Will Wayne Bennett lead Newcastle to a Premiership?

[Edward]

He had the Dragons firing from the get go.

I know it is only one loss, and he seems to have recruited well for the club.

However, the Newcastle contingent that were originally there seem to lack something that the St. George Illawarra players had.

 

[Misanthrope]

I want to have more faith, but I can't see it happening with the current squad. There's quality there, but it's missing that special something that would make it a real contender. Maybe we need a career defining season from Mullen or Gidley, maybe we need to unearth one or two more sparks... I don't know.

But I'd be very surprised to see us take it out in 2013, which would mean another year of recruiting in hopes of finding what we need.

 

[Patorick]

Bit tough to make a judgment on them after playing Manly at Brookie.

Give them a few more weeks.

 

[BKT]

Not without some "real" halves and a pack with some real go forward, Snowden has a heart the size of a pea, Gidley isn't a half and never was, Mullen is average, and Bedsy is running on old legs.

Saying all that really hurts, but the truth often does, the current Knights squad is barely average and have shown little determination or creativity in the past twelve months.

 

[Jono078]

Unless he's here for another 5-10 years, then no.

 

[Misanthrope]

Saying all that really hurts, but the truth often does, the current Knights squad is barely average and have shown little determination or creativity in the past twelve months.

I wouldn't go so far as to say 'barely average'. There are a number of guys in the squad (Aku, Gagai, Boyd, Gidley, Mason, Scott, Smith, Houston) who I think would fit into most squads in the competition. But there are definitely some guys who I think would struggle for a run anywhere other than Penrith or Wests (Quinn, Costigan, Hilder, Roberts).

 

[Raider_69]

i said it at the time of his signing, Bennett wont win a comp with newcastle in the 4 year span of his original contract

now thats not to say he wont win a comp with them, for all i know Bennett will be coaching the knights in 10 years, and you'd be a fool to say any team wont win a comp in that time... a lot can change in 2 years, let alone 10.

But i dont see the knights winning a comp before 2016. Their forward pack is average and aging (Smith, Scott, Bedsy and Mason, the only blokes in their pack worth feeding at all tailing off in their careers), though Korbin Sims will help there.

the halves are below average, Mullen has never lived up to his potential and i dont see any reason to believe he will all of a sudden find his feet at FG level now. Giddley is not an NRL level half back.

The backs look good, Boyd, Uate, Gagai are all stars and rep quality players but what good is that if you dont have a pack that can win the arm wrestle, or halves that can give them the ball they need to be effective?

 

[BKT]

I wouldn't go so far as to say 'barely average'. There are a number of guys in the squad (Aku, Gagai, Boyd, Gidley, Mason, Scott, Smith, Houston) who I think would fit into most squads in the competition. But there are definitely some guys who I think would struggle for a run anywhere other than Penrith or Wests (Quinn, Costigan, Hilder, Roberts).

Agree on Costigan, Hider,Quinn etc, but I doubt too many clubs would chase Gidley if he went on the market, fantastic club man and has good attitude , but his star is fading...fast.

The squad as a whole have not in the past twelve months shown the consisent effort , skill and commitment to be rated anything other than barely average, their excuse list would nearly equal "War and Peace" in length.

Hell, even Bennett himself doesn't know which "team" will show up each week, and that shows total lack of attitude and teamanship.

 

[Misanthrope]

The squad as a whole have not in the past twelve months shown the consisent effort , skill and commitment to be rated anything other than barely average, their excuse list would nearly equal "War and Peace" in length.

That concerns me more than the quality of player at the club. There seems to be (and has been for a long time) a lack of consistency, commitment, and flair at the club that is frustrating. There's a lack of belief in the team that has been an elephant in the room ever since Johns hung up the boots.

 

[BKT]

That concerns me more than the quality of player at the club. There seems to be (and has been for a long time) a lack of consistency, commitment, and flair at the club that is frustrating. There's a lack of belief in the team that has been an elephant in the room ever since Johns hung up the boots.

I think it's called "Team Culture".

It appears to me, that "some " of the squad have this belief that they will win because Bennett is the coach.

 

[Misanthrope]

I think it's called "Team Culture".

It appears to me, that "some " of the squad have this belief that they will win because Bennett is the coach.

It's a shame that consecutive brooms through the club have not eliminated that negative element.

 

[BKT]

It's a shame that consecutive brooms through the club have not eliminated that negative element.

Yes, something is not right at the club, I've been a member since 88 and this is the lowest that I've felt about the team, I know that the club has been through heaps of dramas, but Tinkler and Bennett are just parts of a cog, they don't go out and play, and maybe there is this thought that all the clubs struggles are over and the good times should begin, I wish that to be true....but it will take a squad of Commited players to achieve that.

 

[New Guy]

I cant see it happening, they wont have a squad in the next couple of years that is capable of beating the Storm. Talk is Bennett wants get get out of Newcastle next year.

 

[BKT]

I cant see it happening, they wont have a squad in the next couple of years that is capable of beating the Storm. Talk is Bennett wants get get out of Newcastle next year.

Talk hey?......what 1 beat up article from the Courier Snail?

Or are you in the know?.....wink, wink, nudge , nudge.

 

[Rod]

Yes, something is not right at the club, I've been a member since 88 and this is the lowest that I've felt about the team.

Were you in a coma in 2005 and 2007?

 

[BKT]

Were you in a coma in 2005 and 2007?

No, were you born then?

 

[Diesel]

I haven't seen enough this season to know but last year didn't look too flash

 

[Rod]

No, were you born then?

I just don't understand how you could possibly think we're 'lower' than we were at those times.

 

[Matchball]

Once Tinkler loses control of the club, Bennett will be gone.
Can't see the knights affording the million a year he is on and they will have to let him go.

Hence, no premiership.

 

[Charlie124]

Nope.