[urlhttp://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_19575-off-the-record.html[/url

Let's just hope that's lazy journalism.

I'm lead to believe Willie Poaching has been discussed also.

Considering 11 high calibre applicants applied after Webster went I should think Cummins is one of many eyeing up the job.

I'm afraid I never thought Smith would stay, I'm sure he can spot lack of ambition like the rest of us, and thus knows a waste of time when he see's one - that's not just a pop at Carter, it applies to the club for the last 30 years tbf.

Indeed. Nothing screams a lack of ambition like a move to Dewsbury.

It always was a leftfield appointment and one the club did marvellously well to pull off. Like many things arranged since Webster went it was only ever likely to be a short term plan. It would be nice if Carter can find the money to make it worth Smith while. Whilst the ambition may not be there the project of rebuilding an historic club could appeal to him.

Getting Brian Smith to Wakefield was a tremendous coup for MC and his team but, persuading him to stay would be an achievement far in excess of this.
A proven coach with a superb RL pedigree, Smith was always likely to have offers coming at him from elsewhere, especially if he saves Trinity from the drop,
which begs the question of who we would want to succeed Smith and who would want to join the Trinity rollercoaster.

I really hope Smith will stay but, other than proving the doubters wrong, who would want the gig, Glen Morrison ??

We need a tough no nonsense coach , the regime under Agar and Webster was like a holiday camp for the players. I like the idea of Neil Kelly.

Have I missed something? I was under the impression that Brian Smith had yet to decide his future.

I really hope Brian Smith stays he has been absolutely superb and is a world class coach.

Indeed. Yet to decide. I'm sure others are interested but until Smith says no, they shouldn't be considered.

I'd like to think that MC now appreciates what a good quality coach can achieve, hopefully no second raters or we will (if we stay up) be in the same position next season.

This.

Hey lets moan and groan and pull the club down about our next coach.....when the current one is still very much here !!!!!

I think after everything that's gone on at the club Mr Smiths been the only positive . If he decides to stay on I feel sure a few ground rules will be implemented, and that can only be for the best interests of the club. I would love to see him in charge next year but like one or two others im not convinced in the clubs ambition. Unless the club have a couple of aces up its sleeve I fear he will be off, and the whole process will start again.
Wakefield need to reach an agreement with Mr Smith with at least a 2 year contract, and use his experience and knowledge in building a club that can compete. Mr Carter needs to assist him in achieving that outcome, and seek assistance in the development of his club.

I think keeping Brian Smith would be the most important objective for next season, irrespective of which league or ground we are in.

You can't put a price on a good coach and how they can invigorate and revitalise a team. I think a coach of Smith's calibre has a more positive effect on a team's performance over a season than any key/marquee signings.

If Smith does not stay, although I hope he does then it is vital that we make a strong coaching appointment. Francis Cummins does not fit that requirement for me. In fact he would be very close to the bottom of any list of applicants I personally would consider.

Francis Cummins is very similar to Agar aka a championship coach/sl assistant at best....

Yes but does he meet the club's number one criteria cheaper than anyone else.

Let us hope the Chairman is doing his utmost to encourage Brian Smith to stay at the club for the next 2 years. Although it has been stated previously that BS and MC have agreed not to discuss plans for next year until the end of this season.
My view is that we need to retain Brian Smith and hope he want to take on the challenge of helping to rebuild this club

You are one very bitter

i bet you have a busy pancake day!

To be honest we only need Smith for the 8s again don't we.

I wouldn't be happy with Cummins

No, no, every minute matters.

It's difficult to see BS here for another two years - it would be a coup, but I can't see it happening.

Cummins doesn't inspire me - but the options are limited unless you start thinking outside the box a bit, and that's a risk; can we afford another year of limping through the main season, then hoping for miracles in the M8's?

It can't be lost on MC that we had an average coach in Webster and were appalling, and for the time being have a quality coach in Bs who has worked minor miracles in a short space of time.

If Brian Smith doesn't stay maybe ask him to be apart of the process of picking his predecessor.