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A bit of encouragement - 
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/bre...0528-bp24.html
Steve Jancetic
May 28, 2009 - 10:54PM .
Under-siege Sydney Roosters coach Brad Fittler has vowed to see out the season with the struggling NRL club despite reports claiming he was ready to throw in the towel.
After a week of soul-searching following last week's demoralising loss to Penrith, Fittler said there was renewed vigour within the club to turn things around over the second half of the season.
The Roosters finished 2008 as one of the best six sides in the NRL, but are struggling near the foot of the ladder with just three wins from their opening 11 matches in 2009.
The poor run has left many questioning Fittler's future at the club, with reports surfacing this week of a stand-off between the coach and some senior players, but the former Test skipper has vowed to reunite the club.
"There's no doubt morale is low, the spirit in which they're playing with at the moment really shows where the morale of the club is at the moment," Fittler told the Nine Network's The Footy Show on Thursday night.
"Today was a really good day, we had a chat with the players looking at some things to go forward and they came to me and said that I had their support.
"I'm going to see it through, no doubt. I still definitely enjoy it, it's one of the greatest challenges you could imagine ... sometimes it really tests you."
Fittler is believed to be keen to secure a new deal at the club for next year and beyond, but admits his job security will be determined by wins and losses.
"I'm a realist. If it doesn't get better and there's no improvement, it's up to the board, they're got to run a club," Fittler said.
"I love my job, the club has got people to run the club ... if they feel the need to bring someone in over the top of me to improve things, I don't really care."
After a heated team meeting at the start of the week as the staff and players mulled the 48-6 thumping at the hands of the Panthers, Fittler said he had been buoyed by the support of the players.
"They said I had their support, we looked at different ways that I could change and that I could make it a better environment for them to play better," Fittler revealed.
"That's my job when it comes down to it, is try to create that environment and at the moment it's not there."
The Roosters have the bye this weekend before a daunting trip to reigning premiers Manly in round 13.
Brad Fittler jokes as knives are sharpened
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/spo...-14823,00.html
FOR a club in crisis, the Roosters were having an awful lot of fun yesterday - and besieged coach Brad Fittler was in the middle of the frivolity.
Despite speculation he would quit the club within six weeks, Fittler and the Roosters turned out in their favourite jerseys for a closed session at Moore Park.
Captain Braith Anasta - said to be a central figure in player tension against the coach - was wearing a Bradley Clyde Canberra Raiders jersey and joking with Fittler.
While the embattled club was putting on a brave face yesterday, one of the men thrown up as a potential replacement for Fittler said he was ready to take charge of an NRL side.
While Melbourne Storm assistant coach Michael Maguire was reluctant to discuss any link to the Roosters, he said he was ready for the step up.
"Definitely. I have always wanted to inherit a first-grade side," Maguire said. "I haven't pushed my name out there, but feel I am now ready for the challenge. I have been at Canberra and Melbourne for 10 years now in conditioning, administration and high performance.
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"Brad is doing his best and given the chance, I would do my best. I understand how a club would work from the boardroom down to the trainers. We all need to be on the same page. If the chance came up at the Roosters, everyone would know where the club was going."
But in a Daily Telegraph online poll yesterday, 86 per cent of respondents claimed the players were to blame for the Roosters' poor season - and not Fittler.
The fans' endorsement came as Anasta denied any split in the ranks, declaring full support for the Roosters legend.
Denying any blow-up with Fittler, Anasta told The Daily Telegraph: "Everything is sweet, mate. Everyone supports Freddy. I've always supported Freddy and I always will. I have been outspoken on that. Nothing has changed mate."
Fittler yesterday maintained his silence over his future after taking his troops through their final session of the week before the bye.
But the push has begun for alternatives, with former Test prop Steve Roach backing Maguire after working with him in the Country set-up over the past two years.
"I've seen a few coaches because I've been around for a while now, but he is one of the best coaches I have ever seen," Roach said.
"Everything is hands-on with him. He has plenty of knowledge and a great temperament.
"He does a lot of Craig Bellamy's stuff. He is ready to go right now - 100 per cent. He has covered all bases in a football club."
Fellow Storm assistant and New Zealand Test coach Stephen Kearney was loath to discuss any link to the Roosters.
Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce yesterday offered his support to Fittler.
"We have to stick together," Noyce said.
Asked would Fittler be at Bondi in 2010, he said: "I think you're getting ahead of yourself."
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/bre...0528-bp24.html
Steve Jancetic
May 28, 2009 - 10:54PM .
Under-siege Sydney Roosters coach Brad Fittler has vowed to see out the season with the struggling NRL club despite reports claiming he was ready to throw in the towel.
After a week of soul-searching following last week's demoralising loss to Penrith, Fittler said there was renewed vigour within the club to turn things around over the second half of the season.
The Roosters finished 2008 as one of the best six sides in the NRL, but are struggling near the foot of the ladder with just three wins from their opening 11 matches in 2009.
The poor run has left many questioning Fittler's future at the club, with reports surfacing this week of a stand-off between the coach and some senior players, but the former Test skipper has vowed to reunite the club.
"There's no doubt morale is low, the spirit in which they're playing with at the moment really shows where the morale of the club is at the moment," Fittler told the Nine Network's The Footy Show on Thursday night.
"Today was a really good day, we had a chat with the players looking at some things to go forward and they came to me and said that I had their support.
"I'm going to see it through, no doubt. I still definitely enjoy it, it's one of the greatest challenges you could imagine ... sometimes it really tests you."
Fittler is believed to be keen to secure a new deal at the club for next year and beyond, but admits his job security will be determined by wins and losses.
"I'm a realist. If it doesn't get better and there's no improvement, it's up to the board, they're got to run a club," Fittler said.
"I love my job, the club has got people to run the club ... if they feel the need to bring someone in over the top of me to improve things, I don't really care."
After a heated team meeting at the start of the week as the staff and players mulled the 48-6 thumping at the hands of the Panthers, Fittler said he had been buoyed by the support of the players.
"They said I had their support, we looked at different ways that I could change and that I could make it a better environment for them to play better," Fittler revealed.
"That's my job when it comes down to it, is try to create that environment and at the moment it's not there."
The Roosters have the bye this weekend before a daunting trip to reigning premiers Manly in round 13.
Brad Fittler jokes as knives are sharpened
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/spo...-14823,00.html
FOR a club in crisis, the Roosters were having an awful lot of fun yesterday - and besieged coach Brad Fittler was in the middle of the frivolity.
Despite speculation he would quit the club within six weeks, Fittler and the Roosters turned out in their favourite jerseys for a closed session at Moore Park.
Captain Braith Anasta - said to be a central figure in player tension against the coach - was wearing a Bradley Clyde Canberra Raiders jersey and joking with Fittler.
While the embattled club was putting on a brave face yesterday, one of the men thrown up as a potential replacement for Fittler said he was ready to take charge of an NRL side.
While Melbourne Storm assistant coach Michael Maguire was reluctant to discuss any link to the Roosters, he said he was ready for the step up.
"Definitely. I have always wanted to inherit a first-grade side," Maguire said. "I haven't pushed my name out there, but feel I am now ready for the challenge. I have been at Canberra and Melbourne for 10 years now in conditioning, administration and high performance.
Origin: Shocks galore in NSW team picked on stats
Late mail: Team changes for weekend games
Supercoach: Don't forget to update your team
"Brad is doing his best and given the chance, I would do my best. I understand how a club would work from the boardroom down to the trainers. We all need to be on the same page. If the chance came up at the Roosters, everyone would know where the club was going."
But in a Daily Telegraph online poll yesterday, 86 per cent of respondents claimed the players were to blame for the Roosters' poor season - and not Fittler.
The fans' endorsement came as Anasta denied any split in the ranks, declaring full support for the Roosters legend.
Denying any blow-up with Fittler, Anasta told The Daily Telegraph: "Everything is sweet, mate. Everyone supports Freddy. I've always supported Freddy and I always will. I have been outspoken on that. Nothing has changed mate."
Fittler yesterday maintained his silence over his future after taking his troops through their final session of the week before the bye.
But the push has begun for alternatives, with former Test prop Steve Roach backing Maguire after working with him in the Country set-up over the past two years.
"I've seen a few coaches because I've been around for a while now, but he is one of the best coaches I have ever seen," Roach said.
"Everything is hands-on with him. He has plenty of knowledge and a great temperament.
"He does a lot of Craig Bellamy's stuff. He is ready to go right now - 100 per cent. He has covered all bases in a football club."
Fellow Storm assistant and New Zealand Test coach Stephen Kearney was loath to discuss any link to the Roosters.
Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce yesterday offered his support to Fittler.
"We have to stick together," Noyce said.
Asked would Fittler be at Bondi in 2010, he said: "I think you're getting ahead of yourself."
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