Eagles coach ready to forgive critics - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Eagles coach ready to forgive critics

By Justin Chadwick 05/05/2010 05:35:45 PM Comments (0)

Besieged West Coast coach John Worsfold admits he's feeling the pressure after his side's woeful start to the AFL season but is willing to forgive his critics once the club's fortunes change.

The Eagles sit 14th with just one win to their name ahead of Saturday's home clash with fellow strugglers Hawthorn.

Worsfold again declared his team remained on track for premiership success and said he'll forgive the doubting fans when that time comes.

"To all the people who want to rip into me, the game plan, our players, they will be there cheering us on in a few years' time and I'll forgive them," Worsfold said on Wednesday.

"I don't want people to ever think ... that we're not concerned about where we're at.

"We don't like not being at the top of the ladder but every club in the history of the game goes through a patch where they're not at the top of the ladder and it's how you deal with that.

"I've said to them (the players) we are going to get criticised, we are going to get bagged, but we are going to stay positive and believe where we are going to get to and we will get there.

"That is a given, that's not a maybe, that's a given, and I'm very focused on that."

A horror run of injuries hasn't helped West Coast's cause this year, with Daniel Kerr (hamstring) and Chris Masten (knee) among a host of players cut down.

"I do get a bit depressed when I go into our medical meeting and our team doctor, who's been a football doctor for 30-odd years, says 'never seen one of those in my career'," Worsfold said.

"I reckon he's said that eight times in the last two years.

"At the moment it hurts us.

"(We) get more criticism, get bagged more, get laughed at more by Fremantle supporters.

"That's not tough ... don't like it though."

The Eagles will make at least three changes this week, with Masten (knee), Brett Jones (arm) and Andrew Embley (suspended) all ruled out of action.

Ashley Hansen, Mitch Brown, Bradd Dalziell and Mark Nicoski are all strong chances to earn a recall, while young midfielder/defender Brad Sheppard is almost certain to make his AFL debut.

West Coast's disposal efficiency has been poor this season but Worsfold said skills coach Michael Broadbridge shouldn't wear all the blame.

"I'm not pointing the finger at our skills coach," he said.

"I hope he feels a little bit of pressure because I'm feeling a lot.

"So join in, let's all get in the same boat.

"We're all there."

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