Weekly News

[luckylady]

Terry O'Connor states in the WWN that the PLAYERS have let the coach and the fans down. Now we are getting somewhere near to the truth

[alanC]

Terry O'Connor states in the WWN that the PLAYERS have let the coach and the fans down. Now we are getting somewhere near to the truth

It is a common theme when the coach has been sacked, they very rarely get credit for good performances but very nearly always carry the can for poor ones and the players just carry on regardless, this is not aimed solely at Widnes Vikings by the way or even just RL .

[luckylady]

You are right alanC. I suppose I am just looking for someone, other than Ste Mc to blame. Nice bloke

[mick george]

The problem was that nice blokes can't control the players or the dressing room

[alanC]

The problem was that nice blokes can't control the players or the dressing room

Neil Kelly was yet another victim of similar rumblings from the dressing rooms apparently.

[neilw]

It is a common theme when the coach has been sacked, they very rarely get credit for good performances but very nearly always carry the can for poor ones and the players just carry on regardless, this is not aimed solely at Widnes Vikings by the way or even just RL .

It is basically a collective blame of the players and coaching staff. They have everything they need to run a successfull team and provide entertaining and attractive rugby. Yet they have failed to produce the goods. Unfortunately it is always the coach who goes you cannot get rid of 10 players can you? 

[big_jay_147]

I have said this all along, with the squads that we have had and Ste had it his disposal, there is no excuse but to succeed! If we didn't have injuries, then the best team was always on the field and it lies with the players from then on! 

[mick george]

To be honest Ste Mac didn't get sacked just because we lost to Oldham

i think that both parties agreed that thats as far as Steve could take us

[Stevie]

Think you're spot on Mick.....................trouble is that point was reached two years ago

[Chris B]

To be honest Ste Mac didn't get sacked just because we lost to Oldham

i think that both parties agreed that thats as far as Steve could take us

I think from reading one of SOC's interviews he definately mentions that it was 'his' decision for Steve to go.
Ultimately the coach is the man in charge of the playing side of things and bears the brunt of responsibility for the product on the pitch. He is responsible for the results, performances and most importantly the man-management of his staff. Any problems in one or more of these areas and he will be brought to task for it.

In Kelly's case.. the UN couldn't have helped in that dressing room such was the split. Unfortunately for him it is easier to replace one man than half a playing squad.

[manxviking]

To be honest Ste Mac didn't get sacked just because we lost to Oldham

i think that both parties agreed that thats as far as Steve could take us

I think that's fair - Steve will get another post and the new challenge might be what's needed. It would be ironic if he brokeh his GF duck against us though

[Stevie]

I think that's fair - Steve will get another post and the new challenge might be what's needed. It would be ironic if he brokeh his GF duck against us though

Unlikely!

[Dan]

It was the correct decision but the timing wasn't the best, after just 4 friendly and 1 NRC game.  Steve has had the entire pre-season and I presume final say on the 10 new players we have recruited.  Why go through all this and then sack him after the first game?  It doesn't put the club in the best light sacking the coach after 1 defeat and if the new coach had the pre season to prepare the squad we could have hit the ground running.  Also if Steve had gone at the end of last season im sure he would have found a job with the Championship side, now he is waiting for someone else to get the sack.

[mick george]

He will prolly end up with Spellys lot

They was always singing his praises up there   

[neilw]

It was the correct decision but the timing wasn't the best, after just 4 friendly and 1 NRC game.  Steve has had the entire pre-season and I presume final say on the 10 new players we have recruited.  Why go through all this and then sack him after the first game?  It doesn't put the club in the best light sacking the coach after 1 defeat and if the new coach had the pre season to prepare the squad we could have hit the ground running.  Also if Steve had gone at the end of last season im sure he would have found a job with the Championship side, now he is waiting for someone else to get the sack.

I agree it was the correct decision and the timing IMO was spot on. SOC has obviously wanted the team to play a more expansive and entertaining game and he must have had discussions with SMC about this. We have had 4 friendlies and not really looked to convincing in any of them. I know swapping players every 5 mins doesn't help but we only really showed glimpses of what SOC wants in the Haven friendlyand that was only in patches really.

Getting beat convincingly IMO by Oldham is shocking doesn't matter if it our first or last game of the season we should be able to beat these teams. All credit to Oldham for a part time team they were very well drilled and very professional unlike Widnes.

SOC couldn't leave the decision any longer - if he had left it for say 2/3 weeks and see how it went it would have been worse. As it is it looks like we will not have anew person in charge until the CC game against Saddleworth which at least give the new coach a chance to prepare for the all import opening League game against Toulouse this is one game we do not want to slip up in not in front of the TV cameras too. But is SMC was left in place then we would have been flying by the seats of our pants then with a caretaker coach in place which is not ideal.

So all in all right decision right time for the club yes it may not be right for SMC as less chance of finding a new job but SOC concern has to be the club not the person. Business is business, harsh maybe but that's how it is in the world of sports coaches and they know that.