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Folkes defiant - Australian Rugby league News
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globalrugbyleague - Thu, 31 May 2007 14:41:00 GMTBulldogs coach Steve Folkes has brushed off rumours about his future, saying that the team must start being victorious again to right the trouble of recent times.
A Tuesday night television report stated that Folkes and Bulldogs CEO Malcolm Noad might be swept out by the club’s board.
Combined with reports of player unrest following the news that veteran hookers Corey Hughes and Adam Perry have not been offered new contracts, it has made for a somewhat tumultuous week at Belmore.
But the calm, yet firm coach, who celebrates his 250th game as first grade coach of the Doggies this weekend, knows that in football, one thing cures all ills.
“The only way to silence this stuff is to start winning games,” he told the assembled media following Thursday morning training.
“Although I feel like we’ve been not too far away the last three weeks, we haven’t come up with any points.”
The Bulldogs have lost their last three games, and have won just four of eleven this season, putting them in lowly 14th place on the NRL ladder as the season nears its halfway mark.
This week they go Trans-Tasman to play the New Zealand Warriors, who themselves have lost four in a row.
“You know, the guys are in good spirits and we’ve worked hard this week so far and will continue to do so, and go out there and play as well as we can on Sunday.”
On facing the struggling Warriors, Folkes said “Footballers have generally got pretty good character, strong character… they don’t get to where they are by being weak-willed.
So quite often when…you got your back against the wall, that’s when you perform your best. So we’re looking to do that, and I’m sure they are as well.”
Folkes remains sure that the rumours of his demise have no credible basis.
“I’ve received seven or eight phone calls from board members…saying what we knew all along. The rumour was spread by someone who’s got an axe to grind.”
That person, or whether they come from within the club or outside it, was not spoken of by the coach.
The reporter who first broadcast the claims, Channel Nine’s Danny Weidler, was barred from attending Thursday’s training session.
“We’re not the only club to do that,” Folkes pointed out.
“There has to be a consequence for (broadcasting) crap. Maybe he should be the one up for the sack..” - Read More, Here
A Tuesday night television report stated that Folkes and Bulldogs CEO Malcolm Noad might be swept out by the club’s board.
Combined with reports of player unrest following the news that veteran hookers Corey Hughes and Adam Perry have not been offered new contracts, it has made for a somewhat tumultuous week at Belmore.
But the calm, yet firm coach, who celebrates his 250th game as first grade coach of the Doggies this weekend, knows that in football, one thing cures all ills.
“The only way to silence this stuff is to start winning games,” he told the assembled media following Thursday morning training.
“Although I feel like we’ve been not too far away the last three weeks, we haven’t come up with any points.”
The Bulldogs have lost their last three games, and have won just four of eleven this season, putting them in lowly 14th place on the NRL ladder as the season nears its halfway mark.
This week they go Trans-Tasman to play the New Zealand Warriors, who themselves have lost four in a row.
“You know, the guys are in good spirits and we’ve worked hard this week so far and will continue to do so, and go out there and play as well as we can on Sunday.”
On facing the struggling Warriors, Folkes said “Footballers have generally got pretty good character, strong character… they don’t get to where they are by being weak-willed.
So quite often when…you got your back against the wall, that’s when you perform your best. So we’re looking to do that, and I’m sure they are as well.”
Folkes remains sure that the rumours of his demise have no credible basis.
“I’ve received seven or eight phone calls from board members…saying what we knew all along. The rumour was spread by someone who’s got an axe to grind.”
That person, or whether they come from within the club or outside it, was not spoken of by the coach.
The reporter who first broadcast the claims, Channel Nine’s Danny Weidler, was barred from attending Thursday’s training session.
“We’re not the only club to do that,” Folkes pointed out.
“There has to be a consequence for (broadcasting) crap. Maybe he should be the one up for the sack..” - Read More, Here