Times Up For Potter

[TITAN PETE]

Time’s up as Wests Tigers decide to axe coach Mick Potter and punt on David Kidwell

Dean Ritchie Exclusive The Daily Telegraph July 27, 2014 12:00AM 0

WESTS Tigers are expected to sack embattled coach Michael Potter after Sunday’s game against the Dragons — irrespective of the result.

The Sunday Telegraph understands Potter does not have the support at board level to retain his job or obtain an extension.

Despite solid results this season, the playing group is not supporting Potter, believing he struggles to communicate his ideas to the team.

The club has arranged for a special board meeting on Saturday to resolve the issue of Potter’s future, which has been uncertain for months.

It is understood the recommendation before the board is that Potter be dumped.

It is unsure whether his axing will be immediate or at the end of the season.

His job is expected to go to one of his assistant coaches, Todd Payten or David Kidwell, with Kidwell the favourite.

Senior players did not throw their full support behind Potter — a fact that came to light in veteran coach Brian Smith’s internal review of the club conducted recently.

Smith’s report is believed to have contained statements from players and officials critical of Potter’s communication skills.

Privately, the board want the matter resolved before the possibility of Potter embarrassing the club by making the semi-finals.

Potter was appointed as the Tigers’ head coach after the sacking of veteran Tim Sheens at the end of 2012.

Sheens led the Tigers to the 2005 premiership in a famous victory but he, too, lost the support of key players at the club.

Ironically, Potter came within a whisker of being sacked at the end of last season.

But the club decided it could not afford to pay out two head coaches — Potter and Sheens — and he survived the axe.

The Tigers had a strong start to this season before hitting the wall, but then bounced back with a superb 46-18 thumping of the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium last Sunday.

If they beat the Dragons today, there is a good chance they will go on and make the finals after finishing 10th and 15th in the last two seasons.

The club has one of the best rosters in the NRL with NSW State of Origin representatives Robbie Farah and Aaron Woods backed by outstanding youngsters like Luke Brooks, Mitchell Moses, Curtis Sironen, David Nofoaluma and Blake Austin.

Officials are keen to get a coach in place who can develop these rising stars and turn the Tigers into one of the NRL’s strongest clubs.

[DIEHARD]

I don't think they should sack him.

But goes to show what other clubs are like.

[Mexican titan]

I feel a bit sorry for him. They have had a shocking year for injuries yet are still near the 8 with a great young squad. It seems the senior players are not with him so I guess there is no alternative. However with what is going on with the senior players at Manly I am starting to wonder if players have too much say in things.

[TITAN PETE]

Send him here & we'll do a swap with Fartwright & then the Tigers players will know what Shyte coach really is