Time To Stop The Mind Game Changes Supercoach

[Karmawave]

Seriously, it's about time Supercoach eased up a bit on the constant changes to the Knights team.

If you look back over recent years, those teams who are successful year to year were the teams who used the least number of players over the course of the year, and were able to build combinations amongst their first grade team.

This year, Smith constantly feels the need to chop and change his team on any given week. How this is actually helping the team, I have no idea, with the results on the park speaking volumes for its lack of success.

During our winning ' streaks ' , you'll find one common denominator is keeping the same ( or at least similar ) team on the paddock from one week to the next.

Obviously everyone here was baffled how Wicks played last week, but it's not immune to just him. The Messiah/Supersub/Dureau either needs to be told he is the Number 7 and play every minute of every game the rest of the way, or p*ssed off altogether. Surely the constant doubt surrounding his role is not only affecting the team's on field performance and ruining potential combinations from building between players, but it must be doing the poor bloke's head in - not knowing from one week to the next just what is expected of him. Fair dinkum Smithy, just tell the bloke he is 7 and LEAVE HIM THERE.

As for Wes Naiqama, like Danny Wicks, what has he shown all year that makes him a certainty selection, rushed back into the team at the expense of Uate/Vuna? The former ( Uate ) having done nothing wrong since stepping into first grade, and the latter ( Vuna ) responding to his dropping a few weeks ago with some real good digs in recent times.

I certainly haven't seen a thing that Wes Naiqama has done for the team all year that makes him an automatic selection first week back from injury - in a position that while it may suit, he hasn't played all year.

I cannot fathom why Brian Smith wants to not only tamper with winning teams, but ignore the opportunity to let the team build combinations that can lead to better ( and more consistent ) form.

I put the inconsistencies with our form on Brian Smith as much as anyone. Taking a completely different game plan from one week to the next with completely different on field combinations cannot be easy on the players, and it shows in our up/down results.

Winning consistently has always come down to teams who are able to keep the same team on the field week in week out.

How Brian Smith thinks otherwise is not only baffling, but he is basically giving us line up changes that are normally reserved for teams with massive injury tolls.

And we all know how teams who make lots of changes due to injury perform.

So why is Smith making life harder for himself and the players?

Why has Brian Smith made so many changes to line ups all year as if the team has been ravaged by injuries ( when it has not )?

Has anyone got anything to justify this farce?

 

[General Knight]

He can go find another club to rebuild after next year, perhaps the bulldogs?.

On top of all the good things he has done to the club ie. new culture, structure facilites, etc, etc. He has successfully done the one most important thing thats been asked of him and that was to build a team that could not only win but compete each week without Johns.

The team, with the right selections each week, is a pretty well balanced side right now. We are only one star centre or prop away from being a top four side. Perhaps next year we could sign one of them.

I want a new coach in '10. Fair enough Smith has had a massive influence on our team and the future and I thank him for it but Smith is too much of a wierdo to win a premiership.

 

[Karmawave]

I think half the problem is Smith thinks he is smarter than he really is.

Like he is trying to be different just to be cutting edge unique. Out- thinking himself.

He certainly marches to the beat of a different drum, but rugby league players are generally simple blokes, athletes not famous for their brains, and as Jack Gibson said " Keep It Simple Stupid ".

I thinks its time Smith applies the K.I.S.S theory to his team selections.

Name a 17, run out with that 17, and win a game of freakin rugby league.

Surely the ability to keep the same team on the field week in week out can only help to build combinations, team morale, and consistency.

 

[Adsy]

Wow, Karma. You are on fire since our loss on the weekend. Everything your saying is how I'm sure 99% of Knights fans feel. I know I'm agreeing with every thing you just typed.

We have been just as competitive week in week out as any other team in the comp besides Melbourne and Manly yet can't string wins together.

Our lack of cohesian shows on the field and it was no more evident then last Sunday.

The constant changing of the halves would in my books be one of the main reasons why can't string wins together.

As for the walk ins (Wicks, Naiqama, Bailey) that is just another mystery to me.

 

[keeney]

You're not Mac are you? We just discussed the same thing half an hour ago. Right down to using the same catch phrases.

The thing that baffles me is, fair enough, he over cerebralizes everything. But, how, please god how, can such over thought lead to some of these selections. Any casual fan knows that underdone props often struggle. Any Knights fan can see Vuna and Uate can't defend on the wing, let alone as a wing-centre combo. Wicks, Karawana?

I'm a Smith fan, and believe he has done his job. BUt that job will be done next year, and I feel we need to move on. I can see how he hasn't won a premiership yet if that is how he approaches high stakes games. We were never in that game with the team we fielded.

 

[keeney]

Naiqama is hardly the worst of the walkins. He showed strong defence in the centres and is a decent winger, I'll reserve judgement until after the game.

 

[Johns Magic]

We have been just as competitive week in week out as any other team in the comp besides Melbourne and Manly

And it's only a year since Johns retired. Who would've picked that.

I'm keen to see what Smith can do in another year. People expecting making the top 4 this early are dreaming.

 

[Adsy]

Have to use a real lame catch phrase here.

Naiqama couldn't catch a cold.

He bombed dead set about 5 trys with his butter fingers earlier this year.

Him and Lulia have horrible hands.

 

[Adsy]

And it's only a year since Johns retired. Who would've picked that.

I'm keen to see what Smith can do in another year. People expecting making the top 4 this early are dreaming.

Not me I'll admit that.

I give Smithy a lot of credit for that turn around.

However, like Karma said. He is trying to be too smart for his own good.

He found decent players that excel in a dedicated team.

He found good combinations and good defence structure partnerships and now he has chucked that all away.

 

[keeney]

He did have problems with his hands, but I feel that was more a confidence thing, I certainly don't remember it being part of his game at St. George. I feel he's just been used out of position too much this year. He isn't a fullback, not in the slightest, and I'd like to see what he can do on the wing.

@JM, I have no doubt that next year will be a succesful one for us. Smith isn't a slouch, he's assembled a well rounded (Wicks, ha), well drilled team for the most part and moderate success should be quite easy. My problem is how he approached an extreme pressure game like last week, and how that approach will undo any other success. He's had a number of these slight aneurisms all year, but I guess he was waiting til our season was truly on the line to implode. I feel he's served his purpose and after next year, should be gone.

 

[Johns Magic]

Not me I'll admit that.

I give Smithy a lot of credit for that turn around.

However, like Karma said. He is trying to be too smart for his own good.

He found decent players that excel in a dedicated team.

He found good combinations and good defence structure partnerships and now he has chucked that all away.

If you want to keep Dureau at halfback then that's almost just accepting mediocrity.

How did he "chuck that all away"? Because we lost a game? Because he didn't pick Matt White?

He's done a bloody good job so far. He at least deserves the chance to coach this side next year. The team's only just gelling this year.

If by the end of next season we don't seem to have improved then I'll say it's time for him to make way, but at the moment his vision is just in its infancy.

 

[Adsy]

If you want to keep Dureau at halfback then that's almost just accepting mediocrity.

How did he "chuck that all away"? Because we lost a game? Because he didn't pick Matt White?

He's done a bloody good job so far. He at least deserves the chance to coach this side next year. The team's only just gelling this year.

If by the end of next season we don't seem to have improved then I'll say it's time for him to make way, but at the moment his vision is just in its infancy.

I didn't say he shouldn't be here next year. I think he should definately keep his job.

There was about 5 unnecessary changes last game. Swapping wings for McManus and Uate was one of them I disagreed with.

We were on a roll and he forced his hand when no one was forcing it.

Why is wanting Dureau at halfback accepting mediocrity? Because he is mediocure in your mind? I've already voiced my opion on Dureau. I think he is a very crucial part to our entire game as he influences how a number of others play.

 

[keeney]

He didn't just force his hand, he forced it several times. Selections made us start with a 3 try deficit at least.

 

[Johns Magic]

He had a sh*t game and we all know it, his plan backfired.

Let's see if he keeps doing it though.

And yes I do think Dureau is mediocre. I think he's our current best choice at halfback, but I don't think he's the answer.

 

[Adsy]

He had a sh*t game and we all know it, his plan backfired.

Let's see if he keeps doing it though.

And yes I do think Dureau is mediocre. I think he's our current best choice at halfback, but I don't think he's the answer.

Yeah I'm willing to forgive him.

The team this week looks promising atleast seeing the few forwards that came back from injury should be a bit fitter this time round.

Doogs will also add alot coming back if he is still in the form before his 2 brain snaps and hopefully Hilder gad a one off bad game last week.

As for Dureau. Hopefully he gets the full 80mins to have a crack on Saturday.

 

[keeney]

He had a sh*t game and we all know it, his plan backfired.

Let's see if he keeps doing it though.

And yes I do think Dureau is mediocre. I think he's our current best choice at halfback, but I don't think he's the answer.

Working within the confines of the salary cap I feel he is more than sufficient for how much he will cost. Mullen doesn't need a superstar inside him, just a player who allows him to play his natural game.

 

[Johns Magic]

Working within the confines of the salary cap I feel he is more than sufficient for how much he will cost. Mullen doesn't need a superstar inside him, just a player who allows him to play his natural game.

Halfback isn't generally a position that you can afford to cut costs on unless you have the likes of Darren Lockyer outside you. And at the moment, Mullen is certainly no Lockyer.

 

[keeney]

No, but he has the potential to be a Barrett, perhaps marginally better. Given enough time to get used to 5.8th with a half feeding him and he could be winning games for us consistently.

 

[macavity]

You're not Mac are you? We just discussed the same thing half an hour ago. Right down to using the same catch phrases.

he is my much MUCH uglier twin.

 

[Jono078]

And it's only a year since Johns retired. Who would've picked that.

I'm keen to see what Smith can do in another year. People expecting making the top 4 this early are dreaming.

That's the feeling I get with Karma.

He seems to want the best for us when in reality you just cant do it that easy.

Go through every team and every fan is annoyed with some coaching selections.

So far im pretty happy with where we are since where we were when we signed Smith and were we are now and look to be heading.

I still have high hopes for '09.