What the Leeds CEO said is contained here:
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/s ... -1-4617053Gary Hetherington wrote:
“I am questioning the future of the current Rhinos team and asking whether it has run its race following last Friday’s defeat – and if so, do we need a major overhaul for next season? It’s what the fans are asking too and it’s a very fair question. This squad has achieved remarkable success over the last eight years with 14 major finals, three World Club titles and being five times Super League champions. Many of these players will assume legendary status in years to come and it will be a sad time when we say goodbye to them. But Friday’s result was devastating and hugely disappointing for all concerned, not least the fans who were tremendous with great vocal backing to the end. I know how much the players appreciate it and it sent a strong message to the game just how united we are. We have been here before of course, exactly one year ago, when at this stage we suffered consecutive defeats to a much superior Warrington team 42-6 and St Helens 42-16. At that time we firmly believed our squad was good enough to be successful and so it proved to be. Our problem, like then, is not a coaching issue. While ultimately the coach takes responsibility for team performance, it is all too easy to heap the blame on the coach and his staff when things are not going well. If you ask any of our players, they will tell you the quality of coaching and team management provided by Brian McDermott, James Lowes and Jason Davidson has never been better. It is not a lack of pride or concern either, the players were upset last week and are desperate to improve. Having spent two days with the squad on a recent camp, I reckon the spirit, camaraderie, togetherness and chemistry between players and coaches is as good as I have known. So while accepting the standard at the top of Super League is getting better and Wigan in particular are playing exceptionally well at present I reckon our problem lies firmly with individual player performance. Clearly our current squad will be together for the rest of this season and there’s a long way to go, but the jury is out for 2013.”
The bit that some people appear to be focusing on is the extract that followed what Hetherington
actually said namely :
The majority of Rhinos’ squad are under contract for next year, but Hetherington said they would be prepared to release under-performing players, whether they are on a current deal or not. And he denied the policy of tying players to long-term deals has led to complacency among the team. Hetherington has declined to comment on what players – or positions – Rhinos are looking at for next year.
You'll note the sudden absence of the all important " " at this point in the article. You cannot hope to hold someone to something they never
actually said. Classic spin.
It's a well crafted piece just as these press releases usually are but there's far more heat than light contained. The Leeds CEO asks a pertinent question of this year's squad (and the one already more or less assembled for 2013) but does no more than that. If he decides a WCC win, a challenge cup semi-final and a play-off finish is a satisfactory answer you'll have falsely raised your own expectations.
The only comfort I'm taking is the coach bearing ultimate responsibility for the unacceptable poor performances in all but a handful of games over his time in charge.
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