into the boys ears.

I haven't always agreed with his actions but I'm not the one getting paid to be heard and I will possibly not always agree with the next coach/s as well. Personally I would choose my sanity than take on a coaches role.

I wish him well where ever his journey takes him.