Loved to have known who sanctioned this move. We're suppose to be after the best of the best, offering wages to make players stars and highest paid in the league. Yet we signed a journeyman at the end of this career from a rival on big money.

This is perhaps some of the problem.

If we have someone making the transfer deals, and perhaps deciding on Gidley's extension, who isn't the coach, then our troubles might not be over with the departure of Smith.

begs the question...which idiot sold Richie Myler?

Worried about our club. Makes me think did the powers that be actually watch us and take note this season if they think that this is a good idea?

We happily let the likes of talented players like Myler and O'Brien leave yet seemingly want a 35 year old Aussie who isn't good enough to stay.

at least he's got a clock... Kevin brown has one of those back to front clocks you used to see in "trendy" 1980's bars.

it might tell the time but its poop at it and everyone gets sick of it after a short while.....

I'm not devastated if we keep Gidley, he still shows glimpses of Class the remaining backs it this club have never got close to attaining.

I am afraid though, it fair and squarely puts snot on the Door knob of Tony Smiths office door.
Anyone that got teary eyed at Smiths departure has totally and completely misunderstood the amount of Poop he has left us in.

The Bloke simply cannot recruit no wonder he's talking about walking away from coaching.

It's a complete mess

I almost wept tears of joy.

We are in a complete mess, with a total rebuild required.... Its going to take years to sort out the last 4 seasons of Smith reign.

Does the recent goings on at the club not suggest that our issues run a bit deeper than any caused by Tony Smith?

If people think things are all of a sudden going to take a drastic upturn just because Smith has gone then I think they’re in for a hell of a surprise.

what recent goings on? Other than a coach that hasn't been interested in coaching the side for a few years?

I see nothing to suggest there is any other problem, other than a failing coach.

I don't think it's quite as bad as that, but it is pretty bleak. Looking at the squad for our last game, there's only Clark, Currie, Hill, Ratchford, maybe Ben Julilien (+throw in the injured Atkins), who are of good enough quality to play in a title challenging side.

Optimistically, Cooper, Russell, Hughes, Lineham under a new regime might start to pull their weight. There's a good player hiding inside all of them.

There's a HUGE task to cover the outgoings, and also bring in the required quality in the key positions we're currently lacking in.

Russell, Hughes...No..Just No!!

I think it's just dawning on some of the Smith diehards that maybe, just maybe, he wasn't the messiah after all.

Club is in a mess. Top to bottom. Smith walks away with hands in his pockets telling us he wasn't really bothered with coaching any more. Did he hit a wall. Did he do all he could last year and was jaded from being two stretched arms away from the double. Or is there more? A pretty brutual book could be coming out of this. Who would be writing it though?!

again, how is the club in a mess from top to bottom?

The club has an excellent structure and amazing facilities... We have a fantastic owner, who supports the club and backs us all the way. he made a mistake showing too much loyalty to Smith and sticking with him, granted... But he is doing eveything he can to make sure we get the best replacement possible.

yes the team is awful.. But thats Smiths fault. All of this mess is Smiths fault.

It’s not the ‘failing coach’ that’s offered a 36 year old, recently retired player a new deal for starters is it?

Are you offering up an internet rumour, started by one person, as evidence that the club has deeply routed problems?... or do you have anything else?

and if it is true and the new coach feels he needs to keep Gidley on another year..... its just another indication of what a pathetic mess Smith has left for him.

You would think if players are being signed or re-signed that a member of the future coaching staff is on hand to oversee matters & ensure a smooth handover & is probably in close touch with the new head coach.

Maybe the new super coach Ricardo Agarelli Who has been to Oz for a hair transplant & fake tan.

Well considering that this is a thread regarding said internet rumour, which has caused mass hysteria over the possibly of offering a recently retired 36 year old a new contract, I’d say it’s a pretty good place to start.

Have you got anything to back up the fact that there’s nothing else to be concerned about with our club and that all is good with the world now Tony Smith has gone? Or are you just speculating just like the rest of us?

im not sure that's how it works.. but carry on if you want to.

waisting money

I have got the first few chapters sorted and I'm close to signing a deal with the publishers.

My book is entitled 'Eternal Bridesmaids'. You'll find it in Waterstones this Xmas in the 'Painful Life' section, next to 'A child called It' and those sort of depressing texts.

My version is in the uplifting self help section, its called "I told you it was our year!"

Is the self-help section next to the Medical section? You'd love my self-help medical book - "Choking - How to Prevent It at the Big Dinner'"

let e get this straight...the guy who is fronting the club in Aus...leading a serious, heavy duty recruitment drive, our CEO...was as second rate fullback who played for Salford. makes perfect sense.

I clicked on this thread, expecting it to be a "Gids" (that makes me vomit) love in. How wrong I was.

If there's any mileage in this, there may be a goldblatt forehead sized dint in my gable-end wall.

......but hang on, hang on. WIZZARD IDEA, you chaps.

Sack the atrocious Russell. Re-sign Joel Monaghan.

Re-sign "Gids"

We've just re-signed "Super Ben" (vomits, again)

Buy a tin bath on wheels, and take it up to Hill Cliffe...

...Hey-ho, we can remake "Last of the Summer Wine"

Think of the possibilities.
Fitzpatrick can be Nora Batty.



.....seriously, is this what we've become. If so, last one out, turn the lights off.