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.
Holmsinator
Guest
What the stats show is irrelevant, we are still a team of second rowers and props, even if we lost our best last year. Whether they are doing work or not is another question altogether. Fair call from the Doggies fan, we'd be better of without the big name Bulldogs of years past, but it was last year you were whinging about losing them when you guys weren't doing too well. Do you still miss them? Didn't think so. Neither will we, hopefully sooner rather than later.
Gerry Faehrmann
Guest
You Roosters supporters just don't get it...you couldn't help yourselves buying up all the big name ex-Bulldogs! Now you're whingeing and carrying on like a pack of ol' women...trying to blame it on the top heavy forwards! Go the Bulldogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mushi
Guest
We're not a team of forwards though, look at the stats our forwards are dead ordinary we lost, statistically our best two forwards last year.
Holmsinator
Guest
Local boy Tom Symonds was the only highlight in a bleak performance last week, he never stopped trying, unlike some of his more experienced, better paid team mates. Jones and Shackleton didn't make themselves look too bad either. Maybe we've gotta get more red heads in the team. It can't be a worse tactic than playing Anasta at fullback. I think losing Big Willie is imperative to team morale, salary cap restrictions etc etc. WIth the extra $ we could keep prospects like Symonds and buy some backs, as it seems we are a team of forwards at the moment.