Wests Tigers: Maguire keeps calm while Cooper Cronk points the finger at Luke Brooks

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire says he does not fear for his job heading into Thursday’s clash with the Gold Coast Titans.

The Tigers have lost their opening three games of the season and the pressure is mounting. There have been calls for Maguire to be axed since the 26-4 defeat against the Knights in round two. And then again following a 16-12 loss to the Warriors the week after.

Another loss against the Titans and the knives will really be out. There has even been talk of Tigers football boss Tim Sheens stepping in to replace him.

However Maguire says he is ignoring the outside noise and is focused on the job in hand. The Tigers coach was in a relaxed mood as he addressed the media and told them his side need some luck to go their way.

Wests Tigers need some luck

And he did not sound like a man that fears for his job.

“I am that busy coaching my team I don’t spend too much time worrying about  the external world,” he said. “I have a great family to go home to and that’s what matters the most.

“We were pretty close in two of the three games. A few things go our way, which we need to create then all of a sudden we are talking about something different. We are actually not that far away from where we need to be.”

The pressure is on Maguire but the players need to step up also. In fairness many have spoken out in support of Maguire and said it is down to the players to perform.

Cronk looks to Brooks

Former NRL ace Cooper Cronk agrees and says the Tigers players missed a trick against the Warriors. Trailing by four points the Tigers were handed a boost when the Warriors were reduced to 12 men. But they failed to capitalise and Cronk believes that was down to bad choices being made out on the park.

“Montoya their left winger went down so naturally you have to get the ball over to the right side for the Tigers,” Cronk told NRL360. “The 17 tackles they had attacking the Warriors line they only shifted the ball there twice. Footy sense and footy IQ has to come out.”

When pushed over who should put their hand up and take responsibility, Cronk was clear.

“I would like to think Luke Brooks takes ownership of that,” he added. “It’s on Luke Brooks but the spine need a bit more footy awareness in moments like that.”