To be honest, i think the thread has merit and not just based on this incident...but in general across the board.
The players are not looking overly concerned after a loss and often smiley and kind of more jovial than I would expect for a team at 0 and 3 and looking to contend for the first wooden spoon in the clubs proud history....
To get out of this deep hole the players need to get angry, the opposition apart from the scoreboard demolisions must wish they could play Manly every week...not just for the easy win, but after playing Manly the the opposition teams must wake up the following day without bumps or bruises, as the contacts and collisions are soft.
That's my take as well.
From the top (Scott Penn), to the recruitment team (Scott Fulton, Noel Cleal, Des Hasler), to the coaching staff (Des Hasler, Steven Hales, Chad Randall, Michael Monaghan), to all the players, AND to be honest a fair whip of the fanbase now, the acceptability, affinity & nonchalance to losing is terrible.
Hearing the media saying, "you've lost 13 from 14 games now Des, is the playing group just feeling low at the moment?", to his responses like, "well, we don't think of that, or those results"....well, that sets the tone, really.
When I read (from fans), or hear from Des, it's "only 3 games", or it's "only early", it tells me people are very short sighted of the bigger picture.
There's an inset culture problem. Jobs for the boys. Complete lack of intensity, passion, effort, speed - we are (by a huge length) the slowest, most lethargic team in the NRL. We are going to make awful teams appear great this season.
I honestly believe, as long as these players of ours are getting their pay in their accounts, they wouldn't give one **** whatsoever if they attained the wooden spoon. Negative records are currently getting smashed week after week, and they don't even realise, OR care ! Wowzers.
It's sad I hope a reporter tears Des a new arsehole interview days. But it seems they are afraid or intimidated by his demeanor (typical teacher's demeanor). But I hope someone throws all the stats and numbers at him soon, and ask him to be accountable for the results.
