Aston slams Sheffield’s dead men walking

Sheffield Eagles coach Mark Aston has hinted that big changes could be in the pipeline for his team.

The Steel City outfit crashed to yet another home defeat at the weekend, losing 32-14 to a committed and capable Halifax side.

That was the Eagles’ fifth home defeat at Owlerton Stadium this season, and Aston feels that it is time for a change.

“They’re digging, they keep digging a hole, and they’re going to end up in Australia by the time they’ve finished!” he joked about his players, with a grim smile.

“There’s players in there who aren’t putting their hands up, and that puts me in not a great position.

“Do I play the kids? What have they done wrong to deserve that? Why would I put them in to sort it out?

“We’re disappointed yet again. Before long, I’m going to lose my patience with it, and I’m going to do what I have to do.

“I said a couple of weeks ago that it’s time to get the kids in. I haven’t wanted to throw the kids in against Halifax and probably next week [versus Leigh].

“But once that’s done, get ready.

“And I’ll get something out of it. Us, me, personally, the backroom staff, are doing what we need to do to get them boys ready for performances.

“But it’s a two way thing. The players have got to put their hands up, and they’re not. I’m drawing a blank from what I’m doing, so I’m going to have to change it.

“Some people are mentally weak, and the mentally weak people have been found out yet again.

“What I want is people who are committed to where we’re supposed to go. I’ll change it.”

There has been much talk about Owlerton exerting a negative influence on the Eagles players, but Aston brushes off suggestions that the problems are anything other than the players’ fault.

“The problem is us. It’s not about anybody else,” he asserted.

“We need to stop talking about talking the talk, we need to start walking the walk.

“There’s one or two who are hurting, and you can see in their body language where they’re at. But are there enough of them?

“Are there any lights on with some of them?

“It’s about us, and these players are digging. They need to start filling, and we don’t know when they’re going to turn up, or what they’re going to turn up with at the moment.

“We’ve got too many people doing what they want to do. I’m going to have to sort it out.

“We’re playing soft, and some people are kidding themselves. It’s a physical game, and what we want is people who are going to be physical.”