As we say goodbye to JA the various forums are awash with chat. Articles in papers & magazines keep rehashing the same rumours and it seems everyone’s money is on Rory Teague to land the top job.
It would almost certainly make sense as a temporary measure. There is no risk attached because this seasons losers have already been appointed, so in many ways success on the pitch for the remainder of any matches will be irrelevant. It gives Teague a chance to show his mettle, if it’s there; we certainly haven’t seen it yet.
His record so far has been poor. He didn’t last at England and I understand from a reliable source that Eddie Jones asked a Premiership coach to “…give him ideas on skills coaching around the breakdown”. Teague’s record at Begles. 2017 – Played 26, Won 10, Points diff -66, 54 tries For, 74 Against. Final place 10th. 2018 – Played 26, Won 12, Points Diff -98, 65 For, 84 Against. Final place 10th. And it concerns me that he seems to move on quickly from every berth he has occupied.
He is currently skills coach and even the most fervent #bekind supporter has to admit our skills have deteriorated this season.
But he’ll certainly have one thing in his favour……He’ll fit StQ’s budget, particularly given the current difficulties. And particularly as it’s mid-season and poaching any decent coach might cost significant compo.
But what then? What happens if we do not win many/any games under Teague, does he continue or do we look for someone proven to deliver. There will be plenty of excuses given the disruption and, from what we heard, the problems in the changing room. But if those rumours are true, as well as all the other issues that have been circulating, then who of quality would want to come and work in such a toxic atmosphere?
These, however, are not the only anxieties I have. What of the loss of Jonny “Dinger” Bell? Was he approached for the top job? He has proven to be an excellent D coach and is moving to Glasgow as Attack Coach because “….the opportunity at Glasgow, to develop my coaching experience, beyond a purely defensive role, was something I couldn’t turn down”. He is also highly respected here, I have heard. OK, sure, we’re back to paying compo but StQ, as well as being miserly careful with his money, is an astute businessman who would understand the cost benefit analysis of increased income from winning games, particularly at The Holm.
Lance “Superfan” Bradley was promoted from within, as was our new Commercial Director, Alex Brown, both of which suggest budgets being adhered to rather than a genuine search for the best people for the jobs which is what we were sold. But as long as they are good enough all seems fair.
In my opinion two of our very best bits of work have been signing Dan Tobin and Tim Taylor both of whom have proved themselves beyond question. Our best season for an eternity was when TT was in charge of the backs on his own.
But it was as far back as December 15th that I blogged that there were significant problems at Glaws. As most of you are aware, I’ve posted that it has gotten worse and deteriorated continuously since then.
Selection, Selection, Selection?
I’m often cited by some for being critical and not just blindly supporting our team. But in my mind blindly following is not supporting. If something is wrong fans have the right to ask questions and demand things are put right. As I have often said, StQ may be the current major shareholder but GRFC belongs to the fans. Without us it ceases to exist. For all their talk of loyalty you will not find Humphries, Ackerman, StQ or Bradley standing in The Shed 30 years from now with numerous membership badges pinned to worn out old caps.
And so I have asked questions and been given answers and posted my thoughts and comments on forums. Some have appreciated them and some have criticised me, and that’s fair too because we all have opinions and sometimes they aren’t homologous. But it seems much of what I have posted has been accurate, unfortunately. And so I reiterate what I have said before and I ask where is the problem and, in my opinion, the most significant problem (but certainly not the only one) remains with the DoR. Of all the things that Glaws have that are so very good (high quality players, excellent training facilities, the best fans in the world) what we do not have, and what is so critical and so essential to any team that demands success is cohesion and I genuinely believe that our DoR is an impediment to achieving that.
winnyssite 