Does anyone know what they're talking about?

[melon....]

Politis has made errors but he has done a hell of a lot more good to the club than what his errors are and more good to the club than probably any other single person in recent history. You cant compare and give the same "leniency" to a coach that is making us head full blast towards a spoon.

So we are blaming Anderson and Fittler for our last spoon correct?

See thats what makes a good businessman from a bad one. a good one knows how to jump out of fire back into the frying pan. A good one will always find a scape goat an excuse, and a damned good one will always manage to get away with using the same excuse over and over and over again.

Our last 3 coaching appointments have been miserable failures according to some. Thats 3 errors in a row. According to others.

How many more Fred?

Im happy for Nick to keep propping up the club with his money. But it means I will have to like mediocrity on the field and maybe one premiership every 20 or 30 years. Im young enough to see another 1 maybe 2 if Im lucky.

Thats what we are looking at.

[Guest]

We all sit back here like smart know it alls, pretending how we know how a club should be run and that politis should be hanged etc etc. Yet he has poored millions of his own money out of his own pocket into the club but we dont want to get stuck into a coach who is receiving millions to perform but is failing miserably this year.

Fred, this is exactly the point - no-one on this forum runs an NRL club, or coaches an NRL club, or captains an NRL club or plays first grade for an NRL club - hence we are all (in the context of the NRL) simply punters with opinions.

For me, this is the point of the thread, to clarify whether we are just punters with opinions or whether there is real insight.

I am deeply comforted to know that we are all just punters!

[Guest]

Fred, I am still undecided on Smith. You are probably right but as we have already discussed there seems to be no viable replacement. I would love to see you focus your copious energies on a Sack Captain Dogshit Today campaign. You may become so popular as a result that you will be chosen as the replacement for Politis. Smith is ordinary right now but Captain Dogshit is diabolical.

I spent 2 or 3 years saying that anasta was shit - before it became the fashion to say it like everyone else is now saying it. You wont get any argument from me about him.

[Guest]

Not all of us.
But you seem to think you know a lot about the daily running of the team and put the majority of the blame onto the coach and by getting rid of him everything will come up roses for us. Just like some Penrith, Eels, Souths, Canberra supporters who think exactly the same.

This may be groundbreaking stuff for you...so take this news very slowly in case it causes you any shock...but the coach is responsible for the running of the team. Thats his bloody job. Do you think he gets paid to turn up to post match press conferences but do nothing else.

[Guest]

What is wrong with Folkes. why doesn't his name ever come up?

[Guest]

My first ever post on Chookpen was saying what a b grade Banasta was and i was howled down in derision

funny ha ha

[Guest]

Fred, this is exactly the point - no-one on this forum runs an NRL club, or coaches an NRL club, or captains an NRL club or plays first grade for an NRL club - hence we are all (in the context of the NRL) simply punters with opinions.

For me, this is the point of the thread, to clarify whether we are just punters with opinions or whether there is real insight.

I am deeply comforted to know that we are all just punters!

I am glad to have been of comfort to you.

[Guest]

My first ever post on Chookpen was saying what a b grade Banasta was and i was howled down in derision

funny ha ha

You are a wise person then.

I was saying it for years now and the same people kept trying to tell me I am crazy.

Its not hard to see, just like its not hard to see that smith has lost it this year.

[melon....]

What is wrong with Folkes. why doesn't his name ever come up?

Because we are a club from the boardroom to the field that has a major issue with discipline. Folkes is a disciplinarian...a real hard arsed one. he wouldnt fit in at our joint. He's from the school of Dave Gillespie. No bullshit. Just hard work and high discipline.

Weve got a "club legend" taking the piss out of our chairman at an official function only a week after the club's name was dragged through the mud in the media for player shenanigans a few years ago. This was the week after we lost the unlosable to Canterbury. That moment there....and the player's and Nick's reaction spoke volumes to me. here we are all sitting at a table shattered, and some people just carry on like it was just another party, seemingly not giving a **** about what we just lost, and what a mockery some players were making of us in the public domain.

Its pretty hard supporting shit like that. But what can i say, i love Easts first, and the idiots that are part of it lastly.

[Guest]

So we are blaming Anderson and Fittler for our last spoon correct?

See thats what makes a good businessman from a bad one. a good one knows how to jump out of fire back into the frying pan. A good one will always find a scape goat an excuse, and a damned good one will always manage to get away with using the same excuse over and over and over again.

Our last 3 coaching appointments have been miserable failures according to some. Thats 3 errors in a row. According to others.

How many more Fred?

Im happy for Nick to keep propping up the club with his money. But it means I will have to like mediocrity on the field and maybe one premiership every 20 or 30 years. Im young enough to see another 1 maybe 2 if Im lucky.

Thats what we are looking at.

Its crazy to blame nick the way that you do.

I guess it was his fault that skinny burne was run down by a slow retiring backrower. Or that our team couldnt hold the ball in the second half against the dogs. Its a tough gig living up to your expectations of being chairman when he's responsible for that on gf day.

[Kingbilly]

Its an interesting thing, I guess I still have hope that Smith is the one and will turn it around.
Its getting more delusional but I do have some questions.

Seems to me there is something wrong on the field. The effort is not really there at times and to me the structure is not good enough.
I don't think its because the players are not up to it physically.
If its the coach or the assistant coaches, the players still should show alot more pride than they are now.

My impression is there are arses to be kicked and its not being done.

I thought things would be different with Smith who has a truckload more maturity than Fittler, but it seems there is a lack of accountability and strength.

[Bansai Pipeline]

After consideration, the reason I love nick is because without him I probably wouldn't have had a club to follow and I am grateful for that

Wise words.

[Guest]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CMfVP8s3rA

For the sadists. Can't blame anyone for that except Skinny.

[melon....]

Its crazy to blame nick the way that you do.

I guess it was his fault that skinny burne was run down by a slow retiring backrower. Or that our team couldnt hold the ball in the second half against the dogs. Its a tough gig living up to your expectations of being chairman when he's responsible for that on gf day.

I know its a tough gig. But you said yourself, when we make mistake after mistake, what does that tell you? We arent learning.

Im thankful we have a bloke like Nick who has more than once saved this club from oblivion. That isnt being disputed. But if I was Nick, Id keep a larger distance between myself and some people. Thats just how I read it.

Nick's the boss. If youd ask him, he'd probably tell you he is ultimately responsible for the decisions we've made. But there's always the fall guy in the wings.

Im not saying sack Politis now!! Although if i was him id be sacking some people, and Smith wouldnt be one at this stage.

Im saying through your own admission you need to dive into the reasons for failure as well as successes.

[melon....]

Wise words.

Thats obvious. We all know what Nick's done to save the club numerous times. That isn't being debated. playing devil's advocate though, i want it all. Sometimes existing isnt enough.