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mobile.news.com.au/sport/nrl/sim ... 6683992534

Says it all really:

Quote Gower had fallen out with London coach Tony Rea because his win-at-all-cost attitude apparently unsettled some players.

As Gower said: "He told me I was being detrimental to the team, the way I spoke to them. After that I just felt I couldn't work with the bloke because we were so far apart in how a team should operate."'"

Nothing new there! I am sure that reflects the feelings of many others! except David & Gus, the second coach that has completely failed, and no action!

As suspected, the management didn't appreciate a few home truths.

Nothing new


TR's "win at all cost" attitude. Not at all how he comes over in his mumbling, stumbling interviews.

BTW, jaybs, I struggle with all the exclamation marks in your posts, even in mid-sentence. Maybe it's just me though.

No, it was CG's win at all costs attitude!

The truth's probably somewhere in between. If the local lads don't have the ability or confidence its no good bashing them over and over. Gower shouldn't have come to London if he only wanted to be in a winning team.

If you're spending that kind of money on a marquee player their personality's as important as their ability and I don't think Gower was ever a fit.

Rea needs a chance to build his own squad (something he's v good at) what he's inherited is largely diabolical thanks to the previous 2 coaches.

There's some truth in the notion that he's had to work with a poor squad put together by other people, I'm not sure I want him putting together our squad for next year. I didn't really rate him when he was coaching here before and I've seen nothing to change my view since he returned. Excellent analyser of games when on Sky but he all too often talks in completely nonsensical management speak and I'm not sure he's ever been able to put his message across to players. Also, he never struck me as particularly keen to work with young players - he'd much rather work with a bog standard 20-something than develop a potentially more exciting youngster who has rough edges.

"Show me a good loser, and I will show you a loser"

The squad he put together at Griffin Park was infinitely better than this one and there weren't really the local lads available at the time. I'd rather have 4 or 5 locals in the squad and win some more games.

Seems Soward's got a winners attitude but it seems to have a more positive effect on the squad than Gower's.

This pretty much confirms what I had thought. Sadly, this Club has a culture of accepting mediocrity and defeat.

The culture has been wrong for years. At least the Skolars have the right idea!

cg always looked like a grumpy git - maybe being told you're rubbish by him every week is a bit demotivating??!!

Now you mention it, it might be a tad!

Can't believe anyone is surprised that there is an attitude and culture at the club where losing is acceptable and there is no.....I repeat, NO, consequences when KPI's (Targets to us oldies) are not met.

It starts with the Owner.

Who can blame anyone under the authority of the CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER for not worrying about their jobs when the CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER is allowed to continue in his one man crusade to destroy the club by stumbling from cock-up to farce with a non-caring attitude towards the very people he needed to engage with.

AH...so it's my fault Gus is demotivated then is it

gf - now you understand this we can start working on your being nice skills.......... lets start with "hey gus it was unlucky you missed that catch"

....or
"hey Gus.....that was a stunning curry"

Cheers Gus, that fans forum was really appreciated.

Ah, since Gower left we've started winning games again. Rea was right, a multi-capped Australian Test star in his mid-30s with absolutely nothing to prove and still giving 100% was having a bad influence on the younger guys.

You know, those youngsters that Rea was fielding in different positions every week and then dropping to make way for a loanee. Now we know that it was Gower's high expectations that were damaging their progress.

Whilst I agree that one of TR's problems is that he's having to cope with a squad that wasn't of his choosing, I find it a tad disturbing that with all the players that are either leaving or said to be leaving at the end of the season there aren't even any rumours of new signings. Compare that with all the chatter surrounding other SL clubs.

In Rea's time in charge we lost Darrell Griffin (gone on to have a solid SL career) and James Brooks (went on to have a solid RU career - would have been an excellent hooker). Plus the likes of Iain Morrison, Stefan Hughes and Ed Jennings were never given a fair crack of the whip.

I'm certain in my mind that he preferred a seasoned Aussie who would give average performances every week than work with a youngster who would have ups and downs but potentially deliver more over the long term. That was my view back then, and it remains my view now.

I'd also say that I didn't like the way he behaved when sacking John Monie (who himself had been coaching an inherited team), signing the players Monie had earmarked for the new season, and then appointing himself head coach.

You've clearly got a better understanding of the background than me, but I do know I was a much happier fan watching teams in that era with the likes of Moran, Mclinden, Leuluai, Williams, Haumono, Hopkins. Even the budget players were good value, Luisi, NBQ, Lee Greenwood...

McDermott brought in so many poor players from the north and youth sides that we've had terrible squads for the last few years. Even the Aussies have been average at best with the odd exception.

I'm pleased the TR will be building the next squad not McDermott or Powell.