I'm losing faith in the board as our club has been on a gradual decline over the past 5 years in most areas. Yes, they have seemingly fixed the salary cap fiasco for now, but how we come out the other side of that will be the true test. I guess it is easy enough to let go of players on huge salaries and replace them with players of lesser ability on smaller salaries to get the cap under control, but as we have seen, that leaves us with a very weakened roster of players that basically can't compete with most teams for the entire season, although we seem to jag some wins towards the end of each season that gives us a false glimmer of hope for the following season. The recruitment for next year is critical and I feel that is what the board will be judged on
Unfortunately I don't think our club has been or is currently a very attractive option for players, coaches and sponsors to come to. I feel that a proactive board would have made sure that after we bottomed out with the salary cap that we would be on an upward trajectory to make the club look like it is on the rise and would be an exciting prospect for players to jump on board, but unfortunately that couldn't be further from the truth
I think Dean Pay has to wear most of the blame for that, but the board also play a part as they extended him rather than replace him. I think we have all seen his limitations as a coach and I feel a better coach would have us in a much better position in regards to our playing style and the development of our players. To be frank, our players haven't developed under him and our playing style is not only the most boring and frustrating to watch, but we are miles away from most other teams in both structures and basics. When commentators and ex players start to publicly state that they can't see how we are going to score points , we have major problems
Like most of us on this forum, I think the recruitment focus for next year should solely be for a 1, 6, 7 and 9 and at a minimum filling 3 of those positions with attacking minded players. We will need to pay overs, get players to break contracts, whatever it takes to improve our spine. I feel we have enough depth in other positions to become competitive IF we strengthen our spine. Secondly a new coach is a must, but looking at what coaches are out there and available, it will be a tough job to get the right one....but this is up to the board to deliver these things and I feel this will make or break this board